That hell hole?
2014 Official Random College Football Thread
- Thread starter MikelArteta
- Start date
Lucky_Lefty
Dreams Are Colder Than Death...
Not really that bad. Bar hopped in Old City, running the Landing at sunrise with the river to my right, Neyland to my left, good food, etc...not a bad place at all
PortCityProphet
Follow me to the truth
Looking through old pictures this morning brehs
Bro I forgot all about this game. That's what type of ass whoopin it was
Lucky_Lefty
Dreams Are Colder Than Death...
at work, bored, need some CFB in my life so I'll post some E!SPN Insider articles
With the recruiting process sped up more than ever before, college coaches say it's imperative to actively target not just one but two recruiting classes simultaneously. And with more than 165 prospects in the 2015 ESPN 300 already committed to schools, some coaches are already on the hot seat with the 2016 class. Here's a look at five coaches who need to do well with prospects in the ESPN Junior 300, which was released Tuesday.
• Kyle Flood, Rutgers: After a dismal effort in 2014, Rutgers has rebounded with 16 commits already in the 2015 class. The only problem with those commitments is that 15 of them are three-star prospects. Recruiting in New Jersey has been flat-out dominated by Penn State and new coach James Franklin. History tells us the Nittany Lions have always recruited well in New Jersey, but four of the top six players in the 2015 class have picked Happy Valley, and top-ranked in-state prospect Minkah Fitzpatrick is headed to Alabama. If Rutgers is going to win in the Big Ten, the Scarlet Knights have to keep the top players in state. They simply can't supplement that local talent that's lost to rival programs with players from other states. That's why the 2016 class is going to be absolutely critical for Flood. The ESPN Junior 300 has nine prospects from New Jersey in it, including running back Kareem Walker, the No. 5 player overall. Walker has visited Rutgers several times, and he's a must-get for the Scarlet Knights.
• Al Golden, Miami: Things are never easy in the Sunshine State. Not only is Florida State coming off a national championship and recruiting like Bobby Bowden's glory days, but SEC schools such as Alabama, LSU, Georgia and South Carolina also have made a living out of poaching Florida prospects. Golden and the Canes have made some positive steps forward, both on the field and on the recruiting trail, but the 2016 class will be a critical point for his tenure. With 40 prospects from Florida in the ESPN Junior 300, Golden has to continue to recruit at a high level to compete with FSU and turn Miami into the championship program that's expected in Coral Gables. The good news is that early returns are very positive. The Canes already have three commitments from top 300 players, including quarterback Jack Allison, the No. 27 player in the country.
• Chris Petersen, Washington: At Boise State, Petersen's "OKG" (Our Kinda Guy) formula helped the Broncos win a lot of games with players who were under-recruited but developed into gems. Petersen has kept that as the foundation of what he does at Washington, but there is a different level of talent in the Pac-12. Petersen and his staff are going to have to their fair share of recruiting battles to compete with Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, USC and fast-rising Arizona and Arizona State. Some of the most important battles he must win are right in his backyard, with five prospects from Washington in the ESPN Junior 300. The biggest prize is quarterback Jacob Eason, the No. 4 player overall, but the competition from Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame and countless others is going to be stiff. Washington is right in the thick of things for other top in-state targets, such as running back Isaiah Gilchrist, defensive end Isaac Garcia and safety Taylor Rapp.
• Mark Richt, Georgia: For all that Richt has done right at Georgia, there's always enormous pressure to win big with in-state prospects. The difficult task for Richt and his staff at Georgia is to keep elite players away from all the surrounding SEC and ACC programs that are just a stone's throw away from the Bulldogs' recruiting base. In some years Richt has done better than others, but many recruiting observers have noticed the Dawgs' grip on the best players from the Peach State has slipped away over the past few classes, including 2015, as five of the top eight prospects have picked out-of-state programs. That makes 2016 a big year for Richt. The good news is the talent is there for the taking. There are 35 Georgia prospects in the ESPN Junior 300, with the biggest prizes being No. 16 prospect Mecole Hardman, an athlete, and wide receiver Demetris Robertson, who is ranked No. 28.
