Recruiting Update 7-9

[TP800]

You guys that "watch tape" here. Are you watching the two-five clips Provided by ESPN and YouTube. Or are you watching the hours of tape which may include both practices/games filmed by recruiting services and other companies that the college programs pay for as part of the recruiting budget on the side.

I think most guys who comment on a highlight film simply say so. FWIW, if you think coaches are watch hours of practice and game tape, you're living in a dream world. I can tell you from experience that guys have been offered on much less. Our hope is that day is gone and guys are getting offered moreso on what the coaches see in person, at camps, etc., but it's a mix of everything. Like I've said when I review other youtube "tapes," there is only so much that can be interpreted from a collection of highlights that often doesn't even have the player at his projected position.

Also, an analysis of actual film - youtube or otherwise - on here is often more than what you're getting on paid boards by guys who know absolutely zero about football. It's a discussion. It's often a discussion by football enthusiasts. Take it for what it is worth.

Never said college coaches "look at hours film". However it is/can be available. If your going off of some YouTube clips and a clip or two provided by ESPN or another one of these so called recruiting boards, you won't get the FULL view on a guy over multiple occasions. I was asking because my neighbors son works for a video/recruiting service that is paid/contracted by college football/basketball programs to film certain prospects within a certain region. Basically he said anyone basing an opinion on a prospect solely off of publicly available film/clips(YouTube/ESPN) is getting a flawed/biased view on a kid alot of the times because it's off of a limited amount.

 

[LuCane]

You guys that "watch tape" here. Are you watching the two-five clips Provided by ESPN and YouTube. Or are you watching the hours of tape which may include both practices/games filmed by recruiting services and other companies that the college programs pay for as part of the recruiting budget on the side.

I think most guys who comment on a highlight film simply say so. FWIW, if you think coaches are watch hours of practice and game tape, you're living in a dream world. I can tell you from experience that guys have been offered on much less. Our hope is that day is gone and guys are getting offered moreso on what the coaches see in person, at camps, etc., but it's a mix of everything. Like I've said when I review other youtube "tapes," there is only so much that can be interpreted from a collection of highlights that often doesn't even have the player at his projected position.

Also, an analysis of actual film - youtube or otherwise - on here is often more than what you're getting on paid boards by guys who know absolutely zero about football. It's a discussion. It's often a discussion by football enthusiasts. Take it for what it is worth.

Never said college coaches "look at hours film". However it is/can be available. If your going off of some YouTube clips and a clip or two provided by ESPN or another one of these so called recruiting boards, you won't get the FULL view on a guy over multiple occasions. I was asking because my neighbors son works for a video/recruiting service that is paid/contracted by college football/basketball programs to film certain prospects within a certain region. Basically he said anyone basing an opinion on a prospect solely off of publicly available film/clips(YouTube/ESPN) is getting a flawed/biased view on a kid alot of the times because it's off of a limited amount.

I agree. And, I think it's good form to transparently state "this is based solely off of _______ (e.g. youtube video)."

 

[CaneLB]

CaneLB, After watching his HL tape I agree with a lot of the things you said. But he has been very, very impressive in any summer camp films I have seen. Lu, what is your opinion of KC?

Links to these films?

I appreciate your take on this, and I definitely think some of your concerns and criticisms of KC are things to watch out for as he progresses over the next 2 years of HS. With that said, I'd argue that KC McDermott very much looks Miami caliber considering where he is at currently, his potential, and likely continued improvement. I see a kid that is 6'6 with a great frame, as a sophomore. To be 6'6 so young means he is likely still adapting to his new height/size and growing into his body.

You voice the fact that he plays guard for his HS as a criticism, but I think you need to contextualize it more before doing so. IMO it looks like the offense run by PBC is very run heavy (evidenced by the fact that Angelo Jean-Louis never had the stats to match his obvious talent level throughout HS). In a lot of HS run heavy offenses, the coaches will put their most talented OL at guard because of the increased responsibility with pulling, trapping, etc. McDermott pulls a lot in his tape and seems to have good feet, balance, and movement in doing so (that is all while not likely being fully grown into/adjusted to his size). IMO he looks mostly very good, yet somewhat unrefined in his run blocking. From the highlights I saw, it seemed like the most successful plays for PBC were up the middle (traps), that would also highlight the importance of the guard to this offense.

I also think PBC might simply not have the best of coaching (not fully utilizing AJL and Gabe Terry's talents IMO), which may be seen by watching both AJL and McDermott's tapes and seeing very simple plays on offense that aren't executed greatly. A lot of quick, 1 read passes and the OL not having great pass blocking technique.

With McDermott I see an OL who has great bloodlines. Both of his brothers were/are regarded as really good OL with the attitude, smarts, technique, and explosiveness, just being limited in size to different extents. I think the popular thought is that KC is a version of his brothers with the ideal size and solid athleticism. In looking at pictures and videos of him, you can see that his body has already gone through some transformation in the past year to being a leaner better built guy that is growing into his frame. You also see advancing coordination (check this video: http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/videos/_/id/135210/kc-mcdermott)

Basically I see some of your concerns as very valid, but with full context I see reason to believe KC has awesome potential that he is in the process of realizing as well.

When I mentioned him playing Guard I didn't mean it in the sense that it shows a lack of ability on his part. KC is without queston a D1 caliber lineman and those don't grow on trees, so almost any HS team would line him up wherever they need him most. What I meant is that he doesn't have the experience (or film) of pass protection against edge rushers. He looks fine in a phone booth and pulling to strike targets close to the line of scrimmage but it takes experience to establish the muscle memory and knowledge of pass pro on the outside. Denver Kirkland projects as a Guard himself but he plays RT in high school and has a clear comfort level in pass protection despite lacking the length and quickness of elite OT prospects.

