Expanded Highlights for Deveon Smith
Much longer version of Deveon's Junior year highlights now up on Scouting Ohio. More proof of the toughness and tenacity that make him a great addition to the class. Seems to show a bit more speed as well - not a burner but fast enough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhvxRGxNOfc&feature=player_embedded
April 25th, 2012 at 10:58 AM ^
Emmit Smith wasn't shiftiest, fastest, or the best. What he had was a MONSTER offensive line, just like the line Michigan has built. Deveon Smith will benefit, he will be great.
April 25th, 2012 at 11:01 AM ^
also, emmit smith was really f'in good. he may not have been the shiftiest or the fastest, but he was shifty and fast. he did everything really well.
April 25th, 2012 at 11:04 AM ^
Yes, I'm a Cowboy's fan and he is my favorite player all time next to Bill Bates, but he never out ran anyone. He was shifty early in his career I'll give ya that, and damn tough.
April 25th, 2012 at 10:59 AM ^
Manball.
April 25th, 2012 at 11:03 AM ^
He looks like a beast for sure. His competition looks pretty weak though.
Actually he plays in one of Ohio's tougher conferences. Ty Isaac plays weaker competition than him hands down
April 25th, 2012 at 11:05 AM ^
April 25th, 2012 at 11:38 AM ^
/FredJackson'd
April 25th, 2012 at 11:06 AM ^
wow, color me impressed. he seems to have great instincts on the defensive side of the ball as well and knows how to bury a dude, I pity the first DB on an opposing team that thinks he has an open sideline to coast down after an int (the one int of Morris' career of course). Looks like a smart runner who doesn't necessarily look for contact, but knows when it's coming and has a few ways to win those battles.
April 25th, 2012 at 12:32 PM ^
Morris won't throw the interception, it will be Alex Swieka, in a game that we are already winning by 6 touchdowns in the 3rd quarter.
April 25th, 2012 at 11:14 AM ^
This has nothing to do with his talent or effectiveness as a RB, but he flails his arms in a really odd way when he runs. I've seen guys with unusual strides before that were done intentionally for extra speed. I'm not sure if that's what he's doing, or if it's just his running style. He definitely won't get mistaken for any of our other ball carriers when he's playing.
April 25th, 2012 at 12:39 PM ^
It helps him create a gyroscope-like effect to maintain balance. Hence his ability to make a spin move, shed one tackler, and stiff arm another in perfect harmony and not lose any momentum.
When he created the IT.
I just hope he doesn't have to use the flexi grip handles when he runs.
April 25th, 2012 at 11:22 AM ^
He seems to hit the hole very quickly and I love that he keeps his legs churning. I don't think I saw him go down on first contact in that whole clip. I haz happy.
April 25th, 2012 at 11:25 AM ^
WOW look at the highlight starting at 1:08 ... that's just RIDICULOUS. This guy's going to be a beast!
April 25th, 2012 at 11:25 AM ^
Why exactly are we still recruiting Ty Isaac? No disrespect to Ty at all, but couldn't we use his scholarship else where? Michigan has a ton of running backs, and they're already bringing in 2 for this year. From this video, I don't see why DeVeon can't be the feature back. Why not use the scholarship on the defensive line or wide receiver?
April 25th, 2012 at 11:27 AM ^
That is the manballiest manball video these eyes have ever seen. That guy is going to pound it between the tackles and I'm going to like it. That said, I really want Isaac in this class as well, I'm just too concerned about his speed to be comfortable with just him.
April 25th, 2012 at 11:42 AM ^
1. Even the best recruits (like Kevin Grady) don't pan out
2. Ty Issac (*ducks*) is a game breaker and looks like he could also be one of the top WR prospects in his class.
Get all the best football players and let the coaches sort them out. We could even do a little thunder and lightning type thing.
April 25th, 2012 at 11:27 AM ^
Wow. He's a lot better than I thought. Looks like a stud. Good get by Hoke.
April 25th, 2012 at 11:39 AM ^
So what you're saying is that by Hoke landing this kid it is a total....