(fukkIN WITCH HUNT)
• Charlie Strong, Texas: Strong has been dogged by negativity on the recruiting trail since he arrived in Austin. The biggest reasons: His recruiting style just isn't the same as former coach Mack Brown's, and Texas A&M continues to haul in the top prospects in the Lone Star State. Strong looks like he's going to continue to stick to his guns and find players who fit his style and scheme, but he must do a better job of luring top Texans to the Forty Acres in the 2016 class. There's a good chance five of the top 10 2015 players in Texas will end up in College Station, and offensive tackle Greg Little, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2016 class, has already committed to the Aggies. But there still is enough talent in the 2016 class for Strong to reverse A&M's stranglehold on the recruiting trail. There are seven Texans in the top 40, including No. 7 Deontay Anderson and No. 8 Brandon Jones, who are both safeties, and 40 total prospects in the ESPN Junior 300. Strong and his assistants have spent a lot of effort recruiting 2016 prospects, and with the amount of talent in the Longhorns' backyard, there's tremendous pressure to turn things around.
• Kyle Flood, Rutgers: After a dismal effort in 2014, Rutgers has rebounded with 16 commits already in the 2015 class. The only problem with those commitments is that 15 of them are three-star prospects. Recruiting in New Jersey has been flat-out dominated by Penn State and new coach James Franklin. History tells us the Nittany Lions have always recruited well in New Jersey, but four of the top six players in the 2015 class have picked Happy Valley, and top-ranked in-state prospect Minkah Fitzpatrick is headed to Alabama. If Rutgers is going to win in the Big Ten, the Scarlet Knights have to keep the top players in state. They simply can't supplement that local talent that's lost to rival programs with players from other states. That's why the 2016 class is going to be absolutely critical for Flood. The ESPN Junior 300 has nine prospects from New Jersey in it, including running back Kareem Walker, the No. 5 player overall. Walker has visited Rutgers several times, and he's a must-get for the Scarlet Knights.
• Al Golden, Miami: Things are never easy in the Sunshine State. Not only is Florida State coming off a national championship and recruiting like Bobby Bowden's glory days, but SEC schools such as Alabama, LSU, Georgia and South Carolina also have made a living out of poaching Florida prospects. Golden and the Canes have made some positive steps forward, both on the field and on the recruiting trail, but the 2016 class will be a critical point for his tenure. With 40 prospects from Florida in the ESPN Junior 300, Golden has to continue to recruit at a high level to compete with FSU and turn Miami into the championship program that's expected in Coral Gables. The good news is that early returns are very positive. The Canes already have three commitments from top 300 players, including quarterback Jack Allison, the No. 27 player in the country.
• Chris Petersen, Washington: At Boise State, Petersen's "OKG" (Our Kinda Guy) formula helped the Broncos win a lot of games with players who were under-recruited but developed into gems. Petersen has kept that as the foundation of what he does at Washington, but there is a different level of talent in the Pac-12. Petersen and his staff are going to have to their fair share of recruiting battles to compete with Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, USC and fast-rising Arizona and Arizona State. Some of the most important battles he must win are right in his backyard, with five prospects from Washington in the ESPN Junior 300. The biggest prize is quarterback Jacob Eason, the No. 4 player overall, but the competition from Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame and countless others is going to be stiff. Washington is right in the thick of things for other top in-state targets, such as running back Isaiah Gilchrist, defensive end Isaac Garcia and safety Taylor Rapp.
• Mark Richt, Georgia: For all that Richt has done right at Georgia, there's always enormous pressure to win big with in-state prospects. The difficult task for Richt and his staff at Georgia is to keep elite players away from all the surrounding SEC and ACC programs that are just a stone's throw away from the Bulldogs' recruiting base. In some years Richt has done better than others, but many recruiting observers have noticed the Dawgs' grip on the best players from the Peach State has slipped away over the past few classes, including 2015, as five of the top eight prospects have picked out-of-state programs. That makes 2016 a big year for Richt. The good news is the talent is there for the taking. There are 35 Georgia prospects in the ESPN Junior 300, with the biggest prizes being No. 16 prospect Mecole Hardman, an athlete, and wide receiver Demetris Robertson, who is ranked No. 28.
