Recruiting Football Talk VII

[Ratvol]

They even knocked down several passes that were certain completions. I think they tackled well in space when they had to also.

I think our secondary leaving in the portal could be a blessing in disguise. I'm hoping our DBs will play much better next year. Schools still out though. I'll take a wait and see attitude.

 

[RiseToTheTop]

SIAP

Why go after Evan Stewart to pair with Nico when you have bonafied studs like Chas Nimrod and Kaleb Webb lmao

 

[engineerVOL]

I’m not sure what I was expecting but did not expect how smooth and quick Nico looked running the ball. He also looked to have every bit of the velocity and quick release Joe has. His deep ball to Keyton looked perfect had 9 tracked it. He’s a more talented Hendo Cinco. I might actually pay attention spring practice reports this time.

 

[LA Vol]

One observation of the game. If VQ and Twitter talk are to be believed, Mincey believes he’s a LT and tried to negotiate it into existence. If he returns and doesn’t portal, he should be grateful for a starting gig at RT. Also, I’m finally concurring with some of the VQ minutes “concern”. Definitely need to play more players next season.

Mincey has already committed to returning and knows he's slotted in at RT. He did cause some friction about position changes last year but presumably is on board with the scenario they sold him and the NIL package he's getting. Apparently, the coaches think he has a high ceiling and is worth the occasional disgruntlement. If he wants to renegotiate again, he might end up in the portal.

 

[Geronimo]

 

[butchna]

Can't wait to see who Heup picks to replace Elarbee as O-line coach from our VN brethren. Hope whoever it is can recruit those Bama types.

It was glossed over on here, but AP stated on the podcast earlier this year that Smart offered Ellarbee UGA’s OL gig when Luke departed. Obviously doesn’t share our “concern” over his recruiting.

 

[butchna]

I haven’t kept up with this thread over the last couple of days so apologies if this has been mentioned, but it looked like Nico ran the offense more like Hendon and less like Milton. The offense seemed to flow a lot better. The hype is real.

Smoother and more effortless than either imo. Sometimes the nerds get the 5 star thing right.

 

[Jackcrevol]

 

[Vol423]

After getting smoked 35-0, Kittle should have to wear the UT gear all year.

 

[Halph66]

I’m not sure what I was expecting but did not expect how smooth and quick Nico looked running the ball. He also looked to have every bit of the velocity and quick release Joe has. His deep ball to Keyton looked perfect had 9 tracked it. He’s a more talented Hendo Cinco. I might actually pay attention spring practice reports this time.

However, he needs to quit facing the defender and spreading his arms when he crosses the goal line or runs out of bounds. He's going to get his watch wound, if he's not careful. Some will think he's show boating.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

He was literally open a number of times yesterday. There isn't a WR that will be free every play.

The problem yesterday wasn't receivers getting open...it was the fact that someone was immediately in Nicos face when he dropped back on 70-80% of his passes....I swear, it's like people can't f'n see or think. I was just watching the game again and there were no times on 3rd down and long, and very few times at all that Nico was able to actually set up and scan the field....and the pocket collapsed so completely that he had no where to run.

On the few times he actually got protection good enough to progress through his reads, good things usually happened...and there were several deep outs where guys were freaking wide open and he hit them.

The WRs were not the problem, if our whole starting OL played, I think we would have hung 50+ on them....hell if Sampson and Keyton don't brain fart we would have hung 49 on them.

 

[Girth Brooks]

Sampson didn't look good in protection, but. . . have to give him credit. . . Nico wouldnt have scored the 20yd rushing td without the lead block from Sampson. Would've been about a 6-8yd gain.

Many of the “whiffs” were designed for him to rub and release. I counted 2-3 that were not solely on him. The play just happened to be schemed into the strength of the Iowa defense a few times. Nico (and Heupel) will learn to recognize these and audible out of it.

Given the patchwork team that was rolled onto the field yesterday, I don’t have much to complain about. There were a lot of learning/teaching moments presented, but nothing that alarming. Iowa is a bad football team. Period. Our speed and strength was more imposing than anything they’d seen all season, and it showed.

 

[LA Vol]

SIAP

He had a ridiculous ask and thinks some program will pay it. Maybe they will.

 

[DD4ME]

We need OL depth. I know we weren't flashy in the portal, but I think we may be in a similar spot to Ole Miss making this an all in year by bringing back OL. Next year will be an OL rebuild and Nico likely gone after that. Maybe I am wrong on the OL situation.

 

[DD4ME]

He had a ridiculous ask and thinks some program will pay it. Maybe they will.

