Finch, the key to the OL this year, and OL/DL recruiting updates

Well, Jerimy Finch will be a Hoosier after all, well maybe. First off, Finch was granted his release today and his intent is to enroll at IU and begin taking summer courses next week. So he is coming to IU, however, he's got some work to do in the classroom before he gains eligibility. I'm told it's not impossible, but he's going to have to work, so with held breath, we will take a wait and see approach.

Now, let's say he gets eligible, where does he play? One of the reasons he decided to transfer, and I'll get into those in a bit, is that he wants to play safety, and he feels that it's his best shot to get to the NFL is to stay at the FS position, so he'll have to drop some weight, but if he can get down to the 215 range or so, he'll be more than fine. He's got a year to do this, so he should be just fine. Nick Polk is currently listed at 215 pounds, so Finch, being a little taller, could play with a little more weight if needed. If Finch does come in and start play in 09, I fully expect Nick Polk will move back to WR full time. Nick is going to play some WR this season anyway, and he attends the WR meetings, so the transition wouldn't be all that bad.

Now, why does he want to transfer? Well, there are a few reasons really. One is he's really homesick and he misses his kids. I think he's maturing and wants to be a bigger part of their lives, which is great to see. Some will criticize here, but he's growing up and learning to take responsibility, and whether that happens at 19, 20, or 40 years old, that's very good to see. Finch was also injured for the first time in his career and the injury kept him off the field, so he got experience the long journey of rehab, away from home, and I've been told, this really changed him. Finch wasn't the most liked guy at WC, but amends have been made and his former mates have really talked with him about this impending transfer and can't wait to be united. Also, at IU, he will get the chance to play FS, which is what he wants to do.

Finch is a big time player and while he needs some classroom help, he's going to get the programs here with people he's familiar with. I have blogged in the past about a person that was involved in the academic help side of things at Warren Central, is now working at IU, and some of the WC kids cited her as one of the many reasons they chose IU. The whole academic support staff at IU is just incredible (don't let the bball issues fool you). These people really deserve a big pat on the back for their efforts with all student athletes in all sports.

Now, I want to talk a little bit about the OL. Most believe this position really holds the key to the offense this season, and that's very true. In fact, the old saying in football at any level is to win games you have to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. So, to move the ball offensively, you have to first win the battles up front. While most people will group linemen together, it's neat I think to take a look at each individual position and determine just who might be the biggest key for the success of IU's OL.

First, the Left Tackle is usually the high profile position on the OL, because he protects the blindside of the QB. Most people assume this has to be the hardest position to play, because game in, game out, this guy gets to block the opponets top pass rusher. To play this position at IU, you must first have quick, nimble feet. Just like in the pros, you have to be able to push the rusher to the outside, while your QB steps up in the pocket to deliever the pass. This is what you'll see this season from IU's LT.

Next is the Left Guard, he moves in concert so to speak with the LT and they work in tandem. IU will have the priviledge of having 2 guys (Saffold and Saxon) that have been together for 2 years now, so they work very well together. The LG also is responsible for recognizing stunts. Depending on the scheme of the DL and/or blitzes, the left side of the OL, with the C, will move together and leave the right side to get help from other places. As IU's left side of the line has improved over the past couple of season, IU has been able to get their RBs in passing routes, because the TE can stay and help the right side. The LG in IU's system is a mauler type that has to be able to pass block, as well as run block. Saxon is a big old mauler and fits that bill pretty well.

Next is the Center, he is the onfield coach of the OL. He makes the calls and must recognize what is presented to him, all from the squatted position. First off, he has to be smart. He doesn't have to be big, last season Wyss was only about 275 to 280. He was limited athletically, but he was very smart and he played with heart and had pretty good technique. This season, IU is a lot bigger at this position, but they may even be smarter. Josh Hager is 6'7" and his back up, Jarrod Smith, is 6'4". Smith is backing up the C and LG positions, so he's pretty nimble guy, but smart. Hager was moved inside from OT during his redshirt year because he's athletic and nimble and he's smart. The biggest adjustment for him was learning to recognize the DL formations and blitzing schemes. The only real way to learn that is through trial and error and a lot of film viewing. This will be interesting to watch early on, but to me, it's not the biggest key for success.