(fukkIN WITCH HUNT)
• Charlie Strong, Texas: Strong has been dogged by negativity on the recruiting trail since he arrived in Austin. The biggest reasons: His recruiting style just isn't the same as former coach Mack Brown's, and Texas A&M continues to haul in the top prospects in the Lone Star State. Strong looks like he's going to continue to stick to his guns and find players who fit his style and scheme, but he must do a better job of luring top Texans to the Forty Acres in the 2016 class. There's a good chance five of the top 10 2015 players in Texas will end up in College Station, and offensive tackle Greg Little, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2016 class, has already committed to the Aggies. But there still is enough talent in the 2016 class for Strong to reverse A&M's stranglehold on the recruiting trail. There are seven Texans in the top 40, including No. 7 Deontay Anderson and No. 8 Brandon Jones, who are both safeties, and 40 total prospects in the ESPN Junior 300. Strong and his assistants have spent a lot of effort recruiting 2016 prospects, and with the amount of talent in the Longhorns' backyard, there's tremendous pressure to turn things around.
Lucky_Lefty
Dreams Are Colder Than Death...
It's never easy to overcome the loss of the greatest player in a college football program's history, but the track record of teams rebounding from the loss of their biggest name is far from entirely negative.
The Georgia Bulldogs went 10-1-1 the season after they said goodbye to Herschel Walker. Bear Bryant once called Joe Namath the most talented player he had ever seen. And yet, a year after Namath went pro, the Alabama Crimson Tide won a share of the national championship. Archie Griffin was the only two-time winner of the Heisman Trophy, but in the campaign following his graduation, Woody Hayes was able to lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to a 9-2-1 record and an Orange Bowl win.
These examples offer hope for the Texas A&M Aggies, who will be without Heisman winner Johnny Manziel -- with all due respect to John David Crow, arguably the best player in the storied history of the program -- come this fall.
Indeed, when looking at the entirety of this roster and the circumstances surrounding the SEC, the Aggies seem poised to overcome Manziel's departure and join the club described above.
Here are four reasons:
State of the SEC makes this the perfect time to develop a QB
The Aggies aren't the only program in the SEC who will have a new face under center this coming season. In fact, the majority of the conference is experiencing upheaval at quarterback, with only three passers who started 10 games in 2014 -- Brandon Allen, Nick Marshall and Bo Wallace -- returning this season. If Allen doesn't get the starting job for the Arkansas Razorbacks (a sincere possibility) the list of SEC teams in a state of flux will grow even longer.
As such, whichever teams can develop a strong starter fastest will be positioned for success. Kevin Sumlin's history suggests the Aggies are as good a candidate as any. Prior to his arrival in College Station, Sumlin's Houston Cougars quarterbacks posted a composite Raw Total QBR of 81 on passing plays -- a mark not far removed from the 85 Raw Total QBR tallied by Aggies quarterbacks on passing plays over the past two seasons.
Sumlin won't have to scale back the offense for either of his two starting candidates this year. True freshman Kyle Allen enrolled in January and immediately displayed an ability to absorb the playbook. Sophomore Kenny Hill has also shown he could be a worthy inheritor of the Aggies' offense.
Also working in the Aggies' favor is a talented corps of skill players. Workhorse veteran Malcome Kennedy finished sixth in the SEC in receptions (60) last year. Ricky Seals-Jones was the best receiver in the 2013 recruiting class and has the potential to be a second-year star.
Speedy Noil was the No. 1 athlete in the 2014 class. Noil brings to mind Percy Harvin because he "is a flat-out jet ... instinctive, confident and could play multiple positions with a quick acclimation and minimal learning curve," according to Recruiting Nation.
Powerful O-line will allow for a greater emphasis on the running game
Last year, Texas A&M seemed to try and force opponents into shootouts. While this strategy led to the Aggies scoring 40 points in 10 straight games, it also had the side effect of overextending the defense, which finished last in the SEC in points per game (32.2), yards per game (475.8) and yards per play (6.36).
With a new starter under center, A&M will likely begin to lean more strongly on its rushing game in an effort to better protect the defense and Sumlin's personnel should be more than up to the task. The offensive line returns four starters from a group which last year helped the Aggies lead the SEC in percentage of rushing plays that gained 5 or more yards (50.2 percent). According to ESPN Stats & Information, Texas A&M also posted the third-highest percentage in the conference of running back carries that netted 5 or more yards. Even in Manziel's absence, much talent remains on this roster.
The offensive line will also benefit from the development of fifth-year senior Garrett Gramling, who performed well while filling a starting role in spring practice. At best, Gramling becomes the fifth starter on the line. At worst, he offers some very valuable depth.
Slew of rushing talents in the backfield should make up for much of the big-play loss
It will take more than one prospect to replace the 36 rushing plays of 10 or more yards that Manziel posted on called rushes last year. Luckily, Texas A&M has a number of viable candidates ready to step up and fill the void.
