Wednesday, June 20, 2012

When did the Word Athlete Become Negative.....

In my opinion the term athlete is sometimes overused when describing a kids talent coming out of high school. A lot of times schools want to label a prospect an athlete because they feel he might be better suited for a different position than that player may currently be playing at. Well sometimes I feel as though a kid should be given the chance to show what they have at whatever position got them recognition. Ashton Shumpert out of Fulton, Mississippi is the perfect example of my premise. The 6'2 205lbs athlete has been playing and staring at running back most of his life. I am sure many coaches are thinking that he could grown into an inside linebacker or depending on how his speed develops an outside linebacker or an in the box safety. Now I believe after reviewing Ashton's film that he too does have this ability to convert to another position, but I feel that what I have seen at the running back position is quite impressive. When I popped the film in of Ashton what stood out to me the most was his very impressive foot work. I mean Ashton has the ability to make two cuts back to back and barely slow down. Ashton's ability to change directions or give quick movements in the hole and get back to top speed is very impressive. Ashton is also a very patient and smooth runner. He reminds me a lot of Isaiah Crowell with his ability to read his blockers and hug them up until he sees an opening and breaking it. Also the fact that Ashton is a stocky 6'2 205lbs he has the ability to wear on a defense for four quarters. I know that with the right offensive system Ashton Shumpert could be very successful on the collegiate level. I see Ashton fitting in a I-formation offense or even single back that has pro style running plays. I think if you check out his video others may come to the same conclusion as I have. Ashton Shumpert is more than an just an Athlete.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

A Family Affair

As I get back to providing updates for teams and recruits across the Southeast I will touch on a programs recent hot streak of recruitment's. The University of Georgia is off to a blistering pace already having 19 commitments currently. Because of dismissals and transfers the Bulldogs have the potential to sign as many as 30 kids this year. One of the most recent commitments was four star recruit Uriah LeMay. Uriah, a 6'1 180 lbs. wide reciever out of North Carolina found more than just a program that could showcase his talents. The University of Georgia is home to his older brother back-up quarterback, Christian LeMay. Uriah in my opinion will have a quicker impact on the program than even his red-shirt sophomore brother. This uber-talented hybrid receiver will cause a lot of mismatches against teams across the Southeast. Uriah's thick lower body and aggressive running style he will cause fits for defenders trying to make the tackle after the catch. The biggest advantage that Uriah has is his ability to play all over the offensive side of the ball. Uriah can play the slot position as a bigger receiver, almost like a tight-end flexed out and he can also be motioned into the backfield and run the ball with his strong stature. Uriah's ability to catch the ball away from his body is another strong reason that he could see the field early on. It is no secret that some Georgia receivers in the past have had problems securing the catch. I picture Uriah as a high school version of Terrell Owens. A player who can run the routes in the middle of the field and break it for a deep one or a receiver who can get you a first down when you need it. Uriah is a very good route runner who will only improve as he gets older and more experienced. That coupled with his ability to continue to gain strength and speed will only increase his chances of seeing early playing time come next fall. Check our Uriah's tapes and see if you see the potential of this little brother.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

The State of the SEC

To all of my readers I apologize for the dormancy of my blog.  I have gone through a lot of personal transitions and I am currently re-located to OKL.  I am still committed to updating readers out there on the newest and best recruits in the Southeast Region.  I will also begin to update my local readers on some of OKL best talent.

One subject that I wanted to touch on was the State of the SEC.  This off-season has probably been the most entertaining one in quite some time.  The SEC has introduced two new members, Texas A&M and Missouri.  This off-season the SEC has also announced that it will be teaming up with the Big XII to create a New Years Day Bowl game between the two conferences.  That means the best team from each conference will play in these New Years Day bowl game.  If one of those teams will be participating in the National Championship game then the next best team will play.  The SEC and Big XII are basically creating a Southern version of the Rose Bowl.  Now some of you may be wondering what these changes have to do with recruiting?  Well the expansion of the SEC has created a couple of different recruiting changes.  The first one is that the addition of Texas A&M and Missouri as recruiting pipe lines will increase the flow of top tier athletes into SEC programs.  Texas is often considered the 2nd best state behind Florida in producing top talent.  The state of Missouri produced arguably the best player in the nation last year, Dorial Green-Beckham.  Green-Beckham will be attending Missouri this fall.  The addition of these two programs will increase the amount of money within the SEC as well.  The SEC as a whole divides bowl winnings with the entire conference.  Since both Texas A&M and Missouri were bowl winners last year they have the potential to contribute earnings to the SEC seemingly in the future.  More bowl wins means more money for facilities, coaches, and recruiting tools.  All of these factors will further the SEC's dominance.

The creating of an additional bowl game that the SEC and Big XII will seemingly sponsor on their own means additional revenue split between the two conferences.  I am willing to bet that the additional revenue will be substantially higher than when an SEC team goes to a bowl game sponsored by any of the numerous current sponsors.  Besides the money the ability to promise recruits an additional bowl game opportunity, something few conferences can do is a recruiting tool all in its own.  Needless to say the SEC's brand is high right now.  No other conference can lay claim to the number of national championships or NFL producing talent that the SEC has provided in the last 5 years.

This past year has been very good to the SEC.  Alabama won an SEC vs. SEC National Championship match up.  The SEC as a whole won 5 out of 7 bowl games not including the National Championship game.  The SEC dominated the recruiting rankings.  I think needless to say the State of the SEC is definitely on the rise........

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