Derrick Henry announcing today

[Speedofsand]

http://jacksonville.com/sports/high-schools/2012-09-25/story/derrick-henry-prepared-busy-friday-yulee

Recruiting has dragged on for Henry since re-opening the process last June, and he said that he’s ready to get it out of the way to concentrate on the remainder of Yulee’s season without distraction. Originally a Georgia pledge, Henry has narrowed his college choices to three programs — Alabama, the Bulldogs and Tennessee.

Henry’s game-by-game yardage — 336, 242, 303 and 502 — is almost unbelievable considering the competition. His first game came against Gainesville, the state’s top-ranked team in Class 6A, and the 303 came against Class 7A school, South Lake.

[DieAGator]

"He's a LB".

[Gatuar]

Gee wonder who he's committing too

Let's hope Taylor has the better game

[Gatorrick22]

I hope Taylor doubles his yardage.

[Jaggator]

Bama it is? The rich get richer.

Saban and Muschamp will be in Yulee tonight for the game to be televised at 8PM on ESPNU.

[GATORAZ]

I got a feeling Henry will have more yards

[HudsonGator]

Derrick Henry announcing today

...for the second time.

[GATORAZ]

well he picked Bama

[StrangeGator]

Good choice for him. They have a recent history of highly productive big backs. Glad he's not going to UGA. Don't want any deja vu from the early eighties.

As good as I think he'll be, I believe Taylor will be better. I have more faith in his vision, toughness and instincts than I do in Henry's freakish size and speed. Tonight might be a different story though. At the high school level, it's hard to stop somebody like Henry when he gets going. Glades Day could be in for along night.

[Gatorrick22]

Those two adults next to him look like they just hit the lottery jackpot.

[GatorJeff]

Those two adults next to him look like they just hit the lottery jackpot.

LOL. They'll be "house sitting" a mansion in Tuscaloosa for $5,000 per month for the next four years.

[DieAGator]

I find it intriguing that we have this OL prospect named Trenton Brown that, as I understand it, is most interested in UF because he can play the position he wants(OT). Maybe it's a better opportunity depth-wise at UF or maybe UGA coaches haven't outright said he would be slated as an OT, I don't know. But if UGA staff wasn't offering at OT and our staff is there must be some difference in their respective evaluations. UGA and Bama staffs were willing to take this fricking bruiser who seems unstoppable as a RB, we tried to sell him on a different future. I'm not thrilled. Someone feel free to save this post and bring it to my attention if he doesn't pan out or gets moved to LB/TE but I doubt it.

[Itssaul]

I too would have taken him. Looks like a Steven Jackson back. Unstoppable in hs, probably going to wreck it in college ball

[gatordee]

They say he will not be an rb

[UFFL]

He won't be a RB at Bama, but he will still be a good player

[DieAGator]

He won't be a RB at Bama, but he will still be a good player

You mean you hope he won't be a RB at Bama. But Bama doesn't need LBs or TEs, they expect he will play RB.

The other thing is, Henry has been doing it vs the bigger competition, more comparable to the type of athlete he'll see in D1.

[UFFL]

You mean you hope he won't be a RB at Bama. But Bama doesn't need LBs or TEs, they expect he will play RB.

The other thing is, Henry has been doing it vs the bigger competition, more comparable to the type of athlete he'll see in D1.

No, that's not what I mean. If he plays RB at Bama, that's better for us than any Ingram/Richardson/Lacey because of his physique. No high school competition is comparable to what he'll face in college. College teams are far more well-rounded, more physical, and have better execution (including tackling) than any hs team. He is about the size he'll be for most of college. If he grows in height or weight, he will either become easier to tackle, or slower. You're right, Bama doesn't need LBs or TEs, but I can't see Henry being a long-term factor anywhere else. Just my opinion though

[Gatorrick22]

LOL. They'll be "house sitting" a mansion in Tuscaloosa for $5,000 per month for the next four years.

Reggie Bush 2.0.

[Lawdog88]

Maybe we can flip him.

:ninja:

[LAGatorDoc]

Maybe we can flip him.

:ninja:

Are you talking Macho Man Randy Savage elbow lock flip, or recruiting flip? Maybe Fowler can flip him next year... Or Damien Jacobs with his old man strength. That would be an awesome display of strength.

[Jaggator]

Are you talking Macho Man Randy Savage elbow lock flip, or recruiting flip? Maybe Fowler can flip him next year... Or Damien Jacobs with his old man strength. That would be an awesome display of strength.


I didn't know Macho Man was dead but looked him up since you mentioned his name.

http://ziedrich.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/randy_savage_1048565a.jpg?w=600

http://ziedrichsblog.com/2011/05/20/wrestling-legend-randy-savage-dies/

[LAGatorDoc]

I didn't know Macho Man was dead but looked him up since you mentioned his name.

http://ziedrichsblog.com/2011/05/20/wrestling-legend-randy-savage-dies/

Yeah think it was a motor cycle accident

[Jaggator]

Yeah think it was a motor cycle accident

"This is a sad day for the wrestling world as legend, ha Macho Man Randy Savage,s died at the age of 58. He was killed in a tragic car accident when he suffered a heart attack whilst behind the wheel of his car and lost control, causing a crash around 10:00am ET in Tampa, Florida.

This is grave news indeed as he only recently celebrated his first anniversary with his wife, Lynn.

I remember growing up in the late 80s and early 90s watching him wrestle with many other legends like Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior, hearing about this has upset me greatly, he will forever be greatly missed.

Rest In Peace, Randy Poffo aka Randy Savage."