Trey Williams is likely the strongest candidate in the field. Williams ranked fifth in the conference in yards per rush (7.02) among ball carriers with at least 50 rushing attempts last season, and racked up 19 carries that gained 10 or more yards. He was one of only 11 players nationally to post that level of double-digit gains on fewer than 100 carries, and very well could be a breakout star in 2014.
Tra Carson should also be able to lend a hand. Carson has the ability to turn the corner and hit an alley untouched (see: Carson's amazing run in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl) and has received plenty of praise from Sumlin during the offseason.
A foot injury has left Brandon Williams lower on the depth chart than some expected. Still, Sumlin once called Williams "a home run threat from anywhere" and said the now-junior "probably has the most wire-to-wire potential [among Texas A&M's running backs]."
It's not too late for Williams to make an impact, even amidst this talented group.
Manziel's shortcomings leave room to improve
Manziel's Heisman Trophy was the achievement of a lifetime. Outside of that honor, though, and the statistical highlights that went along with it, Manziel fell short in the area of team-oriented milestones.
Manziel's Aggies failed to win either an SEC championship or SEC division title under his stewardship. Manziel also had a 13-6 record against teams from BCS conferences and an 8-6 mark against BCS conference teams that ended the season with a record of .500 or better. Five of those eight wins came against the Ole Miss Rebels, Mississippi State Bulldogs and Vanderbilt Commodores, each of whom finished those campaigns with a combined record in SEC play of 17-23. While Manziel piloted Texas A&M to a signature victory against the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2012, his combined record against the Crimson Tide, Florida Gators, Auburn Tigers and LSU Tigers was a meager 2-5.
There's also a case to be made that Manziel wasn't even the Aggies' best player last season -- arguably, Mike Evans made an even larger impact in the early going.
None of this is meant to diminish Manziel's accomplishments, but rather to highlight the strength of his surroundings -- much of which remains intact -- and the room for improvement in College Station.
Bottom line
A brutal 2014 schedule that includes away games against the South Carolina Gamecocks, and at Alabama and Auburn, as well as home contests against the Missouri Tigers and LSU may make a repeat or improvement upon last year's 9-4 record difficult. Still, the trajectory of Texas A&M football is nevertheless upward, and any shortcomings this season shouldn't be solely because of Johnny Football's absence.
The Georgia Bulldogs went 10-1-1 the season after they said goodbye to Herschel Walker. Bear Bryant once called Joe Namath the most talented player he had ever seen. And yet, a year after Namath went pro, the Alabama Crimson Tide won a share of the national championship. Archie Griffin was the only two-time winner of the Heisman Trophy, but in the campaign following his graduation, Woody Hayes was able to lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to a 9-2-1 record and an Orange Bowl win.
These examples offer hope for the Texas A&M Aggies, who will be without Heisman winner Johnny Manziel -- with all due respect to John David Crow, arguably the best player in the storied history of the program -- come this fall.
Indeed, when looking at the entirety of this roster and the circumstances surrounding the SEC, the Aggies seem poised to overcome Manziel's departure and join the club described above.
Here are four reasons:
State of the SEC makes this the perfect time to develop a QB
The Aggies aren't the only program in the SEC who will have a new face under center this coming season. In fact, the majority of the conference is experiencing upheaval at quarterback, with only three passers who started 10 games in 2014 -- Brandon Allen, Nick Marshall and Bo Wallace -- returning this season. If Allen doesn't get the starting job for the Arkansas Razorbacks (a sincere possibility) the list of SEC teams in a state of flux will grow even longer.
As such, whichever teams can develop a strong starter fastest will be positioned for success. Kevin Sumlin's history suggests the Aggies are as good a candidate as any. Prior to his arrival in College Station, Sumlin's Houston Cougars quarterbacks posted a composite Raw Total QBR of 81 on passing plays -- a mark not far removed from the 85 Raw Total QBR tallied by Aggies quarterbacks on passing plays over the past two seasons.
Sumlin won't have to scale back the offense for either of his two starting candidates this year. True freshman Kyle Allen enrolled in January and immediately displayed an ability to absorb the playbook. Sophomore Kenny Hill has also shown he could be a worthy inheritor of the Aggies' offense.
Also working in the Aggies' favor is a talented corps of skill players. Workhorse veteran Malcome Kennedy finished sixth in the SEC in receptions (60) last year. Ricky Seals-Jones was the best receiver in the 2013 recruiting class and has the potential to be a second-year star.
