Berkley Edwards (Class of 2013 RB, brother of Braylon)
TomVH tweeted that Berkely Edwards the APB from Chelsea ran a hand timed 4.39 40 at the MaxExposure thing at the Silverdome.
I took a look at his highlight reel and came away really impressed. Though his listed size (5'9, 185) is not ideal, he shows great change of direction moves, and seems to slip through holes in a very Vincent Smith-esqe way.
The biggest thing I noticed in his highlights however was his speed. This kid can fly.
I hope we find some space in our class for this kid, especially with our soon to be need at runningback.
EDIT: Josh Helmholdt tweeted:
December 17th, 2011 at 6:16 PM ^
You gotta love it when highlight films are sped up to make kids look faster...
December 17th, 2011 at 8:43 PM ^
No doubt. If everybody's legs look like this:
...you know it's sped up. Could be a nice kick returner or slot, but I'm told he's smaller than his listed measurables, FWIW. There are better targets at RB.
December 17th, 2011 at 7:23 PM ^
Yeah I'm pretty sure according to this video, Berkley Edwards is the new 100m dash WR-holder (even though he jogged the last 10 in the endzone a la Usain Bolt). Pretty impressive in full pads...
December 17th, 2011 at 3:55 PM ^
185 pounds at 5'9 is no tiny fellow. With another year of lifting too, he could be more like a younger Ray Rice than Vincent Smith in terms of size.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:58 PM ^
You mean the Ray Rice who was the single most importnat factor in making Greg Schiano a hot coaching commodity for a few years? Not a bad comparison. BTW, how come nobody is talking Schiano to PSU anymore? About 4 years ago he was considered a shoe-in for that job.
December 17th, 2011 at 5:27 PM ^
Probably because Greg Schiano is merely average/slightly above average at coaching football. His lifetime record is 67-67 which is pretty pedestrian given he's coaching at a very good school (you might not love Rutger's football tradition but you can't argue with the school's quality) and should be able to recruit NJ/Pennsylvania with success.
Post Ray Rice Schiano is 29 - 21 post Ray Rice with an upcoming appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl. Just be glad tht Sailboat Willie couldn't close the deal.
December 17th, 2011 at 8:27 PM ^
I could argue with the school's quality.
December 17th, 2011 at 11:16 PM ^
Rutgers is a very good school
December 17th, 2011 at 11:48 PM ^
rutgers is one of 3 schools in the nation and 4 in the world rated more highly than michigan
December 18th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^
what field is that? Pharmacy?
December 20th, 2011 at 12:36 AM ^
you got the first two letters right
December 17th, 2011 at 3:57 PM ^
As much as we complain about slot ninjas and little backs on this board, I would love to see us get this kid. We'd find a place for him. Plus, we know he has the genes to potentially grow a few more inches. He's only 17 or 18 right now.
December 17th, 2011 at 10:22 PM ^
I refuse to root for anyone smaller than Hart or AC.
December 17th, 2011 at 3:58 PM ^
I was hoping this would get posted. I'd love to have another member of the Edwards clan on the team. Isaac and Edwards, thunder and lightning?
December 17th, 2011 at 6:17 PM ^
Isaac and Edwards would be more like Lightning and Lightninger. Isaac is actually pretty fast.
December 17th, 2011 at 9:01 PM ^
He is about mid to high 4.4 guy. Not to change a thread about an outstanding player in Edwards, but Isaac is almost too good to be true. It would be great to have both of these players in wings.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:00 PM ^
Loved TomVH's tweet on Shane Morris' forty.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:06 PM ^
Well it's certainly faster than Tom Brady.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:11 PM ^
4.7 is quick for a QB
December 17th, 2011 at 4:20 PM ^
A Pro-style QB* ... otherwise, Denard would like to have a talk with you
December 17th, 2011 at 4:01 PM ^
I wasn't sure if we'd recruit Berkley, but now I hope we do.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:03 PM ^
Man, looks like he could have fit right in with an RR type offense. I really hope the staff doesn't only recruit the 6'1 220 type backs. A talented runner can fit into any system, and we could always use speed. Oh, and who thinks Meyer will try and lure him to his spread?
December 17th, 2011 at 4:05 PM ^
I seem to remember another 5'9" running back that worked out pretty well here.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:08 PM ^
So he could actually be Mike Hart but fast?
