If we get Josh Furman, does he play LB or S?
Here's a tenative look at our depth chart in the back five next season:
SS: Woolfolk, Williams, Emilien, JOHNSON
FS: Kovacs, VanSlyke, Gordon, ROBINSON, JONES
CB: Warren, Floyd, Rogers?, AVERY
CB: Turner, Jones, WITTY, TALBOTT
SLB: Smith, Jones, Hawthorne, Simmons
Furman is listed at 6-3, 194lbs, and he runs a 4.3 40. It's obvious that he has the potential to grow into an excellent linebacker. I've read that he's being recrutied as a sam linebacker by our staff.
But it seems like we've got some nice options there next season in B. Smith, M. Jones, and B. Hawthorne. It seems like he might have the potential to contribute at SS or FS, where we have less promising options, immediately.
I've seen his highlight tapes, but I've yet to see the man play a game live. Does anyone with more expertise have a better idea?
November 24th, 2009 at 2:15 AM ^
Slot WR... Slot WR... Slot WR...
November 24th, 2009 at 3:00 AM ^
Does he play reciever on offense?
November 24th, 2009 at 12:41 PM ^
why do i get -9 mgopoints for asking if he plays reciever in high school?
November 24th, 2009 at 12:53 PM ^
missed an obvious joke... and there is a thread about him RUSHING for 414 yards....
November 24th, 2009 at 2:40 PM ^
And now because you asked about MGoPoints.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:21 AM ^
In high school he plays OLB/Weakside end. I would assume he doesnt have too much experience covering people. That wouldnt be good. We need LBs who can play anyways and he seems like a good athlete. Also I would assume thats a fake fake 40 time. A guy that size who runs a 4.3? He would have to be a 5 star.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:02 AM ^
ahhh...high school olb/de...sounds like a linebacker then. 6-3, 194lbs is still pretty skinny. he could probably bulk up to about 6-3, 220 and be a solid inside backer, if not a sam.
...fwiw, its been reported that he runs in the 4.2's.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:55 AM ^
No damn high schooler runs a 4.2 40. That's ridamndiculous.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:24 AM ^
list of the fastest 40 times ever recorded. now i don't believe any of them, but here it is....
http://www.listafterlist.com/tabid/57/listid/10295/Sports++Recreation/F…
i'm very surprised by who is last on that list, who would have ever thought he was that slow....
November 24th, 2009 at 7:27 AM ^
the time was actually a 4.37 which is still incredibly fast.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:24 AM ^
He'll play linebacker. He's not ready to take the field just yet defensively, so if he's given a few years to learn and grow he'll bulk up for sure. Furman can probably play at around 220 lbs without losing his speed.
That 4.3 may not be totally realistic but he's quite fast.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:32 AM ^
The 4.3 might actually be a low 4.5/high 4.4 or so, but thats still flying for someone his size.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:46 AM ^
way too literally. My brother was a walk-on SS in college and he ran a 4.54. Why question a 6'-3" 194 lb african american running a 4.37? Bolt is a big dude, too. Carl Lewis was probably about 6'-3" 194.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:04 AM ^
Apparently your brother was faster than Pat White who ran a 4.55 at the combine and within .1 of all the fastest safeties measured, save for one. http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers
November 24th, 2009 at 9:47 AM ^
This makes me think that my brother's 40 time was, uh, embellished. (But he was a really fast bugger. I bet he could've hung with Robiskie all day.)
November 24th, 2009 at 9:21 AM ^
If two of the greatest track athletes in the history of mankind ran fast despite being big, I think it's perfectly reasonable that high school football players run 4.4 40s.
I wish you'd let us a bit further into that big, mysterious brain of yours. What are your thoughts on the purpose of life? Keynesian economics? The Coca-Cola recipe? WE NEED ANSWERS.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:41 AM ^
Here's one answer for you though: YOU ARE A COCK.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:06 AM ^
Jimmy the Greek, is that you? Should I bet the Giants against the spread on Thursday?
November 24th, 2009 at 3:03 AM ^
okay okay, im getting the sense that he's more raw than someone like marvin robinson might be then.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:25 AM ^
... yes.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:34 AM ^
I think that of all the discussions about trying to anticipate position switches or depth chart order for next year, the defensive backfield is one where we won't come up with an answer due to the large number of permutations possible. Redshirt freshmen (or maybe even true freshmen) are x-factors as we don't know what they'll bring to the table, we don't know if someone like Mike Williams can become competent enough in the offseason to match seemingly solid athleticism, and Donovan's status could still change. That being said, my best guess is that Furman would do some serious bulking up under Barwis (like, duh) and will make most sense long-term at LB; the coaches can project that as well and will want to have him at 'backer from the get-go. Our safety play really can't get worse next year (crosses fingers), so even if Furman might be a good fit athletically back there for next season, his development will be better served by being a linebacker his whole career.
