Hunter Knighton, o-line grad transfer visits ISU

[Cycsk]

The staff doesn't seem to be in a hurry to chase any JC offensive linemen. This seems to indicate that they are ok with the guys in the program or they think one of the high level HS OL recruits could play right away. Manning really did an incredible job with the offensive line this past year. From start to finish, the improvement was impressive. I would really like to see what he could do with the likes of Munford and Chandler.

If we get another year from Scroggins, we will have three guys with lots of experience to build on.

Good point. There has been so much attention given to the Jucos on the D-line. I think they will take more of a plug and play approach with the D-line, but mostly want to build up their O-line from the start. I seem to recall this being a hallmark of their program at Toledo, namely starting upperclassmen on the line.

 

[TheJackWePack5]

Thanks for the info. I wonder if that means we have a higher priority OL target that can play right away.

I'm guessing if we land Chandler or Munford one of them would play right away and I think it's also very fluid (i.e. Even though they haven't pursued a JUCO OL doesn't mean they won't offer one if the right one comes along).

This is just a guess without inside info is that they'd rather spend a scholarship on an extra HS recruit rather than get Knighton if they don't think he will start or play a lot. Could still be evaluating.

 

[tolfbfan]

Good point. There has been so much attention given to the Jucos on the D-line. I think they will take more of a plug and play approach with the D-line, but mostly want to build up their O-line from the start. I seem to recall this being a hallmark of their program at Toledo, namely starting upperclassmen on the line.

Kind of true. My sons class had 5 OLINE recruits. The now Houston Texans starting center started all four years at Toledo. 2 started for 3 years and played in all games redshirt frosh year. One started senior yr and played allot junior year. Fifth guy played extensively senior year [due to injuries] and some junior year. So, in Campbell's second year at Toledo as line coach and OC he started 4 sophomores if I remember correctly. If not 4, 3 for sure. Keep an eye on the young guys if same pattern holds true. Once these guys were gone, Toledo replaced them with upperclassmen who had been waiting for a couple years.

 

[Stormin]

I'm guessing if we land Chandler or Munford one of them would play right away and I think it's also very fluid (i.e. Even though they haven't pursued a JUCO OL doesn't mean they won't offer one if the right one comes along).

This is just a guess without inside info is that they'd rather spend a scholarship on an extra HS recruit rather than get Knighton if they don't think he will start or play a lot. Could still be evaluating.

Campos, Good-Jones, Meeker, Sean Foster, possibly Scoggins if granted a 6th year. Plus guys like Oge and Karson Green, and a couple others as well as newcomers.

IMO, we could use the scholarship on someone other than Knighton. Not sure Knighton would even crack the 2-deep. Scholarships are kind of precious at this point.

 

[NetflixAndClone]

I would be shocked if he or Oge ever play meaningful minutes here. Both looked pretty poor during fall scrimmages. Oge coule barely move and Karson just downright bad.

Sounds like Karson was a miss but Oge should get snaps this season. He didn't play because he came late and took a redshirt.

 

[CrossCyed]

I'm guessing if we land Chandler or Munford one of them would play right away and I think it's also very fluid (i.e. Even though they haven't pursued a JUCO OL doesn't mean they won't offer one if the right one comes along).

This is just a guess without inside info is that they'd rather spend a scholarship on an extra HS recruit rather than get Knighton if they don't think he will start or play a lot. Could still be evaluating.

True freshmen OL very rarely play right away, and it's usually not by choice.

 

[ajk4st8]

Sounds like Karson was a miss but Oge should get snaps this season. He didn't play because he came late and took a redshirt.

I hope that is the case. I could see him being on special teams for sure with his size. Im hoping the times I saw him it was more of a case of being out of shape vs REALLY REALLY immobile.

 

[TheJackWePack5]

True freshmen OL very rarely play right away, and it's usually not by choice.

I agree and hopefully they don't have to. But I'm fairly positive if we get Caleb Chandler that he will play.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

I agree and hopefully they don't have to. But I'm fairly positive if we get Caleb Chandler that he will play.

