2013 Gator Commitment #17: OL Octavius Jackson of Colquitt County H.S., Moultrie GA

[slmdLS1]

Originally Posted by Nicho

So he's 300+ lbs? That's definitely not undersized for a yet-to-be senior.

His HS Coach (Propst) was quoted saying he is 6'4", 303lbs...

[axer13]

Originally Posted by slmdLS1

Yeah, they tried to get him to hold off on committing so they could evaluate him more. He plays for former (Bama powerhouse)Hoover coach Rush Propst, who might know a thing or two. Said @ 303lbs, he ran a sub 5.0, 31-inch vertical, & 9'6" inch broad jump. Propst speaks very highly of him.

o okay thanks for the specifics of it. I thought Propst coached at Hoover and that was him but I knew there was some controversy when he left so didn't know he was back coaching.

[Nicho]

Good quotes from Propst:

http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/2012...south-georgia/

[ofmgator]

WM knows what he's doing...
Stars don't matter,players do!

[Jaggator]

"Colquitt County coach Rush Propst said Jackson was overlooked because of the shoulder surgery he had after his junior season, which caused him to miss three months and most of the spring. Propst believes Jackson is the best offensive lineman he’s coached in his 32-year career.

“He’s the most versatile and talented kid I’ve ever been around,” Propst said. “He’s an athlete playing offensive line. He has a 31-inch vertical jump, he has a 9-foot, 4-inch broad jump and he runs a 4.95 forty-yard dash at 300-plus pounds. I think he’s an absolute steal for Florida because two hours before his announcement, Alabama, Georgia and Florida State called and asked if he would hold his decision so they could offer him.”

http://www.gatorsports.com/article/2...st-grows-to-22

[SwampFox]

LOL @ Bama, Dawgs and Noles...

[TnCamoGator]

Originally Posted by Jaggator

"Colquitt County coach Rush Propst said Jackson was overlooked because of the shoulder surgery he had after his junior season, which caused him to miss three months and most of the spring. Propst believes Jackson is the best offensive lineman he’s coached in his 32-year career.

“He’s the most versatile and talented kid I’ve ever been around,” Propst said. “He’s an athlete playing offensive line. He has a 31-inch vertical jump, he has a 9-foot, 4-inch broad jump and he runs a 4.95 forty-yard dash at 300-plus pounds. I think he’s an absolute steal for Florida because two hours before his announcement, Alabama, Georgia and Florida State called and asked if he would hold his decision so they could offer him.”

http://www.gatorsports.com/article/2...st-grows-to-22

That goes to show once again muschamp and company are one step ahead of everyone else. And I am ok with that

[LimeyGator]

Originally Posted by woltes

Obviously Champ and staff know way more than me but are they reaching a little for these 3* kids? I know the *'s don't always tell the whole story just curious on your thoughts?

I doubt it. Scholarships mean (due respect) far more to Will Muschamp and his team than they do to us. For them it's the lifeline to their incomes. Their whole reason for doing what they do every day and the hours they put in. For us, well... we're just passionate Gator football fans.

If WM thinks this guy is scholarship worthy, and he wants to work hard to be the best possible Florida Gator he can be over the next 4 years, then I unquestionably support that.

FWIW, it's worth remembering that Nick Fairley was a 3 star on rivals. So was Sam Bradford, Demarius Thomas, Ryan Matthews, etc and I'm sure there are many more too. Stars, as you say, are a guide, sure but are not the definitive article. Saying we are 'reaching' for some of these implies that stars are your assessment pattern right now for guys like Octavius... this is where the coaching staff will earn their crust IMO.

[gator07]

Originally Posted by LimeyGator

I doubt it. Scholarships mean (due respect) far more to Will Muschamp and his team than they do to us. For them it's the lifeline to their incomes. Their whole reason for doing what they do every day and the hours they put in. For us, well... we're just passionate Gator football fans.

If WM thinks this guy is scholarship worthy, and he wants to work hard to be the best possible Florida Gator he can be over the next 4 years, then I unquestionably support that.

FWIW, it's worth remembering that Nick Fairley was a 3 star on rivals. So was Sam Bradford, Demarius Thomas, Ryan Matthews, etc and I'm sure there are many more too. Stars, as you say, are a guide, sure but are not the definitive article. Saying we are 'reaching' for some of these implies that stars are your assessment pattern right now for guys like Octavius... this is where the coaching staff will earn their crust IMO.

Seriously. Isn't that what got UM in trouble ? Recruiting by stars and forty times on paper instead of evaluating for himself with his own eyes?

