Ducks Attack Message Board Forum

All, this isn't a bad class. Not trying to pump sunshine but we got some real players here. Not 4star camp creations but players.
Everyone's bummed because we lost out on Falo and Artis. Myself included. However, look at the talent we grabbed with a new staff, bad publicity and Jimmy Reaves friggin DUII.

Forget the star ratings, I'm telling you as a former evaluator, this is a much better class than last year or 2014 IMO. Yes, we needed a TE. We'll likely convert one of our LB's (Winston or Briscoe) to TE for 2018 depth (Mattingly and Mariota aren't enough). As for the Edge Rusher (OLB) We already have edge rushers in Moi, Hollins, etc.:

- Braxton B. - QB, Parade All-American with wicked good stats last sesaon 54 TD's.
- CJ Verdell - RB, More all-purpose yards than anyone in CA in 2016, 2000+ rusher 2 years in a row and state champ. Wayyyy...underrated RB.
- D. Davis - WR, 4.3 speed for over the top, stretch the D Receiver
- G. Moore - OT, Legit OL who will start or see PT shortly. hugely athletic
- Forsythe - OG, legit OL who can move and plays nasty. likely a 2 or 3 yr starter.
- J. Johnson - WR, hugely underrated WR. Runs the cleanest routes of any WR we grabbed and most 4 or 5 stars I saw on tape this class, excellent hands and body control. There's a reason they held onto this kid.....His junior tape is unimpressive, check out his senior tape. This kid will get open, Reminds of Huff in his ability to get open without elite speed.
- D. Felix - RB/Slot, Legit speedster with size can play multiple positions
- J. Redd - Slot/DB, Scary quick, plays beyond his size and Charles 2.0
- McNeal - WR, Crafty, quick.
- Bruce Judson - My most unfavorite pickup but kids winner. The only kid I don't like but that's primarily because we already had Verdell, McNeal, Redd and Felix.
- C. Shear - OL, I can really see this kid be a good center, super athletic, needs some size but can also double as our longsnapper. A project but think Grasu. His passion, heritage and drive could make him a phenomenal center. Yes, he's a project but one that is motivated and proud. This is a good bet worth taking.
- Burch - WR/Slot, this kid will definately see the field. he's quick, fast and a pure athlete.
Now the good stuff, defense:

- Rutger R - DE, this kid is seriously legit. True athlete, quick off the ball, capable of being elite or close to it.
- Austin F. - DE/DT, another seriously legit kid. more of a DT but in the 3-4 he's a perfect fit.
- Jordan S. - NT, Wow....Wow... haven't had this type of explosiveness since Ngata. Rated lower than his performance on the field significantly. Crazy good and will see playing time next season.
- Popo - NT/OL, Very good get. Jordan is better but still a solid NT but could be a starter at OL in the future.
- Sampson N - ML, off the charts, starter within 2 years....He's legit
- Isaac S, going to be very good...he'll be playing within 2 years...starter by year 2 or 3
- Cyrus - phenomenal athlete, could be an excellent WOLB in the 3-4. Speed and size. Could also be our short yardage back.
- Gibson - S, hard hitter, needs a year or 2 of good nutrition and development but could be phenomenal at SS. Definately a project but could yield serious upside.
- Lenoir - CB, cream of the crop, excellent, starter by year 2 and likely see's time this season. Also worthy special teams player.
- Graham - CB, cream of the crop, excellent, starter by year 2 and likely see's time this season even if it's only at special teams.
- Picket - S, hard hitter..could see this kid excel with physical development. Likely see's time in 3rd year. This kid is literally the catalyst for Redd, Graham, Lenior, etc. love his passion for being a Duck....

All, I see the following playing or starting by or before 2018:
- Graham
- Lenior
- Redd
- Felix
- Verdell
- Moore
- Rutger
- Jordan S.
- Sampson
- Austin
- J. Johnson

This is a good haul of talent. Be happy, we did good and by most accounts, better than the Fuskies....

For bragging rights, I totally agree. But you better be careful if you're one of those dudes who always say player rankings matter more than final team rankings. Lotta those dudes chose player rankings for years to make their case for Oregon, but you can't have it both ways. I always chose the way that makes us look like we beat the Huskies. That way I'm consistent.

You're speaking my language, Smiley, when it comes to beating the Huskies in anything football related. Can you (or someone) provide links to the three sites you're referring to so I can see for myself?

Greenblood wrote:You're speaking my language, Smiley, when it comes to beating the Huskies in anything football related. Can you (or someone) provide links to the three sites you're referring to so I can see for myself?

