This is about the time of year when guys start posting highlights and/or clips from the first three or four games of their senior seasons, so figured I'd pull together tape of our current commits as well as share my thoughts on the tape and in general.
QB Andrew Marty -- Good to see him back out there and appears to be moving round pretty well (both within the pocket, rolling out, and on designed runs (even a throwback screen about 1:30 into the Indian Hill game)). Arm strength still doesn't jump out at you (would like to see him get on top and drive the ball through windows more often), but should play. As an aside, #9 is a nice little wideout; a little cursory internet research tells me he's son of the basketball coach, but a smaller program could end up with a solid player there.
WR Berkeley Holman -- Pleasantly surprised by his speed; won't be a burner at the B1G-level, but not as much of a concern as on junior tape. Shows pretty good acceleration, which could/should help compensate for a relative lack of top-end speed. Shows very good quickness. Hopefully he can catch the ball consistently, because he has the makings of being a "chain-mover" running short and intermediate routes.
WR Jace James -- still a smoother-than-fast wideout who reminds me a lot of Sid Stewart, he flashes petty good ability to stick his foot in the ground to run effective routes. Ability to be a lead B1G wideout might be limited by lack of top-end speed, but definitely capable of playing an important role as a complimentary wideout.
WR Kyric McGowan -- Not a ton of tape available, but nice to see him operating as a WR on offense and making plays. Could probably play CB for us as well. Just flat runs pretty fast and makes plays. Should be a welcome addition to our WR room.
SB Trey Pugh -- Not exactly top-flight competition in Ohio, but he dominates as you would want to see/expect from an athletic kid who goes 6-6 225. It's almost unfair to line him up at Wildcat QB facing that level of competition. Will need to get stronger and more physical blocking, but he's a big, long kid who should be able to make plenty of plays in the passing game.
OL Sam Gerak -- seems to have pulled down most of his Hudl tape, which isn't all that uncommon for committed kids
OL Rashawn Slater -- pretty big kid that can move decently in space. Playing tackle but pretty clearly more suited to play inside in college. Still plenty of projection there, but some pretty good tools to work with.
OL Ethan Wiederkehr -- not seeing updated Hudl tape
DL Earnest Brown -- not a lot of tape, but our coaches had better be ready to fight for him to the bitter end (especially if we continue struggling on the field). Impressive burst off the bal for a kid that big and long, moves very well in space, and everything else we saw on junior tape. Occasionally stops his feet on contact, but that's nitpicking (especially because he blows by people when he keeps his feet). Still reminds me of a young Corey Wootton playing inside, but is probably further along than Corey was at this point. Great player and great prospect. Strap it on, because this could get interesting.
DL Trevor Kent -- similar reaction as for Brown, though I expected a little more explosion from Kent. Still a big, athletic kid who could contribute in a lot of ways. Will have to fight off the Harbaughs of the world for him.
DL Sam Miller -- a LOT leaner at this point than I would have guessed. Shows a lot of pop with his hands and ability to shed blocks, clearly been coached pretty well at Stratford. Still think he might be a better DT long-term, but said the same thing about his brother who's playing DE as a true freshman.
LB Blake Gallagher -- not seeing updated senior Hudl film
LB Peter McIntyre -- runs pretty darn well, making impressive plays on offense at both wideout and Wildcat QB. Even manages to make a 50-yard field goal and put some kickoffs in the end zone! Very intrigued by how fast and smooth he is along with his versatility, but not sure how big he could get. Another very pleasant surprise. Not sure why he didn't get more higher-profile offers.
DB Bryce Jackson -- still strikes me more as a safety than a corner, but should be another rangy athlete for JB to coach up.
DB JR Pace -- he's the big, long, physical safety that we expected to see. Moves well in space and likes to hit when he arrives. Could clearly stick at safety, but wonder whether he could/should add 15-20 pounds to play OLB, where his athleticism could be a real weapon.
DB Cameron Ruiz -- pretty fast, explosive athlete (not really a surprise given his track performances). Willing to stick his nose in there for run support despite not having much size. Has the kind of loose, explosive "springiness" to be a successful CB, but might take some time to acclimate to the position (most of the tape is at RB and SAF). Probably watched this tape most intently because he seemingly came out of nowhere, but nothing on this tape makes me think he will be out of place in the B1G as an athlete (especially if he can add some "good weight").
DB Austin Hiller -- not seeing senior Hudl tape
K Charlie Kuhbander -- hard to judge specialists on tape alone, but does everything you'd expect of a scholarship kicker in his senior year of high school. Looks like he's using a block on FG/XPs, which isn't ideal. Still, clearly a good amount of natural "leg talent."
All in all, looks like this is a solid class that should continue adding to our "competitive depth" as Fitz likes to say. Brown is the clear headliner to me (both in terms of tape and accolades), was pleasantly surprised by Holman, and McIntyre is suddenly my sleeper.
QB Andrew Marty -- Good to see him back out there and appears to be moving round pretty well (both within the pocket, rolling out, and on designed runs (even a throwback screen about 1:30 into the Indian Hill game)). Arm strength still doesn't jump out at you (would like to see him get on top and drive the ball through windows more often), but should play. As an aside, #9 is a nice little wideout; a little cursory internet research tells me he's son of the basketball coach, but a smaller program could end up with a solid player there.
WR Berkeley Holman -- Pleasantly surprised by his speed; won't be a burner at the B1G-level, but not as much of a concern as on junior tape. Shows pretty good acceleration, which could/should help compensate for a relative lack of top-end speed. Shows very good quickness. Hopefully he can catch the ball consistently, because he has the makings of being a "chain-mover" running short and intermediate routes.
WR Jace James -- still a smoother-than-fast wideout who reminds me a lot of Sid Stewart, he flashes petty good ability to stick his foot in the ground to run effective routes. Ability to be a lead B1G wideout might be limited by lack of top-end speed, but definitely capable of playing an important role as a complimentary wideout.
WR Kyric McGowan -- Not a ton of tape available, but nice to see him operating as a WR on offense and making plays. Could probably play CB for us as well. Just flat runs pretty fast and makes plays. Should be a welcome addition to our WR room.
SB Trey Pugh -- Not exactly top-flight competition in Ohio, but he dominates as you would want to see/expect from an athletic kid who goes 6-6 225. It's almost unfair to line him up at Wildcat QB facing that level of competition. Will need to get stronger and more physical blocking, but he's a big, long kid who should be able to make plenty of plays in the passing game.
OL Sam Gerak -- seems to have pulled down most of his Hudl tape, which isn't all that uncommon for committed kids
OL Rashawn Slater -- pretty big kid that can move decently in space. Playing tackle but pretty clearly more suited to play inside in college. Still plenty of projection there, but some pretty good tools to work with.
OL Ethan Wiederkehr -- not seeing updated Hudl tape
DL Earnest Brown -- not a lot of tape, but our coaches had better be ready to fight for him to the bitter end (especially if we continue struggling on the field). Impressive burst off the bal for a kid that big and long, moves very well in space, and everything else we saw on junior tape. Occasionally stops his feet on contact, but that's nitpicking (especially because he blows by people when he keeps his feet). Still reminds me of a young Corey Wootton playing inside, but is probably further along than Corey was at this point. Great player and great prospect. Strap it on, because this could get interesting.
DL Trevor Kent -- similar reaction as for Brown, though I expected a little more explosion from Kent. Still a big, athletic kid who could contribute in a lot of ways. Will have to fight off the Harbaughs of the world for him.
DL Sam Miller -- a LOT leaner at this point than I would have guessed. Shows a lot of pop with his hands and ability to shed blocks, clearly been coached pretty well at Stratford. Still think he might be a better DT long-term, but said the same thing about his brother who's playing DE as a true freshman.
LB Blake Gallagher -- not seeing updated senior Hudl film
LB Peter McIntyre -- runs pretty darn well, making impressive plays on offense at both wideout and Wildcat QB. Even manages to make a 50-yard field goal and put some kickoffs in the end zone! Very intrigued by how fast and smooth he is along with his versatility, but not sure how big he could get. Another very pleasant surprise. Not sure why he didn't get more higher-profile offers.
DB Bryce Jackson -- still strikes me more as a safety than a corner, but should be another rangy athlete for JB to coach up.
DB JR Pace -- he's the big, long, physical safety that we expected to see. Moves well in space and likes to hit when he arrives. Could clearly stick at safety, but wonder whether he could/should add 15-20 pounds to play OLB, where his athleticism could be a real weapon.
DB Cameron Ruiz -- pretty fast, explosive athlete (not really a surprise given his track performances). Willing to stick his nose in there for run support despite not having much size. Has the kind of loose, explosive "springiness" to be a successful CB, but might take some time to acclimate to the position (most of the tape is at RB and SAF). Probably watched this tape most intently because he seemingly came out of nowhere, but nothing on this tape makes me think he will be out of place in the B1G as an athlete (especially if he can add some "good weight").
DB Austin Hiller -- not seeing senior Hudl tape
K Charlie Kuhbander -- hard to judge specialists on tape alone, but does everything you'd expect of a scholarship kicker in his senior year of high school. Looks like he's using a block on FG/XPs, which isn't ideal. Still, clearly a good amount of natural "leg talent."
All in all, looks like this is a solid class that should continue adding to our "competitive depth" as Fitz likes to say. Brown is the clear headliner to me (both in terms of tape and accolades), was pleasantly surprised by Holman, and McIntyre is suddenly my sleeper.
