A note on South Florida RBs

[HurricaneinLA]

I'm ecstatic about pulling in Fletcher and Johnson. Believe we've got our ideal combo of thunder and lightning.

People have selective memories. Knighton and Franklin were major hauls and this board was overwhelmingly excited about both. I understand why we're disappointed. But those kids both had and have potential to be special if used properly and willing to put in the work.

Johnson is a big deal with his speed 10.45 to Knighton's 11.28. Always a homerun threat if he breaks one. He also has great balance and moves getting past the first tacklers. Johnson is a little bigger as well coming out of highschool 5'11" 190 pounds to 5'10" 180 pounds. Hopefully Johnson can go 10.3s for his senior track season. Miami just has not had the team speed it used to have. Citizen is 6' 1" 221 pounds running a 11.31 100 meter out of highschool. Really sad that he got injured before the season started. Shawn Taylor was running 10.7s at 225 pounds running for 44 TDs his senior year in highschool.

 

[genxcane]

I will too, but 2 things:

1. We're not gonna **** on Rooster and Thad. Both chose to come here, and at least in Rooster's case, he played hard and provided some big moments.

2. Again, I agree with you 100%. But let's not lose full focus here. You could have made this exact same thread the last 2 years, saying that SFL produces NFL backs, so it's important to take shots, but it's important to lock up local kids like Jaylan Knighton. Then it's important to take shots, but it's important to lock up kids like Thad Franklin. Bottom line, 2 years ago, Rooster and Thad were Fletcher and CJJr. It's time to hit on some of these kids and develop them into NFL players.

Just for comparison, here are the composite rankings

Knighton - 106 Nationally, 10th RB
Franklin - 254 Nationally, 16th RB

Fletcher - 243 Nationally, 16th RB
Johnson - 295 Nationally, 19th RB

So the transfers were higher ranked coming in . But potential will only get you so far.

I will add that the rankings are all over the place. Those numbers are for the composite but 247s own rankings has Fletcher at 168/8 and Johnson as unranked/25. So they overvalue Fletcher and undervalue Johnson.

This is why evaluations are everything. The ranking services can only tell you so much.

 

[hiphopanimal]

Dalvin Cook is the biggest lost recruit since Patrick Johnson. Maybe Evan Neal too but the way Cook hurt us on the field. So **** elite

 

[bshaw28]

In the past decade, a South Florida RB has been drafted every single year. Nineteen (19) have been drafted total. Kenny McIntosh (Georgia via U-School) will keep the streak going this year.

We always need to take our shot with special backs like Cedric Baxter. But it also important to consistently lock up the top local backs. Mission accomplished with Mark Fletcher and Chris Johnson, Jr.

2022- James Cook (Central)
2021-Khalil Herbert (American Heritage)
2020- Zack Moss (Hallandale)
2019- Devin Singletary (AMH Delray), Jordan Scarlett (U-School), Travis Homer (Oxbridge), Kerrith Whyte (Loxahatchee)
2018- Sony Michel (American Heritage), Mark Walton (Booker T)
2017- Dalvin Cook (Central), Mathew Dayes (Cypress Bay)
2016-Alex Collins (South Plantation), Kelvin Taylor (Glades Day)
2015- Duke Johnson (Norland)
2014- Tre Mason (Park Vista), Devonta Freeman (Central), James White (STA)
2013- Gio Bernard (STA)
2012- Lamar Miller (Killian)

It's a quantity vs quality thing. The quantity is still there, but the talent has dropped noticeably.

2009-2014- Top 100 types - Dalvin Cook, Michel, Miller, Duke, Gio, Freeman, Collins
2015-2023- Top 100 types - James Cook, McIntosh, Walton, Scarlett, Chaney, Knighton

Picking up a top Dade/Broward RB hasn't been working for us for a while - Thad, Knighton/Chaney/Parrish, Burns, Walton, Yearby.

You get some nice players - but no difference makers. We need to think outside South Florida every year.

 

[Novacane32000]

I'm ecstatic about pulling in Fletcher and Johnson. Believe we've got our ideal combo of thunder and lightning.

People have selective memories. Knighton and Franklin were major hauls and this board was overwhelmingly excited about both. I understand why we're disappointed. But those kids both had and have potential to be special if used properly and willing to put in the work.