[HudsonGator]

Andre the Giant, we hardly knew you...

[DieAGator]

No high school competition is comparable to what he'll face in college. College teams are far more well-rounded, more physical, and have better execution (including tackling) than any hs team. That's true for every recruit, not just this D Henry.

You're right, Bama doesn't need LBs or TEs, but I can't see Henry being a long-term factor anywhere else. Just my opinion though
I think he's a RB or nothing. He picked a tough school to be "the man".

[rounds]

How does Satan raid our state
for the can't miss guys and not
get caught??
sickening...

[gator7_5]

How does Satan raid our state
for the can't miss guys and not
get caught??
sickening...

I've wondered for a very
long time. why do you type
in very short lines?

[rounds]

cell phone opera glitch

[floridavol29]

Henry is going to be pressured on all front between now and December. Not sure this one is over.

[Gatorules]

They say he will not be an rb

Who's "they"?

[RealGatorFan]

"They" must be stupid Jets coaches. You don't recruit the greatest running back in high school history to play lead blocker on punts. And he's done it against awesome competition.

[GATORAZ]

"They" must be stupid Jets coaches. You don't recruit the greatest running back in high school history to play lead blocker on punts. And he's done it against awesome competition.

have you seen his feet ? D henry wont ever be the best running back on his team in college. His attitude was a reason the coaches stop recruiting him also

[atlantagator86]

Henry broke the all-time national career rushing record tonight, a record that stood for almost 60 years.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/8640707/derrick-henry-yulee-fla-high-school-breaks-career-high-school-rushing-record

[RealGatorFan]

In 11 games this year, Henry has not been held below 200 yards rushing. Against teams that have seen him for 3 prior years. Still couldn't stop him.

[GATORAZ]

In 11 games this year, Henry has not been held below 200 yards rushing. Against teams that have seen him for 3 prior years. Still couldn't stop him.

he is bigger than everybody on the field that will not be the case in college. There is a reason a ton of people have him changing positions in college. When you watch him run do you see great college RB in the SEC?

[rpmGator]

Henry is just too big for many teams at the high school level to handle. He can do well at the next level, but won't end up the leading rusher ever when he picks on people, his own size.

[gymgator]

He is very also very fast. If he ends up being Brandon Jacobs (6'4" 260lb) I wouldn't be surprised.
He did something to blow it with UF that ended his recruitment before it even got started. No idea what he did, just know he got tossed out of a UF game for it.

[Jaggator]

UF coaches didn't want him back after he copped an attitude on a visit to Gainesville.

[DieAGator]

UF coaches didn't want him back after he copped an attitude on a visit to Gainesville.

Well, who knows, but everyone has a bad day. Look at Coach on the sidelines last year. I hope if they dropped him for a bad attitude it was serious, not just a glitch.

[gymgator]

Can we get some details on "copped an attitude"?

[atlantagator86]

In 11 games this year, Henry has not been held below 200 yards rushing. Against teams that have seen him for 3 prior years. Still couldn't stop him.

He could be a decent power back for somebody but when I watched him on TV, it's not really like he has the moves or elusiveness of a great running back. He runs very upright and doesn't really hold the ball like a typical back and lots of defenders get a hand on him. He's just literally just too big for high school kids to tackle and he does seem to have really good straight line speed.

He could probably learn to run lower and hold the ball better, but with his size, I think most experts think he's more than likely going to end up playing on defense.

[teamtodd]

Wilmus told him he would not play RB for him at UF...he needed to seriously think about switching to DE because thats where the real money lies in NFL. Henry asked him to reconsider and to give him an honest look at RB...Wilmus said not here:( Henry said okay, then I will prove to you that I'm the best to EVER carry a football and you will be watching me from the opposite sidelines on Saturdays. So Wilmus asked him to leave...
So now we have lost what Nick Saban calls "The best ball carrier he may have ever seen at Henry's age"?! Henry is/was as big of a Gator fan as we are...damn shame!
You don't break the all-time career rushing record for high school by only being an "
athlete", there's more to it than that! He just ran a 4.37 last week at 245 lbs and benched 385! He keeps getting better, stronger, and faster! But make no mistake about it, one thing separates him from most every RB in high school, his VISION. He has always had the ability to see a block even before it fully develops. Remember how Emmitt would evade a tackler by the slightest wiggle or shoulder turn, or see something opening up backside that wasn't designed to be there? That's what Henry makes look so easy!
Frankly, people who talk about Henry moving to defense have no clue, which tells me all I need to know about their evaluation of RB talent...and for those that have talked about Henry moving to H back or TE...that's so hilarious! Those people absolutely have no clue!
Henry is averaging over 300 yards per game against 9, 10, and 11 man boxes...against good football teams!
For those people who run on about he's just bigger than his competition and college players will be better and tackle better, well, his offensive line will be MUCH BETTER TOO! How is it that Henry can't succeed because he will be playing against better competition, but Taylor or the other RBs that fit into "the RB mold" can?
I'm just tired of all the talking heads that have no idea what the hell they are talking about spewing rhetoric about Henry...time for someone to set the record straight!
However, those people have been his motivation...to be the best RB ever, but also to turn away from the college team he has loved since a little kid.
In the end, we will realize one day soon that he was ours to have, but he's breaking records at Bama:sad:
If Wilmus would change his mind and pursue Henry as the "one kid" we must have in order to turn our offense around, maybe Henry would come back home.:happy:

[GATORAZ]

paragraphs? He wont break one record at Bama

[Itssaul]

He is good. No way he will be better than lane or taylor. There's a mold for a reason. In the nfl an RB can't just break LB tackles day in day out. He'll be good in college and I think we should have taken him. But it'd be hard to give up lane or taylor for him, I would give him a scholar ship over many other recruit tho

[DieAGator]

But it'd be hard to give up lane or taylor for him, I would give him a scholar ship over many other recruit tho

Why couldn't we take a third RB? With all respect to Adam, why would he project to be a better college RB?

