Only guy I disagree with is Allen. He's worthy of an A.. he's the complete package. Huge, fast, and good hands.
Since I agree with the original assessment and can't add to it, I'll just comment of a few guys: Russell Shepard QB-His leadership qualities seem to be off the chart, and I hope that plays out in future. I think last year showed what lack of on-the-field leadership can help do to a team. I just love this kid. Chris Garrett QB-He's my pick for class sleeper. With the focus on Shep, I think Garrett could surprise a lot of people down the road. Michael Ford RB-Does gut instinct count? Mine says that he's going to be huge for us. Barkevious Mingo LB-I'm just looking forward to drinking every time I see a 'Mingeaux' sign on TV. Plus, I think he'll be a beast. Craig Loston DB-He had me with that late hit on his cousin in the Army All-Star game. I love me some hard-hitting, take-no-prisoners safeties. I hope we see a lot of him next year.
Great analysis LSUmastermind. Only thing I will add: Shepard - His leadership impact will be immeasurable. I have watched him play but more importantly spent time around him in Houston and BR. You think he is mature? You really have no idea. He has already given us more press than any other ten recruits. We will reap that for years to come. As to his physical attributes....he has been on campus 2 weeks and increased his weight from 188 to 196 and increased his bench from 275 to 310. His work ethic is off the charts. Moffitt will help to transform him. No telling where he will contribute, but does it matter? He will be a highlight reel, and more importantly, he will show these kids by example what it means to be great. Helton - Only watched a competition video of him. He is a boomer, and how easily we forget the importance of a steady punter. He will make a difference in many games. Ford - Without Randle or Shepard this is the guy we would be talking about. If he learns the blocking schemes quickly then he will be the next Hester/Scott. Loston - Saw his film, read the press, but his UA game sold me. Reckless abandon and finishes what he starts. The last LSU players I saw like that were Landry and Steltz. Who has brought the lumba since them? This guy has it. Davenport - Maybe he got teased mercilessly about singing but he looks like he has a mean streak. I like it. Williford - Has the meanest looking profile picture. Looks like he could eat you alive. I will enjoy watching him pancake bama linemen. Logan - Lots to prove for being overlooked. Will kill everyone to get to the QB. We will fall in love with this guy. Johns - Will never have the speed we like and might not start at safety, but will make highlights when he sees the field. Steltz was not the fastest, but he was a hawk, and a headhunter. Would be nice to have another one. Garrett - True sleeper in this class. He will push for snaps and may very well start here. Nobody is talking about him and that will drive him. He has all the measurables, so he just has to shine when he gets his chance. Flynn hung around for awhile too, didn't he? The rest of the guys should all be solid contributors/stars, but honestly if 1/2 of this class impacts the field, it's a success. But something tells me it might be a few more than 1/2. :thumb:
I agree. I did a depth chart for 2009 and I had 12-13 players from this year's recruits having some significant snaps.
Only one I'll comment on is Ford. One thing I've noticed about most of the top RBs in high school is, when they're great, someone from their offensive line parlays that into a scholly, even if it's at a little small school. Four of the linemen that blocked for Marshay Green (Ole Miss starting corner) at Bastrop went on to play college ball, with one of them winning the Remington Award for I-AA schools. Ford only played one full season, and partials in his soph and junior years. That amounted to about 21 or 22 or so high school games. He never rushed for under 100 yards in a game. He only had one o-lineman to go on to college in his 3 varsity years. Now having Travante Stallworth in the backfield with him made it hard to key on him, but still. Much of his yards were mostly due to his talent, and not the talent of his line. I watched him go for over 400 against Tioga, and granted Tioga is not a great defense, BUT they were routinely in the backfield and in position to make the stop, but couldn't do it. He never went backwards. He went for almost 200 against West Monroe in the first game of the season (his first game back after missing the last part of his junior season). The same West Monroe anchored by Mingo, and another must-get for us in Jordan Allen. Noone besides Montrell Connor (in their first matchup this season), had success rushing against West Monroe. If Ford had been running behind Connor's Ouachita line, he would've ripped West Monroe and probably beat them. I think he's going to be not just a good one, but a great one for LSU. As much as I love Rueben and Shep, I believe Ford is going to be the offensive gem of this class.
Good post, asignupe99. I like Ford too. He runs hard with a low pad level and has some decent cutting ability. He is truly and all-around back that can do it all. I don't see any glaring weakness. I wish he were bigger, but he seems strong for his size and is fast enough to break a few long ones. He seems to be a high character guy who is used to working hard for what he gets. He could be the man after Scott leaves. I'm not sure if Murphy or Ridley will beat him out after next year. He should definitely get some playing time in his sophomore year. Even though Shep gets more hype I think Loston is more of a can't miss guy. I agree with another poster, that the illegal hit Loston put on Shep in the game sold me on him. He was a blur, a missile. This kid plays violently. He wants to lay someone out. He will not be trying to arm tackle or dive at their feet. Shep's quickness and scrambling ability is great, but I wish he had better arm strength. I'm sorry but I just don't see enough zip on the ball. In the ESPN segment Shep said, "Matt Flynn made me look like I was in middle school." I hope his passing can develop enough to keep defenses honest.
I appreciate everyone's analyses because, having never played football, i rely on the opinions of others. Dude, I see you were high on Williford and I trust your feelings on him, but I was wondering. Do you or anyone else know why he was rated so low by the services? I remember reading how CLM was almost doing backflips over his commitment. Thanks.
Williford played against very weak competition, so his videos are unreliable. At this point, Williford is raw on technique, but he's huge & has the potential to be a very good one. I don't think Rivals ever evaluated him in person.