Let's talk some defense and recruiting.
Not every practice gives you a good look at everything. On Saturday I wasn't able to glean much about what's going on with our LBs and DBs. But I did get a good look at the DL. Still in my opinion our best position group.
A. Miller is not an undersized DT anymore. Still moves with the athleticism that has always been there. I look for him to take a large step forward in 2019. Big Earnie is poised to continue his ascent. In a big way. But he was not the best pure athlete I saw on Saturday. That distinction goes to K. Leota. Don't be surprised if KL contributes on passing downs in his RS freshman year. Maybe more. But certainly much more down the road. His classmate also stood out. Had to look at my cheat sheet to figure out who No. 46 was in the DL group. He was standing out in drills, but I had no idea who it was. Sure enough it was O'Rourke. I think he's behind Leota at this point. But he also has the bigger job of growing into the size necessary to play the strong side in our scheme. All the DTs looked healthy and sharp. Saunders is huge, as is Kent. Though Kent is stretching it over a much larger frame. Beyond those 3 DTs I thought I saw Carnifax working with that group. But don't hold me to it. Technique, technique, technique. Long was extremely thorough. Gaz was Gaz. A powerful, high motor wrecking ball. It was stunning to see the physical difference between "must get" D. Craig and guys like Brown and Leota and O'Rourke ... our younger DEs. Deontae appears to have a very bright future. But Oh My!!!! He has a lot of meals and time in the weight room ahead of him to achieve the physicality of those guys.
On the recruiting front, expect to beat OSU straight up for anywhere from 2-5 recruits before the summer is over. They will not all be 4 stars. But they will all be difference makers. That is consistent with the 40,000 foot view that NU football has indeed solidified itself as much higher on the recruiting totem pole than even I had imagined was possible. Top prospects aren't flinching at the notion that NU is a must see program. And what I'm seeing and hearing now is the lasting, positive effect of those visits. Top prospects with lots of top options are coming back after seeing the rest of the menu. Kris Jenkins is gushing about NU in an interview for the Terp website. Priebe is talking about his OV to NU scheduled for 5-17 in an interview about his Tennessee visit to a Vol website. Like we were Oklahoma or PSU. It reminds me of watching Chris Hinton go toe to toe with the best back in the 80s. Only now, the whole program has reached that level. Get used to it. I can't mention names, but the ongoing transformation of our WR room will likely continue before we head to Stanford in August. We will be getting separation on the field in the not too distant future.
On the miscellaneous front, the staff is paying attention to analytics. Got a big laugh when I told them Fitz was the first "analytics" expert at NU. From his perch at MLB.
Questions?
GOUNUII
Not every practice gives you a good look at everything. On Saturday I wasn't able to glean much about what's going on with our LBs and DBs. But I did get a good look at the DL. Still in my opinion our best position group.
A. Miller is not an undersized DT anymore. Still moves with the athleticism that has always been there. I look for him to take a large step forward in 2019. Big Earnie is poised to continue his ascent. In a big way. But he was not the best pure athlete I saw on Saturday. That distinction goes to K. Leota. Don't be surprised if KL contributes on passing downs in his RS freshman year. Maybe more. But certainly much more down the road. His classmate also stood out. Had to look at my cheat sheet to figure out who No. 46 was in the DL group. He was standing out in drills, but I had no idea who it was. Sure enough it was O'Rourke. I think he's behind Leota at this point. But he also has the bigger job of growing into the size necessary to play the strong side in our scheme. All the DTs looked healthy and sharp. Saunders is huge, as is Kent. Though Kent is stretching it over a much larger frame. Beyond those 3 DTs I thought I saw Carnifax working with that group. But don't hold me to it. Technique, technique, technique. Long was extremely thorough. Gaz was Gaz. A powerful, high motor wrecking ball. It was stunning to see the physical difference between "must get" D. Craig and guys like Brown and Leota and O'Rourke ... our younger DEs. Deontae appears to have a very bright future. But Oh My!!!! He has a lot of meals and time in the weight room ahead of him to achieve the physicality of those guys.
On the recruiting front, expect to beat OSU straight up for anywhere from 2-5 recruits before the summer is over. They will not all be 4 stars. But they will all be difference makers. That is consistent with the 40,000 foot view that NU football has indeed solidified itself as much higher on the recruiting totem pole than even I had imagined was possible. Top prospects aren't flinching at the notion that NU is a must see program. And what I'm seeing and hearing now is the lasting, positive effect of those visits. Top prospects with lots of top options are coming back after seeing the rest of the menu. Kris Jenkins is gushing about NU in an interview for the Terp website. Priebe is talking about his OV to NU scheduled for 5-17 in an interview about his Tennessee visit to a Vol website. Like we were Oklahoma or PSU. It reminds me of watching Chris Hinton go toe to toe with the best back in the 80s. Only now, the whole program has reached that level. Get used to it. I can't mention names, but the ongoing transformation of our WR room will likely continue before we head to Stanford in August. We will be getting separation on the field in the not too distant future.
On the miscellaneous front, the staff is paying attention to analytics. Got a big laugh when I told them Fitz was the first "analytics" expert at NU. From his perch at MLB.
Questions?
GOUNUII