[GATORAZ]

Why couldn't we take a third RB? With all respect to Adam, why would he project to be a better college RB?

we could take a 3rd RB if Collins or Green called tomorrow and said they wanted to be Gators the staff would take them.

[Itssaul]

Why couldn't we take a third RB? With all respect to Adam, why would he project to be a better college RB?

We should have. Henry would have been a great add.

[PSGator66]

I will take Taylor and Lane any day of the week and twice on Sunday!

[teamtodd]

I will take Taylor and Lane any day of the week and twice on Sunday!

I would too! But I'm afraid Henry is gonna be that GREAT ONE that got away from us?! Guys, I can't emphasize it enough, he's gonna change the way people view big backs!

[gatorchamp27]

I dont understand why you dont pick him up let him try it out at back and if it doesnt work it doesnt work move him to lb. Sometimes coaches think they are to smart for their own good and miss out on a quality player. I mean how often do we move players from 1 side of the ball to the other. The key is to get him on campus in a gator uni

[GATORAZ]

I dont understand why you dont pick him up let him try it out at back and if it doesnt work it doesnt work move him to lb. Sometimes coaches think they are to smart for their own good and miss out on a quality player. I mean how often do we move players from 1 side of the ball to the other. The key is to get him on campus in a gator uni

well you also need to be honest with players durig thier recrutiment.
But the bigger reason they stopped recruiting him is because of what happened n his visit to Florida.

[GATORAZ]

I would too! But I'm afraid Henry is gonna be that GREAT ONE that got away from us?! Guys, I can't emphasize it enough, he's gonna change the way people view big backs!

Playing behind TJ?

[DieAGator]

But the bigger reason they stopped recruiting him is because of what happened n his visit to Florida.

Well, lets just hope staff doesn't end up beasting us and staff wishing they had just cut him some slack for whatever he is rumored to have done.

[Itssaul]

If Steven Jackson hasn't changed the way people view big backs, idk who will. I'll take MJD, and Doug Martin any day of the week over him.

[atlantagator86]

I would too! But I'm afraid Henry is gonna be that GREAT ONE that got away from us?! Guys, I can't emphasize it enough, he's gonna change the way people view big backs!

Anything is possible, but I really didn't see anything in him as a RB that makes him special. It would be like taking Alex Brown and lining him up as a HS running back. No high school kid would be able to tackle him. He's big and strong and has really good straight line speed.

But once you get to the college level, aren't going to just run over very many players. You need a low center of gravity, which right now, he doesn't have. He doesn't appear to have particularly good moves for a RB and it doesn't look like he has very good ball handling skills.

He can probably learn to run with a lower center of gravity and he can probably learn better ball handling skills.

[DeBigLeezard]

Henry reminds me a lot of James Wilder out of Plant High School who is now at FSU.
Same height... weight... body build AND running style.
Florida coaches told him that his best position in COLLEGE would be linebacker or defensive end. FSU told him what HE wanted to hear.

After three years... what has James Wilder (5* running back out of high school that everyone was after)
...done at FSU???

It will be VERY interesting to see what Derrick Henry does at Alabammy in the next two to three years.

[tec68]

Wilmus told him he would not play RB for him at UF...he needed to seriously think about switching to DE because thats where the real money lies in NFL. Henry asked him to reconsider and to give him an honest look at RB...Wilmus said not here:( Henry said okay, then I will prove to you that I'm the best to EVER carry a football and you will be watching me from the opposite sidelines on Saturdays. So Wilmus asked him to leave...
So now we have lost what Nick Saban calls "The best ball carrier he may have ever seen at Henry's age"?! Henry is/was as big of a Gator fan as we are...damn shame!
You don't break the all-time career rushing record for high school by only being an "
athlete", there's more to it than that! He just ran a 4.37 last week at 245 lbs and benched 385! He keeps getting better, stronger, and faster! But make no mistake about it, one thing separates him from most every RB in high school, his VISION. He has always had the ability to see a block even before it fully develops. Remember how Emmitt would evade a tackler by the slightest wiggle or shoulder turn, or see something opening up backside that wasn't designed to be there? That's what Henry makes look so easy!
Frankly, people who talk about Henry moving to defense have no clue, which tells me all I need to know about their evaluation of RB talent...and for those that have talked about Henry moving to H back or TE...that's so hilarious! Those people absolutely have no clue!
Henry is averaging over 300 yards per game against 9, 10, and 11 man boxes...against good football teams!
For those people who run on about he's just bigger than his competition and college players will be better and tackle better, well, his offensive line will be MUCH BETTER TOO! How is it that Henry can't succeed because he will be playing against better competition, but Taylor or the other RBs that fit into "the RB mold" can?
I'm just tired of all the talking heads that have no idea what the hell they are talking about spewing rhetoric about Henry...time for someone to set the record straight!
However, those people have been his motivation...to be the best RB ever, but also to turn away from the college team he has loved since a little kid.
In the end, we will realize one day soon that he was ours to have, but he's breaking records at Bama:sad:
If Wilmus would change his mind and pursue Henry as the "one kid" we must have in order to turn our offense around, maybe Henry would come back home.:happy:

Just saying, I am pretty sure Kelvin was #1 on their board. And Henry really isn't that great at making guys miss, he is fast and runs people over but he runs very upright. He will need to learn how to run in college, he is almost a project at RB. Watch his film because he can not run in college how he does in high school.

