With as many running backs as LSU is likely to sign, I am no fan of redshirting Ford. I think he should play and get himself used to being the man next year. Not like we won't sign more top rb's in the future. :tigereye:
TT has come a long way physically.. it's gonna be tough for Randle to overtake him as the #2 WR. I think we've got a 4 year starter in Randle though.. he'll be the #1 guy his junior and senior seasons before leaving to be a 1st round draft pick :wave:
DT Hicks is someone who was moved to the AM workouts with the veterans as well. Not sure if he has used his redshirt at JUCO or not.
I don't think that Randle redshirts. Miles specifically said that a young wideout of his capability could play 'very quickly' if he elected to go to LSU. Of course, he didn't specifically say Randle's name, but it was a response to a question about him. And I honestly believe that he meant that, as we don't really have anyone proven beyon Tolliver.
"Physically" was never TT's problem. Also, I'd be willing to bet he'll be the #2 guy his senior season. - Not trying to hammer him, but he isn't on the same plane as Randle. Physically, he is very good...but not elite. Upstairs, I have no idea if he is a rocket surgeon or what...but he can't seem to get the routes down. Randle has tremendous football smarts...and IS elite physically...already. I believe he will be the number 2 this year...and take over next season.
I gotta disagree here.. TT is a better physical specimen than Lafell.. the guy is a 6'4 210ish lb deep threat. He's bigger than Lafell and I think he'd beat him in a foot race too. He's got good hands too. Randle.. if he grows anymore.. well hell -- the sky is the limit for him.
Year-in and year out we redshirt most of the freshmen. About 25% get to dress out and play right away, sometimes a bit more, sometimes a bit less. So expect about 5-7 freshmen to play--mostly backs and receivers, linemen benefit greatly from a year of growth and strength training before using up their eligibility. Randle and Shepard will play ball, obviously. Randle must prove that he can elude pro-style SEC defenses and some awfully big, fast southern boys trying to hurt him. Shepard must prove that he has an SEC-caliber arm or he will be the starting running back next year. The players that it makes no sense to redshirt are that rare few that have the ability to come in and start right away. Those are very rare players, you get them about once a decade. The others that it makes no sense to redshirt are those gifted athletes that only need a year of coaching at this level to be contributors. In effect, NFL candidates. Very few, if any of these guys are going to be here for four or five years. A redshirt for a player likely to be drafted as an underclassman is a wasted year. If I had to guess on the others, . . . I'd say Chris Faulk, Barkevious Mingo, and Chris Davenport will get their jerseys dirty. Maybe Loston, if we are lucky.
I agree about Faulk and Davenport might be needed for depth but Mingo is still too skinny to even play special teams at this point. Give him a year in Moffit's program.
