2013 3* OG/C Khaliel Rodgers (USC signee)

[aupops2 9]

Is Grimes high enough on Rodgers to wait on the USC decision for him or will AU take the next best OG on the board who will commit on the spot? Thanks.

There are not many quality Guards in this class so I imagine he would wait on Rodgers a bit.

I understand what you're saying "e", but really, we don't know how CJG is rating these kids.  We don't even know how the services rate them, because they lump all the OLs together (OT, OG, C). I saw in one article where one service listed Rodgers as the 24th OG in the country and that's not really correct.  In fact, the only OG higher rated is Tyrone Crowder.  So Rodgers is actually the #24 OL, which is still very high because the higher rated ones are OTs.  After Rodgers showing last weekend, being called the strongest kid there, and the synergy he has with other prospects, I have reason to believe he is our top target.  And there is ample info to think we won't have to wait on USCw.  Outside of Rodgers, it's a scramble, but it appears Coach Grimes has his eyes on the likes of Droogsma, Meyers (even though he committed elsewhere), and Benenoch (even though he's leaning to UTexas).  The mystery is Crowder, who so far has shown little interest.  We tend to concentrate on the more glamourous positions, but, guys, the OG void needs to be filled very, very badly.

[flexbone 0]

Is Grimes high enough on Rodgers to wait on the USC decision for him or will AU take the next best OG on the board who will commit on the spot? Thanks.

There are not many quality Guards in this class so I imagine he would wait on Rodgers a bit.

I understand what you're saying "e", but really, we don't know how CJG is rating these kids.  We don't even know how the services rate them, because they lump all the OLs together (OT, OG, C). I saw in one article where one service listed Rodgers as the 24th OG in the country and that's not really correct.  In fact, the only OG higher rated is Tyrone Crowder.  So Rodgers is actually the #24 OL, which is still very high because the higher rated ones are OTs.  After Rodgers showing last weekend, being called the strongest kid there, and the synergy he has with other prospects, I have reason to believe he is our top target.  And there is ample info to think we won't have to wait on USCw.  Outside of Rodgers, it's a scramble, but it appears Coach Grimes has his eyes on the likes of Droogsma, Meyers (even though he committed elsewhere), and Benenoch (even though he's leaning to UTexas).  The mystery is Crowder, who so far has shown little interest.  We tend to concentrate on the more glamourous positions, but, guys, the OG void needs to be filled very, very badly.

I am not that worried about the OG position long term.  Lots of young talent, just not much experience.  The only senior is Sullen.  And lots of guys signed last year likely have a future at OG, including Diamond and Kozan. Callahan and Adams could also play guard.  AU needs to sign 1 or 2 this year, but it's not a dire situation by any means.

[aupops2 9]

Is Grimes high enough on Rodgers to wait on the USC decision for him or will AU take the next best OG on the board who will commit on the spot? Thanks.

There are not many quality Guards in this class so I imagine he would wait on Rodgers a bit.

I understand what you're saying "e", but really, we don't know how CJG is rating these kids.  We don't even know how the services rate them, because they lump all the OLs together (OT, OG, C). I saw in one article where one service listed Rodgers as the 24th OG in the country and that's not really correct.  In fact, the only OG higher rated is Tyrone Crowder.  So Rodgers is actually the #24 OL, which is still very high because the higher rated ones are OTs.  After Rodgers showing last weekend, being called the strongest kid there, and the synergy he has with other prospects, I have reason to believe he is our top target.  And there is ample info to think we won't have to wait on USCw.  Outside of Rodgers, it's a scramble, but it appears Coach Grimes has his eyes on the likes of Droogsma, Meyers (even though he committed elsewhere), and Benenoch (even though he's leaning to UTexas).  The mystery is Crowder, who so far has shown little interest.  We tend to concentrate on the more glamourous positions, but, guys, the OG void needs to be filled very, very badly.

I am not that worried about the OG position long term.  Lots of young talent, just not much experience.  The only senior is Sullen.  And lots of guys signed last year likely have a future at OG, including Diamond and Kozan. Callahan and Adams could also play guard.  AU needs to sign 1 or 2 this year, but it's not a dire situation by any means.

Interesting.  I know all but Diamond are considered possibilities, and I can surely see Jordan being in that mix too.  We've got to find a back-up center out of that group too,  most likely Kozan.  That's five kids, plus Dismukes, to fill three positions next year;  still see it as a glaring need. 