In no way am I saying he will not be good or even great but the coaches do need to work a lot with him because he uses mostly talent over technique at this moment. Don't take this personally, I just call it how it is. I am a talent evaluator for a few coaches around. Take it for whatever its worth to you.

[atlantagator86]

Henry reminds me a lot of James Wilder out of Plant High School who is now at FSU.
Same height... weight... body build AND running style.
Florida coaches told him that his best position in COLLEGE would be linebacker or defensive end. FSU told him what HE wanted to hear.

After three years... what has James Wilder (5* running back out of high school that everyone was after)
...done at FSU???

Wilder is a true sophomore, so this is only his second season. He was their third leading rusher last year as a true freshman and is currently third this year with over 500 yards rushing, so he's not exactly a bust.

But to your point, Wilder has a similar high center of gravity and running style but Henry is even taller and has about 20 lbs on Wilder. I think they will both eventually be on defense.

[teamtodd]

Just saying, I am pretty sure Kelvin was #1 on their board. And Henry really isn't that great at making guys miss, he is fast and runs people over but he runs very upright. He will need to learn how to run in college, he is almost a project at RB. Watch his film because he can not run in college how he does in high school.

In no way am I saying he will not be good or even great but the coaches do need to work a lot with him because he uses mostly talent over technique at this moment. Don't take this personally, I just call it how it is. I am a talent evaluator for a few coaches around. Take it for whatever its worth to you.

I'm sure Taylor is one evaluation you will hit on, but Henry is one you will miss on. All of the things that you pointed out about Henry's limitations as a RB have mostly been corrected this season. That is why he has been able to rush for well over 3,000 yards this year and break the all-time record. Your comments about not being able to make people miss and runs too upright indicated you have not seen much of him this season. If you have seen him play extensively this season, yet have the same opinion of him, well...then that tells me all I need to know about your RB evaluations...just saying.

[GatorNorth]

Listening to our fans talk about Henry is like listening to our opponents fans talk about E Smith or UGa's opponents fans talk about Herschel.

The kid just broke a 60 year old record playing against good competition and runs a 4.37. How bad can he be?

[tec68]

I'm sure Taylor is one evaluation you will hit on, but Henry is one you will miss on. All of the things that you pointed out about Henry's limitations as a RB have mostly been corrected this season. That is why he has been able to rush for well over 3,000 yards this year and break the all-time record. Your comments about not being able to make people miss and runs too upright indicated you have not seen much of him this season. If you have seen him play extensively this season, yet have the same opinion of him, well...then that tells me all I need to know about your RB evaluations...just saying.

I have seen him carry the ball over 100 times this year. He runs upright. That is the honest truth. He can make people miss but he does not have the vision or moves that Emmitt or even Kelvin has. He is very fast for a big guy and will be a very good football player. Kelvin IMHO has the best vision and moves in the class. If he were 0.2 second faster he would be the best RB in this class by my evaluation.

Henry definitely has advantages over Kelvin in top-end speed, and size.

They are about even in strength, burst, durability, ball security, production, and motivation to improve. Now both are also about the same in knowledge of the position, they can learn the plays but it may take some time.

Kelvin has slight advantages over Henry in vision, agility, blocking, catching, and a definite advantage in route running, and the biggest advantage to me that Kelvin possesses is leadership.

From the times I have been around them and the people I have talked to who are around Henry it is very clear that Henry is not the leader that Kelvin is. Some people have that intangible and some do not.

While Henry could be an excellent RB, he is not on the level of Kelvin overall. He is not asked to block and has not worked on it much. Where Kelvin is not asked to block much but worked very hard on it because Fred Taylor told him he needed it. Henry is not a very good route runner and I do not think he could move to TE like some think, unless coaches want a project. He is good at catching the ball but Kelvin has the best hands of any RB in this class.

You cannot base a kids future solely on his production in high school. Technique is key, being able to do everything that the position requires is key. Right now I see more from Kelvin than I do from Henry.

Now remember these are evaluations of high school kids playing other high school kids. Sometimes I find kids that are not ranked very high by sites but are very impressive to me and I introduce their film to coaches and they end up pretty darn good. Sometimes I think they are all-world players and they end up just good.

Lets remember I am not saying one will be better or one will start or one will change positions. I am giving you an opinion that coaches ask me to give them.

[teamtodd]

I have seen him carry the ball over 100 times this year. He runs upright. That is the honest truth. He can make people miss but he does not have the vision or moves that Emmitt or even Kelvin has. He is very fast for a big guy and will be a very good football player. Kelvin IMHO has the best vision and moves in the class. If he were 0.2 second faster he would be the best RB in this class by my evaluation.

Henry definitely has advantages over Kelvin in top-end speed, and size.

They are about even in strength, burst, durability, ball security, production, and motivation to improve. Now both are also about the same in knowledge of the position, they can learn the plays but it may take some time.

Kelvin has slight advantages over Henry in vision, agility, blocking, catching, and a definite advantage in route running, and the biggest advantage to me that Kelvin possesses is leadership.

From the times I have been around them and the people I have talked to who are around Henry it is very clear that Henry is not the leader that Kelvin is. Some people have that intangible and some do not.

While Henry could be an excellent RB, he is not on the level of Kelvin overall. He is not asked to block and has not worked on it much. Where Kelvin is not asked to block much but worked very hard on it because Fred Taylor told him he needed it. Henry is not a very good route runner and I do not think he could move to TE like some think, unless coaches want a project. He is good at catching the ball but Kelvin has the best hands of any RB in this class.

