Thursday, February 7, 2008

A look at this year's recruiting class

Well the letters are in and IU came away with 19 student athletes. Of course, as usually, the "experts" ranked us last or next to last, but since I could care less what other people think, I think we met each of the objectives that we laid out to accomplish last year. What IU likes to do it seems is scout out the talent they really want and offer early. This is a tactic that MAC schools usually employ, because they try to get relationships built early, so when the big boys come calling, you are not a complete disadvantage. What I saw this season is IU offered probably 40 or so kids early, just like they always do, but this recruiting season, several verballed early, so you know IU got a lot of the kids they wanted. Also, the staff likes to then pick out 15 to 20 kids that will be great fits in the scheme, but we will have to battle for and work on them all season. Again, we won a few and lost a few here.

Bottom line is we did well. If you look at Terror's post on Rivals, he did a breakdown off of ESPN's recruit rankings. Interesting to see when you break stuff down, we average only about 8 points less than O$U. We went into the class needing depth and speed at the skill positions and depth and athleticism on both lines. We got that. So let's see what each can do for us.

Tyler Adetona 6'1" 205 WR from Gainesville, GA. Tyler runs a 4.45 and has some shake and bake to him. He's a strong player, as he already benches 315 and squats over 400, which is very good for a 205 pound kid. This season, he caught 75 passes for 1169 yards and 15 TDs. Tyler also runs track. He's a kid that could come in and play this season, especially if Means goes pro in baseball. As you may have also read on Scout and/or Rivals, Tyler has the bloodlines to become the ruler of the Ibeju Ode tribe in Nigeria, which is comprised of around 42,000 people. IMO, he's really an explosive type of recruit that I'm glad we got.

Larry Black 6'2" 290 DT from Wyoming, Ohio. Larry reportedly runs a 4.9, which is pretty fast for DL. He played DE in high school, but will move inside and joins a couple of other signies that are very similar in playing style. IU wants their DL to attack the gap and occupy the OL, so the LBs can come in and make the plays. Too many times these past couple of season, IU DL could be handled with one guy pretty effectively, which meant blockers could get downfield and take out the LBs and the safeties and corners had to make the plays. Larry was relatively unkown until he went to one of IU's camps and really shined. One of the things that the coaches really like about Larry is his quick and powerful handwork. He's got quick feet as well, but he can really battle inside and knock the guards and centers around. What I really like about him is he's aggressive and rarely takes a play off from the video I've seen of him.

Shane Covington 6' 180 Athlete from Milwaukee, WI. Shane ran a 4.51 which is pretty fast these day. I listed Shane as an athlete because he could play a number of positions at IU. Recruited as a RB, I don't expect him to stay there much past the first day of practice. I like when IU gets these type of kids that can play multiple positions and can run. He could be a WR, a safety, or even a CB. He's a lot like Nick Polk, and I also expect Shane to end up on the defensive side of the ball when all is said and done.

Marc Damisch 6'6" 285 OT from Buffalo Grove, IL. I really like Marc and I think he'll end up being a very fine LT for us after a red shirt year. What I like most about Marc is he's a basketball player. Those guys know a lot about positioning and footwork and I expect that once Marc gets some more muscle on him, he's going to be very good. He's the type of kid you put out there at LT, on that island, because he has the height, the reach, and the footwork to control those speed rushers.

Tandon Doss 6'3" 200 WR from Indianapolis, IN. Tandon runs a 4.5 and is another very versitale kids that could end up on either side of the ball. He was a RB this season at Ben Davis, but will start out at WR at IU. As good of a kid as Tandon is on the field, he's even better off of it. Like Coach Lynch said, IU has to recruit well in Indianpolis, and while they only got a couple of Marion County kids this season, they are well on there way to doing much better next season with Indy Metro players. Most scouts will tell you that Doss looks slow because he's so tall and lanky, but he's a lot faster than you'd think and he's quick too. He really has some moves to shake and bake. I really like what he, Adetona, and Love III bring to the table, as I'm not sure IU has recruited these kids of players before this season. Doss is another one that wouldn't surprise me if he played this coming year. He can also return kicks, which is an added bonus.

