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CU Medallion [65410]
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A very valid question was asked about running back potential
Aug 10, 2022, 10:50 AM
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this morning. I think this is probably the hardest position to recruit coming out of high school. You really have to watch and evaluate a whole seasons worth of film on each guy. 2,000 yards gained in a high school season might look super impressive on paper. But, if 1900 of those yards were gained after he busted it around the edge and went long distances to the house, his game is not going to translate well to college.
Because, guess what, he ain't gonna bust it around that edge in college, as most of the players that are trying to tackle him are going to be just as fast, or faster than he is. What I call "Hole Dancers" are not going to fare well, either. That is probably one of the biggest adjustments for a running back in college, knowing that you just have to quickly pick an opening, and HIT IT HARD! "Hole Dancers" are going to get swamped and stomped in the backfield most of the time.
I give Nick Saban and Alabama a great deal of credit when it comes to recruiting running backs. They always seem to recruit to a certain "type", which is, big guys with bruising power, and deceptive speed. There ain't that many of those out there each year, but Bama seems to be able to root them out more so than anybody else.
Clemson has a very good stable of running backs right now, and I am not worried about that position, even if we don't take one this time around. Next year is when we really need to take a couple, so keeping an extra scholarship in our pocket for a next year RB might not be a bad idea anyway.
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110%er [7975]
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Re: A very valid question was asked about running back potential
Aug 10, 2022, 11:26 AM
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The old coot mantra of wait until next year....
This would mean we would need to rely on a freshmen to contribute or be a starter in 2024. I guess it is possible but would certainly be a high risk proposition given that learning the offense and most importantly the blocking scheme usually takes more than a year. There are always RBs in the portal but we have shown no indication of helping our roster via the portal so not sure if it is a legit option.
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Hall of Famer [22659]
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Re: A very valid question was asked about running back potential
Aug 10, 2022, 11:49 AM
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Is there no possibility that either Mafah or Shipley returns for their senior year?
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110%er [7975]
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Re: A very valid question was asked about running back potential
Aug 10, 2022, 12:47 PM
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One or both may leave early for the draft or the portal or knock on wood struggle with injuries. Nobody knows for sure which is why not taking a back in this class is super risky.
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Heisman Winner [139948]
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CU Guru [1013]
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Agree with your Alabama assessment..
Aug 10, 2022, 12:55 PM
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Alabama has proven to have produce "some" of the best NFL backs. I would argue, though, that Alabama does even better at recruiting and coaching the offensive line - in college, that is the real advantage for a RB coming out of high school. Alabama makes the transition much easier with OL play.
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All-In [30483]
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We used to have a RB, several years back, who was a major
Aug 10, 2022, 2:17 PM
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"hole dancer". But, his name escapes me. It was frustrating to watch.
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110%er [6153]
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No ... OL is by far the hardest position to predict.
Aug 10, 2022, 2:48 PM
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I think this is a pretty much universally accepted opinion.
Young guys start at and flourish at RB all the time, but great true freshman OL are pretty rare.
OL is much more cerebral and much less instinctive than RB.
The ball carrying aspect of playing the RB position is really a pretty instinctive.. Young guys either have the ability to gain yardage carrying the football or they don’t. College coaches can (or should be able to) see it on film and in person.
Not being required to block (or catch passes) in high school are the main issues with young RBs trying to adjust to college.
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