You cannot base a kids future solely on his production in high school. Technique is key, being able to do everything that the position requires is key. Right now I see more from Kelvin than I do from Henry.

Now remember these are evaluations of high school kids playing other high school kids. Sometimes I find kids that are not ranked very high by sites but are very impressive to me and I introduce their film to coaches and they end up pretty darn good. Sometimes I think they are all-world players and they end up just good.

Lets remember I am not saying one will be better or one will start or one will change positions. I am giving you an opinion that coaches ask me to give them.

Now this extensive evaluation is easier to swallow, even agreeable with me;) Some things Henry just simply is not required to work on in practice, but college will change that. Therefore, knowing his drive and work ethic, I believe he will make short work of those limitations as well. Henry's leadership comes only through him being a perfectionist...he requires EVERYONE to do their job exactly as required, even the water girls!
Please be clear on this, I'm not knocking Taylor. I'm thrilled that we have him because he's the closest thing to Emmitt that we've ever had. However, I believe Henry is the closest thing to Herschel that we could've gotten!
I just simply don't understand why you wouldn't try to land both of them and let them compete?
Thanks for taking the time and expressing your evaluation more clearly;)

[GATORAZ]

Now this extensive evaluation is easier to swallow, even agreeable with me;) Some things Henry just simply is not required to work on in practice, but college will change that. Therefore, knowing his drive and work ethic, I believe he will make short work of those limitations as well. Henry's leadership comes only through him being a perfectionist...he requires EVERYONE to do their job exactly as required, even the water girls!
Please be clear on this, I'm not knocking Taylor. I'm thrilled that we have him because he's the closest thing to Emmitt that we've ever had. However, I believe Henry is the closest thing to Herschel that we could've gotten!
I just simply don't understand why you wouldn't try to land both of them and let them compete?
Thanks for taking the time and expressing your evaluation more clearly;)

Because the staff doesn't feel the same way you do. This is not a foreign concept either. In high school he throws kids around and out runs them on sweeps. That is not going to happen in the SEC. I think he is the 3rd best back in Alabama's class. He could see the field early because he is a EE. But Tenpenny & Jones are better backs.
The staff also did not stop recruiting him until he had a bad recruiting trip at Florida.

[tec68]

Now this extensive evaluation is easier to swallow, even agreeable with me;) Some things Henry just simply is not required to work on in practice, but college will change that. Therefore, knowing his drive and work ethic, I believe he will make short work of those limitations as well. Henry's leadership comes only through him being a perfectionist...he requires EVERYONE to do their job exactly as required, even the water girls!
Please be clear on this, I'm not knocking Taylor. I'm thrilled that we have him because he's the closest thing to Emmitt that we've ever had. However, I believe Henry is the closest thing to Herschel that we could've gotten!
I just simply don't understand why you wouldn't try to land both of them and let them compete?
Thanks for taking the time and expressing your evaluation more clearly;)

Your welcome. I like many others here know that the coaches did not care for some things he did while on campus and they were telling him the truth about where they thought he should play.

[Speedofsand]

Henry ran a 4.37 ? That's one thing I don't buy. I do think he is easily good enough to be a college RB, but he will need to watch his nutrition to keep from getting too big.

Since he is going to Bama, I hope he gets a rash.

[DieAGator]

Your welcome. I like many others here know that the coaches did not care for some things he did while on campus and they were telling him the truth about where they thought he should play.

I don't what he did, would like to know, but what matters here is you had an incredible HS RB who every school in the country would take at RB but was being told/sold that he'll be an NFL DE???? Bad technique no matter what. You can tell him he's likely to outgrow the position but we'll start you at RB and if you believe he's a certain DE than we aren't sitting around worrying about Eli Daniel or Eb Ogundeko.

Imagine the NFL telling a great college RB your future is on DL??? I don't get it honestly.

[your_perfect_enemy]

I'm not sure I understand why someone would want to be a RB over a DE, aside from coaches having been around much longer than the kids etc, even a good running back is only in the NFL for like 5 years and are one of the most replaceable positions in all of sports.

[tec68]

I don't what he did, would like to know, but what matters here is you had an incredible HS RB who every school in the country would take at RB but was being told/sold that he'll be an NFL DE???? Bad technique no matter what. You can tell him he's likely to outgrow the position but we'll start you at RB and if you believe he's a certain DE than we aren't sitting around worrying about Eli Daniel or Eb Ogundeko.

Imagine the NFL telling a great college RB your future is on DL??? I don't get it honestly.

The NFL is a job. If a team tells a great RB they are going to be on the DL then they are going to be on the DL. If your boss tells you to do something you do it.

Colleges specialize kids to positions so a RB will never be told that by the NFL. High school takes its best athletes and puts them where they can get to the ball. There aren't enough good kids to fill all the needs. That is why you have so many guys who are called "Athletes" because they will be moved around.

If you blame our coaches for telling him the truth about what they think then you have an interesting set of priorities.

I am glad we have a staff that is honest with these young men instead of telling them anything they want to hear just to get them here.

[socraticsilence]

He is good. No way he will be better than lane or taylor. There's a mold for a reason. In the nfl an RB can't just break LB tackles day in day out. He'll be good in college and I think we should have taken him. But it'd be hard to give up lane or taylor for him, I would give him a scholar ship over many other recruit tho

Fair point, man think how awesome the Meyer years would have been if only he'd made Tim into a LB or a TE:happy:

[beanfield]

lb fo sure

[DieAGator]

The NFL is a job. If a team tells a great RB they are going to be on the DL then they are going to be on the DL. If your boss tells you to do something you do it. Nonsense. Of course I understand that if my boss says "today your priority is x" then I follow orders. If he tells me I'm going to be in the lab developing next generation pharmaceuticals, but I'm in sales, I might do it but he's making a mistake.