Regarding upside, I've seen major transformations from Sophomore to Senior years before so I don't doubt the possibility at all. I'm a strong proponent of waiting til Junior years to send out offers because of this fact. Someone mentioned Todd Chandler...he's a perfect example of an impressive high school player who maxed out physically at a young age. For the reverse scenario one only needs to look at some of our recent commits (Josh Witt and Gabe Terry are two of my favorites) to see how late bloomers can occur. I'll be keeping my eye on McDermott because of his size, the positive buzz about him and his bloodlines, but if I change my mind about him I'll still have him projected as a Guard. I prefer OT prospects to be more flexible...we don't want another Matt Pipho on our hands.

You guys that "watch tape" here. Are you watching the two-five clips Provided by ESPN and YouTube. Or are you watching the hours of tape which may include both practices/games filmed by recruiting services and other companies that the college programs pay for as part of the recruiting budget on the side.

Youtube has some lengthy highlight films actually, and some single-game films depending on the prospect. I watch as much as I can find of in-game/camp/combine stuff. Coaches usually evaluate based on highlight films that are sent to them or requested, and then they follow up by requesting full game film to complete the evaluation. Highlight films are by no means a perfect measure of ability, but they're usually sufficient. Highlight films almost always show you what a player is capable of (especially athletically) but they don't necessarily show you issues. Motor and consistency are obvious traits that one needs game film to assess, but often times you will see poor technique and instincts within the highlights.

 

[DMoney]

Asante Cleveland got offered based on YouTube highlights, and he was one of Shannon's best sleepers.

 

[DMoney]

A highlight reel shows you the athlete. Game film shows you the football player. A lot to be learned from both, especially when viewed in context (competition, amount of games used to make the reel, etc.)

 

[CaneLB]

Asante Cleveland got offered based on YouTube highlights, and he was one of Shannon's best sleepers.

His highlights were some of the best I've seen from a HS TE, not in terms of sheer talent but just the impressive plays he made. A lot of TEs' film is them blocking or playing QB or catching a bunch of underneath passes. Cleveland was all over the field, dominant, and diverse in his skillset. There shouldn't have been any doubt based on those highlights. Even with his injury last year I was dumbfounded by how little he played while Chase Ford was a turnstyle and Walford dropped seemingly everything.

 

[DMoney]

I've seen McDermott, Darling and Kirkland in camp and they are all impressive in that setting. Darling is the best of the bunch but they all look like keepers.

The one thing about McDermott is that he's light in the ***-- you can see how it hurts him in drive blocking and anchoring. Jason Fox was a **** of an offensive lineman but suffered from the same problem. McDermott should have a good weight room ethic because of his brothers so it'll be interesting to see how he develops.

 

[gogeta4]

K.C. Mcdermott is "legit"..technique wise kid has it...he has the length...he's a kid like his bro in my opinion that will need to come in and redshirt and pick up from their....

To me he looks to be a LT prospect....

 

[Ethnicsands]

Asante Cleveland got offered based on YouTube highlights, and he was one of Shannon's best sleepers.

Just to be clear, i have no idea what to do with that comment.

 

[Hegemon]

Tim Williams is the top player in Louisiana but LSU might not have room.

Ya that makes no sense.

 

[JHallCanes]

I've seen McDermott, Darling and Kirkland in camp and they are all impressive in that setting. Darling is the best of the bunch but they all look like keepers.

The one thing about McDermott is that he's light in the ***-- you can see how it hurts him in drive blocking and anchoring. Jason Fox was a **** of an offensive lineman but suffered from the same problem. McDermott should have a good weight room ethic because of his brothers so it'll be interesting to see how he develops.

Yeah Shane is one of those guys that has really come along in the weight room. He looks like a different guy.

 

[Canesfan1899]

I've seen McDermott, Darling and Kirkland in camp and they are all impressive in that setting. Darling is the best of the bunch but they all look like keepers.

The one thing about McDermott is that he's light in the ***-- you can see how it hurts him in drive blocking and anchoring. Jason Fox was a **** of an offensive lineman but suffered from the same problem. McDermott should have a good weight room ethic because of his brothers so it'll be interesting to see how he develops.

Yeah Shane is one of those guys that has really come along in the weight room. He looks like a different guy.

And the kid has 2 more years of HS to add good weight and strength. Seems like if you have an older brother already in a college program you are going to know how you should be lifting better than most.

 

[JHallCanes]

I've seen McDermott, Darling and Kirkland in camp and they are all impressive in that setting. Darling is the best of the bunch but they all look like keepers.

The one thing about McDermott is that he's light in the ***-- you can see how it hurts him in drive blocking and anchoring. Jason Fox was a **** of an offensive lineman but suffered from the same problem. McDermott should have a good weight room ethic because of his brothers so it'll be interesting to see how he develops.

Yeah Shane is one of those guys that has really come along in the weight room. He looks like a different guy.

And the kid has 2 more years of HS to add good weight and strength. Seems like if you have an older brother already in a college program you are going to know how you should be lifting better than most.

He has great bloodlines, KC just happens to be enormous. As was pointed out by a poster the other day, it's possible he may have just been a little awkward growing into his body, but I'm definitely not worried about his technique and work ethic going forward.

 

[CaneLB]

His feet looked much quicker in that short ESPN clip from the Miami Nike camp. He's very coordinated going through the ladder drills.