Comparing Harris & Samuels

Submitted by MGoStrength on

First off, I am not a football coach.  All I know about these kids is what I read on the internet and what I see in their video highlights.  I know we are all excited about the potential to land the overall ranked top RB recruit in Harris.  But, I'm curious what the general consensus is on who is the better back?  

 

Obviously Harris is the higher ranked back, but looking at their films, Samuels appears to be the faster, more elusive, and the bigger play threat.  Now, I'm sure if you're a fast, elisuve, big play threat that lends more to a great highlight film.  And, if your qualities are strength, size, balance, vision, etc. you may not jump out on a highligh real tape to the same degree.

 

FWIW Samuels is listed around 5'10" ish 190ish lbs and Harris is listed as 6'2"ish 225ish lbs.  Harris is obviously the bigger back, but Samuels is by no means a slouch as he is quite a well built athlete.  Right now we have Samuels verbally committed and are hoping to land Harris.  But, I'm not sure we will be able to hold onto Samuels if we land Harris.  Maybe others have a better handle on that than I do.  

 

But, I guess I'm really curious to figure out what it is that makes Harris so highly ranked, and so much more so than Samuels.  What that does not show up on film that warrants that?  And, if you could only have one, which one do you perfer?

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O'Maury Samuels
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MontuckyYooper

December 22nd, 2016 at 11:54 AM ^

Hmm not sure where you're getting that Samuels is stronger.  He is basically just outrunning and running over inferior athletes throughout his entire highlight tape.  The comptetiion he plays against...  not so much.  

Harris is much bigger, more powerful, just as fast (or close), and looks more college ready in my eyes.  He has insane balance and speed; which is a deadly combo and why he's the #1 playing in the country.

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MGoStrength

December 22nd, 2016 at 12:53 PM ^

I appreciate your input, but I think many people mis-use the word power, when what they actually mean is strength.  Strength is force production.  Power is just as closely related to speed as it is to strength.  So, when someone is able to run over another player and produce a lot of force, that is more in line with strength.  When someone is explosive, can accelerate quickly, jump really high, etc. that is more in line with power.  So, I would say that Samuels is the more powerful back and Harris is the stronger back based on what little I know of each of them.

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BlueLava009

December 22nd, 2016 at 9:29 AM ^

Compare Harris to Walker...Everyone seems to forget we still have last years number 1 recruit just hanging around on campus.  Next years 4 headed monster will probably look more like:Evans, Walker, Higdon, Harris/Issac, seeing as the coaching staff for one reason or another does not trust Issac.  Now that would be a stacked back field

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Alumnus93

December 22nd, 2016 at 10:22 AM ^

Lets get some All_BIG Rbs accolads first, before we use words like 'disgusting'... for I've heard these type of superlatives, when we got Green, then Isaac...  we didn't even have a third string all-BIG Rb this year....

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DrMantisToboggan

December 22nd, 2016 at 9:39 AM ^

Harris is Walker in an evolution or two. Similar speed but Harris' abilities are much more well rounded. His leg strength seems more developed as well. Walker might have an edge in pass pro, according to his HS coach he was excellent. However, id say Najee is right now what we hoped Walker would be as a senior.



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jdemille9

December 22nd, 2016 at 12:47 PM ^

Last year's #1 recruit, Rashan Gary, isn't a running back. /s

They seemed to trust Isaac a good deal this year, he had almost 500 yards at over 5.5 yards a clip. And more than double the amount of carries he had last year. 

It'll be an interesting RB group next year though, depending on who stays/commits and if anyone can separate themselves. Regardless, whoever is back there it's the OL that is going to be the difference in whether the run game takes the next step. 

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DrMantisToboggan

December 22nd, 2016 at 9:36 AM ^

Hard to look at their films and not come away knowing that Harris is better by Miles and Miles. Harris is the best RB prospect in a decade or two. He's faster than he looks because he's so big - he's a legit 4.5 guy. His vision is elite, he's very strong at 225 with still a fairly wiry frame. He will probably add 5 or 10 pounds of muscle in college. His athleticism is insane - his balance and his leaping ability. He will run around or run through you. Also he has great hands, he's an elite receiving threat out of the backfield. Not to mention he is doing all of this against teams like De La Salle. He's the #1 player in the country for a reason.



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Bigku22

December 22nd, 2016 at 6:16 PM ^

Harris looks good, really good. But saying he is a better prospect than Fournette and "best in a decade or two" is absurd and just inaccurate. Which leads to unrealistic expectations. 

Fournette was the once in a decade type size/talent/athlete that could have jumped straight from high school to the NFL.

Harris is more of the could be a dynamic freshman contributor type. 247 doesn't even have Harris as the #1 back anymore. 

Would love to have him, but he's not at the level you're making him out to be, 

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JimLahey

December 22nd, 2016 at 9:52 AM ^

Samuels looks great, but more like your typical dominant back exploiting physically inferior competition. Harris, on the other hand, looks like a truly elite talent. His film reminds of Marcus Dupree or Adrian Peterson, where he just looks like a monster gliding past his competition. I think he's as close to a sure thing as an RB recruit gets.

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Ron Utah

December 22nd, 2016 at 9:55 AM ^

Good question. The consensus is obviously that Harris the better back. He is putting up insane numbers against top flight competition. He is fast, strong, and big. He is agile and has great hands. He seems to have great vision and instincts. He follows blocks well. His initial quickness is off the charts, even if his top speed isn't ideal (though it is still VERY good).
That said, just watching tape, Samuels can appear to be a more explosive runner, and, his measurables suggest that is true. But athleticism is just one component of being an effective RB.
If you watch highlights of all the top backs (4 star and better) they all look ridiculously good. Harris has put together the other attributes that seem to indicate greatness at the college level.
Honestly, to my eye, Cam Akers looks like the better talent. But Harris has achieved success against top competition and done it using the skills hat should translate to college greatness. Akers, Samuels, and others are more athletic, but will that lead to college success?



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MichiganMan_24_

December 22nd, 2016 at 10:18 AM ^

Harris looks for contact and runs with low shoulders upon contact despite being a tall back..his stiff arm is very good in the open field and his balance is top notch, also is a natural pass catcher, B10 style runner, every down back, good long speed, has some LeVeon Bell to his game..Samuels is quick twitched and is a good athlete, perfect compliment back and will get better as he gets bigger..the difference to me is the patience, Harris runs patiently and Samuels is raw athleticism..Samuels has great upside when he gets college coaching..Different styles and prospects but both can work nicely in a Harbaugh offense, my opinion

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