[ellitor 33,108]

Mike Farrell ‏@rivalsmike

Khaliel Rodgers didn't make it out to #USC Rising Seniors camp this week but says #USC still in it, but this is good for #Auburn

‏@Ellitor_TheLion

@rivalsmike: not necessarily good for AU. Rodgers is taking summer classes in hopes USC offers him as an EE. SC can sign 18 if 3 are EEs.

[gr82b4au 5,568]

I do not know the boy but I think I can take an educated guess on where he truly wants to go. Right now USC is stringing him along... and he does not seem to care because he wants an offer so bad.

[IronMan70 3,277]

Is Grimes high enough on Rodgers to wait on the USC decision for him or will AU take the next best OG on the board who will commit on the spot? Thanks.

There are not many quality Guards in this class so I imagine he would wait on Rodgers a bit.

I understand what you're saying "e", but really, we don't know how CJG is rating these kids.  We don't even know how the services rate them, because they lump all the OLs together (OT, OG, C). I saw in one article where one service listed Rodgers as the 24th OG in the country and that's not really correct.  In fact, the only OG higher rated is Tyrone Crowder.  So Rodgers is actually the #24 OL, which is still very high because the higher rated ones are OTs.  After Rodgers showing last weekend, being called the strongest kid there, and the synergy he has with other prospects, I have reason to believe he is our top target.  And there is ample info to think we won't have to wait on USCw.  Outside of Rodgers, it's a scramble, but it appears Coach Grimes has his eyes on the likes of Droogsma, Meyers (even though he committed elsewhere), and Benenoch (even though he's leaning to UTexas).  The mystery is Crowder, who so far has shown little interest.  We tend to concentrate on the more glamourous positions, but, guys, the OG void needs to be filled very, very badly.

I am not that worried about the OG position long term.  Lots of young talent, just not much experience.  The only senior is Sullen.  And lots of guys signed last year likely have a future at OG, including Diamond and Kozan. Callahan and Adams could also play guard.  AU needs to sign 1 or 2 this year, but it's not a dire situation by any means.

Interesting.  I know all but Diamond are considered possibilities, and I can surely see Jordan being in that mix too.  We've got to find a back-up center out of that group too,  most likely Kozan.  That's five kids, plus Dismukes, to fill three positions next year;  still see it as a glaring need. 

I am not seeing the need for concern.  We have 15 scholly OLs now. We lose Sullen next year but the '13 commit will put us back up to the 15 number. So next year we will have a very solid 3 deep rotation, all with experience except for the new guy.

Guard- Sullen*, Westerman, Mack, Kozan, Callahan, Adams

Tackle- Robinson, Slade, Diamond, Young, Coleman, Miller

Center- Dismukes, Fariyike, Leff. 

[jwmboom7 0]

Leff at center? I thought he was more of a tackle with his height.

[blazetiger 0]

Some scouts believe that Robinson best position would be guard in the NFL.  If Shon comes on and becomes the player that everybody figured he would be then maybe Robinson could move to guard

[Rednilla 5,391]

Is Grimes high enough on Rodgers to wait on the USC decision for him or will AU take the next best OG on the board who will commit on the spot? Thanks.

There are not many quality Guards in this class so I imagine he would wait on Rodgers a bit.

I understand what you're saying "e", but really, we don't know how CJG is rating these kids.  We don't even know how the services rate them, because they lump all the OLs together (OT, OG, C). I saw in one article where one service listed Rodgers as the 24th OG in the country and that's not really correct.  In fact, the only OG higher rated is Tyrone Crowder.  So Rodgers is actually the #24 OL, which is still very high because the higher rated ones are OTs.  After Rodgers showing last weekend, being called the strongest kid there, and the synergy he has with other prospects, I have reason to believe he is our top target.  And there is ample info to think we won't have to wait on USCw.  Outside of Rodgers, it's a scramble, but it appears Coach Grimes has his eyes on the likes of Droogsma, Meyers (even though he committed elsewhere), and Benenoch (even though he's leaning to UTexas).  The mystery is Crowder, who so far has shown little interest.  We tend to concentrate on the more glamourous positions, but, guys, the OG void needs to be filled very, very badly.

I am not that worried about the OG position long term.  Lots of young talent, just not much experience.  The only senior is Sullen.  And lots of guys signed last year likely have a future at OG, including Diamond and Kozan. Callahan and Adams could also play guard.  AU needs to sign 1 or 2 this year, but it's not a dire situation by any means.

Interesting.  I know all but Diamond are considered possibilities, and I can surely see Jordan being in that mix too.  We've got to find a back-up center out of that group too,  most likely Kozan.  That's five kids, plus Dismukes, to fill three positions next year;  still see it as a glaring need. 

