Gator Country

Vito · 08-09-2011, 02:56 PM

Someone mentioned this article in another thread.

Quote:

The Prospector: Derrick Henry, Kelvin Taylor both special players

The Prospector -- Derrick Henry gets nod as state's best running back in 2013 class
August 09, 2011
By Chris Hays, The Prospector

There is a question we are going to hear over and over again during the stretch of the next two high school football seasons. I'm hearing it already, actually. And most people don't like my email replies.

Probably because most of those emailing are Florida Gators fans.

Who is the best running back prospect in the state of Florida for the 2013 recruiting class, Yulee's Derrick Henry or Belle Glade Glades Day's Kelvin Taylor?

For Gator fans, it's simple. Henry committed to Georgia last month. So the answer is Taylor, he of the Gator pedigree, with dad Fred Taylor having already shown what a Taylor from the muck can do in a Swamp.

Actually, it's not that simple for Gator fans, but I couldn't resist the jab. UF followers would gladly take either, but there likely is a preference for Taylor.

My choice, and it's nothing against Gators or Taylors, is Henry, because for my considerations, I think of all Derrick Henry brings to the table.

Should Henry be able to successfully take his 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame to the next level, it could change the game of college football the way coaches see it now … the way coaches recruit it now.

Derrick Henry is a true freak of nature. He could step on a college football field right now and play running back, wide receiver, tight end, H-back, defensive end, outside linebacker or strong safety. If he said he wanted to play quarterback, I'd give him a shot.

He's a monster of an athlete.

Good friend and ESPN recruiting analyst Corey Long pretty much agrees, but at least it's a second opinion. And believe me, if Long could disagree with me, he would.

"With Derrick, you are talking about a rare talent … a freak, in another world," Long said. "This is a kid who could play running back and change the game. Coaches believe he can be the new style of running back. If he's successful he could do kind of like what Tim Tebow did to the quarterback position at the college level."

The only question with Henry is will he outgrow his position. While watching him since he was a rising freshman, I'd say he's still getting bigger. Time will tell.

As a pure running back, Taylor has the quintessential size, strength, speed and vision — an attribute often overlooked in running backs. Taylor, however, and don't start emailing, is a dime-a-dozen. There are plenty of 5-9, 190-pound running backs out there.

Many analysts rave about Delray Beach American Heritage runner Greg Bryant (5-11, 193).

It's actually a pretty stocked class. Also mentioned in conversations are players like Ryan Green (5-9, 195) of St. Petersburg Catholic, speedster Fred Coppet (5-9, 170) of Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, Cocoa's Tarean Folston (5-10, 190) or even the short-but-stocky Adam Lane (5-7, 207) of Winter Haven, A.J. Turman (6-0, 197) of Orlando Boone, Eric Harrell (5-10, 185) of Orlando Dr. Phillips, Marcus Dixon (5-9, 190) of South Daytona Warner Christian, even little speedster Johnny Armstrong (5-7, 150) at Orlando Olympia and on and on. It's a great class.

Derrick Henry gets nod as state's best running back in 2013 class

sbcg8r · 08-09-2011, 03:09 PM

Thanks a ton, Vito.

**iceman44** · 08-09-2011, 03:13 PM

He's forgetting Adams, who others rate in the top 3.

PSGator66 · 08-09-2011, 03:17 PM

I still am surprised that Henry committed so early to UGA!

apkguitar1991 · 08-09-2011, 03:22 PM

There are going to be 4 or 5 RBs just in Florida next year that will be top 100 prospects. Personally I like two or three better than Henry. I think people get blown away by his size and athleticism, but his film isn't that great IMO, and I've thought that since everything pointed to him coming here.

Nicho · 08-09-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbcg8r

Thanks a ton, Vito.

Don't thank him. He's just following his usual passive-aggressive MO of posting something that is unfavorable to UF. This time it's under the guise of another poster referencing this article.

Vito · 08-09-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbcg8r

Thanks a ton, Vito.

You're welcome.

gator7_5 · 08-09-2011, 03:55 PM

If Henry were committed to LSU, Vito would have posted this three times, and then gone and eaten a whole tray of corndogs.

Nicho · 08-09-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vito

You're welcome.

LOL. You spend an awful lot of time here. Were you rejected by your own ilk?

sbcg8r · 08-09-2011, 04:42 PM

Not sure about the friction here, but I'm the one who asked for the link to be posted. I think it is an interesting article that I happen to disagree with. As far as being negative for us, I don't see it that way @ all, as I think Lane and Taylor are better @) than Henry anyway. Henry is fast when he gets going, but not very explosive coming out of the backfield. I think he'll play TE in college. Strictly my opinion.

Vito · 08-09-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbcg8r

Not sure about the friction here, but I'm the one who asked for the link to be posted. I think it is an interesting article that I happen to disagree with. As far as being negative for us, I don't see it that way @ all, as I think Lane and Taylor are better @) than Henry anyway. Henry is fast when he gets going, but not very explosive coming out of the backfield. I think he'll play TE in college. Strictly my opinion.

No big deal, I quit caring long ago about the fact that Nicho is cyber stalking me.

Poor lad, I guess he wasn’t properly nurtured as a child.

Nicho · 08-09-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vito

Nicho is cyber stalking me.

rpmGator · 08-10-2011, 08:36 AM

When you write an article on who the best back will be on the next level, you don't give reason's why the guy should be rated top athelete, instead.

Henry is expected to outgrow RB, and the list of other positions is listed.

Lots of good backs with similar size as Taylor. And of course we are going to love a top rated back who is already part of the Gator family.

Who knows, with Richt on his 11th of his nine lives, we may end up with Henry also.

DoctorGator · 08-11-2011, 02:13 PM

A lot of backs with similar size to Emmitt Smith, too.

gatormoe1 · 08-12-2011, 11:46 AM

Who cares that a sports writer gives Henry the "nod"?

That will be determined on the field, not by some idiots pen err keyboard.

**wci347** · 11-17-2012, 11:36 AM

So he commits to UGA where they have star RBs in Gurley and Marshall. He is a transfer waiting to happen.

DieAGator · 11-17-2012, 01:13 PM

I think he stands a good chance of playing RB and being the real deal.

**oxymoron** · 11-17-2012, 01:32 PM

Sammie Smith was supposedly better then Emmitt based on size and speed. Hopely Taylor can be the same kind of back as Emmitt.

**tec68** · 11-18-2012, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vito

Someone mentioned this article in another thread.

Derrick Henry gets nod as state's best running back in 2013 class

Ok but Kelvin is not 5-9 190.

He is 5-11 215+

GATORAZ · 11-18-2012, 03:12 AM

the best Running back i in Florida is either Taylor Green or Collins. All 3 are better than Henry.