Position Group Superlatives: Safeties

[Jassid82]

I'm absolutely certain he has trained and improved during his time in college. I'm also absolutely certain everyone else has as well.

The word "suck" etc. has not come out of my mouth (keyboard) to describe him. I'm simply saying he doesn't the athleticism to play S here and that was borne out while watching film of him play football. The lack of movement skills really shows up when watching him play S. It isn't just in trying to cover receivers but also in his tackling. Individuals with poor movement skills tend to be poor tacklers as well. Top it off with the fact that he's also not a large S and he can't play in this scheme. He can absolutely contribute on special teams and on scout team. I'm not advocating for him to lose his scholarship as he was offered a scholarship, accepted it, has done what the coaches ask of him, and represents the school I love.

Stating he isn't athletic enough to play S here isn't intended to hate on the young man, it's intended as analysis. That's all.

I don't know if he will be AJ Highsmith or Marcus Maxey but I do know that I am done writing kids off. Been proven wrong too many times. I understand your argument that because hes limited athletically there is but so far he will be able to go in this scheme..but ill also say that Diaz and Banda don't play seniority favorites from what I have seen (Choc Gray, Langham, George Brown, etc) so if you cant hack it, they will be sure to let fans know and also show it on the depth chart.

I know we are lacking in depth at Safety so he is basically in our 2 deep out of necessity but ill also give the kid a chance to prove that he can makes strides before making final judgements. We got LSU week1, he wont be able to hide any awful play in that game.

 

[grover]

To add to Jassid's point on Knowles, I wrote him off after FSU, only to see him first down the field several times on STs making tackles or being disruptive. I don't know what happened with his Opening stats. But the kid is not unathletic. ... that said, Hall is a beast, and Carter is pretty close to elite as well. I wouldn't be shocked to see Knowles play well at S, but I also expect to see the young guns take away many of his snaps by mid-season.