A couple notes on Marquise Lightfoot

Big, violent and fast, we know that. But what sets him apart is his athleticism/change of direction at that size.
To me this is what a stand up college d-end looks like in high school. He can even play OLB in a 3-4 scheme like the Steelers run. Used correctly and he plays as a freshman somewhere. Maybe just ST at the beginning but maybe some sub packages as the year goes on.

The athleticism in the d-end room is excellent.
 
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I'd trade a chance at Stewart and a couple other supposed "whales" for DTs Breland and Jones. Is there any way fans can make these trades?
I personally would do that as well....

Im cool with spinning back to Pickett, Kissayi (Minn commit), and landing LJ MCRAY, Kendall Jackson.

But those 2 to me are whales that you plug n the middle and it makes everything come together...(PAUSE)
 
Awesome to hear. Thanks.

You mentioned Moss. Do you ever see him contributing here? I don’t care how quick he is or about his bend - he just looks outmatched size-wise. And I am not talking about Bain size, like a little short. He’s just so slim and so is his frame.

Jon Square played here.. there is always a place for guys that can rush the passer role.

I'd say Moss is a rs freshman and probably about 220-225. He's a legit 6'5-6'6 though. So hes about the same size give or take of Lightfoot now.

If he can take on that role like John Square did he has a chance cause the tools are there. JohN Square i believe was 3rd on the team in sacks in 2001.

Ppl forget Moss was a safety i believe just 2 years ago. He needs weight and im hoping he can add some b4 the szn.

I played tackle in college. Finished playing d2 level...but my suite mate was a DE..who ended up getting drafted to the nfl. Prototype Edge guy probably 6'5-'6'6 245-250 regularly. In one on ones i would give him fits lol. But after going scrimmages or team for awhile an facing him...when they would sub in like the 3rd team de a guy built like Cy Moss ..probably 6'3 215 would give me allll the smoke n the most problems....sh* t was a parody.

He put me on the summer jam screen way more than the prototypical guys it was crazy. There is a place for guys like this with a motor and speed off the edge...in the 3rd n 4th quarter tackles dont want to face that after getting beat up by the other guys
 
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It has always been important for teams to rank recruiting targets. But it's even more important in the NIL era. This year, we have a tier of elite, first-round type grades. There are about six or seven kids on that list. The whales. Lightfoot was one of them.

I asked why Lightfoot was so high on the board. They gave me several reasons:

- He measures out officially at 6'4, 220 with a big frame in person and an 81-inch wingspan. He may be 6'5 now.
- He has outstanding quicks (4.25 shuttle) and closing speed.
- He has explosive strength and striking ability.
- He is unusually aggressive with a high motor. He plays special teams and loves football.

This is a big-time pickup and adds to what is becoming a CFP-caliber EDGE group. In the past three years, we've added Nyjalik Kelly, Reuben Bain, Cyrus Moss, Jayden Wayne and Collins Achempong. There are more on the way.
That last sentence, D$…

Come Here Lets Go GIF by The Late Late Show with James Corden
 
Big, violent and fast, we know that. But what sets him apart is his athleticism/change of direction at that size.
To me this is what a stand up college d-end looks like in high school. He can even play OLB in a 3-4 scheme like the Steelers run. Used correctly and he plays as a freshman somewhere. Maybe just ST at the beginning but maybe some sub packages as the year goes on.

The athleticism in the d-end room is excellent.
Athleticism seems to be the priority regardless of ranking.
They want it at all positions.
And want multi sport multi position athletes.
A lot of our targets seem to be two way players or players that play multiple positions.
 
I personally would do that as well....

Im cool with spinning back to Pickett, Kissayi (Minn commit), and landing LJ MCRAY, Kendall Jackson.

But those 2 to me are whales that you plug n the middle and it makes everything come together...(PAUSE)
It's really not a knock on Stewart or Stone. They're both super prospects. I just partly don't like our probabilities with them and partly really like those two players. So in a fantasy land trade that assures us of the two big, athletic DTs, I take what I can get. If you watch Breland crash plays from End or Jones play TE, it's difficult not to get pumped about how their athleticism and feet would look in college (as they continue to develop). I actually like what we're doing at LB these days, so we're some CBs and rangy Safeties away from, maybe, fielding a whole defense.
 
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It's really not a knock on Stewart or Stone. They're both super prospects. I just partly don't like our probabilities with them and partly really like those two players. So in a fantasy land trade that assures us of the two big, athletic DTs, I take what I can get. If you watch Breland crash plays from End or Jones play TE, it's difficult not to get pumped about how their athleticism and feet would look in college (as they continue to develop). I actually like what we're doing at LB these days, so we're some CBs and rangy Safeties away from, maybe, fielding a whole defense.
I have the same thoughts.

At edge i really wanted the kid we lost to OU out of Minn.

Go check out Kissayi

Minnesota is stealing 1 from the treasure coast..it says we offered on 6/15 though.

I want to pair Lightfoot with a bigger guy like LJ Mccray, Kissayi, Kendal Jackson, TA Cunningham type.

I honestly think Stone and Stewart are longshots...I LOVE BRELAND AND JONES game. I caught Breland game last year on a friday night randomly ont v and was impressed before i knew who he was as a recruit..a JUMBO Athlete is what i would call him and Jones.
 
I really hadn’t looked at his tape because I thought we didn’t have any chance with him, and it looked like we were targeting Stewart.
I don’t know about shuttle time, but this dude is way fast regardless of size.
Looking at his tape and watching him play special teams and tight end he pops right out.


Man, that poor kid trying to block ML on the kickoff return…i couldn’t watch…but I did.
 
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There are levels of wealth.

Are we rich enough to match bags with anyone for an elite edge in a year where the head coach has put a premium on DL recruiting? Yes.

Are we rich enough to significantly overpay for a WR prospect that we just got on and who is being overpaid by Nebraska? No.

On Justin Scott, we just lost. It’s not money, it’s distance first and foremost, and Larry Johnson is as good as anyone in America at what he does. We lost, and so did about 20 other coaches who recruited the **** out of him, cause he’s **** good. It’ll happen again when you are fishing for the biggest fish in the pond. No shame in the game.

There’s your recap of the past 2 days. Everyone relax. Our NIL packages will keep us competitive and our coach is one of the best recruiters on the planet and demands his staff are as well. We’ll be fine.

An honest assessment.
Classic Film Respect GIF by Warner Archive
 
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It has always been important for teams to rank recruiting targets. But it's even more important in the NIL era. This year, we have a tier of elite, first-round type grades. There are about six or seven kids on that list. The whales. Lightfoot was one of them.

I asked why Lightfoot was so high on the board. They gave me several reasons:

- He measures out officially at 6'4, 220 with a big frame in person and an 81-inch wingspan. He may be 6'5 now.
- He has outstanding quicks (4.25 shuttle) and closing speed.
- He has explosive strength and striking ability.
- He is unusually aggressive with a high motor. He plays special teams and loves football.

This is a big-time pickup and adds to what is becoming a CFP-caliber EDGE group. In the past three years, we've added Nyjalik Kelly, Reuben Bain, Cyrus Moss, Jayden Wayne and Collins Achempong. There are more on the way.
I agree with this and love the pickup as Lightfoot is undeniably elite. The Edge DE group we are putting together is indeed CFP caliber. However we must begin to build a strong DT group or the Edge players will not be as effective as they could be. I'm absolutely overjoyed by the Lightfoot commit but it also highlights our lack of P5 level depth at DT. This must be addressed through high school recruiting as the portal is not going to be some magical cure especially at this position. This must begin to be addressed this cycle.
 
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