Drove to Ames for the Cyning day event and just got back to Algona. Roads were dicey in the Ames area, but good elsewhere.
I am thoroughly pumped for football. This staff just seems to get it. They have the youthful energy that reminds me of Majors' staff. Young guys, hungry to be successful. They get using modern technology to communicate with potential athletes. To a man, I think. The newcomers already on campus are good looking, well-spoken young men. Too bad Udeogu is not on campus as early as he wanted. His film clips look good. Body ready from the get go.
I have been to several of these events and, although no expert, the athletes just seem a cut above previous films I have viewed. Particularly the defensive tackles and ends play much more aggressively, albeit at the HS level, than previous recruits. Keep in mind this includes Johnson who was recruited by he previous staff. But there is an entire defensive line in this class - with one reserve. I don't remember when, if ever, we had a freshman class of defensive line this complete.
And all the defensive backs appear to be able to play corner, or at least nickel, and all hit like safeties, at least at the HS or JC level. And there were at least 3 players who were Quarterbacks for their HS teams, but recruited for other positions. Maybe more.
Speaking of Quarterbacks, Noland is a great looking kid. Oh to be 18 again.
And we are actually going to have Tight ends. Fernandez is a big kid who, on film, would be most comparable to Bibbs. Right now, Allen would be in the same mold, but taller. Soehner (pronounced Sayner) reminds me of a Bielema/U of W tight end, frame wise. He is huge but appears to have good hands. Lensing appears to be just one of those athletes that they will find a place for - somewhere.
Offensively, I was not over impressed with any of the skill guys, save the wr, I believe Jones. He was quick in space. The others were good but just didn't stick out. Anyway, that is what this uneducated eye saw.
Cyclonegenisis hit it on the head. I am enthused for football in a way I haven't been, maybe since the first Insight bowl.
I also had to laugh at the Ohio tradition of referring to the rival as the "school over there." Not as catchy as the school up north, but it will do.
I am thoroughly pumped for football. This staff just seems to get it. They have the youthful energy that reminds me of Majors' staff. Young guys, hungry to be successful. They get using modern technology to communicate with potential athletes. To a man, I think. The newcomers already on campus are good looking, well-spoken young men. Too bad Udeogu is not on campus as early as he wanted. His film clips look good. Body ready from the get go.
I have been to several of these events and, although no expert, the athletes just seem a cut above previous films I have viewed. Particularly the defensive tackles and ends play much more aggressively, albeit at the HS level, than previous recruits. Keep in mind this includes Johnson who was recruited by he previous staff. But there is an entire defensive line in this class - with one reserve. I don't remember when, if ever, we had a freshman class of defensive line this complete.
And all the defensive backs appear to be able to play corner, or at least nickel, and all hit like safeties, at least at the HS or JC level. And there were at least 3 players who were Quarterbacks for their HS teams, but recruited for other positions. Maybe more.
Speaking of Quarterbacks, Noland is a great looking kid. Oh to be 18 again.
And we are actually going to have Tight ends. Fernandez is a big kid who, on film, would be most comparable to Bibbs. Right now, Allen would be in the same mold, but taller. Soehner (pronounced Sayner) reminds me of a Bielema/U of W tight end, frame wise. He is huge but appears to have good hands. Lensing appears to be just one of those athletes that they will find a place for - somewhere.
Offensively, I was not over impressed with any of the skill guys, save the wr, I believe Jones. He was quick in space. The others were good but just didn't stick out. Anyway, that is what this uneducated eye saw.
Cyclonegenisis hit it on the head. I am enthused for football in a way I haven't been, maybe since the first Insight bowl.
I also had to laugh at the Ohio tradition of referring to the rival as the "school over there." Not as catchy as the school up north, but it will do.
