Thats not the point. He is such a great athlete they can take a chance, and it very well could work out to be mroe than a great decision. But if he didnt have the possibility to play other positions he wouldn't be as highly recruited.
Absolutely. How many kids get recruited as CBs or LBs but if/when it doesn't work out they get "Moved" to QB? Anyone ever think about that? :wink:
His five star rating is based on his athleticism, and we are taking a risk in that we don't know if he can run a "real" offense, but he has an arm & his interviews show an intelligent guy, so I'm not really worried about it.
He really just needs to work on his mechanics and get some reps in, I'd imagine. He'll obviously never be a pure pocket passer, but even if he develops into an above average passer he'll be monstrous.
It's kinda funny. A lot of folks gripe about LSU not getting respect...LSU recruits DROPPING (star ratings) when they committ to LSU...etc. Yet here it looks like some of US are already dropping him?? Maybe Rivals gets their info from TF?
What it amounts to is the fact his running ability is so outrageous, it makes his passing ability pale in comparison. If he passed as efficiently and effectively as he ran with the ball.....well then he would be someone we have never seen before at the QB position...ever.
ESPN's evaluation. Pretty impressive to say the least. "This guy reminds us of Percy Harvin lining up at quarterback on an every down basis which is a scary thought. Shepard is a lean, flexible athlete with a lot of wiggle to him. At first it is tough to tell if he is an athlete playing QB or the other way around and the more you watch him, the more you realize he's the real deal at QB. The majority of the plays this guy makes are with his legs as either a called run play or creating when the initial play breaks down which is where he really causes headaches for defenses because he can break down a defender in the open field with the best of them. Stays low to the ground and doesn?t take a lot of big hits. Has excellent vision, has the lateral mobility to bounce runs outside after starting inside and excels at locating cutback lanes. Takes little time to reach top speed, has the burst to turn the corner and gets through holes quickly. Accelerates out of cuts, can change directions quickly and has fluid suddenness in space. Will win most foot races. As a passer he has a smooth, fluid release and his delivery is quick and compact. Flashes the ability to place the ball anywhere on the field, shows some zip on underneath throws to fit into tight spots and has great touch and timing on the deep ball. Throws the ball really well on the run and has the arm strength to throw off balance and across his body. Everything about him is explosive-- his change-of-direction skills, his arm, his speed and his ability to make people miss is exceptional. He is the type of player that you want the ball in his hands as often as possible. Overall, Shepard is much further along at this stage than Terrelle Pryor was in the passing game and this guy is more explosive. Rare athlete and outstanding prospect. " I said in an earlier post that Shepard appears to be further along than Jordan Jefferson. I still believe that to be correct and this confirms it. Have fun LSU fans.....it's gonna be a helluva 4 years.
Further along than Jordan Jefferson in terms of what? being a QB, or passing? Shepard is probably a little more dangerous then Jefferson now because of speed and God-given abilities, etc... but your quote in regards to being a better passer than Pryor don't say a ton, imo, because if Pryor weren't running that 4.3 40, he isn't relevant at all, because he isn't the best passer out there. I guess I might be a little biased, b/c I like Jordan Jefferson... a lot..., but I see Jefferson as a future starting QB here. That is like saying getting a quote saying: "Tony Romo is a better passer than Michael Vick" Then coming back and saying, this now confirms he is a better passer than Jake Delhomme. it's apples to oranges, because imo, Jefferson, too is a better passer than Pryor.
Jordan Jefferson's mechanics are screwy. He might be ok with that at the high school level, but the coaches are going to have to work with him to correct it. Shepard is more fluid. Jefferson was aided by a team that thew the ball a lot. Shepard just the opposite. Apples and oranges, as you so eloquently put it.
Here is Mr. Shepard on the recruiting trail. "I am talking to Craig (Loston) and Hassan all the time about coming to LSU," Shepard said. "I am also talking with Jamarkus McFarland and working out with Emory Blake on the weekends. I am just trying to get everyone on board." Watch out for him to be named recruiter of the year. :wave:
