HiddenGriz wrote:It looks like on the video that his feet are slow. He will need alot of work.

At that size, if he had quick feet he wouldn't be coming to Montana.

Exactly, we get the projects and rejects. Any player with a bonified offer from an FBS school wouldn't come here unless they thought they would never play elsewhere.

It appears from his picture (and I mean this very politely), he will probably slim down when he gets into the program, and into the weight room. This should help.

Re/MaxGriz wrote:

grizband wrote:I am a little worried about all the reports that he his lack of speed might hinder his ability to stop fast, outside pass rushers. We have huge bodies on the OLine, and I don't seem them always able to match a speedy DE.

Get him in the weight room and probably on some sort of diet plan and he could probably drop some weight, and add muscle and speed.

When are you getting into the weight room and on a diet plan?

finally, some size.... for the defensive line.

trust me, it'll work.

TheBud wrote:

GrizBear wrote:

HiddenGriz wrote:It looks like on the video that his feet are slow. He will need alot of work.

At that size, if he had quick feet he wouldn't be coming to Montana.

ronbo wrote:Exactly, we get the projects and rejects. Any player with a bonified offer from an FBS school wouldn't come here unless they thought they would never play elsewhere.

If you Google his name, he comes up as having been looked at by many big teams, including Ohio State. Apparently, he did not do great at the Eugene NIKE Camp...

http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum/2008 ... ipski.html

Certainly, he give the Griz something to work with - great potential. If he was there now, we would have never gotten him. Simple as that.

The Griz are lucky this kid got a late start playing football. If you do some reading like The Bud you will see many big schools like the raw potential, but they said this kid will likely go to a lower level FBS or upper level FCS. I think you will see a major transformation in him physically in a couple years.

As long as these guys can get us some push so the Griz can get 1 yard I will be happy.

Geez, what, do you think they are recruiting 25 year old men? These are kids that will mature into their bodies, give them time.

argh! wrote:finally, some size.... for the defensive line.

trust me, it'll work.

Imagine if he dropped about 30-40 pounds, added some quickness off the line, and about 100 pounds to his bench press to move opposing offensive lineman! This kid could be a great defensive lineman, because as they say, you can't teach size.

grizband wrote:

argh! wrote:finally, some size.... for the defensive line.

trust me, it'll work.

Imagine if he dropped about 30-40 pounds, added some quickness off the line, and about 100 pounds to his bench press to move opposing offensive lineman! This kid could be a great defensive lineman, because as they say, you can't teach size.

That body type is prototypical OL. It sounds like he needs to do the above to be a great OL. DL requires a higher level of agility and foot quickness, which appear to be this kid's limitation, even projecting above.

HiddenGriz wrote:if @ 360 he was able to cut 60lbs he might add a little speed and agility.

That's a pretty unrealistic expectation, and probably not even a healthy one. The guy is definitely BIG... and likely moreso chunky than as built as the coaches would like him to be to begin with. If I had to guess, I'd bet he moves over to guard and maintains being the biggest Griz OL for at least another year or two (if that 360 is correct).

I'm a little skeptical about the long term prospects of this kid. I'm sure its probably worth the risk for our staff, but are we going to try and run the spread offense with this hulk or run straight ahead like we should be? If you tell me were going to line up in the I formation and throw playaction, I'm excited. If we plan on doing more of the same on offense, he may have trouble with us. 6'8" and 360 lbs? That's just retarded.

The guy is a project. Hopefully he can contribute by the time he's a redshirt sophomore.

I wonder if they'll maybe groom him to be a DT instead, be one of those big run stopper guys.

6'9" would be, by far, the tallest interior DL I've ever heard of.

ronbo wrote:Exactly, we get the projects and rejects. Any player with a bonified offer from an FBS school wouldn't come here unless they thought they would never play elsewhere.

True, that's also the reason for so many good NFL O-linemen coming out of the lower divisions. It's damn hard to project what a guy like this is going to develop into. He could be a total bust and put a huge strain on the U's food services OR he could develop into a monster (and put a huge strain on the U's food services). Truth be told, it's often a crapshoot for the NFL to try to figure out who the best O-linemen are come NFL draft time.

to throw a little sugar in the mix... the OT recuits, LeBeau(#88), Lipski(#106), and Opperud(NR 2-star) represent 3 of the top 4 fcs verbals according to scout.com's list... Harvard also signed an OT that was NR 2-star

As for him playing DT, it sounds good in theory but I don't think it would work out. Being that tall and heavy, his knees and ankles would be toast because guards and centers would have no choice but to constantly cut him to keep him from knocking down passes. Also, getting a push and stopping the run is all about keeping pad height low. Whoever gets lowest usually wins the battle. That doesn't bode well for a 6'8''+ kid.

One things for sure, they're going to have to recruit some taller QB's to see over the line if they're going to keep signing 6'5'', 6'7'', and 6'9'' linemen.

Re/MaxGriz wrote:I wonder if they'll maybe groom him to be a DT instead, be one of those big run stopper guys.

I think he is destined to be an OL hog, which is where he probably belongs

UMclassof2002 wrote:6'9" would be, by far, the tallest interior DL I've ever heard of.

Too Tall Jones, 6'9" DE, Dallas Cowboys

ronbo wrote:

UMclassof2002 wrote:6'9" would be, by far, the tallest interior DL I've ever heard of.

Too Tall Jones, 6'9" DE, Dallas Cowboys

He said interior, and there is no way at 6'9" he could get enough leverage to play DT. However, I would love to see them get a big body to play DT.....say 6'2" 315 or so.

Re/MaxGriz wrote:I wonder if they'll maybe groom him to be a DT instead, be one of those big run stopper guys.

ReMax don't be dumb.

SAVAGE PAW wrote:

Re/MaxGriz wrote:I wonder if they'll maybe groom him to be a DT instead, be one of those big run stopper guys.

ReMax don't be dumb.

I like being dumb from time to time.

ronbo wrote:

UMclassof2002 wrote:6'9" would be, by far, the tallest interior DL I've ever heard of.

Too Tall Jones, 6'9" DE, Dallas Cowboys

Yes TTJ was that tall but his 40 time was probably a second faster than chunky boy.

TTJ was tall and quick for his size, this guy looks slow. DL requires some quickness and right now this dude doesn't have it.

I hope he pans out and remembers to keep his ass powdered so some "good fans" don't get chapped lips.

Re/MaxGriz wrote:

SAVAGE PAW wrote:

Re/MaxGriz wrote:I wonder if they'll maybe groom him to be a DT instead, be one of those big run stopper guys.

ReMax don't be dumb.

I like being dumb from time to time.

I think this kid is a total waste of money. Does not look like nor move like an athlete. His chances of being on our very athletic defense are slim. His strength numbers are poor as well even for a HS kid given his size.