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seems 'ok' I guess...

 

:hail: :hail: :hail:

 

Too many teams ran plays away from Jaylon Smith, so his defensive highlights may not be as extensive as some might want.

Edited December 24, 201211 yr by NDhoosier

That's your future OLB breaking off 60 yard runs, that's what that is.

That dude is sick!

Honestly, that's a 5-star RB. I know he's a better OLB, but that's saying A LOT.

He's my must sign for this year...

Ok, save your ammo but I just don't think he's physically ready to compete at ND. 218 lbs! At OLB? I dunno...great prospect but red-shirting him might be the best thing for all concerned...

Ok, save your ammo but I just don't think he's physically ready to compete at ND. 218 lbs! At OLB? I dunno...great prospect but red-shirting him might be the best thing for all concerned...

 

that is the first thing you would say

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Paris_Tuileries_Garden_Facepalm_statue.jpg/300px-Paris_Tuileries_Garden_Facepalm_statue.jpg

 

While I agree he is slightly thin, he isnt as thin as you make him out to be. He still has a very high chance of playing this year because of his talent, I dont see him redshirting at all.

Edited December 24, 201211 yr by NDhoosier

Ok, save your ammo but I just don't think he's physically ready to compete at ND. 218 lbs! At OLB? I dunno...great prospect but red-shirting him might be the best thing for all concerned...

 

Two thoughts.

 

1. Special Teams - Most of the griping has been about the return units, but in general, the greatest weakness we've had this year is on special teams. He's got the physical skills to be a real asset to just about every unit except the FG unit.

 

2. 250. That's the number of days between now and the opening kickoff for 2013. Not all of that time will be devoted exclusively to bulking up, but still plenty of time to push that number closer to 230 lbs.

 

With the way this kid has looked in 7 on 7's, I could see him being an asset on 3rd downs at OLB pretty quickly into his career... in coverage. I don't think he walks into a slot on the 2 deep at OLB from day one, but I think there is a limited role in this defense that he could fulfill next year on 3rd downs - IF he takes these next couple of months seriously.

 

No question though, it's not like we'll be hurting at OLB. Shembo, Spond, Ishaq, Okwara, and Councell have all earned buzz, and it's not like Rabasa is a hack either... a lot of guys to like going forward, many of whom are more ready to take on offensive tackles off the edge than Smith will be day one. Only way I see Smith forcing our staff's hand for meaningful defensive snaps is by trying to earn a limited role as a coverage LB when we drop 8 on 3rd down, and slowly expanding his usage by Diaco et. al.

probably think I'm nuts but if hes not ready at OLB play him at SS, or powerback, you can't redshirt a guy that could be 3 years and out

While I agree he is slightly thin, he isnt as thin as you make him out to be.

 

The guy he'll be backing up has about 40 pounds on him...

The guy he'll be backing up has about 40 pounds on him...

 

Although I believe this guy is really special and has the potential to dominate... I wouldn't mind seeing him bulk up a bit and redshirt. That being said, this guy is a once in a lifetime kind of athlete and it will be difficult to keep him off the field from the onset.

Edited December 26, 201211 yr by VCDomer

Danny Spond - 6'2" 248lbs

Ben Councell - 6'5" 240lbs

 

Jaylon Smith is 6'3" 225lbs - http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=5143633

While he is smaller than the other DOGs, he could easily gain enough weight to look the part of a college DOG LB.

 

Besides, his talent would be enough to overcome to minimal weight difference he will have next year. I do not really expect him to start at a LB position, but a kid with Jaylon's talent does not redshirt, he wont be here for 5 years.

Danny Spond - 6'2" 248lbs

Ben Councell - 6'5" 240lbs

 

Jaylon Smith is 6'3" 225lbs - http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=5143633

While he is smaller than the other DOGs, he could easily gain enough weight to look the part of a college DOG LB.

 

Besides, his talent would be enough to overcome to minimal weight difference he will have next year. I do not really expect him to start at a LB position, but a kid with Jaylon's talent does not redshirt, he wont be here for 5 years.

 

212 on rivals

218 on 247

 

Both of those I'd trust before scout (try can barely keep their offer lists up to date. Just looking at him, hes lean.

