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IMO a team can never recruit too many DL prospects. Keep the best on the DL and the kids who can't maintain their quickness when they bulk up can be moved to OL.
It seems to me the former staff never recruited enough DL prospects, especially at DT. Then to compound the problem we recruited OL prospects that might have been big, but ran a 5.3 forty.
Line recruiting is one hell of a crap shoot.
OLine Recruiting is the toughest
What should the coaching staff be looking for in an Oline recruit? I know you obviously want somebody big and strong. How fast do you really want him to be? I wouldn't want somebody that is just big, fat, and slow. What should their typical size be, bench press, and speed be just out of curiousity?
I'm no expert, obviously, but here's my opinion. I'd say minimums for a kid should be 6'3", 280lbs, runs his 40 under 5 seconds, benches 300, and squats 400. Obviously shear football skills and the love of the game outrank all of these and desire can overcome anyone of them.
Well, a prototypical NFL lineman is about 6'3" to 6'8", somewhere between 290-320 lbs. 4.9-5.2 40 yard dash. Depending on the system, what you want can vary. For a zone blocking system, you usually want smaller, quicker lineman. Probably between 30-40 reps (225 lbs) on the bench. For a HS recruit you'd obviously get something less developed.Quote:
Originally Posted by kurimski
For perspective:
Michael Brewster, OL, Orlando (OSU 2008 commit and Rivals 100 #8 overall)
Ht: 6-foot-6
Wt: 305 lbs
Forty: 5.1 secs
Bench reps: 26
Vertical: 20 inches
Shuttle: 4.63 secs
Tyron Smith, OL, Moreno Valley (USC 2008 commit and Rivals 100 #11 overall)
Ht: 6-foot-6
Wt: 264 lbs
Forty: 5.1 secs
Bench reps: 24
Vertical: 31 inches
Shuttle: 5.25 secs
Joe Thomas, OL, Cleveland (previously Wisconsin - combine results)
Ht: 6-foot-6
Wt: 313 lbs
Forty: 4.92 secs
Bench reps: 28
Vertical: 33 inches
I have always heard that DT is the toughest position to recruit for in football, I believe it. There are only so many guys that fit that mold, seems like a lot of other players can be transitioned to other positions, but you just can't move anyone to the DT position. Of course Rubin was able to do it, but I think he is a good athlete.
Rubin was originally a DT and was moved to the O-Line his second year of JUCO. DT was his natural spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by twojman
Agreed, in the oline, you also have to have a brain. Dline, you really don't have too many plays to learn.Quote:
Originally Posted by troyrew
I agree on recruiting DL and some of the best OL are converted TEs.
Yeah, you can. You can move DE's into the DT position. But you have to start with bigger DEs, not the 6'1 225lb kids that Mac had. A big strongside DE can move inside. Curvey started out playing DE. Bailey Johnson and Alburtis basically came in as DEs. James Reed came in as a LB/FB and ended up at DT.Quote:
Originally Posted by twojman
I have never understood where the vertilce comes into play for OL guys. Someone want to explain this to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by superfan
And on another note. Since I am not scout, how can you tell if the guy is going to ge a great OL or a good OL when watching him play. There is the obvious like pancakes and not getting run over, but what about the more detailed aspects?
I'm no expert, but I'd say the vertical, if anything, would be a measure of explosiveness. I just copy/pasted it because it was there. I'm sure it's more important for backs/receivers.Quote:
Originally Posted by guitarchitect7
I'm no scout either, but from going over a couple NFL OL prospect analysis (particularly strengths and weaknesses of top picks) here's what I gleaned:
I'd say the first indicators on how an OL will perform can be found by looking at his legs in action. You want good bend at the knees, great foot quickness, good movement from side to side. Obviously, you want someone who stays low and is explosive and quick coming off the ball (which is why the three-cone drill or short shuttle can be more important than 40 time) How the player snaps his hips when contacting the defender and drops his center of gravity. A good OL should have good hand punch to shock the defender and gain control and have quick hands to keep control.
Here's where I'm getting my thoughts:
NFL.com - Prospect Profiles - Joe Thomas
NFL.com - Prospect Profiles - Levi Brown
NFL.com - Prospect Profiles - Ben Grubbs
NFL.com - Prospect Profiles - Aaron Brant
The key to an o-lineman is strong, quick feet. Not necessarily a sprinter, but side to side, front and back, positioning for leverage. I don't pretend to be an o-line coach, but I did stay at a holiday inn last night..........
Being able to hold w/o getting caught is key to a GREAT OL. Everybody does it, its just wheather or not they throw the flag.
I played OL and DL in jr high and high school. I HATED the OL. DL was 10X more fun.
It seemed like you never get any credit for a good block, but if you make a great sack, everyone knows it, same as a bad block. Even if a lineman right next to you allows a sack or gets blown up, the whole OL gets blamed.