I hate when NFL or NBA teams draft guys based on potential. I don't know the statistics on it, but it just looks to me like the majority of the time players don't live up to their potential in the pro's if they weren't living up to it before. Now, CFB is a little different - we can take a lot more players for a lot less cost, which makes taking the guys with potential a much easier choice. However, I still don't think the success rate is very high, which is why I don't get particularly excited about recruits like this.
He is my very favorite LB in this class - will be even if we get Mingo, and could be even if we were to get Jarvis Jones (unlikely).
CFB and NFL are two different animals altogether. I would venture to say that most HS players are "raw" and need to be developed b/c of their physical immaturity and b/c HS coaches are not on the level of player development like CFB and certainly not NFL coaches. Also, the talent pool narrows at each transition making the pool less raw and less risky. There are certainly exceptions at the top notch schools, but not every great player is coming out of a top notch HS. Additionally, I would say that players on the defensive side of the ball are probably more raw than offensive. So, with that said, a good defensive coach like Chavis can hopefully mentor a raw player like Mingo into a productive LB or DE sooner rather than later. Do you agree? BTW, I like Minter's readiness a lot more, too. I have been excited about him for some time, but remain hopeful and excited about Mingo, if he commits. Mingo and Minter - sounds like a winning combination to me!
What I am trying to say above is that I think you can be more "raw" on the defensive side of the ball coming out of HS and still excel sooner in CFB than you can at the next level and particularly vs offensive side of the ball. Does that make sense? Agree or disagree? For that reason, I think Mingo has promise earlier than stated.
No matter if he plays LB or DE he will likely have a couple of years before he can contribute. He needs to bulk up for both positions and that would take a little longer if he was going to play DE. I think he will stay at LB for this reason alone.
Excited isn't really the word I'd use to descibe my feelings toward him..I'm more intrigued than anything, because he has serious potential. We'll stash him away for a few years and see where he ends up, I guess.
