I am NOT Bill Walsh. I'm not Bill Polian.
But life has taught me observation. Rule #1 of evaluating. Players are rarely as tall as they are listed. Coaches want their kids recruited and will "inflate" the numbers to garner attention. Basketball is notorious for this. Listed heights are invariable ALWAYS the height IN SHOES.
I go back to Mark Acguirre from Chicago. I remember when he was in HS, he was listed at 6-6. Then when he got to DePaul he was 6-7. I even remember some scout saying he was 6-8. When actually measured in SOCKS... Mark Acguirre was 6-4 1/2. Michael Jordan was 6-6 only in shoes. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson weren't 6-9 in anything but their Chuck Taylors... Note: Yogi Ferrell is 6-0 like I'm 7-2. And I'm not 7-2. Nor 6-2. But I digress.
But in terms of evaluating film on the current committed players.
RB.
Cole Gest.. Smallish (probably 5-8) but has a running style similar to Tevin Coleman. Doesn't really change gears or juke people. He hits the hole and whoosh. He can run and cut at full speed due to fluid hips and balance. When Devine Redding has his better runs, he hits an open hole and accelerates. Devine doesn't really make something from nothing. But he lacks the extra gear to run away from the secondary. Given the same hole, Gest is in Martinsville or Bedford in the blink of an eye. Good hands and will be effective in the screen game. Possible kick returner.
Tyler Natee.. Really unique for IU. When I first saw his tape I thought of the runner for Western Kentucky who's name I forget. Great balance and dainty feet. Can really "tip toe" in traffic. I never saw Jordan Howard in HS. But Tyler may be a similar run to contact player. The kind to split tacklers and make DB's go "&^%$" when they approach him in the open field. Could be effective as an "H" back in the flat off play action and boot action. Someone on this page said he reminded him of Mike Tolbert of the Panthers and Chargers. I think that's a viable comparison.
QB.
Richard Lagow... Tall, nimble. Quick footed. Can really slide in the pocket to avoid the rush. Big time arm that can chuck it a long way. Not a slow release but could be make quicker. Generally accurate But could tighten it up. Should be able to occasionally run the ball and then slide to avoid getting made to look like Icabod Crane. Probably starter.
Peyton Ramsey... Probably 6-1 and 190. The perfect style of QB to run IU's offense. Reminds me of some of the Northwestern QB's of the Walker / Barnett era. Good running skills to augment the inside and outside zone reads. Will open up a new section of the offense somewhat like Roberson did. Quick release and accuracy isn't bad. But needs a red shirt yr to get over 200 lbs and add arm strength. Could be a very effective player down the line.
WR
Phil Benker... I'd say 6-2ish and moves well. Hard to evaluate his patterns and footwork as he just runs past HS kids. Catches the ball in his hands. Jumps well. Good size. Someone to work with.
Jonah Morris... Looks 6-3+ and very athletic. Seems to be a better athlete than Benker. Again it's tough to evaluate footwork and ability to run routes. Out jumps and runs the kids on tape. Catches naturally. Another player who can develop well.
TE..
Shaun Bonner... One of my favorite films. Actually looks his listed size. Runs well and has body control and nimble in ability to change direction. Quick in traffic. Can separate from the defense. Can run. The kind of player who can get you 5 yards when you need 4. Catches the ball in his hands and away from his body. Some really nice circus catches. Excellent end line blocker and from the H back position. Similar blocking to Cooper this yr.
Ian Thomas... Probably closer to 6-3 than 6-5. Big frame. Good blocker. Catches naturally and moves well. Plays in a different offense than Bonner.
So that's it for now. We'll see how this works out.
Go IU football.
But life has taught me observation. Rule #1 of evaluating. Players are rarely as tall as they are listed. Coaches want their kids recruited and will "inflate" the numbers to garner attention. Basketball is notorious for this. Listed heights are invariable ALWAYS the height IN SHOES.
I go back to Mark Acguirre from Chicago. I remember when he was in HS, he was listed at 6-6. Then when he got to DePaul he was 6-7. I even remember some scout saying he was 6-8. When actually measured in SOCKS... Mark Acguirre was 6-4 1/2. Michael Jordan was 6-6 only in shoes. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson weren't 6-9 in anything but their Chuck Taylors... Note: Yogi Ferrell is 6-0 like I'm 7-2. And I'm not 7-2. Nor 6-2. But I digress.
But in terms of evaluating film on the current committed players.
RB.
Cole Gest.. Smallish (probably 5-8) but has a running style similar to Tevin Coleman. Doesn't really change gears or juke people. He hits the hole and whoosh. He can run and cut at full speed due to fluid hips and balance. When Devine Redding has his better runs, he hits an open hole and accelerates. Devine doesn't really make something from nothing. But he lacks the extra gear to run away from the secondary. Given the same hole, Gest is in Martinsville or Bedford in the blink of an eye. Good hands and will be effective in the screen game. Possible kick returner.
Tyler Natee.. Really unique for IU. When I first saw his tape I thought of the runner for Western Kentucky who's name I forget. Great balance and dainty feet. Can really "tip toe" in traffic. I never saw Jordan Howard in HS. But Tyler may be a similar run to contact player. The kind to split tacklers and make DB's go "&^%$" when they approach him in the open field. Could be effective as an "H" back in the flat off play action and boot action. Someone on this page said he reminded him of Mike Tolbert of the Panthers and Chargers. I think that's a viable comparison.
QB.
Richard Lagow... Tall, nimble. Quick footed. Can really slide in the pocket to avoid the rush. Big time arm that can chuck it a long way. Not a slow release but could be make quicker. Generally accurate But could tighten it up. Should be able to occasionally run the ball and then slide to avoid getting made to look like Icabod Crane. Probably starter.
Peyton Ramsey... Probably 6-1 and 190. The perfect style of QB to run IU's offense. Reminds me of some of the Northwestern QB's of the Walker / Barnett era. Good running skills to augment the inside and outside zone reads. Will open up a new section of the offense somewhat like Roberson did. Quick release and accuracy isn't bad. But needs a red shirt yr to get over 200 lbs and add arm strength. Could be a very effective player down the line.
WR
Phil Benker... I'd say 6-2ish and moves well. Hard to evaluate his patterns and footwork as he just runs past HS kids. Catches the ball in his hands. Jumps well. Good size. Someone to work with.
Jonah Morris... Looks 6-3+ and very athletic. Seems to be a better athlete than Benker. Again it's tough to evaluate footwork and ability to run routes. Out jumps and runs the kids on tape. Catches naturally. Another player who can develop well.
TE..
Shaun Bonner... One of my favorite films. Actually looks his listed size. Runs well and has body control and nimble in ability to change direction. Quick in traffic. Can separate from the defense. Can run. The kind of player who can get you 5 yards when you need 4. Catches the ball in his hands and away from his body. Some really nice circus catches. Excellent end line blocker and from the H back position. Similar blocking to Cooper this yr.
Ian Thomas... Probably closer to 6-3 than 6-5. Big frame. Good blocker. Catches naturally and moves well. Plays in a different offense than Bonner.
So that's it for now. We'll see how this works out.
Go IU football.
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