Where are the Evan Hull haters?

[Steveelement]

a lot of folks thought Hull wasn’t legit Big Ten running back and shouldn’t have been offered.

i was told he’s not in the same league as Jihrel Brock, Aaron Young, Nate Peat, and Austin Jones.

Brock-stuck behind Breece Hall finally getting his shot this year

Young-Not a starter at Rutgers, Hull clearly better

Pead-Transfered to Mizzou

Jones-Transferred to USC

 

[DaCat]

Hull is the quintessential Northwestern Wildcat.

 

[Catreporter]

Hull reminds this old timer of Mike Adamle. Mike told me he came to NU unheralded and because his dad was a good friend of Alex Agase. Wound up winning the Silver football in 1970 when the Cats came very close to going to the Rose Bowl (only Big Ten loss to OSU who they led 10-3 at halftime in Columbus). Similar builds and running styles. One big difference is Agase had Adamle carrying the ball an average of 30 times a game that year and he once carried it 48 times against Minnesota!

 

[SmellyCat]

I'm not sure who my favorite Wildcat was going into Saturday's game, but I think it's Hull now. Seemed like he was in the middle of everything on offense.

 

[epicbret]

a lot of folks thought Hull wasn’t legit Big Ten running back and shouldn’t have been offered.

i was told he’s not in the same league as Jihrel Brock, Aaron Young, Nate Peat, and Austin Jones.

Brock-stuck behind Breece Hall finally getting his shot this year

Young-Not a starter at Rutgers, Hull clearly better

Pead-Transfered to Mizzou

Jones-Transferred to USC

I feel like you are making people up.

 

[Alan Smithee]

I'm not sure who my favorite Wildcat was going into Saturday's game, but I think it's Hull now. Seemed like he was in the middle of everything on offense.

I thought he was especially good running after the catch.

 

[Steveelement]

I feel like you are making people up.

HungryJack has always been anti-Hull

 

[CatManTrue]

HungryJack has always been anti-Hull

@Hungry Jack makes a lot of mistakes. He also thinks that Josey Wales is on par with Will Munny from Unforgiven.

Truth be told, I caught some strange looks on The Rock as I was one of the few who picked Hull to be our leading rusher in 2022 over Porter.

Hull is just a damn good football player… did anyone else see that he exclusively touched the ball on our game clinching drive in the 4th quarter, including a key catch-and-run on 3rd down? Nebraska wanted nothing to do with him by the end. Fantastic.

 

[Hungry Jack]

HungryJack has always been anti-Hull

Hold on there bucko. I have said that the best way to deploy Hull was between the tackles, where his one-cut, straight line speed could be best utilized. I did not like him on sweeps because I don't think he rounds a corner like JJTBC (that's a high bar).

Hull has made himself a force. You cannot arm tackle him any more, nor dive at his feet. He is very patient and shows excellent ability to read the play in front of him. He is going to hit some home runs this year.

He also has become a dependable receiver and is much improved at transitioning after a catch. He gave the Huskers fits.

So, yeah, I was not high on him as a prospect, and I don't think we always used him well on certain plays. I think those days are over.

You have been a member for about 6 weeks. Have you been lurking all these years?

 

[Steveelement]

Hold on there bucko. I have said that the best way to deploy Hull was between the tackles, where his one-cut, straight line speed could be best utilized. I did not like him on sweeps because I don't think he rounds a corner like JJTBC (that's a high bar).

Hull has made himself a force. You cannot arm tackle him any more, nor dive at his feet. He is very patient and shows excellent ability to read the play in front of him. He is going to hit some home runs this year.

He also has become a dependable receiver and is much improved at transitioning after a catch. He gave the Huskers fits.

So, yeah, I was not high on him as a prospect, and I don't think we always used him well on certain plays. I think those days are over.

You have been a member for about 6 weeks. Have you been lurking all these years?

