In reply to by umfan323

MayOhioEatTurds

June 4th, 2015 at 1:57 PM ^

This is one characteristic that has been lacking around these parts since Denard (peace be upon him) was drafted. 

Can't wait to see some speed on the field!

pescadero

June 4th, 2015 at 3:54 PM ^

He's fast - but he isn't the sort of fast that Denard was, and Michigan has several guys in the same ballpark.

 

Of the folks who ran track in HS and info is available:

 

Faster:

Jabrill Peppers (honest 10.5)

Jehu Chesson (10.7)

 

About the same:

Antonio Whitfield (11.06)

Drake Johnson (11.2)

Dennis Norfleet (10.84)

Delano Hill (10.97)

Brian Cole (11.02)

pescadero

June 4th, 2015 at 4:25 PM ^

"Electronically timed"

Can mean LOTS of things.

 

In many high school meets it means an electronic FINISH LINE timer which is STARTED by hand. There is also the question of wind aid.

 

The kid had NEVER run faster than 10.95 before that meet, and in the 5-6 races since then... he's never run faster than 10.95. Every single kid that ran in that 100m final ran their CAREER best by at least 0.2 and most by 0.3-0.4.

 

That 10.53 is the best time in Indiana for the year... but Enis finished 3rd at his regional (11.05 - trounced by a kid running a 10.7) and is only #19 of 30 qualifiers for the Indiana state meet.

 

He's a fast kid (~11 flat)... but he is not a real 10.53 100m guy, nor is he a 4.35 40 guy.

 

MayOhioEatTurds

June 4th, 2015 at 4:15 PM ^

Besides Kiante's 10.53 electronically-timed 100m (which is, as illustrated by the above poster, faster than everyone on your list but possibly peppers [if you mis-typed 10.50]),

Kiante and Co. also claim sub-4.4 40 dash time.  The usual caveats about such times apply, but the sub-4.4 time has been reported by 247 (http://247sports.com/Article/Kiante-Enis-Leads-The-Nation-In-Rushing-31…) as well as many others.  A 40-time of "4.3" was reported by Maxpreps, by which they probably meant "4.3X" (http://www.maxpreps.com/news/HsruSR_XNE2_cgClpgMHFA/maxpreps-indiana-te…).

Denard's fastest 40 was timed during his stint as collegiate track star, when he was timed at 4.32.  Denard has since "slowed"; at the NFL combine he was timed at 4.43.  (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000144555/article/denard-robinson-…)

So, yeah--Kiante is damn fast.  We are likely talking fastest since Denard's departure, as originally claimed. 

Can't wait to see him on the field. 

getsome

June 4th, 2015 at 5:37 PM ^

good for him (and michigan fans) if hes "denard fast" - but does it translate to D1 football field?  thats really the only question right?  track speed is great but its not worth too much if it does not show up on saturdays.  

plenty of guys have track speed that does not make them more dominant football players or fails to show on film unless theyre running go routes or avoiding defenders until 15-20 yards downfield.

denard could put his foot in the ground and hit top speed within several strides, something not many can do, particularly with defenders closing.  does the kid need 10 yard vertical start in order to hit top gear or can he routinely get to that 10.5 level on football field?

does he have elite change of direction ability and insane burst to go with the long track speed?  bc thats usually what separates guys like denard, the guys who truly make good athletes look slow on the football field.  those are aspects id be more concerned with, especially if hes projected at RB or S

Mary Markley Hall

June 4th, 2015 at 1:52 PM ^

247Sports ranks Enis as the nation's No. 36 running back and No. 7 prospect overall in the state of Indiana. As a junior, he rushed for a nation's best 3,189 yards (among 2016 prospects) and 49 touchdowns.

 

MichiganMan20

June 4th, 2015 at 1:55 PM ^

Speed and athleticism. Love this pick up. With good coaching he could be a stud at multiple positions. I'm hoping he becomes a ball hawking safety.

814 East U

June 4th, 2015 at 1:59 PM ^

Could play S. I actually like this approach. Just get athletes that can play various spots or we end up with guys slotted at a position that are not that good (McGuffie). I understand numbers are important but OSU goes after athletes and puts them at the best position to succeed. I think JH will do the same.

Space Coyote

June 4th, 2015 at 1:59 PM ^

I thought the two players were different enough that you could take both, but maybe Harbaugh and Co have different plans.

Either way, I like this pick up. Enis has legit speed, is a good one cut runner, and could fit multiple positions really well. I don't see him as a RB in Harbaugh's system (I think he's more of a stretch zone type RB), but he should fit in well at another position on the team.

Space Coyote

June 4th, 2015 at 2:32 PM ^

I have no idea. It might explain why he is delaying his commitment; may be coincidence, I really don't know what's going on there, but this may be a factor.

FWIW, I personally think they are quite different players. Evans is more of a slot, IMO. And while there is some position overlap (RB, slot) there are positions and roles where they don't overlap (how they play slot, outside WR, CB (Evans), Safety (Enis)). But that's just my opinion.