2018 Recruiting Thread
- Thread starter MilesBarkley
- Start date
Why is he dragging this out until the last second? I wouldn’t ask if he weren’t a legacy. Is he a silent verbal just holding off announcing based on Franklins request?
Enis would be a big get. Another big WR (6-4).
With Penn State running basically 100% of the time out of their 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB formation, you need big wide receivers for blocking. I think I read that Ohio State hasn't brought in a WR shorter than 6-1 in years.
That slot guy used to be a small, quick type. But now you need them blocking linebackers, safeties, even cracking down on defensive ends. Hamilton was an excellent blocker, he was a stud in the weight room. I think we'll see another bigger WR in the slot again this year, maybe they move Johnson there, or someone else.
Seems like we aren't going to get much production out of Hamler (came in at 156!) and Hippenhammer (170) until they get substantially bigger.
With Penn State running basically 100% of the time out of their 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB formation, you need big wide receivers for blocking. I think I read that Ohio State hasn't brought in a WR shorter than 6-1 in years.
That slot guy used to be a small, quick type. But now you need them blocking linebackers, safeties, even cracking down on defensive ends. Hamilton was an excellent blocker, he was a stud in the weight room. I think we'll see another bigger WR in the slot again this year, maybe they move Johnson there, or someone else.
Seems like we aren't going to get much production out of Hamler (came in at 156!) and Hippenhammer (170) until they get substantially bigger.
Recruits aren't required to be on a timetable that make fans happy. Maybe it has taken time for his family to be comfortable with him going to a school far away? He said at the end of that interview that he may verbal a week before LOI day so the staff is covered re: numbers.
A very interesting point, but not clear at this point how it shakes out. If CJF is truly committed to the big WRs, why even recruit Hamler and Hip?
I suspect with good blocking at the other WR positions and maybe improved blocking at TE, the offense can afford to utilize a smaller, quicker guy in the slot. PSU is continuing to accumulate some serious talent at skill positions.
You have all of the special teams roles, gunners, returners, etc. I'm not making a blanket statement that they would never play or be in the rotation at receiver, either. I just think ideally, he'd like to have bigger guys out there for the majority of the snaps. If Hamler turns into a ball of lightning and is unstoppable in the slot, well you live with the blocking. Just like you did with Gesicki at tight end.
Would you be able to put a ‘slot’ receiver at the Lion position to get a mismatch in the pass defense?
It seems like the way the Lion has been used precludes a downfield release.
Playing the ‘slot’ in a HB position might open up some territory.
That might be a role for Hamler or Hip.
It seems like the way the Lion has been used precludes a downfield release.
Playing the ‘slot’ in a HB position might open up some territory.
That might be a role for Hamler or Hip.
Pretty big deal to get the offensive line coach for another Big Ten team come to your school to coach the tight ends.
Thought Tyler Bowen's comment here about recruiting at Penn State was pretty funny.
What made the Penn State job enticing to you?
Knowing Coach Franklin for a long time, really, loyalty to him. He's meant everything [to me] in my coaching career up to this point, and at the same time, you're talking about going to a top-10 football program and a place that, when you're selling the student-athletes, it's top of the line. To me, it's a dream job destination.
What was your recruiting trip like as a PSU coach?
"It was great. Closed out the class; obviously this class was very strong, and that was also easy because a lot of the same kids that you're recruiting at the University of Maryland, you're also recruiting at Penn State, it's just a little harder to get them [at Maryland], so now you're on that other end of things. We were out the whole month of December, and it went really well."
Thought Tyler Bowen's comment here about recruiting at Penn State was pretty funny.
What made the Penn State job enticing to you?
Knowing Coach Franklin for a long time, really, loyalty to him. He's meant everything [to me] in my coaching career up to this point, and at the same time, you're talking about going to a top-10 football program and a place that, when you're selling the student-athletes, it's top of the line. To me, it's a dream job destination.
What was your recruiting trip like as a PSU coach?
"It was great. Closed out the class; obviously this class was very strong, and that was also easy because a lot of the same kids that you're recruiting at the University of Maryland, you're also recruiting at Penn State, it's just a little harder to get them [at Maryland], so now you're on that other end of things. We were out the whole month of December, and it went really well."
Hamler was thought to be one of the very best, if not the best, return guy in his class, was he not? Perhaps he will be strictly a special teams guy receiving kicks and punts.
It was great. Closed out the class; obviously this class was very strong, and that was also easy because a lot of the same kids that you're recruiting at the University of Maryland, you're also recruiting at Penn State, it's just a little harder to get them [at Maryland], so now you're on that other end of things.
We were out the whole month of December, and it went really well."
We were out the whole month of December, and it went really well."
Could be an important paragraph.
Starts with -
It was great.
Closed out the class;
Closed out the class;
That might refer to the strong early signing period.