That is why you have so many guys who are called "Athletes" because they will be moved around. There really truly aren't that many kids who are called athletes. In fact, nobody suited for DE or OL is referred to by the services as "athlete".

If you blame our coaches for telling him the truth about what they think then you have an interesting set of priorities.

I am glad we have a staff that is honest with these young men instead of telling them anything they want to hear just to get them here.I value opinions but please stop with the idea that I represent being dishonest with kids because that is a lie. Instead, on campus recruiting issues aside, I would have told DH that he can come on as a RB but that he should never rule out the idea that he will literally outgrow the RB position and find an even more viable and long lasting NFL career as a LB/DE, so please be open minded. I think that's how you build trust because if what so many on this board seem to parrot- that he has no choice but to play LB/DE at the next level- then he will hear similar things from the many other staffs surely talking to him about his future.

But what bothers me about your perspective is that you expect a kid who doesn't play defense at all and is currently the all time rushing leader in the great state of Florida to immediately accept a staff's opinion that he has to switch to defense, which he may have no desire to do. Do you really expect a recruit to believe that, even if they are right?

I do realize there are enough players out there who play both sides of the line or clearly have the physical tools to play either S or WR, for example, and in those cases it's obviously no stretch to their imagination to have a staff say "we really think we want you exclusively as our next great safety", or something to that effect.

[tec68]

Nonsense. Of course I understand that if my boss says "today your priority is x" then I follow orders. If he tells me I'm going to be in the lab developing next generation pharmaceuticals, but I'm in sales, I might do it but he's making a mistake.

There really truly aren't that many kids who are called athletes. In fact, nobody suited for DE or OL is referred to by the services as "athlete".
I value opinions but please stop with the idea that I represent being dishonest with kids because that is a lie. Instead, on campus recruiting issues aside, I would have told DH that he can come on as a RB but that he should never rule out the idea that he will literally outgrow the RB position and find an even more viable and long lasting NFL career as a LB/DE, so please be open minded. I think that's how you build trust because if what so many on this board seem to parrot- that he has no choice but to play LB/DE at the next level- then he will hear similar things from the many other staffs surely talking to him about his future.

But what bothers me about your perspective is that you expect a kid who doesn't play defense at all and is currently the all time rushing leader in the great state of Florida to immediately accept a staff's opinion that he has to switch to defense, which he may have no desire to do. Do you really expect a recruit to believe that, even if they are right?

I do realize there are enough players out there who play both sides of the line or clearly have the physical tools to play either S or WR, for example, and in those cases it's obviously no stretch to their imagination to have a staff say "we really think we want you exclusively as our next great safety", or something to that effect.

DT and OL no. DE/LB yes there are athletes.

He has played defense before. Go read my other posts. I am just doing what I am payed to do.

[gatordee]

If WM wanted him to come to UF as a defensive player, he is going to let him know. WM is not the type of coach to try and manipulate words just to get a kid in O&B. He wants the recruits that come here to understand that no matter who they are, they are going to do it the Gator (WM) way.

[DieAGator]

DT and OL no. DE/LB yes there are athletes.

In any season of the athletes there will be a couple potential LBs(by size) and maybe a DE/TE or two. But that's about it. So it's not accurate to represent LB/DEs make a significant portion of prospects listed as Athletes.

He has played defense before. Go read my other posts. I am just doing what I am payed to do.

My common sense comes at no charge. The message we're getting here is that the staff was intransigent on their position that DH is a future rush end. It's not dishonest to tell the greatest RB in state of FL history that he can have a fair shot at RB but if he can't make the step up he has to move to a different position. You educate him that IF it came to be that he turned out to be a future HOF LB/DE he would likely have a longer more profitable NFL career than if he remained a RB even if he did end up having a longer than average career span in NFL. There are many examples of career ending injuries to RBs, far fewer to LB/DEs. It's not rocket science. But if this guy actually vowed to work harder than ever to prove he's capable of being a great college RB then logic tells us he was told he would fail as a RB. That's just no way to turn a player. It's not a message that most emotionally mature people at the height of their game would listen to either.

I'm hoping DH proves you and the coaches right so that we don't end up wondering how people paid to do their job let this guy get out of Florida.

[Itssaul]

Fair point, man think how awesome the Meyer years would have been if only he'd made Tim into a LB or a TE:happy:

Hey we may never know this, but Tim could have been the worlds greatest LB ever!

30 years from no college kids would want to win the Tim Tebow award, for the best LB's had 2 heisman years at UF and all time pro bowl er in the NFL with commendations such as most ints, sack, tackles, FF, and pass deflections over a career.

One can dream right?
:)

[tec68]

In any season of the athletes there will be a couple potential LBs(by size) and maybe a DE/TE or two. But that's about it. So it's not accurate to represent LB/DEs make a significant portion of prospects listed as Athletes.


My common sense comes at no charge. The message we're getting here is that the staff was intransigent on their position that DH is a future rush end. It's not dishonest to tell the greatest RB in state of FL history that he can have a fair shot at RB but if he can't make the step up he has to move to a different position. You educate him that IF it came to be that he turned out to be a future HOF LB/DE he would likely have a longer more profitable NFL career than if he remained a RB even if he did end up having a longer than average career span in NFL. There are many examples of career ending injuries to RBs, far fewer to LB/DEs. It's not rocket science. But if this guy actually vowed to work harder than ever to prove he's capable of being a great college RB then logic tells us he was told he would fail as a RB. That's just no way to turn a player. It's not a message that most emotionally mature people at the height of their game would listen to either.