Speedy Noil was the No. 1 athlete in the 2014 class. Noil brings to mind Percy Harvin because he "is a flat-out jet ... instinctive, confident and could play multiple positions with a quick acclimation and minimal learning curve," according to Recruiting Nation.
Powerful O-line will allow for a greater emphasis on the running game
Last year, Texas A&M seemed to try and force opponents into shootouts. While this strategy led to the Aggies scoring 40 points in 10 straight games, it also had the side effect of overextending the defense, which finished last in the SEC in points per game (32.2), yards per game (475.8) and yards per play (6.36).
With a new starter under center, A&M will likely begin to lean more strongly on its rushing game in an effort to better protect the defense and Sumlin's personnel should be more than up to the task. The offensive line returns four starters from a group which last year helped the Aggies lead the SEC in percentage of rushing plays that gained 5 or more yards (50.2 percent). According to ESPN Stats & Information, Texas A&M also posted the third-highest percentage in the conference of running back carries that netted 5 or more yards. Even in Manziel's absence, much talent remains on this roster.
The offensive line will also benefit from the development of fifth-year senior Garrett Gramling, who performed well while filling a starting role in spring practice. At best, Gramling becomes the fifth starter on the line. At worst, he offers some very valuable depth.
Slew of rushing talents in the backfield should make up for much of the big-play loss
It will take more than one prospect to replace the 36 rushing plays of 10 or more yards that Manziel posted on called rushes last year. Luckily, Texas A&M has a number of viable candidates ready to step up and fill the void.
Trey Williams is likely the strongest candidate in the field. Williams ranked fifth in the conference in yards per rush (7.02) among ball carriers with at least 50 rushing attempts last season, and racked up 19 carries that gained 10 or more yards. He was one of only 11 players nationally to post that level of double-digit gains on fewer than 100 carries, and very well could be a breakout star in 2014.
Tra Carson should also be able to lend a hand. Carson has the ability to turn the corner and hit an alley untouched (see: Carson's amazing run in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl) and has received plenty of praise from Sumlin during the offseason.
A foot injury has left Brandon Williams lower on the depth chart than some expected. Still, Sumlin once called Williams "a home run threat from anywhere" and said the now-junior "probably has the most wire-to-wire potential [among Texas A&M's running backs]."
It's not too late for Williams to make an impact, even amidst this talented group.
Manziel's shortcomings leave room to improve
Manziel's Heisman Trophy was the achievement of a lifetime. Outside of that honor, though, and the statistical highlights that went along with it, Manziel fell short in the area of team-oriented milestones.
Manziel's Aggies failed to win either an SEC championship or SEC division title under his stewardship. Manziel also had a 13-6 record against teams from BCS conferences and an 8-6 mark against BCS conference teams that ended the season with a record of .500 or better. Five of those eight wins came against the Ole Miss Rebels, Mississippi State Bulldogs and Vanderbilt Commodores, each of whom finished those campaigns with a combined record in SEC play of 17-23. While Manziel piloted Texas A&M to a signature victory against the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2012, his combined record against the Crimson Tide, Florida Gators, Auburn Tigers and LSU Tigers was a meager 2-5.
There's also a case to be made that Manziel wasn't even the Aggies' best player last season -- arguably, Mike Evans made an even larger impact in the early going.
None of this is meant to diminish Manziel's accomplishments, but rather to highlight the strength of his surroundings -- much of which remains intact -- and the room for improvement in College Station.
Bottom line
A brutal 2014 schedule that includes away games against the South Carolina Gamecocks, and at Alabama and Auburn, as well as home contests against the Missouri Tigers and LSU may make a repeat or improvement upon last year's 9-4 record difficult. Still, the trajectory of Texas A&M football is nevertheless upward, and any shortcomings this season shouldn't be solely because of Johnny Football's absence.
Lucky_Lefty
Dreams Are Colder Than Death...
BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Day 1 of the Elite 11 Finals didn't appear to do much in terms of creating separation between many of the 19 quarterbacks, as all are vying for MVP honors. Despite being put through several grueling military exercises the previous afternoon and well into the early morning hours, all of the quarterbacks came out firing during the Sunday morning session and, for the most part, carried it over throughout the afternoon session.
This group of finalists appears more athletic than ever. And it’s not just the dual-threat guys.
