Jaqen H'ghar

June 1st, 2013 at 7:22 PM ^

Ace and Steve Lorenz both changed theirs yesterday from OSU. And so did a couple OSU insiders. It's a nice tool to get a feel for where analysts think they're going at the moment As an overall credibility tool for the analysts it doesn't really work though. You can get everyone's info and change right before a recuit picks.

maizenblue1971

June 1st, 2013 at 6:56 PM ^

interesting to hear what goes on. I would be excited too with the tape of Ryan plays mixed with winovich plays. helping the kid envision where he could be, showing the kid how the coaches hope to play him. I'm guessing he is not the only recruit we have done this with.

welcome chase to the class. you made a great decision.

M_Jason_M

June 1st, 2013 at 7:02 PM ^

Can you imagine how hard that would be though? That either takes a long time ("Look through ALL of the plays where Jake Ryan was on the field and find a good match for this play.") or an extremely good memory ("Get film of the play with 4:27 left in the third quarter of the Iowa game. Jake Ryan pulled a swim move just like that one.").

DaFrenchy

June 1st, 2013 at 7:04 PM ^

I guess that he only received a non-commitable offer from Ohio State or that Meyer wasn't really interested because like Da'Shawn Hand Winovich doesn't fit ...

BigBlue4U2NV

June 1st, 2013 at 7:05 PM ^

An exceptional pick-up for Hoke and Mattison's D. It might be cliche but you can't spell "win" without Winovich. Definitely fitting for the winningest program in the land!

Hokemadness27

June 1st, 2013 at 7:05 PM ^

A better recruiter then Urb. I thought last year's class was great and this years class is absolutely blowing last years out of the water. If Hoke can keep this recruiting up. There is no doubt they will win a national championship in the next 3-5 years

School 4 the Gifted

June 1st, 2013 at 7:06 PM ^

....and raise you a Chase Winovich. Despite the difference in star rankings, from what I've read there isn't much difference between the two at SAM. Love to hear from our resident experts though on their opinion.....

alum96

June 1st, 2013 at 11:08 PM ^

Seriously there is no resident experts. You pick your kids, develop them, and go and see what they can do.  No one knows who will be a bust or turn into the next 2 star recruit to be drafted #1 overall in the NFL this year, or Jake Ryan.  No one.  We're just speculating so anyone saying higher ceiling or this or that at age 16 is guessing just the same as "non experts".  I will retract that if someone can show me analysis of "Jake Ryan will be the best defensive recruit in the past 3 years" from 3-4 years ago combined with "5 star William Campbell will disappoint and become a plug in player his senior year". If you find that guy - I plan to listen to him go forward.  Everything else is just guesswork.

Wolfman

June 2nd, 2013 at 2:22 AM ^

what others might have said if I feel Ihave something to say on a certain topic. However, I must question your criteria on what you think qualifies as an "expert," which in this case I don't think is relevant. I think there are many people on this site that know the game and realize the term "upside" is appropo when discussing this kid's future.        ^ As a long time coach, albeit at the h.s. level, you drool when you see a "natural" offensive nightmare suiting up for the upcoming season.  And the parallels to Jake are obvious.  As Hoke said-and remember please- he turned down Jake's request to play for him at SDSU- he is the most unorthodox but effective player he's ever seen. Unorthodox is probably the reason Brady soured on him while coaching there.        ^Like Jake, this young man has the uncanny ability to use his outstanding quickness with what appears, and players do possess this, the ability to dissect an offensive play prior to the snap.  I am surprised, because of your statement about predicting future effectiveness, that you didn't pick up on this while watching his film.  Some fb players earn- I was attempted to say are allowed-the privilege of breaking assignment if they have the ability to read what's coming and stop it. This is done over a period of time, and believe me, it's done many weeks prior to the first game.  I watched him repeatedly line up in a certain area, wait until any and all audibles could have been called, but even lined up in that certain area his ability for "smelling out the play" and due to the fact his feet are never planted-this is a good thing- was able to determine the quickest, most efficient way to enter, unscathed, into the opposing backfield. When one is able to do this, and we've seen it with Jake, time after time, plays get "BLOWN UP" before they even have a chance to unfurl.  This is what I take away from his film.  Let's face it if, as an offensive unit, you believe you have the defense accounted for, blocking someone that was taken into account because you had no idea he could so quickly and with a full head of steam gain access into your backfield at about the same time the backs are going through their motions, he simply can't be blocked.  This kid has natural fb instinct, really, really good natural instinct, and if it's natural it can't be taught and that is why they make a determination of whether they believe a kid can become very, very effective at turning a first and ten into second and very, very long.      ^It's no surprise to me that a player of this type will not shine in a camp setting because camps are aimed at players doing certain things for a certain position. A "freelancer," if you will, will never score high in terms of being fundamentally sound because that's not their game. But put 11 on 11, as we saw on tape and you get what we saw on tape.  I really like this one.    ^As for Big Will, I was on record when I belonged to Rivals, and Helmholdt and I got into a pissing contest about it because I said the kids ratings was based on size and his ability to dominate in h.s. due to pure size and strength. I stated he stood up straight on every snap prior to moving forward and this would have to be remedied prior to his becoming a consistent contributor or even a starter. I went as far as to say his 5* rating was not earned based on his highlight film, normally the best of what they've done.  Josh responded in saying that "just because he's not from the w.side of the state," where I live does not mean he is not deserving.  I was somewhat perplexed at his response for a few reasons.  I am totally aware we get the majority of our in-state talent from the east side of the state and have never disputed it. Further, he was supposedly the "resident expert" as you labeled it and if he could not see these faults, then it was quite possible he was an e. sider or simply was pissed at my pointing out obvious flaws in the kid's film after all his raving about the contribution he would make. So I really wouldn't place much emphasis on not having what you feel is a football "guru" on site.       ^ I cannot use paragraph breaks for some reason and that's why I use the ^ instead. I get, and fully respect, your stance about predictions. All one has to do is recall names like Fargas, rated the nations best h.s. back coming in, Grady, another five star that didn't live up to his billing, and on that one I will admit I was totally wrong. I thought he was a sure-fire future All BIG player based both on film and watching him live. I also said while watching Ty in the state title game that he was going to be one of the best M ever had, so agreed, there is not a proven scientific formula for predicting future greatness. If it existed, all teams with great science departments could eliminate film study of football games. But give Hoke and Mattison credit for their proofs on determining who and who will not be contributors. They're generally correct. Remember as well, these kids are seen in live game action by our recruiting staff on many occasions, so the staff has seen their list of "prospects" already make the plays that show up on these films.  ^Like you, I hold judgment until they actually produce for us and as Bo said, "One third will do what is expected, one third will contribute and one-third will wash out." But I believe, based on the film we all watched, what really stood out was that seldom, at any level, is a kid allowed to make last second adjustments based on his natural abilities and this type of player doesn't happen often.  When you can get someone that can only be classified as a "Could be Great," you have to take him because that's what the recruiting portion of this game is all about.