However, I'm with you in that he won't redshirt. He's a monster in coverage and pass rush and will see time on 3rd down IMHO.

212 on rivals

218 on 247

 

Both of those I'd trust before scout (try can barely keep their offer lists up to date. Just looking at him, hes lean.

However, I'm with you in that he won't redshirt. He's a monster in coverage and pass rush and will see time on 3rd down IMHO.

 

He's had the same weight listings on 247 and Rivals since last year, hard to imagine he didn't put on any weight over the summer or this fall.

Also hard to imagine he couldn't put on 10 to 15 lbs in eight or nine months. So say he is 220 ish now. It's not unreasonable to think he could come in at 235 and be ready to compete.

 

I also think spond played huge this year and will only get better. So I'd imagine he will hold down the starting spot but jaylon will get plenty of playing time as the season progresses and start for two or three years. Unfortunately coucil might get lost in the shuffle.

Edited December 27, 201211 yr by SDIrishFan

Neal was the number one athlete in ESPN's rankings last year. He barely played, all things considered. Granted Wood was a 4-star after his senior year but he was a consensus 5-star that summer before his senior year and he red-shirted. This can happen here, ya know...

 

I see Smith more like Ishaq then I see him like Manti, for instance. I think Jaylon is further along than Ishaq at this point, mind you...

Neal was the number one athlete in ESPN's rankings last year. He barely played, all things considered. Granted Wood was a 4-star after his senior year but he was a consensus 5-star that summer before his senior year and he red-shirted. This can happen here, ya know...

 

I see Smith more like Ishaq then I see him like Manti, for instance. I think Jaylon is further along than Ishaq at this point, mind you...

I think both Davonte Neal and Ishaq are going to come on bigtime next season. You could see the potential in Ishaq the 2nd half of the season. Our return blocking wasn't that great at all for Davonte. He'll be fine. 2x Arizona state player of the year and way too much talent/elusivity.

I will talk to his trainer and find out what his target is. I think they have the sights on 230 or 235. He will get there. Same guy that got Springmann, Eifert, and Goodman to targets. He will be ready. An athletic freak that you will have to chain to the bench to keep him off the field. He is a tireless worker and extremely driven.

Also hard to imagine he couldn't put on 10 to 15 lbs in eight or nine months. So say he is 220 ish now. It's not unreasonable to think he could come in at 235 and be ready to compete.

 

I also think spond played huge this year and will only get better. So I'd imagine he will hold down the starting spot but jaylon will get plenty of playing time as the season progresses and start for two or three years. Unfortunately coucil might get lost in the shuffle.

 

I guess there is potential that Councell gets lost in the shuffle but I truly believe if he works hard and puts on a little good weight, he will be a stud. This kid has the frame and the speed to be special. This kid ran the 100m in track in high school. He is 6-5 with the frame to get to 255 lbs without losing his speed advantage. Remember he is only a redshirt freshman. I see a Brian Urlacher type here. I would think him and Jaylon on the same field would be able to cover sideline to sideline with ease.

I think both Davonte Neal and Ishaq are going to come on bigtime next season. You could see the potential in Ishaq the 2nd half of the season. Our return blocking wasn't that great at all for Davonte. He'll be fine. 2x Arizona state player of the year and way too much talent/elusivity.

 

Agreed. Ishaq really seemed to have the light go on for him in the second half of the season. He is a COMPLETE freak. Can rush and cover and catch ball carriers from behind. If indeed the light has gone on for him, look out...seriously...

Agreed. Ishaq really seemed to have the light go on for him in the second half of the season. He is a COMPLETE freak. Can rush and cover and catch ball carriers from behind. If indeed the light has gone on for him, look out...seriously...

 

Amen sir. I don't think he's reached a turning point, but Ishaq has developed over the season. It has been a slow, grinding process, but they're feeding him more responsibility. We have enough options on the roster to reasonably assume that he's doing something to earn his expanded role.

 

I'll be clear in saying that I don't think Jaylon Smith will start next year. I think he'll make a Bennett Jackson-esque mark on the special teams unit, and maybe carve out a small situational role on 3rd down and distance situations. Considering the condition of the proverbial cupboard, that would still be a very nice accomplishment for Smith.