Pocket passers such as Josh Rosen, Ricky Town and Alex Malzone are by no means statues in the backfield. In many cases, they’re agile, reflecting the state of the college game, which has trended toward the dual-threat players.
This event has always showcased the classic quarterbacks, and no longer are the dual-threats subject to the run-first stereotype.
With nine in each category, this year might mark the first time the dual-threat quarterbacks actually enter with more star value than their pocket-passer counterparts.
While Rosen, Town, Sam Darnold and others still carry plenty of weight in recruiting circles, dual-threat QBs Kyler Murray, Blake Barnett, Travis Waller and others might steal the show by the end of this week in Portland.
• One of the quarterbacks who drew plenty of praise today was Michigan four-star Malzone. After camp counselor and Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty singled the 6-foot-1, 202-pound Malzone out after the morning session, Trent Dilfer praised Malzone on a couple of occasions in the afternoon session. On one throw in particular, Dilfer said, “Nice shot, Alex. That ball had good energy at the end [referring to velocity throughout the throw].”
• Texas Tech commitment Jarrett Stidham, who played in the Under Armour All-America Game, had a very impressive day overall. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder showed his natural athleticism throughout the day as well as his ability to throw the ball with velocity down when required. He also flashed his quick arm and reactions when pressed in drills. Stidham seemingly gained confidence with each rep.
Shorter QBs excelling
College coaches typically like their quarterbacks to be on the taller end of the measuring stick, but don’t tell that to some of the Elite 11 quarterbacks this year.
Some of the better throws of Day 2 at the competition came from the shorter quarterbacks. Murray, Ryan Brand, Malzone and Brandon Wimbush aren’t the tallest guys on the field, but they were all standouts.
Brand and Murray are similar in stature, likely the shortest among the group, but you wouldn’t know it judging by their throws. Both prospects exude confidence and have already drawn some high praise from the Elite 11 coaches.
The two quarterbacks could likely see themselves standing tall among the final 11 prospects at the end of the week.
California LoveCalifornia quarterbacks could have a target on their backs this week. While Murray is the No. 1 overall quarterback in the nation, the Golden State boasts three of the top 10 dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation, and six of the top 10 pocket passers. Of the 19 quarterbacks at the finals, seven are from California -- more than twice any other state.
"We definitely have a lot of California guys," Ricky Town said. "We haven't talked too much about it, but we all know we're trying to do big things for California and represent the West Coast well."
Rosen, Brady White, Waller, Darnold, Sheriron Jones and Barnett join Town as the California quarterbacks in attendance.
"Obviously, California has had a good success rate when it comes to quarterbacks, and this year it's proven itself again," Barnett said. "I think if we do the best we can, I think we'll be impressive."
The QBs from California said they didn't feel there's a target on their backs, but Town hinted there could be some bragging rights at stake in the end.
"It'd be cool to have a California guy up there in the end, if not more than one," he said
This group of finalists appears more athletic than ever. And it’s not just the dual-threat guys.
Pocket passers such as Josh Rosen, Ricky Town and Alex Malzone are by no means statues in the backfield. In many cases, they’re agile, reflecting the state of the college game, which has trended toward the dual-threat players.
This event has always showcased the classic quarterbacks, and no longer are the dual-threats subject to the run-first stereotype.
With nine in each category, this year might mark the first time the dual-threat quarterbacks actually enter with more star value than their pocket-passer counterparts.
While Rosen, Town, Sam Darnold and others still carry plenty of weight in recruiting circles, dual-threat QBs Kyler Murray, Blake Barnett, Travis Waller and others might steal the show by the end of this week in Portland.
• One of the quarterbacks who drew plenty of praise today was Michigan four-star Malzone. After camp counselor and Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty singled the 6-foot-1, 202-pound Malzone out after the morning session, Trent Dilfer praised Malzone on a couple of occasions in the afternoon session. On one throw in particular, Dilfer said, “Nice shot, Alex. That ball had good energy at the end [referring to velocity throughout the throw].”
• Texas Tech commitment Jarrett Stidham, who played in the Under Armour All-America Game, had a very impressive day overall. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder showed his natural athleticism throughout the day as well as his ability to throw the ball with velocity down when required. He also flashed his quick arm and reactions when pressed in drills. Stidham seemingly gained confidence with each rep.
Shorter QBs excelling
College coaches typically like their quarterbacks to be on the taller end of the measuring stick, but don’t tell that to some of the Elite 11 quarterbacks this year.
