Recruiting 'Athletes'

[StevensTechU]

A lot of times nobody could've predicted the position a player eventually ends up playing in college (Henry Mondeaux went from MLB at Jesuit to interior defensive lineman in 2 years). But that doesn't mean we shouldn't give it a shot, especially when this class is so heavy on players whose position is 'athlete.' Here are commits and targets whose college position is a little ambiguous.

Bruce Judson
Primary position: Running back. At 5'9, 205, and runs a 4.7 40 (http://www.hudl.com/profile/2693729/bruce-judson), he's probably not fast enough for CB or slot receiver, and too short for S or wideout.
Secondary: Slot receiver, based on measurables.

Jaylon Redd
Primary position: Slot receiver. In virtually every way, Redd appears to be the second coming of Charles Nelson/
Secondary: Cornerback. Redd has performed admirably as a cornerback at regional and national events, as well as on his high school team. The Ducks may start him here at camp.

Darrian Felix:
Primary position: Slot receiver. Runs in the 4.4s, per his time at the Opening, and is pretty slight of build.
Secondary: Running back. He could project as a corner, but based on his lack of tape on defense, I'm going with running back.

Darrian McNeal:
Primary position: Slot receiver. This is where the Ducks have recruited him to play.
Secondary: Corner. Prior to committing to Oregon, McNeal was slotted to join 'Zona as a cornerback, and his measurables make him a fit at the position.

Demetri Burch:
Primary position: Slot receiver. Based on measurables alone, Burch seems fit to catch the ball rather take the punishment of toting it out of the backfield.
Secondary: Wideout. At 5'11-6'0, Burch wouldn't be the shortest wideout on the Ducks in recent memory (Keanon Lowe was maybe 5'10).

Popo Aumavae:
Primary position: Offensive guard. A review of the quickness off the line of college guards and college defensive lineman, Aumavae looks more like an OL. However, I expect the Ducks to start him on defense at camp.
Secondary: Defensive tackle.

Thoughts?

[5$]

War Room material. Nice info, thanks.

[StevensTechU]

War Room material. Nice info, thanks.

Yup, my bad. Admins- please relocate.

[karlhungis]

Judson must be doing something right because I don't see how a 5'9 guy running a 4.7 really fits on the team.

[Duck07]

War Room material. Nice info, thanks.

Do you enjoy wearing thong underwear?

[akaTheo]

Judson must be doing something right because I don't see how a 5'9 guy running a 4.7 really fits on the team.

I don't get either Burch nor Judson. Neither are elite, Burch runs a 4.6 and had a sparq of 91. There are 30 of these kids a year Oregon can sign, why not save the scholarships and sign one next year if we miss on better options?

[greenyellow]

Judson must be doing something right because I don't see how a 5'9 guy running a 4.7 really fits on the team.

I don't get either Burch nor Judson. Neither are elite, Burch runs a 4.6 and had a sparq of 91. There are 30 of these kids a year Oregon can sign, why not save the scholarships and sign one next year if we miss on better options?

I doubt that number is not as high as you say it is. If it was, Oregon would have a line of them waiting to sign, which they don't.

[akaTheo]

Judson must be doing something right because I don't see how a 5'9 guy running a 4.7 really fits on the team.

I don't get either Burch nor Judson. Neither are elite, Burch runs a 4.6 and had a sparq of 91. There are 30 of these kids a year Oregon can sign, why not save the scholarships and sign one next year if we miss on better options?

I doubt that number is not as high as you say it is. If it was, Oregon would have a line of them waiting to sign, which they don't.

Yeah it was a bit of hyperbole, but Gates and McNeal are pretty much the same numbers. That is 4 right there that are directly connected to Oregon this year that either committed, will commit or tried to commit. There are a lot of 5'11" 170-190 4.6-4.7 players every year. There aren't nearly as many DL or OL players that will play at an elite level, so why not save scholarships for guys we could easily get next year that are similar potential to these guys? Just IMO.

[karlhungis]

Judson must be doing something right because I don't see how a 5'9 guy running a 4.7 really fits on the team.