Next is the Right Guard, and in my opinion, through research, this is the key position to IU's success up front. I make this statement for one big reason, this person usually has no help inside or from a RB in pass blocking, so he has to maintain his block, one on one, or the play will be blown up. As stated earlier, the left side of the OL work in concert together and can kind of help each other out and bottle things up when one position gets off balance. However, on the right side, it's different. The RT usually gets the TE help, which has happened at IU the past few seasons, and the RB goes on a route, or stays in to pick up an extra blitzer, still leaving the RG by himself. Currently, Faulkner is the starter, but Brewer is closing fast, very fast. In fact, by game one, he may be the starter. The RG at IU must be strong, and should be able to handle guys one on one, which requires those quick feet againt. Last season Sandberg was the strongest guy, but he wasn't that athletic. You could punch him off balance, but he couldn't handle nimble guys and when the OL failed, it was mostly due to a failure at RG. Sure, at DE may get the sack, but when the RG loses his guy, others have to compensate from the left side, and it just screws the whole thing up. Also, in run blocking, the RG usually gets (with center help) the nose tackle, the biggest, strongest guy on the DL, so thus, this person has to be good at leverage and understand how to use their strength. You learn to succeed at RG, you will go a long way of winning the battle up front.

As for the RT, not much to say that I haven't said. Although, this position usually gets the TE help. Emerson got by on limited athletic ability, but a lot of smarts and technique. This season, Stark is a much better athlete and hopefully, this will allow for the TE to be used down the field much more on passing downs, instead of staying home to block. This tackle doesn't have to be all that quick or nimble, but he needs to be adapt at both run and pass blocking, because he's on the outside and will be the one asked to seal that side of the field, when running plays are called to the right side.

Hope you can get something out of that, as I really got into some interesting reading and viewing of last season tape to research that. Never really gave the OL that much indepth thought prior to doing this, but it gave me a whole new appreciation for what John Madden calls "the big uglies"!

Now, let's see who has offers on the OL so far. Note that IU will probably take 2 or 3 OL commits this year, and the state is as loaded here as it's ever been, so I expect us to be pretty picky.

Kyle Koehne 6'6" 300 from Indianapolis Catherdral HS. Some will argue he's the best tackle prospect in the state, and IU is in his top 3 with Boston College and Iowa. All that could change if Notre Dame would offer, but so far they haven't. He's getting a lot of national looks, and I really believe that IU stands a very good chance to land him if ND doesn't offer. If ND does offer, I'm 99% certain, he'll be a domer.

Austen Bujnoch 6'5" 260 from Cincinnati, OH Elder HS. This kid comes from a mega football program in Ohio. Could be a guard or a tackle, but needs weight. The thing you like about him is he's pretty athletic for a big guy and has some speed and quick feet. He's the type of player you like in IU's system. IU is right there with a lot of other Big Ten and MAC schools at this point.

Michael Schofield 6'7" 280 from Orland Park, Illinois. A very good prospect, rated a 4 star by Rivals. Many offers, so we'll see what happens.

Zach Martin 6'5" 270 from Chatard HS in Indianapolis. If Koehne isn't the top tackle prospect in the state, then most experts say this kid is. IU has offered, but so has every other Big Ten program, as well as some SEC and ACC schools. However, I think he'll end up at Notre Dame, but as of yet (it's only a matter of time) they haven't offered yet. If for some reason they do not offer, then it's going to come down to Michigan or O$U.

These are the only OTs that have been offered, but here are some other instate kids that are being recruited by IU.

Brooks Michel 6'7" 280 from Carmel, Indiana. Lightly recruited so far by IU, but he has offers from NC State and Purdue. Not sure why IU hasn't offered, because he's got some skills and he's coached by former IU coach. Also, his dad Tim played baseball at IU and Brooks older brother goes to IU currently, as a student. My guess is he'll be available later, if Kyle or Zach go elsewhere.

Andre Cureton 6'6" 295 from Pike HS in Indianapolis. Very good athletic tackle prospect from Pike. Coach Lynch watched he and some of his teammates work out a couple of weeks ago. Kind of an unknown, but he's got a ton of upside, possibly as much upside as anyone in the state. IU hasn't offered, but I think we will after he comes down to IU's camp in June.