I think the proper expectation for every recruit is that they will disappoint.

Less than 50% of 5 star players make an impact and my guess on 4 star players is that about 25% make an impact. Stacking talent is the remedy.

 

[jrocitzdaroc]

Yeah outside of Baxter this tandem we landed is all I’d ever want. Absolute bruiser who is a long stride RB & arguably the fastest guy on the field at anytime.

Kevin Smith deserves some credit here right? We killed him and he delivered

Kevin Smith said:

 

[Tony4Canes]

Btw @DMoney please don't do this for WR

 

[gogeta4]

I'm ecstatic about pulling in Fletcher and Johnson. Believe we've got our ideal combo of thunder and lightning.

People have selective memories. Knighton and Franklin were major hauls and this board was overwhelmingly excited about both. I understand why we're disappointed. But those kids both had and have potential to be special if used properly and willing to put in the work.

We have landed the best backs in south florida like the last 3 classes....THATS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO PERIOD.

 

[gogeta4]

We're very fortunate to always have RB talent in our backyard. But it's important to identify that there's different levels to that talent. Evals are important.

Since Duke - our most successful NFL RB's have come outside Dade/Broward - Gus, Homer, DeeJay. Citizen is arguably our most talented RB on the roster now.

Mario isn't scared to recruit Nationally and that's the right mentality to have.

South Florida includes Palm Bach county. Homer is from PALM BEACH.

Citizen hasnt done a **** thing..and our best back is Henry Parrish from Down South or Chaney from DOWN SOUTH.

We have been pretty good in recruiting RBS and locking up the best in the tri county. That continued this class....im expecting one from locally again next year honestly...grab Bullet Gause or Jordan Lyle from STA...Palm Beach also has one committed to UF already that we were on.

The need nationally at RB aint exactly us unless big whale hunting.





This kid is also from Lauderdale and just moved to Maryland in like august.


DMONEY is essentially telling everyone...just recruit south florida at the rb position and im in agreement...there isnt any area in the country better....**** CJ Baxter in this class is from Boynton Beach...its SOMETHING in the water.

 

[gogeta4]

It's a quantity vs quality thing. The quantity is still there, but the talent has dropped noticeably.

2009-2014- Top 100 types - Dalvin Cook, Michel, Miller, Duke, Gio, Freeman, Collins
2015-2023- Top 100 types - James Cook, McIntosh, Walton, Scarlett, Chaney, Knighton

Picking up a top Dade/Broward RB hasn't been working for us for a while - Thad, Knighton/Chaney/Parrish, Burns, Walton, Yearby.

You get some nice players - but no difference makers. We need to think outside South Florida every year.

Joe Yearby was a 1k yard rusher at 5 yards a carry and a 20+ catch guy in 1 season. Went for aover 500 every year here. WORKED FOR US despite forever being linked to James Cook

Knighton though misused was solid for us. And even if left...he is leaving because of ANOTHER SOUTH FLORIDA back.

Walton was another 1k rusher at over 5 yards a carry.

Majority of these are NICE players because we have below avg OL or antiquated run schemes with some of them.

RB aint the position to be thinking outside of south florida every year.

 

[Angry Ibis]

I will too, but 2 things:

1. We're not gonna **** on Rooster and Thad. Both chose to come here, and at least in Rooster's case, he played hard and provided some big moments.

2. Again, I agree with you 100%. But let's not lose full focus here. You could have made this exact same thread the last 2 years, saying that SFL produces NFL backs, so it's important to take shots, but it's important to lock up local kids like Jaylan Knighton. Then it's important to take shots, but it's important to lock up kids like Thad Franklin. Bottom line, 2 years ago, Rooster and Thad were Fletcher and CJJr. It's time to hit on some of these kids and develop them into NFL players.

Helluva post.

 

[bshaw28]

Joe Yearby was a 1k yard rusher at 5 yards a carry and a 20+ catch guy in 1 season. Went for aover 500 every year here. WORKED FOR US despite forever being linked to James Cook

Knighton though misused was solid for us. And even if left...he is leaving because of ANOTHER SOUTH FLORIDA back.

Walton was another 1k rusher at over 5 yards a carry.

Majority of these are NICE players because we have below avg OL or antiquated run schemes with some of them.

RB aint the position to be thinking outside of south florida every year.

