http://www.lsureveille.com/recruiting_shepard_cleared_for_early_entry_in_spring_semester quote: “I’m the first one to tell you that hype is hype,” Shepard said. “I have to go in and prove myself to teammates and to my coaches. I’m not going in with a big head. I’m going in as a freshman, somebody that has to work their way to the top. If I go in and do what I’m supposed to do, I can go down as one of the greatest players in LSU history. I’m all for the challenge.” quote: But until then, he is still helping recruit for the Tigers in hopes of landing one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, speaking with top prospects like wide receiver Rueben Randle and Alabama running back commit Trent Richardson. quote: Shepard said he will actually be Trent Richardson’s host when he comes on an official visit to campus after Christmas. quote: “Rueben [Randle] is focused,” Shepard said. “Right now, I think he’s kind of down to three schools: LSU, ‘Bama, and Oklahoma.” quote: Shepard said the worry fans feel about losing Randle probably stems from the loss of John Curtis’ Joe McKnight to USC in spring 2007. quote: “I think Joe McKnight scared a lot of people because that was the first big recruit they lost out of [Louisiana] along with John David Booty to USC, but I think we’ve got Rueben [Randle] for the most part,” Shepard said. “Of course you never know until signing day. I think if he comes to LSU, he’s going to find a quarterback that he can run with throughout his whole three to four years and kind of develop a relationship with.” Some good stuff here.
He's gonna push for the starting job at QB. Don't know if he's gonna get there, but he's gonna give it his all.
He's the type of athlete he can contribute in a number of ways even if it's not at QB. I'm just glad he's not limiting himself to QB. If JJ has a strong spring and goes into the fall as the no questions asked starter, then you have to consider RS elsewhere. He's too good of an athlete to let sit on the sideline for the next 2(at least, but possibly 3) years while JJ runs the show. I bet he'd make one helluva lockdown corner with his natural skill. But I know...he's a QB.
There was no way I thought Shep could compete for the starting QB spot at the beginning of this year, but things have changed. I would have thought Lee or Hatch would have gained experience and one of them would have been a lock for the starting job next year. Now that Jefferson seems to be the favorite with what will be only 2 starts under his belt Shepard seems more likely to gain playing time because the gap in experience will not be as great. I don't think he will start to open the season, but if he can gain some experience as our running QB and Jefferson were to get hurt for a game or two, he may get his chance to take the job by the end of the year. He is fairly short for a QB though, which no one is mentioning.
I just watched the QB camp episode with RS. What he came out and said to Snoop's son reminded me of the story his HS coach told about his father's funeral. Snoop's son was being lazy, no cleats, not waking up on time, etc... and the whole staff of coaches and top prospect QBs confronted him in his room about his dedication. After the coaches gave him a reality check, RS came out and told a story to him about one of his cousin's who was shot and the 1st thing his cousin asked the doctor was if he could ever play football again. Basically telling him to not take his gifts for granted because one day you might not be without those gifts. After that all the other prospects (Dayne Christ, Tenn's commit, UCLA commit) felt as if it was necessary for them to chime in with some advice following RS's lead. When RS spoke everyone listened and RS was very encouraging and supportive.
Of the top 10 pro-type QB's listed on rivals only 1 is under 6'2. Granted half of the top 10 dual threat QB's are 6'2 or under. So yes, taken as a group 6'2 is below average in height for an elite QB today. I also question whether he is really 6'2 since I haven't seen a combine measurement. Of course comparitively many of the other QB's listed at 6'2 are probably shorter than that also. I don't have any idea what type of arm he has, only that arm strength and throwing motion?, are areas listed as weaknesses on Scout vs. his running ability, etc. Does anyone know how strong an arm he has?