I'm hoping DH proves you and the coaches right so that we don't end up wondering how people paid to do their job let this guy get out of Florida.

Do you realize how many kids I evaluate a year? Every kid is trying to play in college whether its for Bethune-Cookman, FAU, or UF. There are a lot more atheletes than just the ones in the top 250 on ESPN.

Are you serious man? Chill out. Read my other posts. My job will never be a guarantee but it is a job where I am already gaining some recognition and I am relatively new in the profession. There are also plenty of people that agree with me that don't get paid to evaluate players. If I am wrong it wont be the last time, If I am right it wont be the last time.

I apologize that you do not agree with me but like I said I am just calling it how I see it. No need for argument.

[grant1]

Fair point, man think how awesome the Meyer years would have been if only he'd made Tim into a LB or a TE:happy:

There is a "mold", but its a rule-of-thumb notion. TT was to be a better QB than LB or FB. Herschell was possible the best college RB ever, but that didn't transfer to the NFL. Emmitt Smith was a really good college RB, but one of the best NFL RBs ever. Some scouts predicted he would be a bust in the NFL.

Different coaches have different philosophies in recruiting. Apparently Muschamp shares the honest approach as does Spurrier. I remember a battle with Phil Fulmer for an OT/DT. Kid wanted to play DT, Spurrier told him his future was OT. Phil said DT was OK and he signed with UT. He swicthed to OT in first year and went on to start in NFL at OT. Spurrier was right, but we lost the recruit.

[siennagator]

I love Muschamp but didn't he just say that he recruited Johnny Football when he was at Texas but as a defensive back. Nobody is infallible and especially if he is a defensive minded coach looking at a running back or quarterback prospect that he would love to have on defense. i hope Muschamp is right and Saban is wrong on Henry.

[MusicCityGator]

Henry will end up playing as a LB, you just wait and see.

[newmexicogator]

If WM wanted him to come to UF as a defensive player, he is going to let him know. WM is not the type of coach to try and manipulate words just to get a kid in O&B. He wants the recruits that come here to understand that no matter who they are, they are going to do it the Gator (WM) way.

Which is fine. But WM is the same guy who wanted Johnny Manziel to play safety. So lets not assume coaches are correct all the time.

[AFCyberGator]

Which is fine. But WM is the same guy who wanted Johnny Manziel to play safety. So lets not assume coaches are correct all the time.

From Muschamp's point of view it is still too early to say who is "wrong". If you believe college football is a development league for the pros, then there is an argument for Timmy Tebow being scouted as a linebacker being "correct" despite his Heisman and resumé as a QB. Johnny Manziel may win a Heisman and break all the NCAA records as a college QB, but if he falters as a pro QB some could argue that he coulda-woulda-shoulda been scouted as a DB, in terms of NFL success.

[Lawdog88]

Coach Muschamp was the defensive coordinator, CIW.

Understandably, he is interested in defense. Perhaps recruiting him to play QB would have been someone else's responsibility, like either the head coach or the OC.

[rserina]

What was Muschamp supposed to do? Recruit Manziel to play quarterback when he was defensive coordinator? His job was overseeing defensive prospects at Texas.

[wrl344]

Ive heard many times people say that Trey Burton should be on the other side of the ball. Some guys would probably be good/great no matter where they play. It doesnt mean that the coach doesnt know what he is doing.

[rserina]

Different coaches have different philosophies in recruiting. Apparently Muschamp shares the honest approach as does Spurrier. I remember a battle with Phil Fulmer for an OT/DT. Kid wanted to play DT, Spurrier told him his future was OT. Phil said DT was OK and he signed with UT. He swicthed to OT in first year and went on to start in NFL at OT. Spurrier was right, but we lost the recruit.
Same thing happened with Jason Whitten. He wanted to play defensive end at Michigan, but Lloyd Carr told him he was a tight end. Fulmer offered him a chance to start out on defense, then moved him to the position he would make millions off later.

I don't necessarily think it is "honest" against "dishonest," so much as a test to see by some to see how coachable a kid is and how much he wants to play for you or at your school. Zook wasn't dishonest with Cohen when he promised him a shot at running back, but everyone knew his future was on the defensive line.

[socraticsilence]

From Muschamp's point of view it is still too early to say who is "wrong". If you believe college football is a development league for the pros, then there is an argument for Timmy Tebow being scouted as a linebacker being "correct" despite his Heisman and resumé as a QB. Johnny Manziel may win a Heisman and break all the NCAA records as a college QB, but if he falters as a pro QB some could argue that he coulda-woulda-shoulda been scouted as a DB, in terms of NFL success.

Remind me again when Boom got hired as a GM and quit being a college football coach? Seriously, if the dude wins the Heisman, Boom was wrong its not complicated, his job is to win college football games if you don't think a Heisman winner helps us beat Georgia well I don't know what to tell you.

[Itssaul]

Remind me again when Boom got hired as a GM and quit being a college football coach? Seriously, if the dude wins the Heisman, Boom was wrong its not complicated, his job is to win college football games if you don't think a Heisman winner helps us beat Georgia well I don't know what to tell you.

He's not wrong, he could have been a heisman DB too. We'll never know.

Same with Timmy. He could have been the best LB, we'll never know.