Adam Follett 6'4" 200 QB from Alma, MI. Adam runs a 4.78, which isn't too bad for a QB. While most IU fans were salavating about the propect of bringing in Ohrian Johnson, who was also 6'4", but ran a 4.5, many forgot all about Adam Follett. My advice to those folks is get to know this kid, because he's going to surprise you. Most know that Adam played 3 years in a run oriented offense and only could show off his arm at camps. IU took notice of his arm strength and accuracy. They knew he was raw in reading defenses, but that can be taught, because IU runs mostly out of the shotgun. When you are in a pro style offense, a QB must learn to look down and away from defenses, do a run fake, then look back up, read the defense again and fire, all in about 3 seconds. Not an easy thing to do. IU's offense is complex, but it's fairly simple for QBs, once the learn defenses. The very good thing that Adam will have going for him is high school ran the spread this season. While he had some interceptions, he atleast got to feel the offense and see how teams defend it. This will only help him in the future. We are seeing Kellen Lewis still adjusting to reading what the defense is giving him, and remember Kellen ran a triple option mostly in HS, so he's had to be taught everything from scratch. With Adam, you won't have to completely start over. Adam is a very smart player and I fully expect after a redshirt season that he'll come in and really be good player in a couple of season.

Alex Hunt 6' 200 RB from Buford, GA. Alex runs a 4.47 and is shifty, yet powerful, as he benched 185 pounds 22 times at a Scout combine. He was a forgotten man because he was hurt for much of the season and didn't play a whole lot. Buford is a lot like Carmel or Warren Central. They are a big time program and produce many D1 signies every year. Alex dominated at a lower level in GA his first 3 year, and when he had the opportunity at Buford, he produced big time. Another player that will more than likely redshirt, but don't forget about him. He's another track guy, as Coach Lynch likes to say, and during his junior year, there were feelers out there from LSU, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Vanderbuilt. This kid, more than any other kid we signed, has a real chance to be a big time player.

Kyle Kozak 6'5" 240 DE/LB from Chathm, VA. Kyle runs a 4.5, no, that's not a misprint. How on earth he's only a 3-star prospect in a world where you rank kids based on size/speed ratios, is really beyond me. While Alex Hunt has the most potential of anyone on offense, this kid has the most on defense. He truly is a freak of nature as an athlete. The problem is his grades were never very good. He can really "fly around" which is what IU's defense needs is more of these type of kids. He's on campus already and will play Spring Ball. I'll be curious as to how he does on the field, because on paper, he looks really good.

Charles Love III 6'3" 190 WR from Memphis, TN Charles is a 4.4 flat guy that is tall and has good hands. He was also another one of the unknowns but Gerald Brown really has an eye for talent and spotted this kid. After a very good junior year, he was being looked at by the SEC big boys. But 4 QBs later, at the end of his senior season, the numbers just were not there. He has all the intangibles you want in a WR: tall, can jump, has long arms, and can run. Once he puts on some muscle, he should be a very good receiver for us in the future. The thing that I really like about this kid is he can play the slot, or he can run the outside. I like this versitility in a player. Also of note, he won the City of Memphis triple jump crown last season, so he's another very versitale athlete.

Will Matte 6'2" 265 OL from Wheaton, IL. I've seen a lot of posters look at this kid's measurements and say why, but this kid is going to start out at a position of real need, because of the lack of depth. Will is going to be a center. He's pretty quick and pretty powerful already and Bobby Johnson thinks he's going to be a very good player. It's probably going to take him a couple of years to develop, as he's been a guard in HS, so he's going to have to learn to read and call out line assignments and blitzes, but if he can get to the 290 range, I think we are onto something here. He's also a winner, as his team was state champs in 2006, and runner up this past season.

Mick Mentzer 6'3" 280 DT from Fort Wayne Indiana. They call him the freak, not because he's a weird guy, but because he played Middle LB in high school. How would you like to bust through the line in high school and get hit by a 280 pound guy? Most HS LB are 200 or so, but 280 is something else. Mick is another former basketball guy. Never really scored a lot, but was a fierce rebounder and played solid defense. This will serve Mick well in positioning and footwork. He also has strong hands, which you like in a DT. Another thing about Mick that I really like is he's just a football player. He's aggressive, hates the enemy so to speak, and just hustles. With Black and Sliger, we got 3 really good DTs in my opinion.

