Similarities....

As a recruit I would look at one big factor when deciding on a school to attend. What kind of system does the school run and does it compliment my talents. An example would be if I am a solid tackling machine as a linebacker I would go to Linebacker U, Penn State. If I was a speedy defensive end I would think about going to Florida State or Miami. If I was a big time Quarterback I would go to a school like USC.

When it comes to speedy running backs it looks like Clemson might be the new running back U. And the next one to follow behind CJ Spiller's foot steps is a young man by the name of Mike Bellamy. Mike is listed at 5'10 178 lbs and is from Punta Gorda, FL. The thing that sets Mike apart is his pure speed an ability to run away from any an everybody on the field. With 10.5 speed in the 100 meters, it is clear why some consider Mike the best running back in the state of Florida.

The improvements that Mike needs to make have to do with his work in the weight room and ball security. He already has tremendous vision an burst through the whole. Being such a fast an quick runner he needs to also improve on his patients. Setting up his blocks and using his lateral quickness will really elevate his game on the college level.

I think Bellamy would be able to contribute early on special teams, but I would red-shirt him until he gains more college ability in the weight room. Once that happens the sky is the limit for Mike. He can catch the ball very well out of the back field as well. Check out his clips an see what you think..... Don't forget to comment.

A Lot Of Potential

Every year there is a player or two that really stands out and greatness is expected of him. In my mind there is a clear winner on defense this year, Kent Turene. Kent is an inside linebacker from Lauderdale, FL, the 6'3 230 lb. tackling machine has more than just potential. Potential is what sets Kent apart from the rest of the pack.

When you put on the game film of Kent you see a very aggressive linebacker who has a nose for the ball. His initial quickness an burst through ball carriers is something that coaches cannot teach. Kent has the quickness to play outside linebacker and the frame to patrol the middle like a former Crimson Tide alum Rolando McClain.

Kent does needs to improve in pass coverage and his ball skills, but this heavily recruited kid has all the tools necessary to play an play soon at a big time school. Given the right coaching an opportunities the sky is really the limit for this big time recruit. Check out this video an see what you think......

Recruiting Trail Picking Up

The summer is when kids going into their Senior year really stand out. Camps, combines, and film evaluation are what really helps to get kids noticed. The elite kids get noticed often on athletic abilities alone.

Quarterback Martay Mattox is gonna be the next big thing out of Athens, GA. This supreme athlete blends a strong arm with the ability to move and get anywhere on the field. He is one of the best athletes at the quarterback in high school right now.

Martay has a great knack for evading defenders and with the flick of the wrist can launch the ball to just about any part of the field. He currently is not heavily recruited but does have some D-1 offers. Martay needs to improves his mechanics and field awareness, but after that the sky really is the limit. Depending on his development he could change positions, most likely receiver.

Check out this video of Martay an let me know what you think......

A Big Fish in a Big Pond

So often you hear of kids transferring from one school to another for more exposure or a better program. The bad thing is it does not always work out that well. Kids struggle to make the adjustments from a smaller program to the demands of a higher more competitive one. It is almost like going from high school to college in some cases.

One player that I feel will have a smooth transition is Kadetrix Marcus (known as JJ). This 6'0 185 lb. safety has size an range as a deep hole safety. JJ does not appear to be the most physical safety but moving from Hillgrove high school to Stephenson will force him to become stronger and more of a hitter seeing as though Stephenson plays more run oriented teams.

The biggest plus with JJ's game is he is a ball hawking safety that always seems to be at the right spot on the field. JJ has a great football IQ and gets his players lined up well. JJ also reads plays well and anticipates which allows him to always be around the ball.

Ball skills, strength, and overall footwork are the areas that this upcoming senior needs to improve on in order to get more attention than he already has. I look forward to seeing him in an SEC school check out his video an see what you think....

Consistency

I think it is amazing how certain programs continue to produce top talent whether they win or lose to some degree. I think a perfect example is the University of Georgia. You know, no matter what the record is kids know that UGA puts top talent in the NFL. That coupled with a proven leader, Mark Richt, that people just seem to bond with is a combination that breeds success.

This year will be no different and that can be explained in one recruit......Christian LeMay. The 6'2 200lb. QB out of Matthews, North Carolina is arguably one of the best players in the country. As I pick through his film and really dissect his game I am reminded of a recent recruit in Aaron Murray. The similarities are size and athleticism based. LeMay is more athletic and can really extend plays and has really great anticipation. He really seems to work hard at his craft as well, doing a lot of drill work in the off season to get his mechanics an footwork right.

What makes Christian so special is his ability to read plays an anticipate where players should and will be on the field. That is further testimate to his work ethic an knowledge of the playbook.

I see Christian red-shirting a year and really getting into the playbook and eventually starting and having a significant impact. This kid is way too athletic and talented to not be on the field. I see a more athletic Chris Leak.

A Little Outisde the Region

As most of my readers know I do not venture outside of the Southeast very often for players. When I do I feel as though I have a purpose behind it. The one reason I am today is because I really agree with one of Georgia Tech's newest recruits.

Much like the other hometown team GT will be changing to the 3-4 defense. Because of the change recruiting changes slightly. The type of players that fit in a traditional 4-3 do not fit exactly in a 3-4. Well in order to improve GT went out an got a heck of an athlete out of Washington D.C. in Jeremiah Attaochu. Now Jeremiah is not as highly recruited as other recent signees, but the talent and potential for this young man is immense.

Jeremiah stands at 6'3 225lbs. I see this monster of an athlete playing an outside linebacker position with the ability to rush the passer off the edge. If he continues to add weight he could possibly move to the middle, but I see him possibly making plays like Texas standout Sergio Kindle. Jeremiah has been playing defensive end in high school, but when you watch him run in the open field on special teams and chasing ball carriers it is clear that he has the ability to play with his hand off the ground. His lateral speed is extremely good, and with the teaching of an experienced coach like Al Groh (head coach in college and NFL coach as well) the sky is the limit. Of course he will need to adjust to playing upright more often as well as continuing to add bulk and speed. I think a redshirt year would be good unless the scheme dictates which players will be needed.

Check out this film and see what you think.......

Changing the Scheme

With the constant changes in coaching that have occurred in this, to this point, short off-season there are a few things that will be inevitable. The first is that with new coaches come new schemes an philosophies. Along with a change in those things comes changes in recruiting in order to fit those schemes and philosophies. This current idea is never more evident than at the University of Georgia, where a new defensive coordinator means a new 3-4 defense. The thing is some players fit this scheme, while others will have to adjust.

Well because of the changes UGA will begin to recruit slightly different, especially when it comes to the defensive lineman and linebackers. That being said one player that could end up getting a few more looks because of the changes is Grady Jarrett out of Conyers, GA. The 6'1 275lbs. potential nose tackle fits the 3-4 scheme perfectly. Now Jarrett isn't just a big stump. Grady has tremendous explosion and leverage to defeat blockers at the point of attack. Grady also has an extremely high motor and is constantly running to the ball causing big hits from behind.

Grady must get accustomed to more double teams and learn to absorb and take on the blocks in order to free up the linebackers. The key will be that he must always demand a double team. Grady does have to get used to the position because of playing more as an end in high school. Regardless, this 2011 player could end up being a great find for the new home teams system on defense. Check out his video below and see if you can see him as the future of the 3-4 defense.