Joe Yearby
Mark Walton
Travis Homer
Robert Burns
Jaylan Knighton
Don Chaney
Henry Parrish
Thad Franklin
Mark Fletcher
Chris Johnson

10 Top South Florida RB's from the last 10 years.

If you had to bet on who will have the best NFL career once free from our terrible OL holding them back, who would you bet on?

 

[bshaw28]

DMONEY is essentially telling everyone...just recruit south florida at the rb position and im in agreement...there isnt any area in the country better....**** CJ Baxter in this class is from Boynton Beach...its SOMETHING in the water.

If you look at a 6-8 year period (2015-2023) - the best RB South Florida has produced is Devin Singletary (the #1,926 ranked player in his class)

So can you explain to me how recruiting "just south florida" for RB's has been a good idea, and is a good idea moving forward?

 

[Coach Macho]

You HAD to take Rooster, Chaney and (maybe) Thad.

Rooster is Broward's all-time leading rusher.
Chaney was a specimen.

They didn't pan out because Manny fostered a culture of entitlement, poor work ethic and no accountability. They weren't developed.

But they were all takes.

 

[bshaw28]

You HAD to take Rooster, Chaney and (maybe) Thad.

Rooster is Broward's all-time leading rusher.
Chaney was a specimen.

They didn't pan out because Manny fostered a culture of entitlement, poor work ethic and no accountability. They weren't developed.

But they were all takes.

I 100% agree with you Chaney & Knighton were absolute takes - they just didn't work out.

My counter is that's just 1 year (2020). But we're in a 10 year drought.

Duke was a 2012 recruit. 2013 and since - our biggest South Florida RB NFL successes are Walton (350 NFL yds) & Homer (900 NFL yds).

That's 10 years of very limited success. So why are we sticking with the same strategy?

IMO opinion we need to be much better at identifying when the South FL RB's are legit talented, and when they're not. It's been a while since they were.

 

[DC3]

And only 4 of them played for Miami.

But a whole lot of them were committed to Miami lol

 

[gogeta4]

If you look at a 6-8 year period (2015-2023) - the best RB South Florida has produced is Devin Singletary (the #1,926 ranked player in his class)

So can you explain to me how recruiting "just south florida" for RB's has been a good idea, and is a good idea moving forward?

Devin SIngletary ran for 4300 yards and 66 tds a 6 yards a carry at FAU...Man not everyone can be Adrian Peterson or Willis Mcgahee. lol

It would have been a good idea to recruit Motor (Singletary) I mean he is the starting rb on probably the best team in the NFL ...if thats where your leaning towards your point.

 

[gogeta4]

I 100% agree with you Chaney & Knighton were absolute takes - they just didn't work out.

My counter is that's just 1 year (2020). But we're in a 10 year drought.

Duke was a 2012 recruit. 2013 and since - our biggest South Florida RB NFL successes are Walton (350 NFL yds) & Homer (900 NFL yds).

That's 10 years of very limited success. So why are we sticking with the same strategy?

IMO opinion we need to be much better at identifying when the South FL RB's are legit talented, and when they're not. It's been a while since they were.

Again.....NFL stats arent helping us win games in the ACC.

Who's the starting rb for the #1 team currently in college football...asking for a friend?.

 

[TheOriginalCane]

And only 4 of them played for Miami.

But a bunch of the others were UM recruits and/or decommits. Not an excuse, just an acknowledgement that we tried. We didn't exactly have the best coaches and/or recruiters at the time.

 

[bshaw28]

Devin SIngletary ran for 4300 yards and 66 tds a 6 yards a carry at FAU...Man not everyone can be Adrian Peterson or Willis Mcgahee. lol

It would have been a good idea to recruit Motor (Singletary) I mean he is the starting rb on probably the best team in the NFL ...if thats where your leaning towards your point.

My point is since 2015 - if Singletary, who isn't even a 1,000 yd RB is the best RB, then that's a bad look

Since 2015 the Philly area has produced Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, and Deandre Swift

If your keeping up with current events - South FL is nowhere close to producing the best RB's. Historically - yes, So FL is the best. But those days have passed.

So how long can you hang onto past glory? 10 years? Because that ship has sailed. 15 years? 20 years?

The bigger point is - just because South FL has produced great RB's in the past, assuming they produce a great RB every year is a bad strategy - as Miami has proven.