Justin Pagan 6'4" 290 OL from Chicago. Justin is a brawler, in that he loves to mix it up. He's had to be a fighter, growing up in Chicago and playing at St. Patrick's in the Chicago Public League. The coaches first saw him at the Rivals Chicago combine, then brought him into their one day OL camp and offered him on the spot. Coach Johnson will put 15 pounds on him and he's tagged to replace Saxon at LG. He's got a mean streak and he can also get out and pull a little bit, which is good that he can operate effectively in space.

Chad Sherer 6' 200 OLB from Arcadia, IN. Coach Lynch loves this kid. He was a 1,000+ yard RB in HS, but he'll be a OLB at IU. He can run, all he needs is about 20 pounds of weight. There's a chance that he could get up to 230 or so that he could go to MLB, but start outside. While Chad ran a 4.6 in the 40, it was his shuttle speed of 4.2 that caught the coaches eye. Those numbers tell me that he really holds his speed when in pads and cleats. The one thing that set him back is a knee injury in basketball. He's had surgery, but he probably won't be 100% by fall camp. He'll sit out a year and be ready to go in 2009.

Nick Sliger 6' 3" 290 DT/OL from Cicero, IN. If Mentzer is the freak, then this guy is the beast. He's not huge, not like Ken Plue the Boilermaker recuit that's 6'8" 350, but what makes Nick is beast is his play on the football field. He committed to IU way back in April of 2007, and he just lives, eats, and breathes football. He's like a gym rat in basketball, he's just always there trying to get better. He's the kind of kid you root for, and you rally around not matter what, he's not going to quit or give up. He wants to be pushed, yelled out, because he knows it will make him better. Coach Lynch has already called him the king of the training table. Of all the kids in this class, Nick will be their emotional leader. You need kids like this every class, and Nick also has the ability to play on either side of the ball. They will start him out at DT, but don't be shocked to see him move to OG before it's all said and done. Also, he's a wrestler which will help him on either side of the ball too.

Cortez Smith 5'10" 195 Athlete from Detroit, MI. Cortez runs a 4.54 and is listed as an athlete by me because like Shane Covingington, he can play a number of positions. He's rated as IU's 2nd best player in this class as well. IU staved off a fairly good challenge by Ron Zook to keep this kid, so it's obvious he has ability. Recruited as a RB, I think it's pretty certain that he'll be a DB in college. Some have compared him to a bigger version of Bob Sanders and expect him to move to strong safety. I'm not sure that will be his position, as I think it will be CB, but one thing is very certain about Cortez, and that he'll lay the wood on you and won't back down for any reason. He, like a lot of kids in this class, have a mean streak on the field to them. Their personalities are similiar in the "no quit attitudes". That's another thing that rankings and stars don't measure, and that's the heart and drive of a player. I truly expect Cortez to be all big ten at whatever position he's at by the time he's a Junior. The one thing I really like about Cortez is he's pretty strong for a 195 pound kid and he can jump, which makes me believe he'll be a CB for us. He benched 185 pounds 17 times at West Lafayette NIKE camp and he recorded a 38" standing vertical jump which is very good for a 5'10" kid.

Peter St. Fort 6'2" 180 from Naples FL. Peter runs a 4.56 and had the nickname of lumber in high school. He gained that nickname because he brought the lumber everytime he hit you. Peter is tabbed as a safety, but he can play CB as well. He reminds me a lot of Jerrell Drane another Florida kid from last season. It's really interesting how St Fort ended up at IU. Coach Lynch went to Golden Gate HS to watch JD Woods and Anthony Mains play in the game, but came away so impressed by the play of St. Fort, IU offered him and got him. It appeared for awhile that IU would also get Woods, but he ended up at West Virginia, but IU really gets an underrated versitale DB. He's another name I'd stow away in the back of your mind, because in a couple of years, we will hear a lot about him.

Marquelo Suel 6'3" 175 WR from Fort Wayne, IN. Marquelo runs a 4.5 and was IU's very first verbal to this class way back in April, just before Nick Sliger verballed to us. This kid is another one of those athletes that can play a number of positions, in fact he played 5 different positions over the course of his senior high school season this time around. This season he rushed, passed, and caught over 500 yards in each catagory. He was also a safety and CB on defense and he sometimes returned punts and kicks. He's just a kid, when you watch him on film, coach Lynch says just "jumps out at you". Of all the athletes IU has in the class, Suel is by far the best and most versitale. He'll come in as WR, and he'll probably stay there. He needs some weight, but he's not someone to overlook. He's a very good player and of course, another track guy.

