Invitation to USU Fans
- Thread starter WoodsmanVol
- Start date
WoodsmanVol
It takes wisdom to understand wisdom.
- Joined
- May 12, 2010
- Messages
- 17,590
- Likes
- 13,533
Glad to see Aggie50 get some direct and meaningful replies. Though I go the feeling from his post it was test case to drag out samples of "them arrogant Vols fans" to paste into the USUFANS board. Wording and tone suggested this but that's just me (and the peyote probably).
In any case, the first unit OL will not be SEC ready in my opinion, until maybe after the OU game or during. That, I think will be their first real test. But they will be mid major ready as far as being run blockers. Dave Lawson will see to that. Not sure about technique as I think the coaches had a chance to exhibit that last season with the OL we had and it didn't consistently happen. But they must have done something right because Neal and Lane both, being no Yeldon, Mason, or Gurly, put up some very decent yardage, especially Neal.
All the same, it is reasonable to expect that OL to help Lane and Hurd have a very good day, first game. Perhaps not so much due to the OL as it is due to what is shaping up as the determined attitude of both backs from word being leaked out. Lane is determined to keep his # 1 RB status because Hurd has shown he can't be kept on the bench as he's just too good, freshman status be dayumed. Hurd it seems is determined to put some perhaps unfair questions about his toughness, college (especially SEC) readiness, and due to his height, suitability as a RB into a liars garbage bin. He's a RB with a TE's body. Come to think of it, we have a WR with a TE's body too. Name's Croom. Back to point, both backs by accounts have nasty "get the 'hail' out of my way" attitudes and run like it. Yet if given any space - Lane will juke and break arm tackles to significant yardage. Hurd - if given space is most likely just gone. Hard to believe someone that big can run that fast while looking like a dump truck backing into an alley. He doesn't look fast but then he's got speed guys not able to catch him. The few who do just get dragged along for the ride.
Now, beyond them, the smaller fast and shifty guys may depend more heavily on this unproven OL. Rumor is we will finally be able to hit the corners and get away with doing it. Young and Pickett have indicated that. Speed demon, Derrell Scott isn't on campus yet so is an unknown despite being a highly sought recruit with a stellar reputation. My take is Young and Pickett will make it hard to find excuse to play Scott and he'll get redshirted. The OL may not be SEC ready game day, but they will be ready. They better be because I think your Poly DL guys are going to very quickly make them understand what being smashed in the mouth really means. I've mentioned here on VN a few times about the nastiness, strength, and war-like attitude of Poly players. I don't think many here take me seriously about it because they haven't see such guys up close and personal as I have. If our OL isn't ready by game time, they will be darn quick during or after the game when they experience the furious assault of the Polys.
In any case, the first unit OL will not be SEC ready in my opinion, until maybe after the OU game or during. That, I think will be their first real test. But they will be mid major ready as far as being run blockers. Dave Lawson will see to that. Not sure about technique as I think the coaches had a chance to exhibit that last season with the OL we had and it didn't consistently happen. But they must have done something right because Neal and Lane both, being no Yeldon, Mason, or Gurly, put up some very decent yardage, especially Neal.
All the same, it is reasonable to expect that OL to help Lane and Hurd have a very good day, first game. Perhaps not so much due to the OL as it is due to what is shaping up as the determined attitude of both backs from word being leaked out. Lane is determined to keep his # 1 RB status because Hurd has shown he can't be kept on the bench as he's just too good, freshman status be dayumed. Hurd it seems is determined to put some perhaps unfair questions about his toughness, college (especially SEC) readiness, and due to his height, suitability as a RB into a liars garbage bin. He's a RB with a TE's body. Come to think of it, we have a WR with a TE's body too. Name's Croom. Back to point, both backs by accounts have nasty "get the 'hail' out of my way" attitudes and run like it. Yet if given any space - Lane will juke and break arm tackles to significant yardage. Hurd - if given space is most likely just gone. Hard to believe someone that big can run that fast while looking like a dump truck backing into an alley. He doesn't look fast but then he's got speed guys not able to catch him. The few who do just get dragged along for the ride.