December 17th, 2011 at 4:21 PM ^
Ronnie Hillman is 5'10" 190.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:39 PM ^
Some guy called Fitz is only 5'10 195. He also seems pretty good.
December 17th, 2011 at 5:12 PM ^
The only thing I'm a bit concerned with is that neither Hillman nor Fitz were recruited by this staff; there were there when Hoke and Borges arrived. Who has this staff really gone after? Rawls, Dunn, Perkins (as and RB), Shallman (as an RB), Isaac, Johnson (there may be others that I've forgotten about). All of them are bigger backs. It's probably too soon to draw any big conclustions, but it is a pattern none the less.
December 17th, 2011 at 8:02 PM ^
Fair point. Hillman is the best counter, but the trend is clear. I personally think size is over rated at RB. Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, etc... I can't see Shallman being a successful feature back. I would prefer Isaac and then someone like Edwards or even Kamani Thomas.
December 17th, 2011 at 8:06 PM ^
Hoke's last RB is "only" 5'10" (Ronnie Hillman), but did prettyh damn good in a Borges offense. Obvious caveats about him not playing in the Big Ten, Hoke recruting differently at SDSU, etc. All that to say, I don't think the staff would necessarily skip right over someone strictly due to size without actually seeing their skillset first.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:04 PM ^
He's fast, breaks tackles, and he has Michigan blood.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:10 PM ^
From looking at 247 sports, looks like he made unofficial's to michigan for the nebraska and ohio game.
Linky http://247sports.com/Player/Berkley-Edwards-13063
2011 stats:
240 rush attempts
1520 yards
16 rushing TD's
YPC of 6.33 (repeating of course)
December 17th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^
His Gridiron Studs profile says he squats 475.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:29 PM ^
Reminds me a bit of Trent Richardson (FreddyJ'd)
December 17th, 2011 at 4:32 PM ^
I know its a joke but TRich squats like 700. Thats so freakish.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:55 PM ^
Anytime I want work out motivation, I read that.
December 17th, 2011 at 5:19 PM ^
Trent Richardson is from my hometown of Pensacola, FL. The kid has to be kicked out of weight rooms. He was the state weightlifting champion. He went to my lady's high school, so I got to watch him lose to my alma mater every year.
December 17th, 2011 at 5:34 PM ^
Did you say "your lady?
December 17th, 2011 at 5:36 PM ^
Double Post. Apologies.
December 17th, 2011 at 7:29 PM ^
Good read. I especially like this unprovoked jab:
Trent Richardson is truly a beast who will in all likelihood have a fantastic career in the NFL due to his muscularity, size, and ability to work hard (something that Vernon Gholston does not have).
December 17th, 2011 at 8:57 PM ^
LERRRRROOOOOOYYYYY JENNNNKINNNNNNNS!!!!!!!
December 17th, 2011 at 4:08 PM ^
I am just saying if we have room for Drake Johnson we should most certainly have room for Edwards. I really like him a lot more than Johnson. I mean worst comes to worst he looks athletic enough to out wide and become another Jeremy Gallon.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:15 PM ^
He's a legacy, a talent, and he'll be in.
Question to ponder though as we consider upcoming running backs.... if we recruited 2012 RB Barry Sanders Jr and Fred Jackson had to comment on him, would the fabric of space time be forever damaged since Fred would have to only compare him to Barry Sanders?
December 18th, 2011 at 2:04 PM ^
Like Barry Sanders....but faster
December 17th, 2011 at 4:15 PM ^
That would get him on the field then by the time he gets in the weight room look out....
December 17th, 2011 at 4:17 PM ^
He's elusive and definitely has another gear. Sign him up!
December 17th, 2011 at 4:18 PM ^
This staff has shown not to shy away from smaller type backs... Ronnie Hillman is 5'10/190, im sure Berkley will get to 5'10 within the year or even taller than that. And Hillman only has 5 pounds on him. I hope we get him!
December 17th, 2011 at 4:21 PM ^
I hate it when they do that. Makes it difficult to actually evaluate the clips, not that I was planning on doing any deep analysis.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^
Honest question, how does one tell if a tape is sped up?
December 17th, 2011 at 6:54 PM ^
Can just tell.