I recall a post last year after Porter got hurt in camp where one poster cited Hulls career YPC and said he had been better than all of the other guys recruited ahead of him. You had some real negative things to say about Mr.Hull. You argued that his big game against Illinois shouldn’t count and that anyone would take the Stanford back, Brock, etc. over him.

just admit Hull is a much better back than you thought. You sound like Mike Francesa with your response.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I recall a post last year after Porter got hurt in camp where one poster cited Hulls career YPC and said he had been better than all of the other guys recruited ahead of him. You had some real negative things to say about Mr.Hull. You argued that his big game against Illinois shouldn’t count and that anyone would take the Stanford back, Brock, etc. over him.

just admit Hull is a much better back than you thought. You sound like Mike Francesa with your response.

OK. Are you Catnap?

Here is what I posted about Hull on December 30, 2021:

"Hull was a real stalwart during our dismal season. Playing from behind may have padded his numbers a bit, but then again, it's not like teams had a lot to fear downfield from our passing game...Hull became a much more physical runner. He has solid build. I just worry about the toll that style takes. He lacks elite change of direction skills, but he can be very dangerous on traps, draws, quick-hits, etc. where his one-cut+burst skills can break long runs. He is certainly fast enough to outrun B1G LBs and many safeties. I hope we can design a run game that maximizes these attributes, while also playing to the strengths of our other backs."

And September 5, 2021:
"Hull is an effective north -south, one cut runner. We need to call traps and counters to make the best use of him."

And August 5, 2021:
"12 rushes for 60 yards against teams not named "Illini", and 30 of that 60 coming on one play in garbage time against Maryland. Nothing against Hull, but he's not the level of player that Robinson and Peat are."

And July 1, 2021:
"I don't want to diss Evan Hull, but I think he differs significantly from DA1. Hull has tended to avoid contact, while Autry often engaged it. I can recall instances last season where Hull stepped out when facing defensive backs on the sidelines. If he's a full 210 pounds of muscle, maybe he can put it to use."

You seem to be triggered by the comments in bold. Maybe you can read a few of the ones that came after the 2021 season, rather than before it?

 

[epicbret]

HungryJack has always been anti-Hull

That's one person. You straight up said "lots of folks".

Just call him out next time and save yourself the time

 

[Williesfan]

There are Evan Hull haters? Who would have thought. As I recall that year we missed on all our offers. Evan was a late offer as a recruit. Another under the radar Cat who has proven to be invaluable.

 

[FeralFelidae]

Hull was the brightest spot on our sluggish offense last year, still managing a 1,000-yard season despite all the other struggles our offense faced. A 1,000-yard season with last season's offense is a phenomenal achievement.

There were people who weren't already fans going into this season? That must be some of the crazy discussion on The Rock that I'm not privy to, because here on the slum board I thought everybody liked him.

 

[TheC]

OK. Are you Catnap?

Here is what I posted about Hull on December 30, 2021:

"Hull was a real stalwart during our dismal season. Playing from behind may have padded his numbers a bit, but then again, it's not like teams had a lot to fear downfield from our passing game...Hull became a much more physical runner. He has solid build. I just worry about the toll that style takes. He lacks elite change of direction skills, but he can be very dangerous on traps, draws, quick-hits, etc. where his one-cut+burst skills can break long runs. He is certainly fast enough to outrun B1G LBs and many safeties. I hope we can design a run game that maximizes these attributes, while also playing to the strengths of our other backs."

And September 5, 2021:
"Hull is an effective north -south, one cut runner. We need to call traps and counters to make the best use of him."

And August 5, 2021:
"12 rushes for 60 yards against teams not named "Illini", and 30 of that 60 coming on one play in garbage time against Maryland. Nothing against Hull, but he's not the level of player that Robinson and Peat are."

And July 1, 2021:
"I don't want to diss Evan Hull, but I think he differs significantly from DA1. Hull has tended to avoid contact, while Autry often engaged it. I can recall instances last season where Hull stepped out when facing defensive backs on the sidelines. If he's a full 210 pounds of muscle, maybe he can put it to use."

You seem to be triggered by the comments in bold. Maybe you can read a few of the ones that came after the 2021 season, rather than before it?

Why can't you be more perfect??!!!

 

[Figrating]

To me, Hull looks like a completely different player this year. The nouncers said at least twice that Hull had rededicated himself in the weight room and we were seeing the results. The top conference RBs are VERY good and NU must have one to compete. This season Hull looks the part. You can see why he WON the start.

