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Football positions becoming too physically specialized?
Posted on 5/17/13 at 3:44 pm
Posted on 5/17/13 at 3:44 pm
Just something that's popped in and out of my head the last few years.
I think one of the factors that's becoming far too overlooked is the guy's actual ability to play football.
Say you've got a recruit that's 6-5 220ish, regular to smallish frame, good speed, not great, hustles all day, has the 'motor' on overdrive, smart, picks up things/drills very fast, etc.
The guy is say 80-85th percentile on the physical testing, 95-97th percentile on mental aspects, and is a commanding presence, locker room leader type of cat. Sure to be a contributor at the college level but not that freak that everyone knows is going to at least get a couple years of NFL checks if he doesn't screw it up or get badly injured.
What do you do with a guy like this? Make him a Tebow QB and hope he develops his passing game? Hope he can put on another 15 lbs and be an effective LB? He's never going to put on the weight to play on the lines? Have him add 25 lbs and be a TE? Secondary/RB/WR is out of the question due to his lack of blazing speed. Teach him to longsnap or punt?
Or is this guy destined to D2 because his measureables don't scream NFL prospect?
I think one of the factors that's becoming far too overlooked is the guy's actual ability to play football.
Say you've got a recruit that's 6-5 220ish, regular to smallish frame, good speed, not great, hustles all day, has the 'motor' on overdrive, smart, picks up things/drills very fast, etc.
The guy is say 80-85th percentile on the physical testing, 95-97th percentile on mental aspects, and is a commanding presence, locker room leader type of cat. Sure to be a contributor at the college level but not that freak that everyone knows is going to at least get a couple years of NFL checks if he doesn't screw it up or get badly injured.
What do you do with a guy like this? Make him a Tebow QB and hope he develops his passing game? Hope he can put on another 15 lbs and be an effective LB? He's never going to put on the weight to play on the lines? Have him add 25 lbs and be a TE? Secondary/RB/WR is out of the question due to his lack of blazing speed. Teach him to longsnap or punt?
Or is this guy destined to D2 because his measureables don't scream NFL prospect?
6
Posted on 5/17/13 at 3:53 pm to CtotheVrzrbck
Putting on 15 lbs in a year is not an unreasonable thing to ask of a D1 prospect. That happens all the time with freshman while they are redshirted.
Posted on 5/17/13 at 4:16 pm to CtotheVrzrbck
Depending on hands, he could be a physical WR and stay the same weight. Or he could add 20 lbs and be a TE. If this were a real prospect, I'd go with TE. 6'5, good speed, smart, and hard-working sounds like a formula for a solid TE.
But as for your point, I think measurables are a little over-emphasized, but they still need to be looked at. In many cases, if a guy can really play football, but doesn't have the right measurables, he won't translate to the college level when he plays better athletes. You just have to find a balance between the two
But as for your point, I think measurables are a little over-emphasized, but they still need to be looked at. In many cases, if a guy can really play football, but doesn't have the right measurables, he won't translate to the college level when he plays better athletes. You just have to find a balance between the two
This post was edited on 5/17/13 at 4:33 pm
Posted on 5/17/13 at 4:22 pm to CtotheVrzrbck
I think they are. You hear stories about guys getting offers pulled because their measurables are 1" or 2" short.
Posted on 5/17/13 at 4:35 pm to CtotheVrzrbck
On both ends of this spectrum, Blaine Gabbert had every measurable nearly every NFL wanted. The downside IMO is he couldn't play football. Flip side, we have a freshman coming that is a gamer and could probably play almost anywhere other than the line. Was a QB in HS but would love to see him converted to LB, TE or maybe even S.
Posted on 5/17/13 at 7:29 pm to reedus23
quote:
we have a freshman coming that is a gamer and could probably play almost anywhere other than the line. Was a QB in HS but would love to see him converted to LB, TE or maybe even S.
The kid from the KC area? I love his game, I wanted Arkansas to go after him so bad. I just want Arkansas to hit KC hard in general. Lots of talent up there.
Posted on 5/17/13 at 9:58 pm to CtotheVrzrbck
The funny thing about professional sports is that the "best" don't always play. It is the ones who take advantage of their opportunities that make it.
Posted on 5/17/13 at 10:02 pm to CtotheVrzrbck
Coached a kid who had offers from someone in ever BSC conference but Wake wouldn't offer him because they were only recruiting OTs who were 6'5. 6'4 1/2 was too short for them and since they had just won the ACC and they could be picky.
Posted on 5/17/13 at 10:32 pm to Porter Osborne Jr
Glad to see that worked out well for Wake.
Posted on 5/17/13 at 10:45 pm to UAFanFromNOLA
quote:
Putting on 15 lbs in a year is not an unreasonable thing to ask of a D1 prospect. That happens all the time with freshman while they are redshirted.
Lane Johnson
From QB to OL and 1st round draft pick
This post was edited on 5/18/13 at 6:11 pm
Posted on 5/18/13 at 5:43 pm to CtotheVrzrbck
quote:
The kid from the KC area? I love his game, I wanted Arkansas to go after him so bad. I just want Arkansas to hit KC hard in general. Lots of talent up there.
Yeah, Hosick from the KC area. Kid supposedly has a motor that just won't stop and is a weight room fanatic. Saw him play once and I really question his QB skills, but is an overall athlete and I'm kind of hoping they move him to another place on the field.
Posted on 5/18/13 at 8:34 pm to CtotheVrzrbck
quote:
Just something that's popped in and out of my head the last few years.
I think one of the factors that's becoming far too overlooked is the guy's actual ability to play football.
Say you've got a recruit that's 6-5 220ish, regular to smallish frame, good speed, not great, hustles all day, has the 'motor' on overdrive, smart, picks up things/drills very fast, etc.
The guy is say 80-85th percentile on the physical testing, 95-97th percentile on mental aspects, and is a commanding presence, locker room leader type of cat. Sure to be a contributor at the college level but not that freak that everyone knows is going to at least get a couple years of NFL checks if he doesn't screw it up or get badly injured.
What do you do with a guy like this? Make him a Tebow QB and hope he develops his passing game? Hope he can put on another 15 lbs and be an effective LB? He's never going to put on the weight to play on the lines? Have him add 25 lbs and be a TE? Secondary/RB/WR is out of the question due to his lack of blazing speed. Teach him to longsnap or punt?
Or is this guy destined to D2 because his measureables don't scream NFL prospect?
My guess would be that this type of recruiting happens with elite teams, and teams who confuse themselves for being elite.
Tweener type guys have turned Boise St. into a perennial Top 15 team.
Some guys just take a couple of years to find their position or develop at one. There is not as much time for that at the LSUs, FLoridas, etc. But the TCUs, Utahs, etc. have to rely on those type of guys. It's always pretty cool, in my opinion to see a guy wait around for 4/5 years and get on the field at Bama - guys like Nick Gentry, Kelly Johnson, etc.
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