Friday, February 03, 2006
Recruiting Recap, Part Two
Defensive Backs
Tim Atchison – Talk about a sleeper. This kid was not even in the Rivals database for a LONG time, then he pops up as a 2*, and is quickly moved to a 3*. And that might not have been high enough. With offers from Georgia Tech, OSU, Purdue, Texas Tech, TCU, UTEP and others, Atchison was definitely in demand. He’ll contribute early, possibly as early as this fall if he can show up in shape. He’s a very smart player that brings a great deal of athleticism to the field as well. He can definitely level people, though he’ll need to add some good weight to continue to deliver blows at the college level. Big, fast, smart, athletic. What more could you want from a DB?
Antareis Bryan – This guy reminds me of Braelon Davis from three year ago. He’s 6’ 165 and runs a 4.4 40. But somehow no one notices the guy. He’s got unreal potential and I think that after his redshirt year, he’s going to turn some heads, just like Braelon did.
Dominique Criss – Morriss said Criss had the best technique of any HS defensive back he’s seen in years. That’s pretty high praise. Criss can play any of the defensive back positions, but is slotted to play corner, his natural position. If Davis doesn’t show that he’s 100% back, expect to see Criss on the field this fall
Roman James – Son of NFLer Roland James, Roman is a bit of a mystery. He had 18 interceptions in his HS career, and signed with Baylor two years ago, but then disappeared. Now he’s back, but we still don’t know anything about him. Hopefully he works out…
Calvin Rubles – Man, what an athlete. If Rubles gets qualified, he’s going to be a very special player at corner or outside safety. 6’3” 190, he’s bordering on linebacker size, but he’s got good speed, 4.6 in the 40, and he’s got a 6’5” wingspan. And he hits like a diesel train. Baylor fans should hope that he can get a good enough test score to make it to campus.
Brandon Stiggers – I love this kid. Walks on two years ago, redshirts at Baylor, the goes back to JUCO to get some experience, and then comes back to Baylor, despite offers from NU, WSU, and U-Dub, among many others. The kid is a serious player and loves Baylor. I can’t wait to see him play, and it won’t take long. He’ll be one of the primary backups at CB, if he doesn’t win a starting job outright.
Juwan Ward – Big and fast, Ward will push for a starting position at OS. He’s experienced and I think he’ll be a major impact player and a big reason Baylor gets stronger against the run. He runs a 4.5 40 and has the size to defend TEs and the speed to cover WRs, as well as go sideline-to-sideline for the tackle.
Running Backs
Jay Finley – Finley is going to have a ball in this offense. He’s got very good speed, plenty of moves, and size to run people over when he needs to. He’ll very likely redshirt, due to our depth at RB, but if he can get up to 205/210, he’ll be a serious threat on offense. He was a BIG pickup for Baylor.
Andre Pierce – Speed like you wouldn’t believe and productive despite size that would not be considered prototypical. While he’s only 5-8 175 pounds, Pierce ran for 2,300 yards and a bunch of TDs in 5A. This isn’t some 2A wonderboy, he did this in the big leagues of Texas HS football. I think he’ll be great in this new spread offense, and I think his speed is going to make people pay.
Linebackers
Greg Carlson – Carlson has great size and good speed. He’s 6’4” 220 and has the frame to put a lot of weight on. While I would love to be able to grow him into a 6’4” 245 LBer, there’s a good chance that the coaches will have him put on even more weight to make him a 6’4” 265 DE. And with 4.7 speed that might be the best place for him.
Paul Tolbert – This JUCO is exactly what Baylor needed. Experienced, incredibly strong (430 pound bench press) and ready to come in and take over the starting spot, Tolbert will be the starter about 3 seconds after spring practices begin.
Chris Mitchell – Mitchell was a late pickup and I haven’t seen any film on the guy, so I can’t say much. He’s got good size, and might very well be destined for a DE position, but that depends on his ability to qualify. I can’t really say too much about him as a player, though.
