Eric Watson and Orleans Opoku-Darkwa

#1
jmva1

jmva1

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#1
Both these guys are musts if Kiffin wants to lock up in state. Both 2010 RBs. Watson (rivals 250 to watch member) will probably be a solid 4* and Opoku-Darkwa a high 3* or maybe 4*. JMO. Watson bounced around to three high schools... Went to the same HS as UT commit Marlon Walls for a few years and now goes to the same school as UT commit Greg King. That can't hurt.

Eric Watson

ERICWATSON150_10-16.JPG


Running Back
Memphis (TN) Melrose

Ht: 5-foot-10
Wt: 210 lbs
Class: 2010 (High School)

Eric Watson - Football Recruiting


Opoku-Darkwa, Orleans

ORLEANS-DARKWA-PIC-150.JPG


Running Back
Nashville (TN) Ensworth

Ht: 5-foot-10
Wt: 192 lbs
Class: 2010 (High School)
 
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#3
#3
Yeah I know. I thought I was posting in the recruiting forum it was my bad.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#4
#4
I interpret putting a gate around the state as UT gets it's pick of the talent pool not they'll get commitments from all the top recruits. At some point people have to come to terms with several things. Some kids won't go to UT because they just want to get away, Teague almost became the poster child there. Thankly CEO stopped that. Others may be talented but don't fit the system or need. Brunetti may be a great quarterback but the question remains will he come on board if a 5* QB commits. I don't doubt that either of these guys are major studs but if we happen to pick up the dream pick of B Brown I would think maybe these guys might look somewhere else for playing time. RB may or may not be a need next year. There's a lot to consider but I think the reality is we probably won't see the top 5 or top 10 recruits in the state being commitments next year, unless of course the coaches want them all.
 
#9
#9
Watson is an interesting prospect. He had an amazing middle school career, and the private schools came knocking. He was slated to play for Melrose as a freshman, but then went to CBHS. Sometime after that he went to Olive Branch, but this past year he transferred back to Melrose. The rumor was that a) his dad didn't have a job in OB so he took one in Orange Mound, and that b) OB didn't run the ball enough. Both, apparently, are true. What's puzzling about OB not running the ball is that the team was massive upfront, but the coaches wanted to be flashy and try to throw the ball most of the time. That's a diff. subject, though.

Watson is deceptively quick, but has no problem with contact. In fact, unlike former Melrose RB Graig Cooper, he's a bruiser. Cooper, who as you all know starts at Miami now, was all about running around people. Eric has the ability to do that, but it's as if he wants to lay the hits, not take them. His footwork is good, though. Really good lateral movement, and he has a great 2nd gear. His one problem that I've observed, though, is that he's bad about wanting to bounce it outside. Odd - yes, I know. A bruiser that constantly wants to bounce it outside. I've seen him try to take a A/B gap run and take it off tackle. The only thing that allows him to do this is a great offensive line. He didn't have this at Melrose, however, and that stuff didn't work when they played Henry County. He's a good looking prospect, but that tendency will have to be corrected. That's just my uneducated opinion, though, so take it for what it's worth.
 
#10
#10
Midfielder10 said:
We'll see where he ends up. My bet is Vandy.
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Vandy would be a safe bet but not because he couldnt play at UT. It may be for education reasons. I saw him play and he is good. He will have the spotlight this year so we should see how he does.
 
#11
#11
I went to Middle School with Orleans and he wasn't very athletic. He didn't make the basketball team in 7th or 8th grade and he wasn't much better at football. Never really played.
 
#12
#12
Midfielder10 said:
I went to Middle School with Orleans and he wasn't very athletic. He didn't make the basketball team in 7th or 8th grade and he wasn't much better at football. Never really played.
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Looks like he has matured though. Look at what Micheal Jordan did.
 
#14
#14
volswitten1 said:
We should only go after them if we truly need them not to keep them in state.
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There is a term called Recruiting Pipeline, if we don't go after a quality player from Memphis, and Ole Miss or Auburn picks them up, and they have success there, when we do have a need, the player is more likely to go elsewhere.
 
#15
#15
Midfielder10 said:
I went to Middle School with Orleans and he wasn't very athletic. He didn't make the basketball team in 7th or 8th grade and he wasn't much better at football. Never really played.
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I go to school with him right now and he is an incredible RB playing against the best teams in the state. He has ridiculous leg strength. Basketball doesn't really have anything to do with it.
 
#16
#16
I mean 25 carries for 304 yards and two TDs against MBA, who at the time was on a 19-game winning streak and was #42 or something like that in the nation on Rivals, should say something.
 
#19
#19
I'm just saying we have better targets on our board. We lose Hardesty, may get Oku or Brown this year we don't really need to pick up more than 1 next year.
 
#21
#21
Speed is his main issue. That's about it. Right now I'm faster than he is. But I am pretty fast. He's not like ridiculously slow.
 
#22
#22
Which is why I would take Eric Watson over him. OOD is a good back, but he's just not vols material. Before you say look at what we had last year, be realistic. With the staff we have now bringing in recruits, there will be many better RB's on the board. Not to mention we still have a shot at Oku and/or Bryce Brown.
 
#23
#23
From what I saw last year, he was very good. I would like to see him produce great numbers this next year but he has excellent vision and hits top speed quick. I didnt see him outrun anyone so I cant comment on his overall top end speed.
 
#24
#24
OrangeBlood731 said:
Watson is an interesting prospect. He had an amazing middle school career, and the private schools came knocking. He was slated to play for Melrose as a freshman, but then went to CBHS. Sometime after that he went to Olive Branch, but this past year he transferred back to Melrose. The rumor was that a) his dad didn't have a job in OB so he took one in Orange Mound, and that b) OB didn't run the ball enough. Both, apparently, are true. What's puzzling about OB not running the ball is that the team was massive upfront, but the coaches wanted to be flashy and try to throw the ball most of the time. That's a diff. subject, though.

Watson is deceptively quick, but has no problem with contact. In fact, unlike former Melrose RB Graig Cooper, he's a bruiser. Cooper, who as you all know starts at Miami now, was all about running around people. Eric has the ability to do that, but it's as if he wants to lay the hits, not take them. His footwork is good, though. Really good lateral movement, and he has a great 2nd gear. His one problem that I've observed, though, is that he's bad about wanting to bounce it outside. Odd - yes, I know. A bruiser that constantly wants to bounce it outside. I've seen him try to take a A/B gap run and take it off tackle. The only thing that allows him to do this is a great offensive line. He didn't have this at Melrose, however, and that stuff didn't work when they played Henry County. He's a good looking prospect, but that tendency will have to be corrected. That's just my uneducated opinion, though, so take it for what it's worth.
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Couldn't have said it better myself:good!:. I saw him quite a bit when he was at CBHS. I'm still not 100% sure what happened there, but he and a few others(I believe Courtney Easterwood did too) transferred to OB. Then as you said, he went to Melrose during the middle of the year. I believe he and Chris Walker are good friends as well. Would be a nice get for us next year and would definitely be a nice pickup from the Memphis area, something we need to start doing more of if this "fence" is going to be put up.
 
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