AJ Thompson 6'2" 295 OL from Lakeland, FL. AJ is a native Kentuckian, but for his senior season, he played down in Lakeland, FL at Kathleen HS, one of the premier Florida HS in the state. Between Kathleen and Lake Gibson high schools, the community of Lakeland produces a dozen or so high end D1 prospects each and every season. AJ didn't disappoint this season and was nicknamed the road grader, because he can get low to the ground and just plow you over. He's a very good knee bender and should do very well at IU because he's still fairly quick (imagine John Sandberg with quick feet). His dad is Shelton Thompson that some will remember played at Florida State and for the Tampa Bay Bucs several years ago. What I like about AJ is that he's already enrolled and participate in spring drills and also he's a very versitale OL guy that can probably play any of the 5 positions. I think he'll start out at OG, but I wouldn't be shocked to see him to Center if Matte doesn't pan out.

Darius Willis 6' 210 RB from Indianapolis, IN. The jewel of IU's class this season, Darius is a major league RB that runs a 4.4, but can run over you as well and just keep haulin the mail. There's just so much to like about Willis in all honesty. He's an honor roll student, he runs on the track team in the 4x100 relay, he finished 2nd in Mr. Football voting this season, and set school and regional records in the 200 meter dash as well. He's an big time athlete, but him calling is football. To me, and this is just my opinion here, he reminds me a lot of Maurice Clairett, but faster. Thank God though he doesn't have Maurice's mental issues!!! I'm not expecting Darius to come in and lead IU to the promise land, but I believe he'll be the starter by mid season. IU hasn't had a RB like him in years. Again, it's beyond me that he's rated so low because his size/speed ratio and production are top notch! Another great thing about Darius is he played in the Spread at Franklin Central, so he's used to not having to run behind a fullback. That's one reason he's a great fit for this offense.

Well, next time, I'll try and get more stuff done on the end of the seaso reviews. Go IU!!!

Friday, February 1, 2008

Does Pryor hold the key to Ohrian Johnson?

Terrell Pyror is a 6'6" 235 freak of nature that just so happens to be a QB. He runs a 4.4, can throw it 70 yards in the air, and just plain Vince Young you in the blink of an eye. He's wanted by everyone, so why in the world does he hold the key for IU getting Ohrian Johnson, a 2-star, 6'4" 200 QB/Athlete from Gulfport, FL. Well, here's what I know.

Ohrian is down to 3 schools: Ohio State, Indiana, and South Florida. It's been reported that IU and USF want him at QB, but don't be fooled by this information. O$U wants him at QB, and he appears to be plan B if the Buckeyes do not get Pryor.

As of today, it appears Michigan and the O$U are neck and neck for Pryor. Michigan was seeking a back up plan in BJ Daniels from Tallahassee, FL, but that appears to have fallen by the way side. Michigan needs a QB, heck, their top 2 from last season have graduated and transferred, so Pryor can start from Day 1 there in an offense that fits him to a T. At O$U, he probably will play, but maybe not start. The Offense will fit him as well, because he's simply a bigger, more accurate version of Troy Smith, so that's not a worry.

I feel that if Pryor chooses O$U, Johnson will be a Hoosier, and if he chooses Michigan, Johnson will be a Buckeye. I really believe it's a 2 horse race for OJ, IU and O$U. For fans that have been screaming for IU get into battles with the big boys, well you are getting your wish here. Don't be fooled by Johnson's 2-star rating, he's a mamoth star in waiting, and IU spotted that very early. He's 6'4" 200 pounds, runs a 4.4, has a vertical of over 40", and he's improving by leaps and bound in his ability to be a QB.

IU really doesn't have a back up plan at QB for this class, but of course they are after at least 4 QBs for next years: Morgan Newton, Jordan Luellan, Dolphao McCarthy, and Dusty Kiel (may end at MLB).

We'll see what happens, but OJ plans to choose the hat at his press conference. If I was to give a percentage I'd say they are as follows: O$U 50%, IU 49%, and USF 1%.