As we enter the recruiting dead period, I thought I'd review the highlights of our purported commitments. I wrote down my observations (opinions) and thought I'd share. For what they're worth:
Keeyon Smart[/B]-- Smart's highlights look good, no doubt. But In over 60 plays, all at left tackle, only one was a pass play in which he didn't have to block any one. He only "pulled" on one running play in the entire set and looked slow. He showed well as a "drive blocker" against undersized players on all the rest. If he hasn't gotten much practice pass blocking, my guess is he'll redshirt this season. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1944260/keeyon-smart)
Leeward Brown[/B]- Brown's tape shows him primarily as a left guard though he plays right tackle on a few plays. He appears to be equally adept at pass blocking and run blocking and he manhandles smaller defensive linemen. He shows very well pulling on running plays but looks like he needs to shed 20-30 pounds minimum. He could see some playing time this year if he comes to camp in shape. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/967476/leeward-brown)
Keyshawn McLeod[/B]- At 6'5" and 245#, McLeod looks slender. He could probably put on 30# without a problem. Whether he can put on 50#+ to play offensive tackle is another question. On his highlights, he plays left tackle and has good movement and does a great job blocking downfield. I'm wondering if he could be a blocking tight end or even a defensive end, which he apparently also played in high school but is not shown on his highlights. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2612409/keyshawn-mcleod)
Nigel Anderson[/B]- Anderson will be a good all-purpose back for Tulane in time. I don't see him playing much this year, however, with what we have returning. He shows good, but not great, speed on his tapes. He follows blockers and shows good power when confronted. He played QB a lot and showed some nice touch throwing left handed. At some point in his Tulane career, he'll throw a half-back pass for a TD. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3190607/nigel-anderson)
Devin Glenn[/B]- This is one quick and shifty guy. HUDL claims he runs a 4.3 40. True or not, he's fast and could be the Sproles-type that CJ has been looking for, though he's not shown catching any passes or returning kicks. Nonetheless, an impressive tape: he runs away from everyone. As an aside, he's a tough little corner back also. Hard to say what he could do on the field this year. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1518527/highlights/85390376)
Andrew Hicks[/B]- Hicks' highlights show him mostly as a running QB and he's a powerful runner, no doubt. It also shows him in eight plays as a receiver generally taking short wide-open throws without having to run much of a route. Hard to say how quickly he will adjust to the WR position in college. But, it's clear he will be very difficult for defensive backs to bring down once he catches a ball. He's a likely redshirt in my opinion. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1530860/highlights/186140381)
John Washington[/B]- I haven't seen any tape of Washington as a senior and only one relatively short highlight reel of him as a junior. In it, he plays tackle in a 4-3 and defensive end in a 3-4. He doesn't look to have the speed to play outside and seemed a bit inconsistent shedding blockers on the inside. He's a strong guy and plays in the opponent's backfield a great deal. More of a run stopper than pass rusher, I think he could vie for playing time this year, with only two experienced guys back at DT. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RO4YEWs3SI)
Brian Webb[/B]- Here's another guy who I've only seen as a junior on highlights. But he looks very explosive and, for his size, pretty agile. He's got a chance to play this year. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2202416/highlights/67351376)
Louis Wings-[/B] Lots of rumors about his possible de-commitment, but Wings looks good on his highlight reel. He plays DT in a 4-3 and DE in a 3-4. Despite his size, he looks pretty quick at that DE position in the 3-4 and has a quick burst from the inside position as well. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1854319/highlights/199904375)
Tayris Shennal[/B]- On his tape, Shennal looks really good as a cover corner with the size and ball skills necessary to make plays. He also looks good as a return man and in his ten or so plays as a wide receiver. Corner looks like his best position to me, however. Because of his size he could get some early playing time in a VERY crowded defensive backfield. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1708489/taris-shenall)
Jeremy Francis[/B]- Francis does not appear to have elite speed but he hits someone on every play. According to HUDL, he's a 4.56 guy in the 40 but bench presses 365#. If that's true, he could be the strongest cornerback we've ever had at Tulane. I'd think he has a chance to play special teams fairly early but I don't see him stepping into the DB rotation any time soon. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2810086/highlights/82653379)
Chaz Key-[/B] The only highlights I've seen of Key are from his sophomore and junior season in which he played running back primarily, though there are a few plays of him as a safety. He appears to be a very good athlete with good speed and good "change of direction." It's hard to judge him, however, as a DB based on the limited tape. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1108434/chaz-key)
Doug Henry[/B]- Not a lot of tape on Henry as a DB. He's pretty good sized, about the same as Shennal, and that's good. Nonetheless, in a crowded backfield I think he's likely to "redshirt." He could also move over to WR, I suppose. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3445040/highlights/114361375)