I would have to agree. His footwork is amazing in all his drill videos I have seen of him. Plus he's already 300 lbs. If he wins the spot in practice then hell yes you play him.

I also agree with Stormin on the scholarship situation. We take the best players possibly regardless of position at this point IMO.

Good-Jones, Campos, Foster, Meeker, Scoggins we have a nice start already.

 

[bozclone]

True freshmen OL very rarely play right away, and it's usually not by choice.

That has been historically true at Iowa State, but if you look at most P5 programs it is not uncommon for a highly ranked recruit to start as a freshman.

 

[dualthreat]

Florida is one of our biggest competitors for Chandler. On Christmas day they had a 4 star Tackle commit to them. I think that only bodes well for us.

 

[Frak]

Florida is one of our biggest competitors for Chandler. On Christmas day they had a 4 star Tackle commit to them. I think that only bodes well for us.

Louisville is our main competition there. The good thing is that he's visiting when most of the committed players are coming.

 

[Cyclad]

I agree and hopefully they don't have to. But I'm fairly positive if we get Caleb Chandler that he will play.

I do not think any of these guys are good enough to play winning football as true freshman. It just doen't happen. If we play true freshman OL it is a bad sign.

 

[clonedude]

I do not think any of these guys are good enough to play winning football as true freshman. It just doen't happen. If we play true freshman OL it is a bad sign.

I agree with this. It is extremely rare in a good program that you see a true freshman start on the OL, unless you have injuries of course.

 

[bozclone]

Clemson, Alabama, and Ohio St all start true freshman offensive linemen. It is not that uncommon for freshman to start at the better programs. I agree that is is harder for a freshman lineman, but if they have the size and athletic ability like Chandler or Munford they may be better than guys already in the program. It really isn't much different than Bailey playing on the defensive line as a freshman.

 

[clonedude]

Clemson, Alabama, and Ohio St all start freshman offensive linemen. It really is pretty common for freshman to start at the better programs.

True freshman or RS freshman?

I suppose if you land a 5 star they might be able to play right away, but ISU does not land 5 star OL. Chandler is a 3 star. He might start for ISU right away, but that's because we don't have any depth right now at all and are not a good program either.... yet.

 

[Bipolarcy]

Clemson, Alabama, and Ohio St all start true freshman offensive linemen. It is not that uncommon for freshman to start at the better programs. I agree that is is harder for a freshman lineman, but if they have the size and athletic ability like Chandler or Munford they may be better than guys already in the program. It really isn't much different than Bailey playing on the defensive line as a freshman.

It's just not the same. A DE relies more on quickness off the ball than pure physical strength. An OL needs that physical strength and most high school players aren't strong enough to play on the OL in college right away.

 

[tolfbfan]

It's just not the same. A DE relies more on quickness off the ball than pure physical strength. An OL needs that physical strength and most high school players aren't strong enough to play on the OL in college right away.

On pass blocking oline esp tackles give ground while defensive lineman ramp up and charge. Quite a bit different.

 

[bozclone]

True freshman or RS freshman?

I suppose if you land a 5 star they might be able to play right away, but ISU does not land 5 star OL. Chandler is a 3 star. He might start for ISU right away, but that's because we don't have any depth right now at all and are not a good program either.... yet.

True freshmen based on the depth charts. I agree that it is not ideal to start a freshman on the OL and that it is probably the toughest place for a freshman to play, but if you can recruit a better football player than we have historically recruited the gap between a freshman and a junior might not be great. It may be that Chandler and Munford may just be more physically gifted than some of our current guys. Yes, physical strength is important but a better athlete with similar size will be able to do things the less talented older guys can't.

Chandler may be a 3 star, but his offers say he is not our typical OL recruit. Same with Munford. Both guys already have D1 size and both are great athletes for that size.

 

[tolfbfan]

Size and strength is very important. But without good movement you might as well put a 300 lb concrete block out there.