Sam Webb's Jake Raulerson Article
Good read from Sam Webb regarding the 2013 TX O-Lineman.
Michigan offered him last week and it would be great to see him blocking for Morris in the future. Impressive offer list that includes Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame.
Interesting that he's a little undersized at 6'5, 250 but he's definitely a gamer:
I go 100 percent all the time," he said. "What the coaches love about me is my motor and just going 100 percent. Wherever I'm at, whether it's backside or play-side, I'll finish the play. I'll try to get a second or third block and try to spring the play open. I'm going to try my hardest on every play because I want to win. That's the main thing about me — it is just me going all out every play, no matter what."
September 22nd, 2011 at 3:49 PM ^
Awesome, definitely an impressive offer list. Does anybody know how big Lewan or Long were entering their junior year of high school? My guess is, at 250 lb, he's probably in pretty good shape and would have the kind of frame to add good weight to.
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:25 PM ^
I'm guessing if they mention his size it might be his height. I think Long and Lewan were both 6-7 coming out of high school. Good thing is that he still has time to grow since he is only a junior.
[Edit]: I did some research.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-J…
http://rivals.yahoo.com/michigan/football/recruiting/player-Taylor-Lewa…
Jake Long was already a man beast when he came out of HS and Lewan was a 20 pound lighter man beast, but both were 6-7.
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:41 PM ^
I cant fathom a kid who is 6'5 being labeled as undersized. Im 5'7, that is undersized. Lol
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:44 PM ^
I guess he is undersized when there are guys like Chris Bryant who are 330 lbs. coming out of HS. Either way he looks like a really good player that I would love to see play for Michigan.
September 22nd, 2011 at 4:00 PM ^
That's true, for a junior in HS that's pretty solid size. He probably has the frame to add 40+ lbs without losing any athleticism.
September 22nd, 2011 at 4:01 PM ^
I was going to wait until after the season was over to worry about 2012 recruiting. Now, it's hard to even ignore 2013 recruiting and that's a year and a half away. This is getting a little too out of hand for my tastes.
September 22nd, 2011 at 4:08 PM ^
Yep, basetkball recruiting is all sorts of creepy already. Football looks like its going the same way.
September 22nd, 2011 at 6:10 PM ^
Umm...M already has 23 commits for 2012 and a few for 2013. It's perfectly acceptable to target and evaluate juniors, and I draw the line there. Any younger is stretching it too much.
September 22nd, 2011 at 6:42 PM ^
He probably meant 2013 when he said 2012.
September 22nd, 2011 at 6:46 PM ^
But then he said 2013. So I'm pretty sure he was actually referencing 2012 recruits
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:54 PM ^
No, you read it right. I was waiting to worry about the 2012 class because I didn't think we'd get 20+ recruits before the season started. When was the last time that happened? That's why I figured if I can wait until the end of the season, I won't have to worry about learning about players that may end up decommitting or potential recruits that lose interest over the course of the season. 2013 players might be in their 4th or 5th game of their careers this weekend. It's just too volatile of a situation for me to worry about whether a Junior has us in their Top 5 or if they are planning on taking an official visit a year from now.
I wasn't criticizing the post or anyone else; I was just stating my point of view.
September 22nd, 2011 at 4:48 PM ^
Kid is a stud, likely a top 10 kid in Texas regardless of position. UT is recruiting him on O and D, and apparently UT's D line coach told Raulerson he could log snaps on UT's D this year as a rush end if he were on campus.
Still, a little undersized height-wise for a tackle, no?
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:26 PM ^
What's the advantage of being 6'7'' over 6'5''?
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:29 PM ^
Longer arms maybe?? That seems important to OL, especially OT.
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:33 PM ^
Being 6'7'' over 6'5'' likely means that the kid will have longer arms, which means they are a much better prospect to play OT. If he stays at that height, I am sure he would be an excellent gaurd as well with his athleticism (if he's getting looks at D End, he could be a terror pulling from the guard position). If he were to end up at guard I think it would be an excellent compliment to the 2012 class, as many of them project to tackle.
Edit: Beat me to it.
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:35 PM ^
Well you were in-depth in your explanation, so +1 to you.
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:38 PM ^
So really it isn't the height it's the length of the arms. Surprised more isn't made of reach instead of height for OL, it's a stat I would be very interested in. A big deal is made out of reach in boxing and basketball, but not football, this needs to change.
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:42 PM ^
I guess the guess is that a 6-7 guy is more likely to have longer arms than a 6-5 unless that 605 is some freak of nature. Based on body types those 6-5 guys with long arms seem destined to be great edge rushers.
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:47 PM ^
Another factor would be the potential weight advantage. Imagine taking a 6-7 lineman and cutting a 2-inch section out of his torso. How much do you think that would weigh? It's probably worth another 10-15 lbs of potential muscle weight.
September 22nd, 2011 at 6:52 PM ^
September 22nd, 2011 at 7:24 PM ^
two inches means a lot.
That's what she said.
September 22nd, 2011 at 7:58 PM ^
People do make somewhat of a big deal out of this. One of (or really the only) knock on Kalis is that some people don't think he has long enough arms to be an OT at the college level. That's why at times he has been discussed to play guard. If his arms were just a little longer, there is no doubt he would probably be a top 15 guy, rather than top 20 to 100 (ESPN is stupid). No doubt he is an elite talent, but with that arm length it would be hard for the few doubters there are to find a weakness in his game.
September 22nd, 2011 at 6:51 PM ^
Mack likes his recurit to commint early in the process. He dosen't have time for those who like to drag it out...hmm!
If he rebuff Texas...then I will pay attention.
September 22nd, 2011 at 7:36 PM ^
There are a couple of kids each year who aren't fungible, and early indications are that Raulerson is that caliber of player.
September 22nd, 2011 at 7:03 PM ^
You gotta love any recruit that's described as 'Country Strong'.
September 22nd, 2011 at 8:37 PM ^
Seems to me Sam was a little short on material this week. The kid sounds great. But nothing the young man says in the article suggests he's especially high on Michigan.