Hopefully this part refers to a major remaining talent like Rasheed Walker from WALDORF, MD.
a lot of the same kids that you're recruiting at the University of Maryland, you're also recruiting at Penn State, it's just a little harder to get them [at Maryland], so now you're on that other end of things.
Finished with this
We were out the whole month of December, and it went really well."
Given that new coach Tyler Bowen came from U MD and was in close contact with Rasheed Walker, perhaps his comments indicate we are still the team to best for big, talented OT Walker.
I don't think anyone will be strictly anything. I think as JF increases the talent across the board with 4 and 5 stars, you have guys who will have specialized roles. Ideally, you don't want 220 pound Shaka Toney out there on run downs. Ideally, you don't have Hamler, Polk, or Hippenhammer trying to block Rashan Gary.
As soon as Marcus Allen committed to PSU, he started dropping and eventually fell to a 5.6 and being un-ranked. He had 26 offers, many of them major programs. How did that work Rivals ranking work out?
Fair point, but also consider Brandon Polk (small, speedy WR) and how little he was used this season. I don't think it's bad to get a variety of builds and characteristics, diversity is usually a good thing and creates an environment where the team is equipped for a variety of scenarios. But in general I am a fan of getting tall athletes with good vertical leap abilities at WR. I'd imagine most coaches are as well. As a Chicago Bears fan it sure was fun to watch Cutler just toss it up for Alshon Jeffrey and Brandon Marshall over and over a few seasons ago, while DBs were largely helpless to contest those passes. McSorely has been afforded similar luxuries with Gesicki, Godwin, Hamilton and Johnson recently. The added size is also beneficial with blocking and our WRs have been great in that aspect too.
Good points.
Consider too that Barkley was one our best receivers and is only 5-11. He had the speed and athleticism to get open and he had great hands, or hand, in the case of his phenomenal one-handed leaping grab.
Barkley was the rare combination that combined great speed with considerable bulk and phenomenal strength for blocking. They don't grow on trees.
Hope we get Enis. You can't teach 6-4.
Although he is lighter like Gesicki was when he arrived. Mike bulked up some and became a great receiving threat with his height.
If we can't get great tall receivers, then very good, somewhat shorter receivers like Dotson are a plus.
Yes, one of the catches AB made on Sunday the ball looked like it was past him and practically on the ground but his strong hands snatched it.
As well as the all time leading WR at PSU, Hamilton who is listed at 6' 5/8" at his all star game weigh in...
Get open, and catch the ball in traffic doesn't have a height prerequisite....
Every good receiver, regardless of height, has strong hands and the focus/concentration to catch the ball in traffic.
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Yup, and to further bolster your point, Godwin is listed at 6'1 but was one of the best downfield blocking WR's I've seen and came down with way better than 50% of "50/50" balls.
hopefully we won't be seeing anymore linebackers out there returning kicks.
Agree, and Hamilton got his share of the 50/50 balls as well, plus both he and Thompkins were above average downfield blockers also.
CB pick for Julius Irvin to USC.
Two other CBs are "VIP locked". Is this new? Guesses are VIP now?
Two other CBs are "VIP locked". Is this new? Guesses are VIP now?
Perception creates as much delusion as it does reality. Ask any of the Germans that are still left after they ran our of fuel during WWII about the perception and reality of their being a master race.
Just saw another CB for OSU regarding Walker today.
Man, I hope he and all those who say Walker is going there are dead wrong!!!
Man, I hope he and all those who say Walker is going there are dead wrong!!!
It’s amazing that wisconsin is so low, unless there is a bias against them.
One bias against them is that recruiting gurus don't travel up there to scout prospects.
I assume there was a bit of jokery in your post.
Seriously, Wisconsin may not recruit nationally, but they aren't getting a bunch of cheese curds from Oshkosh either. Wisconsin has a reputation for playing grind-it-out football and not being the most athletic, so I'm sure that plays a factor in the recruiting ranking. All I know is that Wisconsin is very good every year. In most cases, I see a #9 ranking in the b1g and assume that program is going nowhere. With Wisconsin, I draw no such conclusion.
White guys aren't rated as high, even if they have the last name Watt. Wisconsin gets people who fit their scheme, they and Iowa win with 'big uglies' and recruiting morons never give them credit for finding kids who have great work ethic.
A few years ago, Ishaq Williams was going to take an official visit to Penn State and sign. The night before he was to head to Happy Valley, one of Notre Dame's coaches went to his house and didn't leave until Ishaq signed with them. Any chance one of our coaches does the same with Walker?
Not gonna happen this time IMO....he'll take his visit and it could change the direction of his recruitment. Hopefully the in homes tonight and than Franklin's will be enough.
Kid's off to a good start.
Yeah, he's another Lavar Arrington in terms of talent and big personality.
I can see him being an impact player in the 2018 season, and a star soon.
