Roderick Byers

[karlhungis]

Is there video people have seen of Byers that isn't the clip from ESPN? I've got to say I don't understand what the hype is as far as I've seen. The only time he got into the backfield was when he was virtually unblocked. On one play the RB held a block with him for a long time and wouldn't have been a factor if the ball carrier had made a decision. While he seems to have a good motor he doesn't look to have good speed for a DE on film. He doesn't appear to have dominating strength or quikness off the ball. I tust the coaches are happy after evaluating which is I why I wonder if there is tape out there aside from the 2 minute clip on ESPN. Are we planning on moving him inside?

Well, from what you have written, it sounds like he is deserving of the 3* rating that the recruiting services have given him. Based off of his offer list, that also fits the profile of a big body that could develop at the next level but certainly not a sure fire immediate impact guy. I am not sure why everyone is so excited about landing him either but it is probably because there are only a handful of people left to even talk about.

[Phalanx]

I think we have Ebert for the more immediate need, and in the absence of a recruit like Haloti Ngata, the important thing is to get some big uglies in your pipeline so that at least a few can develop. Oregon needs depth because our defense is on the field so much.

Nobody was excited about Wade Keliikipi either when we stole him from Hawaii at the last minute a few years ago, but now he is a projected starter that we probably couldn't do without.

[JTinKC]

I have doubt about the need for depth, it just seems to me that a lot of people are excited about this guy. You look at that gamecock thread and you would think he would be a huge pick up. There has to be something I'm not seeing.

[JTinKC]

I have no doubt is what I meant to say.

[chapelhillduck]

If he is a dt and qualifies this is a lot better than who we have signed in previous classes.
You take a couple of more developmental guys with the minimum hope they contribute (which it seems like he can) and with higher hopes that they turn into igor (with some growth and coaching). Big pickup is also a relative term to what is available right now and he's a good second tier option if we whiff on heyward/simmons

[Phalanx]

Moseley has a great write-up on the DT situation - http://www2.registerguard.com/cms/index ... sive-line/

An excerpt:

PROJECTING 2011
THE DEPTH CHART
DE: Terrell Turner, Jr.; Anthony Anderson, RFr.; Lake Koa Ka'ai, Fr.; Axel McQuaw, So.
DT: Wade Keliikipi, RFr.; Ricky Heimuli, Fr.; Brandon Tett, Sr.; Jonathan Witz, Fr.
DT: Taylor Hart, RFr.; Isaac Remington, Jr.; Jared Ebert, Jr.; Ryan Hagen, RFr.;
DE: Dion Jordan, So.; Brandon Hanna, Jr.; Tony Washington, Fr.; Sam Kamp, Fr.
NOTES: From a pure talent perspective the Ducks are in at least as good of shape as they were last fall, if not better. But the leadership and production provided by Bair, Clark and Rowe transcended physical ability. The returners will need to play above their heads to match the production the Ducks got from their line for most of 2010. Again, it should be a deep group, particularly if Ebert and/or a freshman can step in and contribute to another heavy rotation at tackle.
_________________________________________-

The on difference I see from last year is that we are relying on an untested Remington to be a primary back-up and apparently Ebert to fill the role that Heimuli filled last year. Hopefully this works out; it feels kinda thin. It would be nice to get a couple of guys in this class to keep the pipeline moving - hopefully guys who can pass their classes.

[woundedknees]

7 minutes from youtube that should shake things up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD1IyoOZ2-k

Lots of good pursuit, pressure on the QB, and batted balls.

Cleaned up video posted on youtube by 247 Sports.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaaWXV9WZLA&NR=1

[UofDuck]

As stated eariler, the guys who watch a lot of SC high-school football claim he is legit. He is big at 6' 5" and 262 pounds (recent). His frame could hold quite a bit more too. Most at So Car think he will RedShirt but will turn into a monster at DT over time.

Good film by the way wounded. Watching it sure makes it seem like moving him to DT would be good for his skillset - especially when he puts on 25-35 more pounds of muscle and matures into a full man. (while at Oregon of course)

Put him next to Hemuli (sp?) and bam, that is a lot of beef in 2012

[dthomas=ddixon]

With him setting his announcement almost immediately after his visit out here & not taking a visit to SC, you gotta think he's a Duck. This would be an awesome pickup too. We don't need immediate help at DT next year, we need it for 2 years down the road. Getting a couple guys like Byers that can RS & develop is exactly what we need. Fairly was only a 3*, guys sometimes need a little time to develop. Byers has the frame to be a monster in the middle & everyone in SC seems really high on him, regardless of his rating.

[JTinKC]

Much better video than I saw on ESPN. I think he's rated correctly and if he hasn't hit his ceiling will be a great Dline guy. Great pursiut and patients.

[maxduck]

With him setting his announcement almost immediately after his visit out here & not taking a visit to SC, you gotta think he's a Duck. This would be an awesome pickup too. We don't need immediate help at DT next year, we need it for 2 years down the road. Getting a couple guys like Byers that can RS & develop is exactly what we need. Fairly was only a 3*, guys sometimes need a little time to develop. Byers has the frame to be a monster in the middle & everyone in SC seems really high on him, regardless of his rating.

True enough, but look at Fairley's evaluation out of high school...
One of the most impressive players at a Scout.com Combine in Tuscaloosa last summer, Fairley measured 6-3.5, 256 pounds, ran a 4.81 second 40-yard dash on a slow track, recorded a vertical leap of 30.5 inches and a standing broad jump of eight feet, 10 inches. He earned MVP of the combine for his performance.