Now, beyond them, the smaller fast and shifty guys may depend more heavily on this unproven OL. Rumor is we will finally be able to hit the corners and get away with doing it. Young and Pickett have indicated that. Speed demon, Derrell Scott isn't on campus yet so is an unknown despite being a highly sought recruit with a stellar reputation. My take is Young and Pickett will make it hard to find excuse to play Scott and he'll get redshirted. The OL may not be SEC ready game day, but they will be ready. They better be because I think your Poly DL guys are going to very quickly make them understand what being smashed in the mouth really means. I've mentioned here on VN a few times about the nastiness, strength, and war-like attitude of Poly players. I don't think many here take me seriously about it because they haven't see such guys up close and personal as I have. If our OL isn't ready by game time, they will be darn quick during or after the game when they experience the furious assault of the Polys.
Last edited:
Hey I understand you guys see a lot of trolls here on your board, or dicks that want to make you guys look arrogant to get conversations going on their board. However I can promise you that I'm not one of them. I just love the game of football, and personally I enjoy the game more when I understand the opposing team better. It makes it more interesting for me and I often catch myself thinking of what plays or strategies I would do as a coach.
That being said, I've grown up with the mentality that if you want to know something about someone else or some other organization, you should ask them, not their opponents. So that's why I'm here. To learn about Tennessee football from those who know it better than any one else in the world.
I also figured I'd return the favor by answering any question y'all might have about my Aggies. I'm a student here at USU and I know some of the players personally. So you can say I am pretty well informed about the state of the team.
WoodsmanVol
It takes wisdom to understand wisdom.
- Joined
- May 12, 2010
- Messages
- 17,590
- Likes
- 13,533
Good. Tell us how Daniel Gray is fitting in as a FB player and a student. How's he adapting to the Mormon atmosphere? The climate, Logan in general and relationships with new teammates. How does his play (practices) compare with your existing CBs and safeties? How well is he taking coaching and what are coaches saying about him? What are his favorite off campus activities and haunts? Does he have a girlfriend yet? Does he act like a leader?
Just hoping to hear good things about the kid. I wasn't what you'd call happy to see him go but hope he is happy where he is.
I can't say I know Daniel Gray personally or anything really about how he's doing outside of football. From what I've seen and heard about him, I hear he's doing pretty well. He has a couple of high school teammates on the team (Jojo Natson), and he looks like he gets along with the rest of the team as well.
As for the cultural difference between Utah and Tennessee, he's told the local newspaper that he's starting to love it here. Utah is a very beautiful place to live and the people are really nice. The hardest thing for him was the cold and adjusting to the long winter.
We have an awesome tutoring program here at Utah State, so the athletes generally do pretty well with school. Hopefully Daniel is taking advantage of that.
As for football, he is one of our starting corners alongside Rashard Stewart. However, with Ladale Jackson coming back from an injury last year, and several solid JC corners coming in, there will probably be some competition in the fall.
The coaches say (at least from what I've read) he is still a work in progress, but is extremely talented and has a tremendous upside. He'll probably be the next Nevin Lawson, but he's not there yet. I'm just hoping that he steps up by august and is able to cover Josh Malone.
Im sorry things didn't work out with him at Tennessee, but were happy to have him here in Logan, Utah.
White Bread
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2009
- Messages
- 4,353
- Likes
- 3,277
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2003
- Messages
- 96,364
- Likes
- 111,130
Not trying to discourage you from posting, Aggies50. We love interacting with respectful fans from other teams, and we've had some great ones over the years who've stuck around and become fixtures here. I just thought your question was a bit insincere. I hope you prove my initial suspicions wrong.
Welcome to the board.