I am not seeing the need for concern.  We have 15 scholly OLs now. We lose Sullen next year but the '13 commit will put us back up to the 15 number. So next year we will have a very solid 3 deep rotation, all with experience except for the new guy.

Guard- Sullen*, Westerman, Mack, Kozan, Callahan, Adams

Tackle- Robinson, Slade, Diamond, Young, Coleman, Miller

Center- Dismukes, Fariyike, Leff. 

Where do you get those positions for the linemen? Leff, Callahan, and Adams are all a bit tall to play along the interior; generally guards and centers are more in the 6'3-6'5 range to make it a little easier for QBs to see over them.

With that in mind, Mack, Dismukes, and Slade (whom I expect to move inside once our new tackles get up to speed) will be juniors by the time this year's class enrolls, with Westerman and Kozan as the only true interior linemen who are underclassmen. This is why we really do need at least two interior linemen, and I'm kind of expecting to get a center in this year's class rather than putting Kozan there. That way, we'll have a redshirt freshman backing up Dismukes and Fariyike when they are seniors, so he'll have time to develop his body and get a little experience before he has to take over, but he'll have three years of eligibility so we don't have to keep changing centers every year or two.

[blazetiger 0]

I thought Slade was a much better tackle than guard.  You think he's a high level guard?  I think he's good at both but I think at tackle he may could be all sec at guard I think he would just be average

[ellitor 33,108]

FWIW BMatt expects Auburn to sign 1 or 2 linemen as of today.

[Rednilla 5,391]

I thought Slade was a much better tackle than guard.  You think he's a high level guard?  I think he's good at both but I think at tackle he may could be all sec at guard I think he would just be average

Well, his starting experience to this point is at guard...I don't know if he's better at tackle or not, but I'm just listing the possibilities at each position. Maybe he won't move inside, but I don't expect him to be starting for more than one more season because of all the young talent we have at the position now.

[blazetiger 0]

He started there because B Mosley didn't handle LT too well.  I don't know his best position I was just saying what it looked liked to me and was wondering your opinion on it.  Seeing if you saw what I did.  Wasn't questioning your opinion or nothing

[Rednilla 5,391]

He started there because B Mosley didn't handle LT too well.  I don't know his best position I was just saying what it looked liked to me and was wondering your opinion on it.  Seeing if you saw what I did.  Wasn't questioning your opinion or nothing

He is 6'5, and that really leans more toward tackle height, as well (6'5 is kinda borderline I'd say, but it is a little on the tall side for the interior), but if Patrick Miller was giving him a run for his money during the spring when most kids his age were finishing up high school, then I wouldn't be too surprised to see Miller win the job at some point this season as he gets more experienced.

Regardless, the point is that we are loaded at tackle, but a bit thin at guard, and we don't have a center to take over after Dismukes leaves because Fariyike is also a sophomore.

[IronMan70 3,277]

Is Grimes high enough on Rodgers to wait on the USC decision for him or will AU take the next best OG on the board who will commit on the spot? Thanks.

There are not many quality Guards in this class so I imagine he would wait on Rodgers a bit.

I understand what you're saying "e", but really, we don't know how CJG is rating these kids.  We don't even know how the services rate them, because they lump all the OLs together (OT, OG, C). I saw in one article where one service listed Rodgers as the 24th OG in the country and that's not really correct.  In fact, the only OG higher rated is Tyrone Crowder.  So Rodgers is actually the #24 OL, which is still very high because the higher rated ones are OTs.  After Rodgers showing last weekend, being called the strongest kid there, and the synergy he has with other prospects, I have reason to believe he is our top target.  And there is ample info to think we won't have to wait on USCw.  Outside of Rodgers, it's a scramble, but it appears Coach Grimes has his eyes on the likes of Droogsma, Meyers (even though he committed elsewhere), and Benenoch (even though he's leaning to UTexas).  The mystery is Crowder, who so far has shown little interest.  We tend to concentrate on the more glamourous positions, but, guys, the OG void needs to be filled very, very badly.

I am not that worried about the OG position long term.  Lots of young talent, just not much experience.  The only senior is Sullen.  And lots of guys signed last year likely have a future at OG, including Diamond and Kozan. Callahan and Adams could also play guard.  AU needs to sign 1 or 2 this year, but it's not a dire situation by any means.

Interesting.  I know all but Diamond are considered possibilities, and I can surely see Jordan being in that mix too.  We've got to find a back-up center out of that group too,  most likely Kozan.  That's five kids, plus Dismukes, to fill three positions next year;  still see it as a glaring need. 

