Peter - Denver Kirkland

[Ethnicsands]

Any idea if we should expect him in the class or whether he's seriously considering FSU?

He sure looks like what an OL prospect is supposed to look like.

 

[Peter Ariz]

Yes, I would expect him to be in the class, but FSU is on him hard.

 

[Ethnicsands]

Definitely a need to get kid, given how badly we need OL and him being local.

 

[LuCane]

Less of a fan of his film that most. Hoping to see him live this year and hope for a leap in technique.

 

[ImU2daDEF...CLF]

What are your positives and negatives about the film you saw?

Less of a fan of his film that most. Hoping to see him live this year and hope for a leap in technique.

 

[LuCane]

What are your positives and negatives about the film you saw?

Less of a fan of his film that most. Hoping to see him live this year and hope for a leap in technique.

Quick version:

Negative: He's a leaner in pass pro. I realize he's almost certainly a Guard at the next level, but that doesn't mean the leaning habit will go away on its own. His punch needs to improve a lot. He plays a little off balance at times and relies a lot on size and athleticism. When you see him get in trouble or at least stalemated in some clips, he overcomes it by using his upperbody strength. It looks like when two 10 year olds get into a fight in elementary school where neither kid throws his hips.

Positive: Size and athleticism. Looks like a raw prospect (at least on the edge) with a lot of potential. Huge frame. Seemingly good upperbody strength. Pretty quick feet. Looks like he can get to the second level. Looks like the type of athlete who can bend if he's given a better technique foundation. Looks like he has enough of a mean streak.

Hoping he looks cleaner in his senior year.

 

[NoleInUtah]

I'm sure our coaches are pursuing, but there hasn't been much of anything recently regarding him and FSU.

I'm not sure that we are your biggest threat right now.

 

[jw410]

How about Klepal from Plant.. what is the word on his recruitment.. Kirkland, Klepal would be a nice OL haul... maybe one more inside guy c/g type.

 

[DMoney]

Kirkland was just named OL MVP of the Opening.

 

[Peter Ariz]

Kirkland was just named OL MVP of the Opening.

This is amazing considering ESPN has him has the #87 OT. They usually pump up the prospects that they have rated highly.

 

[jevoasis]

Kirkland was just named OL MVP of the Opening.

This is amazing considering ESPN has him has the #87 OT. They usually pump up the prospects that they have rated highly.

Might also have to do with the fact that SoFla OL are hardly ever rated near the top, regardless of competition level. Most work under the assumption that SoFla is good for speed/athleticism, but that you have to go out of state for the OL.

 

[Ethnicsands]

Kirkland was just named OL MVP of the Opening.

Wow. Good for him. He's got serious size/strength and looks reasonably athletic. If he can put it together, he can play a long time.

 

[NotoriousJJE]

He looked good in the one on one's. Only offensive player who won his matchup

 

[moshated305]

Kirkland was just named OL MVP of the Opening.

This is amazing considering ESPN has him has the #87 OT. They usually pump up the prospects that they have rated highly.

ESPN is trash. Every site took notice and gave Flowers a bump to 4 star last year but ESPN who never re-evaluated him and left him a mid 3 star.

 

[hasena75]

Kirkland won the OL MVP at The Opening.

 

[BigDikCane]

he's alright... needs to be coached up...