grizzfam said:
With all due respect, I really don’t see him as number 2. Turner is a rare power running back with break away speed. I’d like to see more Askelson highlights where he isn’t just lined up shooting gaps. Not sure he is even the best LB in the state. Graves from Eureka is really good, and so is that kid from Capital.
Here is just the first 11 plays of his senior highlight:
:10 - Blitzes as a MLB, beats the guard and fullback to sack Levi Janacaro (not the easiest task)
:18 - Blitzes as a MLB, gets stopped, re-routes to chase down QB rolling to his right for a sack
:28 - TFL, no blitz as he read run and found the ball
:37 - At MLB, stuffs the run for about a 2-yard gain but forces a fumble
:44 - At OLB, blitzes off edge and gets by left tackle and running back to sack Janacaro again (had a bad snap so obviously that helped)
:50 - At OLB, plays run, stands up the right tackle, sacks QB rolling out to the right
:58 - At MLB, drops back into coverage, reads Kaleb Winterburn and makes a pick
1:09 - At OLB, blitzes off edge and beats the left tackle to sack Janacaro for a 3rd time
1:16 - At MLB, blitzes, beats center and guard for a sack
1:23 - At MLB, reads run, beats the pulling guard for a tackle for a loss
1:33 - At LB in the nickel, plays coverage, picks off Winterburn for a second time
Do I need to go on? This is just the first 11 plays of a 9:30 senior highlight film. You can't just say he is a free blitzer every play. He is beating kids with good technique, strength, and athleticism. On the first play listed, he beat a guard and a running back on the same play for a sack. He isn't just "shooting gaps" every play as you said above. Nolan showed everything you want to see out of a linebacker recruit. Makes plays in the backfield, at the line of scrimmage, and in coverage.
Askelson is really good no doubt. Playing QB and LB is amazing. My point is that it will be interesting to see how good he is when he is not playing for that loaded senior D, and coming in unblocked every other play. All state and MVP kids get eaten for breakfast in college all the time. That stuff is usually a product of media hype, stats, and each coach's "guys". Really don't think anybody is worth "fearing" in the 2018 class. Time will tell.
Quite the take here. With that logic, I guess we will just see how good Gabe Sulser is when he isn't playing for that loaded Senior offense.