Darius Black[/B]- I've only seen junior year highlights for Black, but in them he comes off as a very hard-nosed football player who can hit. As a junior he appeared to split time at free safety and corner and, more than a "ball hawk," he comes off as a punishing tackler, especially on plays across the middle when he's at safety. He seemed to have very good coverage skills on special teams which might be where he starts out. (http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=darius+black+hudl&FORM=VIRE4#view=detail&mid=A3EE3909B112F1BE0B42A3EE3909B112F1BE0B42)
Malik Eugene[/B]- On his highlights, Eugene is featured more at running back and as a returner. In both roles he appears to be the fastest man on the field though he doesn't (really doesn't have to) show much elusiveness. He just runs to an opening. He's a good cover man on kicks and punts, also. In the ten or so plays I saw with him on defense, he appeared to be playing more of a linebacker or "nickle" position and, in pass coverage, he usually took a slot receiver or running back. He looked good in every role so it's hard for me not to see him taking the field in some capacity this year. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1409603/highlights/199469386)
Dedrick Shy[/B]- Shy is yet another good size defensive back who has the opportunity to see early playing time. On tape, Shy looks aggressive as a cover corner with some "ball hawking" skills, probably gained from his time as a wide receiver, which still could be his ultimate position. But, he looks very good at corner. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1518515/highlights/210245381)
Roderick Teamer[/B]-I probably like his highlights better than any of our recruits. I see that some of our fans have him "penciled in" as a LB, and maybe that's what's "in the cards," but I really like him at strong safety. Look at his highlights, he covers, he runs to the ball, and he tackles as well as anyone. I think he may play a lot this season. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1832630/rod-teamer)
Zach Block[/B]- I've commented on a previous thread regarding Block's highlight reel; I wasn't that impressed. The good news is that in his December and January workouts at Kohl's kicking camps, he apparently "wowed" everyone. We don't need him to come in here and simply compete for a job; he needs to take one. With Picerelli graduating this year, he needs, at a minimum, to be our punter by 2016. If not, we'll need to sign another one in our tiny recruiting class next year. And, obviously, unless DiRocco improves, he has a chance at that job also. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1446855/zach-block)
Anyhow, we should see more highlights on signing day courtesy of the athletic office. I'm looking forward to them.
Roll Wave!!!
Keeyon Smart[/B]-- Smart's highlights look good, no doubt. But In over 60 plays, all at left tackle, only one was a pass play in which he didn't have to block any one. He only "pulled" on one running play in the entire set and looked slow. He showed well as a "drive blocker" against undersized players on all the rest. If he hasn't gotten much practice pass blocking, my guess is he'll redshirt this season. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1944260/keeyon-smart)
Leeward Brown[/B]- Brown's tape shows him primarily as a left guard though he plays right tackle on a few plays. He appears to be equally adept at pass blocking and run blocking and he manhandles smaller defensive linemen. He shows very well pulling on running plays but looks like he needs to shed 20-30 pounds minimum. He could see some playing time this year if he comes to camp in shape. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/967476/leeward-brown)
Keyshawn McLeod[/B]- At 6'5" and 245#, McLeod looks slender. He could probably put on 30# without a problem. Whether he can put on 50#+ to play offensive tackle is another question. On his highlights, he plays left tackle and has good movement and does a great job blocking downfield. I'm wondering if he could be a blocking tight end or even a defensive end, which he apparently also played in high school but is not shown on his highlights. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2612409/keyshawn-mcleod)
Nigel Anderson[/B]- Anderson will be a good all-purpose back for Tulane in time. I don't see him playing much this year, however, with what we have returning. He shows good, but not great, speed on his tapes. He follows blockers and shows good power when confronted. He played QB a lot and showed some nice touch throwing left handed. At some point in his Tulane career, he'll throw a half-back pass for a TD. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3190607/nigel-anderson)
Devin Glenn[/B]- This is one quick and shifty guy. HUDL claims he runs a 4.3 40. True or not, he's fast and could be the Sproles-type that CJ has been looking for, though he's not shown catching any passes or returning kicks. Nonetheless, an impressive tape: he runs away from everyone. As an aside, he's a tough little corner back also. Hard to say what he could do on the field this year. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1518527/highlights/85390376)
Andrew Hicks[/B]- Hicks' highlights show him mostly as a running QB and he's a powerful runner, no doubt. It also shows him in eight plays as a receiver generally taking short wide-open throws without having to run much of a route. Hard to say how quickly he will adjust to the WR position in college. But, it's clear he will be very difficult for defensive backs to bring down once he catches a ball. He's a likely redshirt in my opinion. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1530860/highlights/186140381)
