Right now, for the NFL, would you draft this guy? Just curious. [video=youtube;jqYcFOvfajA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqYcFOvfajA[/video] He's like 17 years old and (laughably) a two-star high school recruit. Who happened to have been hand-timed at a National Underclassmen Combine record 4.29 seconds in the 40 yard dash during one of the regional combines. They have four redundant hand-timers for every player that runs. His run came in at 4.30, 4.29, 4.29 and 4.28 seconds. They test 3000+ kids every year and that's the fastest time they've ever recorded. He was 16. Also won the Leadership Award at the NUC camp (in addition to the Fastest Man Award, obviously), and has a 3.7 GPA at an academics oriented High School. Kids like these make me wish I was working for a college as a recruiting coordinator.
Yeah, but his size- and moves- aren't too far form Barry Sanders territory. Fantastic breakaway speed, bounces off tacklers like a pinball a la Sanders.
Understandably, we're talking about bouncing off high school tacklers. And not even good high schoolers. But the speed is ridiculous. That's not just high school speed and it's not just college speed. That's dangerous speed even at the NFL level. And it isn't build-up speed. It's all acceleratio, lateral, COD. Which is probably why his 100 meters (10.9 seconds) doesn't quite live up to his 40 yard dash. I've found guys with build-up speed can run ridiculous 100 meters times but may disappoint you (relatively speaking) on the 40 yard dash. Right now I'd take him and try him as a return guy, groom him for a slot position, etc. Being 17 years old and all, could probably do with an NFL redshirt season, lol. Still.
Amazing potential, but no, I would not try to get him into the NFL. That body needs to mature more, get bigger, stronger. PLus, he'll be even better after playing vs college-level players for a couple years. I stopped watching him and started watching the defenders to asess him. They are as bad as he is phenomenal. I want to see the kid develop his game against 4.4 players, and big hitters, guys who get outside when they are supposed to, contain him and funnel him back inside more often. That's when he'll begin developing into an all around back for the NFL level. Skip that step and he'll try runs that work agains HS kids, vs NFL talent. Man, the college to NFL jump is hard enough. No way you would want a HS to NFL jump. That's years of practice mastering his craft against good competetion that you'd lose. I hope he comes out as early as possible though. Any idea where he may attend college?
Btw, I was watching and thinking, it's his acceleration that makes him incredible. Not the top speed. Ageee with you. That spin move to break tackles is nice too. Even picked up his heels to avoid being tackled from behind. This looks, to me, like a kid who LOVES the position of runningback enough to have watched film of great NFL runners and using some of their moves. But a lot can go wrong between grade 11 and the NFL. For example, what if he keeps growing and ends up 6'2", 185lbs, but no hands to play WR?
The drafting things is mostly just a joke. Though I would seriously give consideration to it even at this age because of his pure speed, vision and change of direction ability. Everyone could use someone who could at the very worst be a Trindon Holliday. I just wanted you guys to enjoy a fun video. I remember watching Reggie Bush's high school tape (still referred to this day as "The Tape" or some such), and it was just fun as hell to watch. So was Noel Devine's tape. Just sit back and enjoy real life Barry Sanders on Tecmo Super Bowl. Cuz that's what that is.
Attach a laser beam to his forehead and he could disrupt the world power matrix. Kid's got talent, it'll be interesting to see where he is in 4 years.
Saw him play live this year. Obviously I wouldn't draft him but he is a good back no doubt. Although I think 170 is to much, he is rail thin but people couldn't tackle him bc he had great balance. Early comparison from my one game of watching him...Percy Harvin
While we're sharing HS highlight film, I'm curious what you guys think about this kid? I coached him (not his position so I can't take much credit, but I will take credit for some of the downfield blocking of his wideouts on some of his long runs) and he was really entertaining to watch. He's a physical specimen who was timed at 4.6 at the Nike Sparq event and has one of the best stiff arms you'll see at the HS level. He's not being heavily recruited because we're a small school and don't play great competition, but I think he could be a solid D1 player if he wants it bad enough and is given the chance. [video=youtube_share;Bcemhxw3xSo]http://youtu.be/Bcemhxw3xSo[/video]
Maybe they don't use hand timed 40 times. Has he done a machine timed one? Maybe that was the 4.58... Or they are adding a specific number to the hand timed result.. Someone here mentioned you always add a certain amount to go from hand timed to machine timed estimates. Could that be it? Or is espn a dumb place.
