Young John Beilein

December 7th, 2013 at 4:32 PM ^

This young man looks great.  Crawford, along with Harris and Campbell all have tremendous physical gifts.  Nearly on Peppers' level.  I'm really hoping to add Jenkins to the class since the OL recruiting in 2014 was a little light and he looks like a prototype for LT.

Joined: 02/28/2012

MGoPoints: 1533

buddhafrog

December 7th, 2013 at 3:56 PM ^

wow, that has  a TON of offensive highlights for CB.  I'm 3 minutes in and it's all TD runs, TD catches, punt returns for TDs, and generally outrunning everyone and making defenders crumple as he jukes them.  

I know top CBs in HS are usually offensive studs, but this (and Peppers') highlights are a little absurd.

3:30 minutes in, and apparently this kid isn't bad on defense either. (spoiler, he scores TDs on that side of the ball too)

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 21392

buddhafrog

December 7th, 2013 at 4:09 PM ^

Wow.

Defensive bad intentions.

This kid isn't just an aggressive hitter and good tackler for a small DB.  He's great compared to a LB.  Size and speed make him a DB, but this kid has amazing run defense instincts.  I don't remember watching a DB crash so often so hard.

I had heard these things before, but after watching, I am much more impressed than I was expecting.  I LOVE DBs that play this way.  I hope/expect that with Peppers/Crawford on the outside, we are going to be aggressive against the run (w/ Safety help) or aggressive against the run (w/ Safeties crashing).  This gives us a lot defensive flexibility.

He looks like an ideal nickel (back, rawk!).

Intersting that the highlights include

  • blocked punts
  • punt returns for TDs
  • receiving TDs
  • rushing TDs
  • KR TDs
  • INTs
  • blitz sacks
  • TFLs
  • shedding blockers
  • forced fumbles
  • fumble recoveries
  • special team gunner hits

I was hoping to see a play where he was the holder.  That would have sealed the deal.  We are looking for a good replacement.  Otherwise, 9.8/10 (just b/c of size, or, idk, he can't really be a 10, right?)

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 21392

alum96

December 7th, 2013 at 4:41 PM ^

I think if this kid was 6'0 he would be a top 15 in the country type of player.  I could care less about his size, he is a better tackler than many kids already in college and seems to ENJOY it.  Plus he fast.

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82669

LSAClassOf2000

December 7th, 2013 at 5:32 PM ^

The clip where Crawford sort of Marcus Ray'd someone had me chuckling admittedly - this kid looks like a force to be reckoned with in the backfield. Indeed, in the whole body of clips, he seems like a force just abount anywhere they put him. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130751

MGoStrength

December 7th, 2013 at 6:08 PM ^

He reminds me of James Ross.  In a way I almost wish he was 6'2" 230 so he could play linebacker.  I didn't get to see a whole lot of defensive ball skills or coverage skills in that video though.  I have to assume we are going to play him at corner.  How are his coverage skills?  He's obviously tough, athletic, and a hard hitter.

Joined: 07/29/2010

MGoPoints: 20002

beevo

December 7th, 2013 at 6:32 PM ^

We are bringing in some good DB talent.  We snagged two underrated guys in Lewis and Stribling who both have another year to learn under Taylor and Countess (2 if he stays).  We are growing a good S in Wilson and we can look forward to the highly touted Dymonte next year.  Add in J Peppers and then Crawford the following year.  It adds up to the most consistent DB talent we've add since the days of Leon Hall.  With the loss of Hand (and I expect McDowell as well) we really need to grab some elite DE talent next year.  I think we have recruited the LB position fairly well.  

The Offense looks good in 2015 and beyond on the OL, RB, TE and now we need to focus on WR and we will be okay.  I'm really excited about our RB recruiting with Harris inbound just as Green/Smith become uppper classmen.  

Joined: 05/13/2011

MGoPoints: 1120

MGoStrength

December 7th, 2013 at 7:21 PM ^

I am nervous about our safeties next year.  Thomas didn't get a single snap at safety all year. I'm sure Wilson will be one of our safeties and I expect him to be pretty good next year.  But, I think Furman, Clark or even Peppers if he comes are more likely to be our starting safety against App State.  Maybe Thomas works his way into the lineup as the season progresses, but I wouldn't expect too much of him next year.

Joined: 07/29/2010

MGoPoints: 20002

Young John Beilein

December 7th, 2013 at 8:25 PM ^

On what basis do you think Thomas won't produce next year?  Wilson barely played any snaps his freshman year in a very thin defensive backfield.  Brian proceeded to excoriate him throughout the off-season (based on very poor, albeit limited play as a freshman), then I thought he had a pretty damn good season.  Perhaps the staff saw what happens with freshman safeties and avoided it at all costs.  Could it have been much worse than what happened with Furman though?  If he doesn't leapfrog Furman, I will be disappointed.  Unless Furman is somehow awesome.

Joined: 02/28/2012

MGoPoints: 1533

MGoStrength

December 7th, 2013 at 11:47 PM ^

Wilson played in 10 games as a backup safety his freshman year.  Thomas did not take a single snap at safety this season.  Also, Wilson was a little more physicaly developed than Thomas currently is.  It didn't hurt to learn under Kovacs.  Wilson was probably our second best safety this year, but that's not saying much.  He was better than Furman and a small CB (Avery).  Thomas may very well play next year, but I wouldn't expect him to be anything more than servicable.  How many true sophomores play well at safety?  Both Peppers and Clark seem a little more developed than Thomas does at this point.  I agree he's the safety of the future.  But, I think he needs a year of backup duty before he takes over.  I could be wrong.  This is purely speculation.  

Joined: 07/29/2010

MGoPoints: 20002

MGoStrength

December 7th, 2013 at 11:49 PM ^

I think Wilson will be pretty good as an individual.  I don't think he's ready to be a leader, make defensive calls, be good enough to make up for a younger safety opposite him, etc.  It only takes one safety mess up to blow a coverage.  We will be young at safety next year unless Furman plays, but I'm not sure that's a good thing.

Joined: 07/29/2010

MGoPoints: 20002