John Washington[/B]- I haven't seen any tape of Washington as a senior and only one relatively short highlight reel of him as a junior. In it, he plays tackle in a 4-3 and defensive end in a 3-4. He doesn't look to have the speed to play outside and seemed a bit inconsistent shedding blockers on the inside. He's a strong guy and plays in the opponent's backfield a great deal. More of a run stopper than pass rusher, I think he could vie for playing time this year, with only two experienced guys back at DT. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RO4YEWs3SI)
Brian Webb[/B]- Here's another guy who I've only seen as a junior on highlights. But he looks very explosive and, for his size, pretty agile. He's got a chance to play this year. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2202416/highlights/67351376)
Louis Wings-[/B] Lots of rumors about his possible de-commitment, but Wings looks good on his highlight reel. He plays DT in a 4-3 and DE in a 3-4. Despite his size, he looks pretty quick at that DE position in the 3-4 and has a quick burst from the inside position as well. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1854319/highlights/199904375)
Tayris Shennal[/B]- On his tape, Shennal looks really good as a cover corner with the size and ball skills necessary to make plays. He also looks good as a return man and in his ten or so plays as a wide receiver. Corner looks like his best position to me, however. Because of his size he could get some early playing time in a VERY crowded defensive backfield. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1708489/taris-shenall)
Jeremy Francis[/B]- Francis does not appear to have elite speed but he hits someone on every play. According to HUDL, he's a 4.56 guy in the 40 but bench presses 365#. If that's true, he could be the strongest cornerback we've ever had at Tulane. I'd think he has a chance to play special teams fairly early but I don't see him stepping into the DB rotation any time soon. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2810086/highlights/82653379)
Chaz Key-[/B] The only highlights I've seen of Key are from his sophomore and junior season in which he played running back primarily, though there are a few plays of him as a safety. He appears to be a very good athlete with good speed and good "change of direction." It's hard to judge him, however, as a DB based on the limited tape. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1108434/chaz-key)
Doug Henry[/B]- Not a lot of tape on Henry as a DB. He's pretty good sized, about the same as Shennal, and that's good. Nonetheless, in a crowded backfield I think he's likely to "redshirt." He could also move over to WR, I suppose. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3445040/highlights/114361375)
Darius Black[/B]- I've only seen junior year highlights for Black, but in them he comes off as a very hard-nosed football player who can hit. As a junior he appeared to split time at free safety and corner and, more than a "ball hawk," he comes off as a punishing tackler, especially on plays across the middle when he's at safety. He seemed to have very good coverage skills on special teams which might be where he starts out. (http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=darius+black+hudl&FORM=VIRE4#view=detail&mid=A3EE3909B112F1BE0B42A3EE3909B112F1BE0B42)
Malik Eugene[/B]- On his highlights, Eugene is featured more at running back and as a returner. In both roles he appears to be the fastest man on the field though he doesn't (really doesn't have to) show much elusiveness. He just runs to an opening. He's a good cover man on kicks and punts, also. In the ten or so plays I saw with him on defense, he appeared to be playing more of a linebacker or "nickle" position and, in pass coverage, he usually took a slot receiver or running back. He looked good in every role so it's hard for me not to see him taking the field in some capacity this year. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1409603/highlights/199469386)
Dedrick Shy[/B]- Shy is yet another good size defensive back who has the opportunity to see early playing time. On tape, Shy looks aggressive as a cover corner with some "ball hawking" skills, probably gained from his time as a wide receiver, which still could be his ultimate position. But, he looks very good at corner. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1518515/highlights/210245381)
Roderick Teamer[/B]-I probably like his highlights better than any of our recruits. I see that some of our fans have him "penciled in" as a LB, and maybe that's what's "in the cards," but I really like him at strong safety. Look at his highlights, he covers, he runs to the ball, and he tackles as well as anyone. I think he may play a lot this season. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1832630/rod-teamer)
Zach Block[/B]- I've commented on a previous thread regarding Block's highlight reel; I wasn't that impressed. The good news is that in his December and January workouts at Kohl's kicking camps, he apparently "wowed" everyone. We don't need him to come in here and simply compete for a job; he needs to take one. With Picerelli graduating this year, he needs, at a minimum, to be our punter by 2016. If not, we'll need to sign another one in our tiny recruiting class next year. And, obviously, unless DiRocco improves, he has a chance at that job also. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1446855/zach-block)
Anyhow, we should see more highlights on signing day courtesy of the athletic office. I'm looking forward to them.
Roll Wave!!!