Yes I would take him, and yes I believe he should be allowed to sign an NFL contract at 18... If the rule is in pace to protect teenagers from the NFL guys, than at least let the NFL team who identifies his talent, is willing to take the risk, and basically red shirt him like CK said, at least your developing him in your system, strengthening him properly, and protecting the investment you wanted to make.. The two year rule in college is a freakin joke..
I'm guessing ESPN is going off some rumor and doesn't really have a reliable time. He was timed at 4.37 at a Georgia Tech camp when he was a little younger than he was when he went to the National Underclassmen Combine and broke the record with a 4.29. His second run at NUC was 4.35. Just look at the tape. That's not 4.58. I don't have to be able to calibrate him against other players on the field to know that.
quick little jitterbug there. Wonder if he's raced New Smyrna Beach receiver James Clark- 10.43 100 meter <wind aided> and reportedly a 4.38 forty. [video=youtube;5pVxgxMuCTU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pVxgxMuCTU[/video]
How much faster can you really get? LOL. No I think just the opposite he'll pack more beef on his lower body and he'll get a little slower. But that's fine. It will be a beneficial exchange.
Looks like Clemson is going to be pulling in Asiantii Woulard as Tajh Boyd's successor. That's a good snag. He committed to USF, de-committed, re-committed, and then when the coaching staff got fired he used that as an excuse to de-commit again and look for a better deal since he was now fresh off winning the Elite 11 MVP.
I couldn't disagree more. I think it's a good rule. It's extremely rare that a kid could go to the NFL out of HS. Clowney is really the only kid I can say with much confidence that could do it as far as I can remember. People said it about DJ Williams and it just wasn't true. If they took that rule away you would have more kids go to the NFL than really should and their careers would get washed out like many did in the NBA. As it is some players come out too early. I strongly feel the talent level in the NFL would go down if that were the rule.
yup. My apologies. Glad you like Woulward. We have a handful of silent top recruits who will be announcing on National Signing Day (Dabo likes the NSD attention for the program), as well as a few others who are on the fence. Among the group are Woulard (#1 Dual threat QB), the #2 DT, #2 DE, #2 CB, #5 OG, #19 athlete, and the WR in the clip above. Woulard is an insurance policy in case we lose DeShaun Watson, which will unfortunately happen if Chad Morris leaves for a head coaching job.
The rule itself is a joke imo, this is sports, if the franchise wants to invest in a legal adult they should be able to, and the league should not prevent the player from making a living... NFL scouting depts would not invest in the ones they didnt think we're physically ready, also if they projected the talent to have a very high ceiling but felt he needed more strength and beef, then let them pack the beef on the kid their way.. This is about being born with great talent, there should be no rules once you are an adult keeping you from money to be made by a team who's willing to pay for it.. Lets use CKs boy as an example, if he's 18, and I think he's going to be special, I draft the the stock, and I nurture it so I don't fu&$ the stock up..but at least I own the rights to the stock.
It's what is best for the sport. First of all if the rule were changed it would have little to do with what the teams thought. You would have to declare yourself and wouldn't know where you were going. Less than 1% of HS players that eventually get drafted to the NFL could make that jump. But some players think they're better, or more ready than they are and will declare before they should. It happens with the current format. Those guys who aren't ready will flame out where they might not have had they played in college. It would water down the talent. It happened in the NBA and that's not even close to the same level of physicality these teenagers would face in the NFL.
The kids a running back, perfect example, two concussions next year in college, he's toast.. Why can't the NFL allow the teams to use their practice squad for players they see great ceilings with, yet want the rights to them, and our willing to take the risk.
