re: 2015 Arkansas Recruiting Thread - Football & Basketball Commits

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I think Gragg could be a great option at our in-line TE position if they can sell him on it. Basically playing the role of Loewen and Tate from last year. However, he wouldn't get as many balls thrown to him there as he would at the roles that Henry, O'Grady and Cantrell would be getting.

The issue is that he wants to be a flex TE, it seems. It's his life at the end of the day so you can't fault him for wanting to play the position that would make him happiest. However, that position may not be at Arkansas.

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Yeah, that's my point, he will likely be lining up with his hand in the dirt for Bert, or that is where the staff seems to think he is best served.

He appears to think he is a Henry/O'Grady type player.

The difference in the bodies and hands is easily seen between the two, so people point that out.

He may go to a place that sells him on playing the position he wants, and he may never see the field at the position or much at all without moving positions (remember the TE that committed to Arkansas then flipped to Nutt and OM a couple days later? You don't? Because he was not able to play the position there, but would have been a fit here so he never saw the field there).

It is a two edge sword, we got Joe Adams because he could play WR here, DB every where else, he would likely still be in the NFL doing well had he committed to playing DB. Same with Felix Jones, RB here, DB everywhere else.

Personally, if CBB was recruiting me to play a position where he is known to send players to the NFL, I would listen if I wanted to play in the NFL, even if I didn't agree with him over a former HS coach who's claim to fame is riding a OTs coat tails to the college level.

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Did anyone think Chris would grow into the type of TE he ended up being when he was originally signed as a WR?

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Swap that to DE and you would be talking about Jamaal Anderson.

Both were 2* WRs. Both became bigger and stronger while retaining their speed after redshirt years.

The difference is Gragg has this same hope for getting bigger, stronger, and faster, but is a 4* rated player, so really his projection is coming from the hope that he has the same drive, motivation, and work ethic as his older brother and that isn't a given.

The 4* next to his name is why most feel he is a "must have" and do not get those who do not care if he does or doesn't sign, if he had the same 2*s next to his name as the above, there wouldn't be much mention other than being Chris' lil bro from these same people who will freak out if he signs elsewhere.

The other problem would be both of the above were more than willing to switch positions, while Gragg seems content on playing only one position.

Dafuq happened in this thread.

Just calling a spade a spade. Compared to some of the other stuff you guys get upset about, berating a 17 year old kid (who could still end up signing with Arkansas and doing great things for us) seems like a whole other level of douchebaggery.

Are we discussing his physical attributes, or are we making fun of something that could well be gynecomastia?

I was raised better than THAT at least.

It's not our fault he has small hands

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Twig arms, man boobs and a beer gut are all physical attributes.

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Probably describes a larger percentage of message board posters than they would ever admit, but they are not a "4*" prospect.

Quit talking about me.

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I still fail to see how a recruit's star ranking should or shouldn't open them up to being made fun of.

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Remember Dyer? The 5*? The one who acted like a complete douche during the recruiting process?

People were still upset when Bert didn't give him a third chance here. Some are blinded by the stars, it would be a completely different discussion about Gragg if he was from Wyoming, same ranking, start rating, etc instead of being from AR.

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I understand that 40 times, strength, weight for position, etc are relevant discussions.

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So would be hand size and upper body strength for a position like, frick I don't know, TE.

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I think you and I, at least, are just talking about different things.

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I'm giving you a cause/effect example.

Let's not pretend Gragg hasn't done anything to get a rise out of the fanbase the past couple years on twitter and what not.

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I guess we should hire a new coach? Why is he offering guys who have inadequate hands? Why is he offering guys who lack the capacity to improve their strength, because we all know players stay the same size junior year of high school through 5 years of college.

I'm fine with saying the dude needs to add upper body strength. But so do ALL high school players.

I'm just not fine with talking about whether or not he plays with his moobs. Gynecomastia is a real thing. It impacts a decent number of teenagers and then for most, it'll just go away.

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Again, back to my original point, it would be a different discussion if he wasn't a 4* from Arkansas, meaning he likely wouldn't be in any discussion on this board, just like the other out state guys are various positions who have announced a visit list without Arkansas on the list are not discussed.

Sorry about your struggles with Gynecomastia.