I don't get either Burch nor Judson. Neither are elite, Burch runs a 4.6 and had a sparq of 91. There are 30 of these kids a year Oregon can sign, why not save the scholarships and sign one next year if we miss on better options?

I think the fact that Willy and co were able to find so many in just a few weeks kind of lends credence to what you are saying.

[greenyellow]

Judson must be doing something right because I don't see how a 5'9 guy running a 4.7 really fits on the team.

I don't get either Burch nor Judson. Neither are elite, Burch runs a 4.6 and had a sparq of 91. There are 30 of these kids a year Oregon can sign, why not save the scholarships and sign one next year if we miss on better options?

I doubt that number is not as high as you say it is. If it was, Oregon would have a line of them waiting to sign, which they don't.

Yeah it was a bit of hyperbole, but Gates and McNeal are pretty much the same numbers. That is 4 right there that are directly connected to Oregon this year that either committed, will commit or tried to commit. There are a lot of 5'11" 170-190 4.6-4.7 players every year. There aren't nearly as many DL or OL players that will play at an elite level, so why not save scholarships for guys we could easily get next year that are similar potential to these guys? Just IMO.

They also need some bodies at WR since the Ducks are down to 5 returning scholarship WRs (Carrington, Mitchell, Ofodile, Nelson and Kane.) Not all of the ones they'll be taking will be ready to go and will likely redshirt so I can see why they're adding so many. Next year's class will likely also be a larger one so it's not like they won't have space next year.

[Phenom]

First of all, watch Judson play. He runs much faster than 4.7. He has a place at RB (after a redshirt).

The one I get the least is Burch because I don't see him being very explosive, but he is taller than the other ones so I guess that helps. Maybe he can play out wide after a few years.

[akaTheo]

]
They also need some bodies at WR since the Ducks are down to 5 returning scholarship WRs (Carrington, Mitchell, Ofodile, and Kane.) Not all of the ones they'll be taking will be ready to go and will likely redshirt so I can see why they're adding so many. Next year's class will likely also be a larger one so it's not like they won't have space next year.

Yeah they need bodies, but only Carrington and Nelson are gone next year which would leave a WR core of Ofodile, Mitchell, Kane, McNeal, Felix, Redd, Burch, and Judson. Why not push for Thompson, who we have at least a decent shot with last I heard, then go get a JC recruit next year if you need plus Cota, get back in with Culp, if you want another slot guy get Lowe (who is near the same as these guys anyway) and refill that way. Pulling 5 slot guys this year just because they are bodies we can sign doesn't really address the issues of the team anyway. Heck, go get Davis if you abosolutely have to get some more WR bodies, he is at least tall enough to challenge DBs. None of the guys they have signed this year should be playing outside. Add to that they ignore a proven corner in Gates that has the same athleticism as these guys and I just don't see the positives of getting Burch nor Judson.

And just for clarification I didn't want McNeal when he signed. I think he was smart to commit when he did because he locked down that spot, and it should only be the one player of that type that we fill. Again, IMO

[Phenom]

I disagree about McNeal. He is explosive and helped build the hype for the Florida kids. He was a great recruiter.

[akaTheo]

First of all, watch Judson play. He runs much faster than 4.7. He has a place at RB (after a redshirt).

The one I get the least is Burch because I don't see him being very explosive, but he is taller than the other ones so I guess that helps. Maybe he can play out wide after a few years.

I have watched all their films a few times. Judson is the one I like best, but he is a slot receiver. He could be a RB, but he isn't better than Verdell nor Felix (who is slot for me as well), and is he better than any number of RBs next season? That is his competition, not just is he a body we can get and fill a spot. He may be a decent RB, but he isn't such a can't miss that we need to get him is my point. Save the scholarship and get another decent sized guy with decent athleticism that could fill the same role if you miss on players you have a whole year to work on. Why panic and just get a body to be a body?

[akaTheo]

I disagree about McNeal. He is explosive and helped build the hype for the Florida kids. He was a great recruiter.

If we only sign Burch, Judson, Scott and McNeal out of Florida is that really worth the scholarship for his recruiting? Just my opinion, but Scott is the only one I would be excited about and would actually get us to the place of being able to win a NC, which should always be the goal in recruiting from my perspective.