Heres rivals
https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2017

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Heres Scout
http://www.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=14&yr=2017

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Here's 24/7
http://247sports.com/Season/2017-Footba ... amRankings

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http://www.sbnation.com/college-footbal ... ng-ranking


Class looks good to me. I like stats and CJ Verdell looks awsome, Reminds me of Barry Sanders.

vegasdom wrote:http://www.sbnation.com/college-footbal ... ng-ranking


Class looks good to me. I like stats and CJ Verdell looks awsome, Reminds me of Barry Sanders.

Glad you feel the same. My fav's in this class are Rutger, Jordan, Austin, Niu, Graham, Lenior, Verdell,Felix, Redd, Johnson, Moore & Forsythe.
Pay special attention to Johnson. I was shocked when I saw his senior tape. HS kids can get away with being tremendous athletes like Greg Johnson and Lewis. They look elite right now.At the next level you can't just run around and succeed on "go" routes.

Everything I saw in Lewis tape he had a monster cushion with no press. Johnson is different, his routes are consistent and he beats the press without affecting his route or timing of the play. Don't be surprised if Johnson is seeing serious PT in year 2. He runs incredible routes and QB's need that. He's much better than his rating. I'm shocked to say this as I wasn't a fan until I saw his senior tape recently. He plays in the best division in Arizona, had 1800 receiving yards and 10 TD's. He's this year's diamond in the rough. The others are strong but this kid is going to be a surprise and we all love the surprises (aka, Justin Herbert).

Games are won on the field not on paper.

You don't think josh huff has elite speed?

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Thanks, DTref! THIS was recruiting season, and we finished an average of five spots ahead of the Huskies, even after they pasted us last year and went to the CFP, we were simply crap, with such a late start for this staff, etc. I'll take it!

Now we turn to coaching and performance on the field.

ifuwant2 wrote:For bragging rights, I totally agree. But you better be careful if you're one of those dudes who always say player rankings matter more than final team rankings. Lotta those dudes chose player rankings for years to make their case for Oregon, but you can't have it both ways. I always chose the way that makes us look like we beat the Huskies. That way I'm consistent.

Totally Agree. However, this year bragging rights is just the "cherry-on-top."

Unlike last years class, I'm high on all of these kids not for rating but actually performance evidenced. From last years class the only kids that excited me were Herbert, Mitchell, Simms, Wallace, Young & Schooler,when they offered late. I missed on Dye but didn't really have a take one way or another. Everyone here knew my thoughts on Herbert.

I have a little background with this stuff and I'm telling you this is one of the better classes we've ever gotten. All DL will be impact players, Secondary is off the charts, OL is athletic and BIG. Bummed about missing on an edge guy and of course, TE. But its doubtful that any edge rusher we brought in would supercede Moi, Young or Hollins in 2017 so not real concerned about that anyway. Young is going to be a beast in the 3-4 with Leavitt.

The only kids I'm not real high on are 2 of the Florida boys(Judson, Burch) but that's because of depth, not because they aren't good but don't think they are better than Redd, Felix or McNeal and not real sure of their fit.
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srsmiley007 wrote:

ifuwant2 wrote:For bragging rights, I totally agree. But you better be careful if you're one of those dudes who always say player rankings matter more than final team rankings. Lotta those dudes chose player rankings for years to make their case for Oregon, but you can't have it both ways. I always chose the way that makes us look like we beat the Huskies. That way I'm consistent.

Totally Agree. However, this year bragging rights is just the "cherry-on-top."

Unlike last years class, I'm high on all of these kids not for rating but actually performance evidenced. From last years class the only kids that excited me were Herbert, Mitchell, Simms, Wallace, Young & Schooler,when they offered late. I missed on Dye but didn't really have a take one way or another. Everyone here knew my thoughts on Herbert.

I have a little background with this stuff and I'm telling you this is one of the better classes we've ever gotten. All DL will be impact players, Secondary is off the charts, OL is athletic and BIG. Bummed about missing on an edge guy and of course, TE. But its doubtful that any edge rusher we brought in would supercede Moi, Young or Hollins in 2017 so not real concerned about that anyway. Young is going to be a beast in the 3-4 with Leavitt.

The only kids I'm not real high on are 2 of the Florida boys(Judson, Burch) but that's because of depth, not because they aren't good but don't think they are better than Redd, Felix or McNeal and not real sure of their fit.
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I'm with you. Very deep class. Just having some fun with how so many people say average player ranking is the most important number to look at, not team rankings. Our player ranking average puts this class somewhere around 22/23, I think. But still, I like this class better than the past few, though the 2016 still has potential to really come strong.