REPORT: Matt Leo is still signed with ISU (so Gunnerclone won't pee his pants...again)

[Frak]

Geesh, let's hope that's not the rotation. Tongamoa and Lima are not being brought to ISU to be backups. We've heard nothing about Stewart. I expect Uwazarike to be ahead of him in the rotation.

I know it's wise to be cautious with JUCO recruits, but for every Rony Nelson or Bobby Leath, there's a Tuba Rubin or Demond Tucker. Either way, that rotation has as much size as we've seen in a long time.

I was just listing names. I'd actually be surprised if at least one of Lima/Tongamoa doesn't start. I would guess that Stewart redshirted to put on weight and he'll be a backup to Bailey at Leo. Uwazarike will be competing to start at DE with Leo and Waggoner.

 

[isufbcurt]

Any chance Leo moves inside like J Thomas did? Moving Thomas inside flipped the switch for him.

 

[nickcyv]

They both play DE... Bailey stands up and is more of a speed rusher. I just relay what I hear. I'm assuming they think Uwazurike would have been just as valuable to the team this year, no matter if he was playing LEO, or the other DE spot.

That is a little different. Maybe Uwazurike would have made a bigger impact but it wouldn't have been from the LEO position.

 

[NickTheGreat]

6'-7" 265??? Big Get. BIG!!!

 

[CyFy]

You can't be serious. This guy should start from day 1.

He is a JC guy. It usually takes a little while. He has also only played football for 2 years, so that is not a normal thing either

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Might of already been said, but how old is he and how many years of eligibility does he have left?

Important question, in the video posted earlier in this thread, I heard him say he was 22. Not sure if that was before or after juco. So potentially he could be...24? Even if that video was just made this year, he's still 22 already. In which case I strongly doubt he red shirts..

In which case I sort of doubt he makes a huge impact till 2018. Sorry to be negative Nancy.

 

[CyFy]

You need a minimum of 4 inside and 4 outside guys [maybe 10] to rotate in based on down, distance, and match ups. Who are our 8-10 guys for next year?

My bet is on Bailey, Leo, Uwazurike, and Waggoner as the main DEs and either Benton or Stewart will be the 5th.
For DT we will see a split between Lima, Tongamoa, Johnson, and Trent.

If we got Josh Allen as well, I will really feel good about the rotation. That make them use Leo some inside as well.

The problem is a lot of the talent are JC guys. Everyone thought Leath and Stewart were going to be good this year and look how that turned out. JC guys usually take time. Don't get me wrong, I think this guy has crazy upside, but it might take some time. It should help that he gets here early.

 

[rholtgraves]

He is a JC guy. It usually takes a little while. He has also only played football for 2 years, so that is not a normal thing either

The Dline is ISU's weakest position on the defense. He will be on campus soon and had Oklahoma recruiting him. It would be a huge miss if this guy wasn't a starter. Same for the other JUCO on the dline. They are being brought in for immediate help.

 

[Tre4ISU]

Football is not that hard to learn. It's not like starting with a raw athlete in basketball where it takes years and years to develop skills. If you are big and athletic you can learn to play football pretty quick.

It's not that easy all of the time at DE, especially in the Big 12.

 

[Tre4ISU]

Any chance Leo moves inside like J Thomas did? Moving Thomas inside flipped the switch for him.

I would think there's a chance depending on what else is around him. I think you pencil Bailey in at one DE spot right now but the rest is kind of up for grabs. If the two JUCO DTs turn out, then you have Leo at DE. If Uwazurike is a stud then maybe Leo is inside. I didn't think Thomas played much different when he went inside, he just got closer to the ball and was more productive because no one could really block him anywhere and when you're on the inside, you're relevant every play. Playing on the backside, you sometimes aren't. I was pretty skeptical of Heacock but I like most of things he does with personnel.