[DieAGator]

Originally Posted by LimeyGator

Stars, as you say, are a guide, sure but are not the definitive article. Saying we are 'reaching' for some of these implies that stars are your assessment pattern right now for guys like Octavius.

Well yes, stars, rank and offers, film are about all we have, and generally all we need. It's fair to ask if our boards are getting a little thin. That is, would player x be committed right now if player x1 and or x2 had committed, were still available and giving staff the right signals. When I hear a player has tremendous "upside" I tend to think they mean it's going to take a while to move from HS to college.

Octavius is from Colquitt county, well south of Atlanta, close to Tally. Kentucky, Marshall, South Alabama, Vanderbilt, South Florida, UCF all offered which means to me they must have evaluated and established a relationship. All are a lot further from southern Georgia than fsu, georgia, Auburn, Alabama but none seemed to show interest other than asking him to hold off before committing to us. Those programs would not slow play a top OL in their backyard. Nick Fairley had offers from fsu, bama, auburn, LSU. So yes, I could see asking the question if for no other reason than to get some opinions.

That said, here is some film of OJ. I believe he's playing LT and seems to know how to flatten people, play his assignment, and to me looks fast.

http://msn.foxsports.com/video?video...sharepermalink

[DieAGator]

Originally Posted by LimeyGator

Stars, as you say, are a guide, sure but are not the definitive article. Saying we are 'reaching' for some of these implies that stars are your assessment pattern right now for guys like Octavius.

Well yes, stars, rank and offers, film are about all we have, and generally all we need. It's fair to ask if our boards are getting a little thin. That is, would player x be committed right now if player x1 and or x2 had committed, were still available and giving staff the right signals. When I hear a player has tremendous "upside" I tend to think they mean it's going to take a while to move from HS to college.

Octavius is from Colquitt county, well south of Atlanta, close to Tally. Kentucky, Marshall, South Alabama, Vanderbilt, South Florida, UCF all offered which means to me they must have evaluated and established a relationship. All are a lot further from southern Georgia than fsu, georgia, Auburn, Alabama but none seemed to show interest other than asking him to hold off before committing to us. Those programs would not slow play a top OL in their backyard. Nick Fairley had offers from fsu, bama, auburn, LSU. So yes, I could see asking the question if for no other reason than to get some opinions.

That said, here is some film of OJ playing LT(#50). He seems to know how to flatten people, play his assignment, open holes, and to me looks to have enough speed/footwork. If all he ever does is play 10-15 minutes at a high level he will be a tremendous help to our OL. We need depth and he can do that. If we could just hold on to Rod Johnson or add Tunsil....

http://msn.foxsports.com/video?video...sharepermalink

[thedyc09]

It's worth taking a flier on a talented guy coming off shoulder surgery. I didn't understand the fliers we used to take (under Meyer) on guys coming off (sometimes multiple) knee surgeries. Roster fillers aren't depth.

[The_Graygator]

Irritated we might have lost Rod Johnson but if the kid doesn't want to work on his grades and schoolwork, there's nothing UF can do about it.

I like this Jakcson kid though. Like I've said the last couple of weeks, going the route of a 3* kid with a high development level will more than suffice, and if we need to do that with another kid like Jackson to offset the probable loss of Johnson, then so-be-it.

Saban and Alabama has had a few 3*'s like Jackson who have developed into extremely good linemen and it's all a matter of properly scouting the players carefully and actually recognizing the potential in them.

Tell you what, everything I've heard about new OL coach Tim Davis isn't to be ignored; this guy knows OL's and how to develop the players there.

[Tebowism0823]

Originally Posted by gator07

Seriously. Isn't that what got UM in trouble ? Recruiting by stars and forty times on paper instead of evaluating for himself with his own eyes?

Yep. Had Meyer paid attention more he could've won a title every year. Slacker!

[RayGator]

Go Gators!

[RayGator]

Originally Posted by Jaggator

"Colquitt County coach Rush Propst said Jackson was overlooked because of the shoulder surgery he had after his junior season, which caused him to miss three months and most of the spring. Propst believes Jackson is the best offensive lineman he’s coached in his 32-year career.

“He’s the most versatile and talented kid I’ve ever been around,” Propst said. “He’s an athlete playing offensive line. He has a 31-inch vertical jump, he has a 9-foot, 4-inch broad jump and he runs a 4.95 forty-yard dash at 300-plus pounds. I think he’s an absolute steal for Florida because two hours before his announcement, Alabama, Georgia and Florida State called and asked if he would hold his decision so they could offer him.”

http://www.gatorsports.com/article/2...st-grows-to-22

Anyone know how his Senior year went? Did the shoulder surgery come off OK?