Madmartigan
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2014
- Messages
- 187
- Likes
- 0
White Bread
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2009
- Messages
- 4,353
- Likes
- 3,277
Sounds like Malone lives up to his 5 star rating........ Not going to lie, if what you're telling me is true, than that match-up scares me the most.
No worries Freak, I was not offended. Sorry if I came across the wrong way.
Another question for VolNation: How's your secondary looking? Our receivers look like they are going to have a breakout year, especially Brandon Swindall. Not to mention that Chuckie Keeton has been officially cleared to play. However, I have no idea what your secondary is capable of. Do you think this will be a good matchup?
No worries Freak, I was not offended. Sorry if I came across the wrong way.
Another question for VolNation: How's your secondary looking? Our receivers look like they are going to have a breakout year, especially Brandon Swindall. Not to mention that Chuckie Keeton has been officially cleared to play. However, I have no idea what your secondary is capable of. Do you think this will be a good matchup?
Cam Sutton- CB-started as true FR, didnt allow a catch over 20 yds, future star
The other spot is up for grabs but another freshman name Emmanuel Moseley is in the lead. A little undersized but very fast. Will have to wait and see.
Nickel- Justin Coleman, a guy who isnt very fast but he plays hard nosed. Been forced to play outside till this yr. I think he will be fine in this role. Also them moving coleman who is a SR to Nickel is part of thereason I feel good about Moseley since they trust him to hold it down and move Coleman inside
At safety we have Brian Randolph, the leader of the secondary. The whole secondary seems to play better when hes on the field. Solid tackler, solid coverage
The other safety spot is also up for grabs. It has been LaDarrell McNeil but he will have to play a lot more consistent to hold off a good group of freshman named Todd Kelly Jr, Cortez McDowell, and possibly Rashaan Gualden (who could also slide down to CB if necessary but I think he would be a better FS.
A lot of youth, but very talented. Definitely will be more athletic than last years secondary.
Figured Id just break this down too lol
Thanks. Sounds like your secondary will be just fine this year. I think the Swindall-Sutton battle will be fun to watch. I think this will be a good match up/test for our receivers. Lets be honest, if our guys can get open against your secondary, they're going to torch anyone in the MWC. Hopefully we can do a decent job at preparing you guys for the SEC.
WoodsmanVol
It takes wisdom to understand wisdom.
- Joined
- May 12, 2010
- Messages
- 17,590
- Likes
- 13,533
That's good news. I hope he works himself into being a starter for you and have a very good year.
Cover Josh Malone? Anything is possible but all indications are covering him is an improbably expectations for just about anybody who is not a NFL shutdown corner. He's just one problem USU will face, the other is that kid Pearson who is utterly freaky once the ball is in his hands. Just plain freaky.
As for the twin towers of muscle known as North and Croom who now actually know how to run their routes, it might be a long day for your secondary. A very long day.
Our secondary, someone else broke it down very, very well, so not much I can say. Except that it looks like they will be somewhat faster and more capable than last year. If the LB corps is as good as advertised, I predict the secondary will be making interceptions all over the field. The tandem of Johnson and Maggit alone will be raising wholly hail on QBs especially. forcing bad throws.
So pretty much what your telling me is that our only way of stopping your passing game is if our front seven can win the battle of front and not give your QB time to throw? If that's the case then in Fackrell and crew we trust.
I think this will be a good game. Only time will tell who will come out on top. Best of luck to you guys and your season. If you have any more questions about Utah State Football, just ask me.
And Please, beat florida this year. I REALLY don't like the gators.
PassedOutAwake
R.I.P RichRollin
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2013
- Messages
- 16,159
- Likes
- 13,312
If that scares you, you have a lot more to be scared at versus our receivers.