Chris Watt 6'3" 285 from Glenbard, Illinois. Chris is the #2 ranked guard prospect in the country by Scout. We have offered, but so have just about everyone else.

Adam Bellamy 6'4" 280 from Auroa, Ohio. Seems to be leaning toward Michigan State at this time, but I'm thinking he's going to wait a while to see if O$U offers. IU has offered, but chances are slim it appears.

Ryan Spiker 6'5" 295 from Dresden, Ohio. Currently IU is in his top 3 with Cincinnati and West Virginia. No clue on how much of a chance IU has with him, but he's a mauler type that IU really likes at Guard.

Desmond Kenner 6'4" 335 from Fort Wayne, Indiana. A true mauler in every sense of the word. Raw, but with some upside. He'll camp at IU this summer in June. No offer from IU yet, but that could change once camp gets here.

Corey Reece 6'4" 3oo from Floyds Knobs, Indiana. Could he join Pat Graham as the only kids from Floyds Knobs to don IU uniforms? At this point, no offer, but he'll camp here in June, so we'll see.

Robbie Piper 6'4" 380 from Leopold, Indiana. I had never heard of this kid, but he's in the scout database. He's huge though.


Nate Klatt 6'4" 285 from Canal Fulton, Ohio. Nate is the only center prospect that IU has offered. Rivals has him as a 4-star recruit and size wise, he could put on a bit of weight and be guard pretty easily. Only 2 MAC programs have offered over IU, but he's waiting to see what the big boys will do with him I'm sure.

Steve Fiacable 6'2" 280 from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He's the best center prospect in the state and IU is watching him closely. We haven't offered yet, but it appears the MAC and other Big Ten programs are watching as well.

Jordan Stepp 6'1" 290 from Ben Davis HS in Indianapolis. This kid is one the strongest players in the state, if not the country. He can really lift some weight, and if football doesn't work out, I think he could get into competitive weight lifting and do pretty darn well. As for football, he's strong, but so far IU hasn't offered.

On the defensive line, I don't expect a lot of action, due to adding so many pieces last season. My guess is we'll add 1 DT and 1 DE. So far, we haven't done a whole of recruiting in this area.

Adam Replogle 6'3" 270 from Centerville, Ohio. Adam is the younger brother of current IU player Tyler Replogle. He plays with the same warrior mentality as his brother and has good quickness for DT. IU has offered, but for now, IU is battling West Virginia and Iowa. He claims Tyler will not influence his decision, but I don't think it will hurt IU's chances either. I really do expect Adam to be a Hoosier when all is said and done and the one DT recruit for this class.

Julius Forte 6'3" 225 from Gulfport, Florida. Julius is a former teammate of Ohrian Johnson, who chose O$U last winter. Julius is quite the DE prospect and he's got big time speed for a DE at 4.65 in the 40. He had 11 sacks last season and IU offered him last season when they scouted Ohrian. IU has been on him for a couple of season, so this will really help I believe, but he's going to get offers I'm sure from most of the SEC, and it's going to be hard to get him out of SEC country because of that.

Montez Robinson 6'5" 230 from Avon, Indiana. Montez is probably the best DE in the state of Indiana this coming season and he's a kid that I'd LOVE to see IU grab. He's got tremendous speed and with some weight, he's got a real chance to become a force in IU's attacking/blitzing defense. The one school that scares me here is Purdue. The Boilers have really had a lot of success taking DEs with Montez's size and measurables and turning them into solid pro propects. Here's hoping IU can reverse that trend and nab Montez and start a new tradition.

Davon Custis 6'5" 220 from Columbus, Ohio. A mega athlete that ran a 4.5 40 at IU's camp last summer. He's scary and IU has already offered, but with his speed, he's going to be a national recruit. Just about ever Big Ten and MAC program has offered, but one hasn't yet and that's the O$U, and I'm assuming he'll hold out for them. My guess is, eventually, he'll get that offer.

Antwon Johnson 6'3" 270 from Detroit, Michigan. This kid likes IU, has visited IU, and wants an offer, but so far, as far as I can tell, he doesn't have one yet. He's a very good athlete and could put on weight and move inside if need be.

Okay, next time, I'll dive into the LB and DB recruits as well as any updated information that pops up over the next couple of days. As always, GOD Bless!!