But there's MORE! Porter, Clair and Tyus! Can't recall an NU team with RB depth like that.

If I were Coach Jake, I would run at least six screens to Clair per game.

 

[chicagocatfan24]

Been a minute since I stumbled over to the free board. As I said on the paid board, too many corbis and GCGs running around for my taste over here. And don’t even get me started on Turk and his 13 accounts. One comment:

1. if anyone was “hating on” Hull, they have no clue what they’re looking at. He’s a perfectly fine B1G back.

2. Porter is WAY more physically gifted than Hull and the best back on the team, even after his ACL injury

Both can be true

 

[NUDefense]

While both backs are top Big10 backs and can be used whenever, almost interchangeably,

Against teams whose front 7 give you space to run, like Nebraska, Hull should get few more carries than Porter, as he has more home run potential.
Against teams whose front 7 make you earn your yards - 3 yards and a cloud of dust - Porter should get few more carries than Hull.

 

[Titanium999]

I'm not sure who my favorite Wildcat was going into Saturday's game, but I think it's Hull now. Seemed like he was in the middle of everything on offense.

Porter and Hull best 1-2 punch 🤛 in BT!

 

[EvanstonCat]

OK. Are you Catnap?

Here is what I posted about Hull on December 30, 2021:

"Hull was a real stalwart during our dismal season. Playing from behind may have padded his numbers a bit, but then again, it's not like teams had a lot to fear downfield from our passing game...Hull became a much more physical runner. He has solid build. I just worry about the toll that style takes. He lacks elite change of direction skills, but he can be very dangerous on traps, draws, quick-hits, etc. where his one-cut+burst skills can break long runs. He is certainly fast enough to outrun B1G LBs and many safeties. I hope we can design a run game that maximizes these attributes, while also playing to the strengths of our other backs."

And September 5, 2021:
"Hull is an effective north -south, one cut runner. We need to call traps and counters to make the best use of him."

And August 5, 2021:
"12 rushes for 60 yards against teams not named "Illini", and 30 of that 60 coming on one play in garbage time against Maryland. Nothing against Hull, but he's not the level of player that Robinson and Peat are."

And July 1, 2021:
"I don't want to diss Evan Hull, but I think he differs significantly from DA1. Hull has tended to avoid contact, while Autry often engaged it. I can recall instances last season where Hull stepped out when facing defensive backs on the sidelines. If he's a full 210 pounds of muscle, maybe he can put it to use."

You seem to be triggered by the comments in bold. Maybe you can read a few of the ones that came after the 2021 season, rather than before it?

I think it's that some of this just silly. He cuts multiple times as he showed against Nebraska. And the fact that he is one of the leading rushers in yards after contact in the league says its silly to assert that he's not a physical runner.

I like Porter and am not sure who will end up with the most yards this year, but anyone who dismissed Hull after a 1000 yard season and when we were so one dimensional just wasn't paying attention.

 

[EvanstonCat]

Hull was the brightest spot on our sluggish offense last year, still managing a 1,000-yard season despite all the other struggles our offense faced. A 1,000-yard season with last season's offense is a phenomenal achievement.

There were people who weren't already fans going into this season? That must be some of the crazy discussion on The Rock that I'm not privy to, because here on the slum board I thought everybody liked him.

It wasn't a majority. Just the usual self-appointed know it all's who denigrate everyone else's football chops. That one of them still thinks Mick McCall wasn't the problem tells you all you need to know about their opinions and expertise.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I think it's that some of this just silly. He cuts multiple times as he showed against Nebraska. And the fact that he is one of the leading rushers in yards after contact in the league says its silly to assert that he's not a physical runner.

I like Porter and am not sure who will end up with the most yards this year, but anyone who dismissed Hull after a 1000 yard season and when we were so one dimensional just wasn't paying attention.

He's physical now in the sense that you can't arm tackle him, and he can drag guys. That wasn't the case before. He has clearly gotten much stronger. His YAC against Nebraska show that.