Some of the better throws of Day 2 at the competition came from the shorter quarterbacks. Murray, Ryan Brand, Malzone and Brandon Wimbush aren’t the tallest guys on the field, but they were all standouts.
Brand and Murray are similar in stature, likely the shortest among the group, but you wouldn’t know it judging by their throws. Both prospects exude confidence and have already drawn some high praise from the Elite 11 coaches.
The two quarterbacks could likely see themselves standing tall among the final 11 prospects at the end of the week.
California LoveCalifornia quarterbacks could have a target on their backs this week. While Murray is the No. 1 overall quarterback in the nation, the Golden State boasts three of the top 10 dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation, and six of the top 10 pocket passers. Of the 19 quarterbacks at the finals, seven are from California -- more than twice any other state.
"We definitely have a lot of California guys," Ricky Town said. "We haven't talked too much about it, but we all know we're trying to do big things for California and represent the West Coast well."
Rosen, Brady White, Waller, Darnold, Sheriron Jones and Barnett join Town as the California quarterbacks in attendance.
"Obviously, California has had a good success rate when it comes to quarterbacks, and this year it's proven itself again," Barnett said. "I think if we do the best we can, I think we'll be impressive."
The QBs from California said they didn't feel there's a target on their backs, but Town hinted there could be some bragging rights at stake in the end.
"It'd be cool to have a California guy up there in the end, if not more than one," he said
Lucky_Lefty
Dreams Are Colder Than Death...
While recruiting remains a marathon and not a sprint, recent trends have shown that it is never too early to look ahead. With the release of the ESPN Junior 300 it is a perfect time to see which programs are having early success. With roughly 10 percent of the prospects in the ESPN Junior 300 committed well over a year and a half before national signing day for the Class of 2016, plenty is still to be determined. Here are five programs, in alphabetical order, standing out early for the 2016 class:
Florida (three commits, all in the ESPN Junior 300): The Gators might be coming off a disappointing 2013 season in which they notched only four wins, but that hasn’t stopped them from remaining active on the recruiting trail. They signed a top-10 class for the 2014 cycle, their 2015 class is ranked in the top 15 and they are among the schools off to a fast start for 2016. The class consists of three talented perimeter prospects, all of whom are ranked in the ESPN Junior 300. Athlete Tyler Byrd, a talented and fundamentally sound prospect, leads the group, and cornerback Chauncey Gardner can be a strong addition to the Florida secondary. Athlete Tre Jackson could also project to play defense, but the speedy prospect will likely contribute at receiver.
LSU (three commits, all in the ESPN Junior 300): The Tigers signed the No. 2 class for 2014, are in the top 10 for 2015 and have begun to assemble a strong foundation for 2016. All three of their commits are in the top 100 of the initial ESPN Junior 300, led by No. 1-ranked defensive tackle Edwin Alexander. A top-10 prospect, Alexander is a quick and disruptive playmaking presence in the trenches. On offense, the Tigers have landed commitments from in-state wide receiver Stephen Sullivan and quarterback Feleipe' Franks, who is a tall signal-caller with a strong arm and quick release.
Miami (five commits, four ranked in the ESPN Junior 300): The only team with five commitments, three of Miami's prospects ranked in the ESPNJr300 came on board within the last few weeks. The class is led by top-three QB-PP Jack Allison, a poised passer with good zip and accuracy. The Canes' most recent pick-up was Dionte Mullins, an aggressive WR with a knack for making the tough catch. Miami also has commitments from a pair of linebackers, led by Shaq Quarterman, a physical run stopper.
Ole Miss (three commits, all in the ESPN Junior 300): The Rebels made noise with a top-five class in 2013 and have maintained a strong presence on the recruiting trail. They signed a top-20 class for 2014 and are off to good start for 2016. All three of the Rebels' commits hail from in state and are ranked in the ESPN Junior 300, led by athlete DeKaylin Metcalf. A local prospect, Metcalf could contribute at receiver or in the secondary. Tailback Justin Connor is a strong between-the-tackles runner who can wear defenses down, and Eli Johnson is an aggressive and tough offensive lineman.
Texas A&M (two commits, both in the ESPN Junior 300): There are several schools with two 2016 commits, but none have highly touted commits like Texas A&M. The Aggies' class features the top two offensive line prospects in the initial release of the ESPN Junior 300, including No. 1 prospect Greg Little. A long prospect with quick feet, Little displays the tools to be an outstanding college tackle. The class also features a commitment from No. 20 prospect Patrick Hudson, who is a massive and explosive big man with impressive mobility for his size. With their two commitments, the Aggies are building a strong foundation in the trenches.