Totally get it. Everyone assumes we are all like Ole Miss.

 

[Glitch]

Why go after Evan Stewart to pair with Nico when you have bonafied studs like Chas Nimrod and Kaleb Webb lmao

After his tweet about hoping his new program can diagnose his physical and mental health issues, I think Nimrod and Webb are looking just fine.

 

[butchna]

View attachment 606934

Classless…like their coach. And I detest Bama as well as Gump Faithful as much as the next guy.

 

[butchna]

We need OL depth. I know we weren't flashy in the portal, but I think we may be in a similar spot to Ole Miss making this an all in year by bringing back OL. Next year will be an OL rebuild and Nico likely gone after that. Maybe I am wrong on the OL situation.

Helluva OL class with more coming. Total 180 from what Ellarbee inherited.

 

[Jackcrevol]

After his tweet about hoping his new program can diagnose his physical and mental health issues, I think Nimrod and Webb are looking just fine.

Prayers for anyone dealing with that. Goodness, I remember VFL Aaron Sears recounting dealing with that. You never know the miles someone has walked, or the path they took to get there.

 

[VolGee4]

The problem yesterday wasn't receivers getting open...it was the fact that someone was immediately in Nicos face when he dropped back on 70-80% of his passes....I swear, it's like people can't f'n see or think. I was just watching the game again and there were no times on 3rd down and long, and very few times at all that Nico was able to actually set up and scan the field....and the pocket collapsed so completely that he had no where to run.

On the few times he actually got protection good enough to progress through his reads, good things usually happened...and there were several deep outs where guys were freaking wide open and he hit them.

The WRs were not the problem, if our whole starting OL played, I think we would have hung 50+ on them....hell if Sampson and Keyton don't brain fart we would have hung 49 on them.

My one thought about Keyton's mistake is if he expected the ball to be underthrown. But, the paly was there.

I agree that WR is not the concern that others have. I just re-watched the second half against USC after Bru got hurt. WR's were open. Brazzell, Matthews, and Staley will a lot of talent. Unlike some, I think Nimrod is solid, just maybe not the dynamic guy we are used to. But the talent is on the roster.

 

[Halph66]

Many of the “whiffs” were designed for him to rub and release. I counted 2-3 that were not solely on him. The play just happened to be schemed into the strength of the Iowa defense a few times. Nico (and Heupel) will learn to recognize these and audible out of it.

Given the patchwork team that was rolled onto the field yesterday, I don’t have much to complain about. There were a lot of learning/teaching moments presented, but nothing that alarming. Iowa is a bad football team. Period. Our speed and strength was more imposing than anything they’d seen all season, and it showed.

The thing I like most about that game other than the win and no injuries that I saw, is that we did not play a perfect game so there is good film to break down and learn from. Iowa does have a good defense, and at times they showed it. Iowa didn't handle our spread offense very well. I also think that they underestimated Nico's poise.

The future is bright. I don't think we are done picking up some talent. We aren't having to rebuild from scratch. And we aren't looking for a coach.

 

[VolByLaw]

On who recruited James Pearce:

Pearce was chop. Who is designated the recruiter and who is actually the recruiter is two different things a lot of times. Chop is a major part of recruiting success for this staff.

-AP

 

[Vol423]

After his tweet about hoping his new program can diagnose his physical and mental health issues, I think Nimrod and Webb are looking just fine.

When I read that tweet, I posted that I'd pass on him.

 

[DD4ME]

The problem yesterday wasn't receivers getting open...it was the fact that someone was immediately in Nicos face when he dropped back on 70-80% of his passes....I swear, it's like people can't f'n see or think. I was just watching the game again and there were no times on 3rd down and long, and very few times at all that Nico was able to actually set up and scan the field....and the pocket collapsed so completely that he had no where to run.

On the few times he actually got protection good enough to progress through his reads, good things usually happened...and there were several deep outs where guys were freaking wide open and he hit them.

The WRs were not the problem, if our whole starting OL played, I think we would have hung 50+ on them....hell if Sampson and Keyton don't brain fart we would have hung 49 on them.

This is why I asked why Squirrel was not targeted more. With his speed I would have thought he would be a hot read. I saw a mix of things with line play, but I agree with the general thoughts you are expressing. Definitely believe we left points off the board by making mistakes. Forced some too though.

 

[LA Vol]

Totally get it. Everyone assumes we are all like Ole Miss.

UT coaches set a valuation and are very confident in it. They seldom chase numbers higher and don't like to renegotiate. Kiffin does both, and maybe Baron and McDonald will be worth it for him. They weren't for UT.