April 25th, 2012 at 11:32 AM ^
Impressive highlights. His HS Scouting reports must read: To tackle effectively, bring 4 friends.
April 25th, 2012 at 11:41 AM ^
April 25th, 2012 at 12:04 PM ^
4 yards per carry? When this OL gets a few years in, whoever is our starting RB should be getting 6.5 yards per carry, and I'm serious.
You realize 4 isn't really that impressive right? That's like me saying, "That McGary sure is a beast on the boards, he looks like he could average at least 6 rebounds a game."
April 25th, 2012 at 11:48 AM ^
April 25th, 2012 at 12:01 PM ^
re: balance, I love short, heavy backs like him and Rawls. I was always a little unsure of whether a 6'3 guy like Issac could be as effective of a ball carrier at this level. You really don't see many successful 6'3 RBs in the NFL, much less in college, although there are a few. Prototypical height seems to be between 5'10 and 6'1
It is especially easy to get chopped down since you are more likely to have a higher center of gravity.
I tend to worry about RB who are tall or have upright running styles because they take lots of shots to the knees.
April 25th, 2012 at 12:01 PM ^
Damn. That kid is really good. The thing that impressed me the most isn't how hard he runs (though he runs incredibly hard) or how hard he is to take down (it usually took 2-3 guys, maybe more, and he still fell forward), but his agility. He's a big back, so I knew he's be a punisher, but what really impressed me was his ability to cut, spin, and hop on one foot while carrrying a guy to break tackles. A lot of big backs aren't able do those things at all, let alone as well as he does.
I know this is a highlight video, but it's a long one and all from one season. I'm sure he had bad plays, but having 6 or 7 highlight level plays every game is impressive.
April 25th, 2012 at 12:01 PM ^
Just a quick disclaimer... Howland didn't play the toughest schedule last season. While the Youngstown-Warren area is loaded with talent and great teams, Howland doesn't necessrilly see those teams on their schedule. No disrespect, just stating the facts as I'm happy to see a fellow Howland Tiger heading to Ann Arbor.
** Howland plays in the same conference as Liberty, the school that gave us Fitz Toussaint. So once again..not saying he's not awesome..just saying his competition doesnt come close to rivaling what guys like Joe Bolden and Tom Strobel played against.
Link to schedule below.
http://www.joeeitel.com/hsfoot/teams.jsp?year=2011&teamID=736
April 25th, 2012 at 12:05 PM ^
I have to assume Ohio (YTO) recruiters know their own state, and they thought highly enough of him to offer, so.....
April 25th, 2012 at 12:08 PM ^
Also, not sure if they run the same offense that they did when I was in high school but if they do he's getting the ball on 90% of the offensive plays. So these highlights are done against teams who know he's getting the ball and they are commiting 8-10 guys to stopping him, most likely keeping 1 safety deep for a "QB oh no!" play. He's the truth.
April 25th, 2012 at 12:05 PM ^
There is nothing better than watching blue chip power backs run over high schoolers. Me likey.
April 25th, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^
Stiff arm just before the 1:00 mark is fantastic. Tough runner.
His stiff arm is impressive, period. Just a tough runner that doesn't go down...yes please.
He looks very tough and determined. Not gonna lie though, Isaac's speed really impressed me when I watched his film. Ready for some long Tyrone Wheatley type runs in the Big House.
Watching a RB accelerate away from defenders in the secondary is awesome, but a luxury. Having a back that hits the gap hard and trucks a LB to fall forward for 6 yards every hand-off is what demoralizes defenses. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have an athlete like Isaac on the team, but I'm more happy about having our needs covered as far as a wrecking ball, every down type back.
... which is why we should have both. Time to be greedy.
Real excited to see this kid play!
Thanks for the updated highlights- he'll look good in a winged helmet!
The whole defence is pretty much left on the ground of the play at 6:55. Wow, this is a fun highlight to watch.
Damn! He is a LB's nightmare
Nothing more frustrating and humiliating when you're on defense, but man it's fun to watch him shove those guys to the ground. Looks like some serious strength there.