RammerJammer
#RollTide #TSC #RiseUp #BullsNation #RIPKobe
Mackey Award watch list:
OJ Howard gonna put in work this year
Rory Anderson, South Carolina
Kennard Backman, UAB
Blake Bell, Oklahoma
EJ Bibbs, Iowa State
Pharaoh Brown, Oregon
Kyle Carter, Penn State
Kivon Cartwright, Colorado State
Gerald Christian, Louisville
Braxton Deaver, Duke
Thomas Duarte, UCLA
Luke Eakes, Northern Illinois
Evan Engram, Ole Miss
Billy Freeman, San Jose State
Darion Griswold, Arkansas State
Connor Hamlett, Oregon State
Hunter Henry, Arkansas
Mitchell Henry, WKU
Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State
Wyatt Houston, Utah State
OJ Howard, Alabama
Jesse James, Penn State
Malcolm Johnson, Mississippi State
Ben Koyack, Notre Dame
Tyler Kroft, Rutgers
Devin Mahina, BYU
Taylor McNamara, Oklahoma
Jimmy Mundine, Kansas
Johnny Mundt, Oregon
De'Marieya Nelson, Arizona State
Nick O'Leary, Florida State
Casey Pierce, Kent State
Sean Price, USF
Jay Rome, Georgia
Tyreese Russell, Eastern Michigan
Wes Saxton, South Alabama
Randall Telfer, USC
Eric Tomlinson, UTEP
CJ Uzomah, Auburn
Kennard Backman, UAB
Blake Bell, Oklahoma
EJ Bibbs, Iowa State
Pharaoh Brown, Oregon
Kyle Carter, Penn State
Kivon Cartwright, Colorado State
Gerald Christian, Louisville
Braxton Deaver, Duke
Thomas Duarte, UCLA
Luke Eakes, Northern Illinois
Evan Engram, Ole Miss
Billy Freeman, San Jose State
Darion Griswold, Arkansas State
Connor Hamlett, Oregon State
Hunter Henry, Arkansas
Mitchell Henry, WKU
Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State
Wyatt Houston, Utah State
OJ Howard, Alabama
Jesse James, Penn State
Malcolm Johnson, Mississippi State
Ben Koyack, Notre Dame
Tyler Kroft, Rutgers
Devin Mahina, BYU
Taylor McNamara, Oklahoma
Jimmy Mundine, Kansas
Johnny Mundt, Oregon
De'Marieya Nelson, Arizona State
Nick O'Leary, Florida State
Casey Pierce, Kent State
Sean Price, USF
Jay Rome, Georgia
Tyreese Russell, Eastern Michigan
Wes Saxton, South Alabama
Randall Telfer, USC
Eric Tomlinson, UTEP
CJ Uzomah, Auburn
OJ Howard gonna put in work this year
Ed MOTHEREFFING G
Chances make champions
• One of the quarterbacks who drew plenty of praise today was Michigan four-star Malzone. After camp counselor and Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty singled the 6-foot-1, 202-pound Malzone out after the morning session, Trent Dilfer praised Malzone on a couple of occasions in the afternoon session. On one throw in particular, Dilfer said, “Nice shot, Alex. That ball had good energy at the end [referring to velocity throughout the throw].”
Mackey award watch list:
Tyreese Russell, Eastern Michigan
TYREESE DO IT FOR THE EAGLES
Mackey award watch list:
Tyreese Russell, Eastern Michigan
TYREESE DO IT FOR THE EAGLES
Eight members of South Carolina’s 21-man signing class have yet to enroll in school, and the Gamecocks are resigned to the fact that not all the remaining players will qualify, recruiting coordinator Steve Spurrier Jr. told The State on Wednesday.
Defensive ends Dante Sawyer and Kalan Ritchie have previously announced they will not meet qualifying requirements and attend junior college with the hope of re-signing with South Carolina. The USC options for defensive end signee Jhaustin Thomas appear to be done after he failed to qualify from his junior college.
Cornerbacks Wesley Green, Chris Lammons and Darin Smalls, fullback Joe Blue and defensive tackle Dexter Wideman still are trying to meet qualifying standards in time to join the Gamecocks in August