Fairley also excels on basketball court averaging just over 17 points and 10 rebounds per contest.

Shows offers from Auburn, LSU, 'Bama, etc.

I understand what you are saying, but Fairley didn't 'develop' into an athletic freak, he came by it naturally.

[glazeduck]

With him setting his announcement almost immediately after his visit out here & not taking a visit to SC, you gotta think he's a Duck. This would be an awesome pickup too. We don't need immediate help at DT next year, we need it for 2 years down the road. Getting a couple guys like Byers that can RS & develop is exactly what we need. Fairly was only a 3*, guys sometimes need a little time to develop. Byers has the frame to be a monster in the middle & everyone in SC seems really high on him, regardless of his rating.

True enough, but look at Fairley's evaluation out of high school...
One of the most impressive players at a Scout.com Combine in Tuscaloosa last summer, Fairley measured 6-3.5, 256 pounds, ran a 4.81 second 40-yard dash on a slow track, recorded a vertical leap of 30.5 inches and a standing broad jump of eight feet, 10 inches. He earned MVP of the combine for his performance.

Fairley also excels on basketball court averaging just over 17 points and 10 rebounds per contest.

Shows offers from Auburn, LSU, 'Bama, etc.

I understand what you are saying, but Fairley didn't 'develop' into an athletic freak, he came by it naturally.

What exactly is the point of questioning the recruitment of Byers? If he comes, he comes, and it's clear that the coaches want him. If he doesn't it's moot.

We need Defensive Ends and Defensive Tackles, so regardless of what he progresses into he'll definitely be of use in the coming years. Only 22 starters on both sides of the ball. 25 scholarships per year. NOT EVERY RECRUIT IS GOING TO BE A SUPERSTAR. Even if Byers provides good depth, inside or out, he'll be a good get.

[freedjr]

With him setting his announcement almost immediately after his visit out here & not taking a visit to SC, you gotta think he's a Duck. This would be an awesome pickup too. We don't need immediate help at DT next year, we need it for 2 years down the road. Getting a couple guys like Byers that can RS & develop is exactly what we need. Fairly was only a 3*, guys sometimes need a little time to develop. Byers has the frame to be a monster in the middle & everyone in SC seems really high on him, regardless of his rating.

True enough, but look at Fairley's evaluation out of high school...
One of the most impressive players at a Scout.com Combine in Tuscaloosa last summer, Fairley measured 6-3.5, 256 pounds, ran a 4.81 second 40-yard dash on a slow track, recorded a vertical leap of 30.5 inches and a standing broad jump of eight feet, 10 inches. He earned MVP of the combine for his performance.

Fairley also excels on basketball court averaging just over 17 points and 10 rebounds per contest.

Shows offers from Auburn, LSU, 'Bama, etc.

I understand what you are saying, but Fairley didn't 'develop' into an athletic freak, he came by it naturally.

What exactly is the point of questioning the recruitment of Byers? If he comes, he comes, and it's clear that the coaches want him. If he doesn't it's moot.

We need Defensive Ends and Defensive Tackles, so regardless of what he progresses into he'll definitely be of use in the coming years. Only 22 starters on both sides of the ball. 25 scholarships per year. NOT EVERY RECRUIT IS GOING TO BE A SUPERSTAR. Even if Byers provides good depth, inside or out, he'll be a good get.

Thanks for having common sense, Glazeduck. Bottom line: Good enough for Chip, good enough for me.

[greenyellow]

With him setting his announcement almost immediately after his visit out here & not taking a visit to SC, you gotta think he's a Duck. This would be an awesome pickup too. We don't need immediate help at DT next year, we need it for 2 years down the road. Getting a couple guys like Byers that can RS & develop is exactly what we need. Fairly was only a 3*, guys sometimes need a little time to develop. Byers has the frame to be a monster in the middle & everyone in SC seems really high on him, regardless of his rating.

True enough, but look at Fairley's evaluation out of high school...
One of the most impressive players at a Scout.com Combine in Tuscaloosa last summer, Fairley measured 6-3.5, 256 pounds, ran a 4.81 second 40-yard dash on a slow track, recorded a vertical leap of 30.5 inches and a standing broad jump of eight feet, 10 inches. He earned MVP of the combine for his performance.

Fairley also excels on basketball court averaging just over 17 points and 10 rebounds per contest.

Shows offers from Auburn, LSU, 'Bama, etc.

I understand what you are saying, but Fairley didn't 'develop' into an athletic freak, he came by it naturally.

What exactly is the point of questioning the recruitment of Byers? If he comes, he comes, and it's clear that the coaches want him. If he doesn't it's moot.

We need Defensive Ends and Defensive Tackles, so regardless of what he progresses into he'll definitely be of use in the coming years. Only 22 starters on both sides of the ball. 25 scholarships per year. NOT EVERY RECRUIT IS GOING TO BE A SUPERSTAR. Even if Byers provides good depth, inside or out, he'll be a good get.

Thanks for having common sense, Glazeduck. Bottom line: Good enough for Chip, good enough for me.

As Chip has proven, having depth really helps late in games. Byers could develop into a superstar, but he could be just an average player and still contribute to the team.

[JTinKC]

The question was what all the hype was about. people were acting like he was this huge get. Since all I had seen was his ESPN video which wasn't impressive at all I was curious if there was something else available to see that might make me understand the hype. It's a message board and if you don't like people having discussions questioning the judgement of coaches then move along to the next thread.