One thing you love to see in RB is change of direction without change of speed. JJTBC lacked elite speed (though certainly fast enough), but his ability to change direction at speed was preternatural. The RB we just missed on, Parker Jenkins, had similar change of direction of skills.

That is not really Hull's style. He can plant and cut when he's running vertical, but it's harder for him to do it horizontally (like JJTBC). Thus my comments about running him between the tackles on counters, draws, etc. I cannot recall running any sweeps with him vs. Nebby, which pleases me to no end.

The player I critiqued 2 seasons ago is not the player we see today. He is a much more powerful, patient, explosive runner. But he's still guy you want to work between the tackles, and play a percentage game where eventually he is likely to hit a home run when a LB gets blocked and he makes a safety miss. Then he's likely gone to the house.

Sorry a few of you are so offended by comments from two seasons. I was not high on Hull as a prospect, but I clearly underestimated his development.

 

[Hungry Jack]

It wasn't a majority. Just the usual self-appointed know it all's who denigrate everyone else's football chops. That one of them still thinks Mick McCall wasn't the problem tells you all you need to know about their opinions and expertise.

If you are referring to me, please show a post where I denigrate another poster's football chops.

 

[EvanstonCat]

If you are referring to me, please show a post where I denigrate another poster's football chops.

If you don't make it a habit to denigrate other poster's football chops, it's obviously not you.

 

[Hungry Jack]

If you don't make it a habit to denigrate other poster's football chops, it's obviously not you.

In the Snowflake Age of Grievance, you never know what people will find offensive.

 

[DaCat]

To me, Hull looks like a completely different player this year. The nouncers said at least twice that Hull had rededicated himself in the weight room and we were seeing the results. The top conference RBs are VERY good and NU must have one to compete. This season Hull looks the part. You can see why he WON the start.

But there's MORE! Porter, Clair and Tyus! Can't recall an NU team with RB depth like that.

If I were Coach Jake, I would run at least six screens to Clair per game.

The announcers as usual don't know crap. Hull was a workout warrior from Day One in the program and we are seeing the results of some very hard work over the past few years. I was impressed by his patience and vision against Neb, and his ability to break tackles.

 

[NUCat320]

To me, Hull looks like a completely different player this year. The nouncers said at least twice that Hull had rededicated himself in the weight room and we were seeing the results. The top conference RBs are VERY good and NU must have one to compete. This season Hull looks the part. You can see why he WON the start.

But there's MORE! Porter, Clair and Tyus! Can't recall an NU team with RB depth like that.

If I were Coach Jake, I would run at least six screens to Clair per game.

That’s right. The broadcast was 95% Nebraska talk, and 5% Hull’s 515-pound squats.

 

[GrandRapidsCatFan]

Porter and Hull best 1-2 punch 🤛 in BT!

Long time lurker, first time poster, coming out of the weeds to offer this crazy thought - would it be too wild to run some I formation or other 2 back sets with Hull in the FB position? Seems like that could be a pretty effective way to leverage both of them...

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

The announcers as usual don't know crap. Hull was a workout warrior from Day One in the program and we are seeing the results of some very hard work over the past few years. I was impressed by his patience and vision against Neb, and his ability to break tackles.

When the game started I was disappointed that Hull was starting at tailback ahead of Porter.
I always liked Hull, but I liked Porter more... I just figured this meant Porter had not returned to the brilliant form he displayed before the injury.

My opinion changed over the course of the first half.
Hull is stronger this year.
The patience was already there.
I don't see Hull as a speedy one-cut back - he sees the field very well and was never easy to bring down. Is Hull as aggressive as Porter is when it comes to running over tacklers? No. Maybe thats for the better.

Hull looked very dangerous in open space, catching dumpoff passes. He left multiple Nebraska tacklers grasping at air when they had clean shots at him.

Coming out of that Dublin game, we have (at least) two good tailbacks. Both Hull and Porter could be better than good.

 

[SmellyCat]

I'm starting to think Hull might lead NU in receptions this year, even as he rushes for 500+ yards.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

This whole “hater” narrative is silly and overblown. I can’t think of anyone that has dissed Hull or been unfair.