SO. North (6'4" 221)- All SEC Freshman. He was a Wildcat QB in HS if I remember correctly and didnt know much about the WR position coming in. He made a handful of amazing catches that made SC Top 10. The coaches have said he has made huge improvements now that he knows the position. Rivals ranked him a 6.0 4*, #37 overall and #2 WR
FR. Malone (6'3 202)- I guess you know a little about Malone. Coaches are raving about him. Rivals ranked him 6.1 5*, #27 overall and #4 WR. Was an early enrollee
JR. Pearson (6'3 181)- JUCO early enrollee. Made SC Top 10 for a catch during spring practice. Very athletic, quick, shifty and can jump. Ankle breaker. Had 90 catches for 1,598 and 12 TDs in JUCO. Rivals ranked him a 6.0 4*
SO. Croom (6'5 234)- Big and physical. Reports have said that "it finally clicked with him". He finally realized hes bigger than everyone else. Coaches are pushing him to get North and South and run over people. I expect him to just destroy DBs in run blocking. Rivals ranked him 5.8 4*, #246 overall and #41 WR.
SO. Smith (6'1 197)- Started a lot of games as a freshman. Tends to get open and has good seperation but suffered from a few drops last season. Wasnt highly ranked coming out of HS.
Im not going to include guys like Howard (not sure if hes still on the team) and Jenkins (injury)
It certainly looks like y'all have some nice receivers.
We've played against a few too. I think Marquise Lee rolled up 50 or 60 yards on us.
We won't tend to play conservative and try to keep things in front of us.
The coaches will call for a lot of mayhem on the front end of the defense with multiple fronts, multiple coverages, and plenty of stunts and blitz packages.
Your QB (whoever that turns out to be) won't have time to stand back there and see things develop. He'll be hit and knocked down, and hurried all game long.
The back end will lock up on their guys playing a lot of man coverage. Somehow, they have been able to get it done against some pretty decent teams. I suppose we will find a way to get it done against UT.
The last time a P5 team put up 40 on us was @ Defending National Champion Auburn in 2011. Maybe UT is already that good...
We've played against a few too. I think Marquise Lee rolled up 50 or 60 yards on us.
We won't tend to play conservative and try to keep things in front of us.
The coaches will call for a lot of mayhem on the front end of the defense with multiple fronts, multiple coverages, and plenty of stunts and blitz packages.
Your QB (whoever that turns out to be) won't have time to stand back there and see things develop. He'll be hit and knocked down, and hurried all game long.
The back end will lock up on their guys playing a lot of man coverage. Somehow, they have been able to get it done against some pretty decent teams. I suppose we will find a way to get it done against UT.
The last time a P5 team put up 40 on us was @ Defending National Champion Auburn in 2011. Maybe UT is already that good...
Hard to tell just yet about Malone because he obviously hasn't played in college yet since he's a freshman....but he looks special and every bit equal to his 5 star rating. He's very fluid, has great top end speed and is very polished as a route runner especially for his age.
Our best receiver this year should be sophomore Marquez North, 6'4" 225 freshman All American from last year. Legit 4.4 guy, very physical, special going and getting the ball. If you search him on YouTube you'll see 3-4 of his circus catches from last year.
We also have a 6'5", 240lb WR named Jason Croom. The knock on him prior to this Spring is that he wasn't physical enough, didn't play with enough intensity, was downright soft. Reports from Spring practice indicated that the "lights have come on for him" and that he's made great strides in those areas and that he has become extremely aggressive both catching the ball and blocking.
Finally, we now have Von Pearson in the slot, a 6'3" 190 lb JUCO who's very quick, has great top end speed, and is very aggressive catching the ball. He averaged 9 catches and 160 ypg last year as the #2 JUCO WR in the country.
Ideally, our offense is predicated on a lot of production from the tight end position. Last year due to a lack of talent, we got next to nothing out of that group. So far the coaches are raving about 2 of the top freshman TE recruits that we now have on campus. Both had excellent springs. They're both very physical and outstanding receivers.
We should be very strong at the receiver positions. Our biggest offensive concerns are the new OL and how well our QB is gonna play.
White Bread
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2009
- Messages
- 4,353
- Likes
- 3,277
VN Store