¶ 2/03/2006
Tim Atchison – Talk about a sleeper. This kid was not even in the Rivals database for a LONG time, then he pops up as a 2*, and is quickly moved to a 3*. And that might not have been high enough. With offers from Georgia Tech, OSU, Purdue, Texas Tech, TCU, UTEP and others, Atchison was definitely in demand. He’ll contribute early, possibly as early as this fall if he can show up in shape. He’s a very smart player that brings a great deal of athleticism to the field as well. He can definitely level people, though he’ll need to add some good weight to continue to deliver blows at the college level. Big, fast, smart, athletic. What more could you want from a DB?
Antareis Bryan – This guy reminds me of Braelon Davis from three year ago. He’s 6’ 165 and runs a 4.4 40. But somehow no one notices the guy. He’s got unreal potential and I think that after his redshirt year, he’s going to turn some heads, just like Braelon did.
Dominique Criss – Morriss said Criss had the best technique of any HS defensive back he’s seen in years. That’s pretty high praise. Criss can play any of the defensive back positions, but is slotted to play corner, his natural position. If Davis doesn’t show that he’s 100% back, expect to see Criss on the field this fall
Roman James – Son of NFLer Roland James, Roman is a bit of a mystery. He had 18 interceptions in his HS career, and signed with Baylor two years ago, but then disappeared. Now he’s back, but we still don’t know anything about him. Hopefully he works out…
Calvin Rubles – Man, what an athlete. If Rubles gets qualified, he’s going to be a very special player at corner or outside safety. 6’3” 190, he’s bordering on linebacker size, but he’s got good speed, 4.6 in the 40, and he’s got a 6’5” wingspan. And he hits like a diesel train. Baylor fans should hope that he can get a good enough test score to make it to campus.
Brandon Stiggers – I love this kid. Walks on two years ago, redshirts at Baylor, the goes back to JUCO to get some experience, and then comes back to Baylor, despite offers from NU, WSU, and U-Dub, among many others. The kid is a serious player and loves Baylor. I can’t wait to see him play, and it won’t take long. He’ll be one of the primary backups at CB, if he doesn’t win a starting job outright.
Juwan Ward – Big and fast, Ward will push for a starting position at OS. He’s experienced and I think he’ll be a major impact player and a big reason Baylor gets stronger against the run. He runs a 4.5 40 and has the size to defend TEs and the speed to cover WRs, as well as go sideline-to-sideline for the tackle.
Running Backs
Jay Finley – Finley is going to have a ball in this offense. He’s got very good speed, plenty of moves, and size to run people over when he needs to. He’ll very likely redshirt, due to our depth at RB, but if he can get up to 205/210, he’ll be a serious threat on offense. He was a BIG pickup for Baylor.
Andre Pierce – Speed like you wouldn’t believe and productive despite size that would not be considered prototypical. While he’s only 5-8 175 pounds, Pierce ran for 2,300 yards and a bunch of TDs in 5A. This isn’t some 2A wonderboy, he did this in the big leagues of Texas HS football. I think he’ll be great in this new spread offense, and I think his speed is going to make people pay.
Linebackers
Greg Carlson – Carlson has great size and good speed. He’s 6’4” 220 and has the frame to put a lot of weight on. While I would love to be able to grow him into a 6’4” 245 LBer, there’s a good chance that the coaches will have him put on even more weight to make him a 6’4” 265 DE. And with 4.7 speed that might be the best place for him.
Paul Tolbert – This JUCO is exactly what Baylor needed. Experienced, incredibly strong (430 pound bench press) and ready to come in and take over the starting spot, Tolbert will be the starter about 3 seconds after spring practices begin.
Chris Mitchell – Mitchell was a late pickup and I haven’t seen any film on the guy, so I can’t say much. He’s got good size, and might very well be destined for a DE position, but that depends on his ability to qualify. I can’t really say too much about him as a player, though.
¶ 2/03/2006