[1984Gator]

From Muschamp's point of view it is still too early to say who is "wrong". If you believe college football is a development league for the pros, then there is an argument for Timmy Tebow being scouted as a linebacker being "correct" despite his Heisman and resumé as a QB. Johnny Manziel may win a Heisman and break all the NCAA records as a college QB, but if he falters as a pro QB some could argue that he coulda-woulda-shoulda been scouted as a DB, in terms of NFL success.

He might have made a good blocking back for Jones and Taylor!

[1984Gator]

Remind me again when Boom got hired as a GM and quit being a college football coach? Seriously, if the dude wins the Heisman, Boom was wrong its not complicated, his job is to win college football games if you don't think a Heisman winner helps us beat Georgia well I don't know what to tell you.

Muschamp was a DEFENSIVE coach at Texas. It was not his job to guage offensive talent. manziel does not have prototypical size, it would have been risky to sign him at QB.

Personally I think Muschamp has been really good at sizing up talent. many of our better players are in their first or seond year of college football. It is amazing that Muchamp has had that much success evaluating talent. Meyer had some good years and some awful years recruiting if you track how those 4/5 star players actually performed with us. About 10 of those ended up transferring from Florida and few have made any impact at the schools they transferred to. Other than harvin and spot opportunities for Tebow, freshmen rarely played under Meyer's tenure.

[Nicho]

Socratic is a gnome. Don't pay him any mind.

[newmexicogator]

Muschamp was a DEFENSIVE coach at Texas. It was not his job to guage offensive talent. manziel does not have prototypical size, it would have been risky to sign him at QB.

Personally I think Muschamp has been really good at sizing up talent. many of our better players are in their first or seond year of college football. It is amazing that Muchamp has had that much success evaluating talent. Meyer had some good years and some awful years recruiting if you track how those 4/5 star players actually performed with us. About 10 of those ended up transferring from Florida and few have made any impact at the schools they transferred to. Other than harvin and spot opportunities for Tebow, freshmen rarely played under Meyer's tenure.

Some of you guys have no clue how recruiting works.

Coaches are given territories to recruit. Greg mattison recruited Brandon James . Brian white recruited Ronald Powell . Muscuamps job was to identify talent that can improve the team . Lets accept he misjudged manziel.

[gator7_5]

Socratic is a gnome. Don't pay him any mind.

Ditto. He's a horrible poster.

[Chompsuey]

Manziel had a good year. Who is to say he isn't a product of a system and he does have 2 first round linemen. Case Keenum put up gaudy numbers under Sumlin. Manziel has better talent around him. If he keeps this up for 2-3 more years then we can say muschamp might have whiffed a bit. There was a certain coach that wanted RGIII as a receiver. Now that is a miss.

[SECund2nun]

He did misjudge Manziel, but then again many coaches did. Every coach misjudges players from time to time. Example- Meyer recruiting Denard Robinson as a WR, not QB.

[gtj31]

Muschamp was a DEFENSIVE coach at Texas. It was not his job to guage offensive talent. manziel does not have prototypical size, it would have been risky to sign him at QB.

Personally I think Muschamp has been really good at sizing up talent. many of our better players are in their first or seond year of college football. It is amazing that Muchamp has had that much success evaluating talent. Meyer had some good years and some awful years recruiting if you track how those 4/5 star players actually performed with us. About 10 of those ended up transferring from Florida and few have made any impact at the schools they transferred to. Other than harvin and spot opportunities for Tebow, freshmen rarely played under Meyer's tenure.

I don't agree with this. Haden and Janoris Jenkins both started as TF, day 1 too I think. The Pouncey's played in their frosh years. Trattou played his first year I believe. Brandon James saw action from day 1. A lot of kids saw action on special teams.

[SECund2nun]

Freshmen played under Meyer, but he rarely had freshmen touch the ball on offense except for Harvin and Tebow (and Burton)

[GATORAZ]

He did misjudge Manziel, but then again many coaches did. Every coach misjudges players from time to time. Example- Meyer recruiting Denard Robinson as a WR, not QB.

Denard is a WR

[GATORAZ]

http://distilleryimage4.instagram.com/c481ebac43d111e2b46022000a1fb37a_7.jpg

[gymgator]

So this thread isn't about Derrick Henry? I would still like to know why he got kicked out of the UF game on his visit.

[Gatorrick22]

http://distilleryimage4.instagram.com/c481ebac43d111e2b46022000a1fb37a_7.jpg

Who dat.

[gatorlaw15]

Who dat.

Tim Tebow...but seriously marcell harris.

[Gatorrick22]

Tim Tebow...but seriously marcell harris.

Marcell is bigger than I thought.

[UFFL]

Marcell is bigger than I thought.

Yeah Derrick Henry is pretty big

[gatorlaw15]

Tim Tebow...but seriously marcell harris.

But seriously...who else would we be posting in a Derrick Henry thread?

[bofusgators]

I think Taylor will be just fine at Florida.

[demosthenes]

He did misjudge Manziel, but then again many coaches did. Every coach misjudges players from time to time. Example- Meyer recruiting Denard Robinson as a WR, not QB.

Say what?!?! Denard should be playing WR as will be his position in the NFL.

[GatorAvatar]

He did misjudge Manziel, but then again many coaches did. Every coach misjudges players from time to time. Example- Meyer recruiting Denard Robinson as a WR, not QB.

Denard is an athlete. He is not a QB.

[tec68]

So this thread isn't about Derrick Henry? I would still like to know why he got kicked out of the UF game on his visit.

Coaches did not appreciate some things that went on.