Also, Witty is missing from your chart.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:04 AM ^
very true. we really won't have a sense of where things are going to fall until spring ball starts. i really am looking forward to that this season!
thanks, i'll add witty, my bad.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:36 AM ^
Stevie Brown's spot?
Best case he would redshirt IMO and gain the needed weight/strength before he contributes.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:32 AM ^
I would like it very much if you learned
November 24th, 2009 at 6:51 AM ^
Didn't see Marvin Robinson on your list.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:22 AM ^
Saying that Robinson would stay at FS for Michigan.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:56 AM ^
I think his best fit will be at WILL.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:15 AM ^
The only problem is the traffic it looks like we're going to have at the SAM/hybrid/what the hell you want to call it. There are the guys you mention and talk that Isiah Bell fits in there Tony Jefferson also said that is where he is being recruited. That's a lot of talented bodies for one position. Are either of Hawthorne or Bell going to be put at ILB?
November 24th, 2009 at 8:37 AM ^
I heard Isaiah Bell was playing WILL in practices. Jones, Hawthorne, Simmons, and Brown were the SAMs this past year, but then Jones got moved inside, too, I think.
So the current roster only has Hawthorne and Simmons at SAM right now, unless I'm mistaken.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:47 AM ^
I'm a huge believer in not putting too much stock in highlight films, but if you look at Furman, the kid is bean-stalk - he's 6'3" and VERY slight. He's got plenty of room to add weight. I think we'll se a LB.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:44 AM ^
a larry foote type???
November 24th, 2009 at 9:50 AM ^
Sounds more like Ernest Shazor.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:57 AM ^
either one its a win win... i was just going with very athletic HS safety turned to very athletic college LB....
November 24th, 2009 at 10:01 AM ^
I think we give him a couple years to add bulk to his 6'3" frame and play him at the WILL. I heard he runs a 4.1 so that will really help too.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:12 AM ^
Pffff - my brother runs a 4.1. If he does, than a black college kid must run a 3.6.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:08 AM ^
This is quietly becoming the thread of the day. Keep up the good work people.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:11 AM ^
of a tall, rangy, incredibly fast safety.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:33 AM ^
OP - you might want to add Cullen Christian to your depth chart at 6:35 EST this evening.
The kid is rated the #3 rated CB nationally this year by Rivals. I would imagine he will be part of the CB rotation next year provided the NCAA Clearinghouse doesn't give him the Justin Turner treatment in August.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:34 AM ^
this past weekend -
Old Mill's Josh Furman rushed for a county record 414 yards and scored 6 touchdowns and 2 2pt. conversions in their 58-55 double overtime victory over Arundel.
(I am pretty sure only one of the TDs came in overtime)
November 24th, 2009 at 10:36 AM ^
i think furman said we're recruiting him as an LB.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:40 AM ^
u have no idea what the depth chart looks like stop posting
November 24th, 2009 at 10:59 AM ^
I'm going to tell myself that you're actually Vladimir (do you go by Vlad?) and that you're really pissed off that someone put you third on the depth chart. Prove him wrong.
I'd like to think you'll either start at FS or be the primary backup at both spots, FWIW.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:15 AM ^
There's hilarious... there's reading the State News comment section (JLS: "the fratboys are potlucking their tails off, and the football players are screwing it up!")... and then there's the idea that 6'8" 250lb Lebron James runs a 4.4 40.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:50 AM ^
I don't care too much at this point where he ends up, I just think this guy is going to be a stud whether he plays safety or LB. I hope he goes Blue!
November 24th, 2009 at 11:49 AM ^
Running really fast in a straight line doesnt make you a good football player.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:52 AM ^
There are several 14 year old football experts who beg to differ.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:13 PM ^
I have seen him live for many many years now. I have also seen him in track and field as well as workout with him. Yes Josh really does run a 4.32 40. Also, Furman plays Running Back on offense as well as Safety , And Dog in the 3-5-3 defense old mill runs .
Furman is recruited to be a Sam/Will backer by big blue. But I believe he should play Running Back. My Cousin is unstoppable on the offensive side.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:27 PM ^
Unstoppable? His single-game high is only 414 yards. Come back and brag about your cousin when he actually does something noteworthy on the football field.