 

[isufbcurt]

I would think there's a chance depending on what else is around him. I think you pencil Bailey in at one DE spot right now but the rest is kind of up for grabs. If the two JUCO DTs turn out, then you have Leo at DE. If Uwazurike is a stud then maybe Leo is inside. I didn't think Thomas played much different when he went inside, he just got closer to the ball and was more productive because no one could really block him anywhere and when you're on the inside, you're relevant every play. Playing on the backside, you sometimes aren't. I was pretty skeptical of Heacock but I like most of things he does with personnel.

Being able to just play and not think was the biggest thing I think that helped Thomas in his move from DE to DT. At DE there are so many more responsibilities and I think he was thinking to much and not just playing which made him a step slow.

 

[CYCLNST8]

The Dline is ISU's weakest position on the defense.

Eh, I'd say every level has its share of problems. Especially if Cotton-Moya leaves.

 

[SolarGarlic]

How often has ISU landed a legit Top-50 recruit? This is awesome!! Instant B12 impact player.

It's a Top 50 JUCO. Big difference. Might be 20 JUCO guys that make a big impact.

 

[TheJackWePack5]

Eh, I'd say every level has its share of problems. Especially if Cotton-Moya leaves.

Interior D-Line is far and away the biggest concern.

 

[Frak]

Interior D-Line is far and away the biggest concern.

That's true, but you can't expect them to do much more than sign two highly rated JUCOs.

 

[CyFy]

The Dline is ISU's weakest position on the defense. He will be on campus soon and had Oklahoma recruiting him. It would be a huge miss if this guy wasn't a starter. Same for the other JUCO on the dline. They are being brought in for immediate help.

Of course they want them to help immediately. Not saying he won't be a starter by the end of the year. I am saying it often takes half a season for them to catch up to things. It is very possible that one of the guys that have been in the system for a year might begin the season ahead of him. Either way I am sure he will get plenty of snaps even if he doesn't start.

Some of what I base this off of is the potential that someone like Uwazurike. He likely isn't much different size wise as Leo. He was 6'6" 254 as a high school senior and has now been in the program for a year. He was the 39th best SDE. Bailey was really good this year and was the 65th WDE.

 

[isutrevman]

It's not that easy all of the time at DE, especially in the Big 12.

I'm not saying its easy, but the skills that need to be developed like footwork, knee bend etc, shouldn't take that long. If you can't learn that stuff in 1-2 years, you probably never will. My point was that him only picking up football a couple years ago should have zero effect on his production. I doubt he lacks anything technique wise that he would have picked up if he had played high school or pee wee football.

 

[ThatllDoCy]

Not trying to dampen spirits here. Some of these guys will work out. But to start saying that a defensive line made up of all juco guys may be the best DL in a long time the day they sign is asking a lot, even with our history at DL.

You, uh, been watching any of the dlines we've rolled out there? I think it's better than 50/50.

 

[dualthreat]

I'm not saying its easy, but the skills that need to be developed like footwork, knee bend etc, shouldn't take that long. If you can't learn that stuff in 1-2 years, you probably never will. My point was that him only picking up football a couple years ago should have zero effect on his production. I doubt he lacks anything technique wise that he would have picked up if he had played high school or pee wee football.

That's the risk you take when you see flaws on someone's film. Generally speaking, those flaws never go away.

Take a look at Tim Tebow's throwing motion. He spent his entire professional career trying to improve it the smallest amount with some of the best coaches in all of football. Couldn't do it.

 

[cyclonebillski]

I doubt we will use it.... Watch his defensive highlights on Hudl. the guy is more than a physical specimen, he has a nose for the game too, with out really that much experience.

I love his raw athletic ability and his strength, but I wasn't overly impressed with his hurl video. It just looked to me like he bullrushed and overpowered a lot of those guys, which he won't do in the Big 12. Im really excited about the pickup and think he will be great, but we need to temper expectations right away. Everyone thought Stewart would be an immediate starter and stud, and I believe he RS.