I am not seeing the need for concern.  We have 15 scholly OLs now. We lose Sullen next year but the '13 commit will put us back up to the 15 number. So next year we will have a very solid 3 deep rotation, all with experience except for the new guy.

Guard- Sullen*, Westerman, Mack, Kozan, Callahan, Adams

Tackle- Robinson, Slade, Diamond, Young, Coleman, Miller

Center- Dismukes, Fariyike, Leff. 

Where do you get those positions for the linemen? Leff, Callahan, and Adams are all a bit tall to play along the interior; generally guards and centers are more in the 6'3-6'5 range to make it a little easier for QBs to see over them.

With that in mind, Mack, Dismukes, and Slade (whom I expect to move inside once our new tackles get up to speed) will be juniors by the time this year's class enrolls, with Westerman and Kozan as the only true interior linemen who are underclassmen. This is why we really do need at least two interior linemen, and I'm kind of expecting to get a center in this year's class rather than putting Kozan there. That way, we'll have a redshirt freshman backing up Dismukes and Fariyike when they are seniors, so he'll have time to develop his body and get a little experience before he has to take over, but he'll have three years of eligibility so we don't have to keep changing centers every year or two.

That was an exercise to illustrate to Pops that we don't have to be too concerned about having plenty of bodies for '13. I wanted to show this by assigning a solid 3 deep at every position. First, I filled the tackle slots by picking the best 6 veteran or newbie tackles to fill the position. The other newbies went to guard and 1 to center to join the veteran players in front of them.

With respect to Slade, as of now I think he and Robinson are the best of the tackles at the beginning of '12. Assuming one of the other newbies can get up to speed enough to replace 1 of my 6 tackles, then yes, Slade could move over to guard. Also remember in '13, we will swap a hybrid *OG/OT (Sullen) for 1 to 2 center or guard specialists ('13 commits), so the direction will make a natural move towards the interior linemen. We are finally in the position to fine tune this thing.

* edit: changed to OG/OT                 

[Rednilla 5,391]

Also remember in '13, we will swap a tackle (Sullen) for a center/guard ('13 commit) so the direction will  make a natural move towards the interior linemen.       

Sullen isn't a tackle...

I agree that Slade will probably be the best tackle to start this season, but if he gets passed by one of the freshmen, I don't expect him to start on the interior, rather add depth there.

[aupops2 9]

I missed the "party" this afternoon; had to pay some bills.  All very good posts on the position subject, and all very well thought out.  One thing to file away, though:  the coaching staff's belief is that, while cross-training is necessary for depth and spacing, it is far better to put a guy at the position he is physically and athletically suited for.  Coach Grimes had no choice in previous years but to cross-train; now, because of depth and talent, he can recruit specialists.  We have turned our back on a number of high-ranked OTs because of that very reason.  We are looking for OGs, but I will agree the urgency is subject to debate.

[IronMan70 3,277]

Also remember in '13, we will swap a tackle (Sullen) for a center/guard ('13 commit) so the direction will  make a natural move towards the interior linemen.       

Sullen isn't a tackle...

I agree that Slade will probably be the best tackle to start this season, but if he gets passed by one of the freshmen, I don't expect him to start on the interior, rather add depth there.

SMH on Sullen there and I even have him listed as one of my guards.  I guess I was thinking of him as an OT/G hybrid from last year when I typed that. Old age, lol.

[blazetiger 0]

I missed the "party" this afternoon; had to pay some bills.  All very good posts on the position subject, and all very well thought out.  One thing to file away, though:  the coaching staff's belief is that, while cross-training is necessary for depth and spacing, it is far better to put a guy at the position he is physically and athletically suited for.  Coach Grimes had no choice in previous years but to cross-train; now, because of depth and talent, he can recruit specialists.  We have turned our back on a number of high-ranked OTs because of that very reason.  We are looking for OGs, but I will agree the urgency is subject to debate.

I read something similar to ur statement somewhere.  I also seem to remember Coach Grimes saying that Slade could play both positions but he really liked him at tackle (I think I'm not sure)  I'm happy Shon is just on the team and I know it's one step at a time but if he gets back on the path he was on b4 he became ill I think he could end up playing LT

[Guest EagleDamnWar]

Rivals Chat on if Rodgers could be a 5 star: "Khaliel could move up a bit but a pure guard/center is not likely to be a fifth star, especially at 6-2. But there is no bigger fan of him than me."

[Guest EagleDamnWar]

Apparently David Dawson convinced Rodgers to attend Michigan's BBQ at the Big House.  Don't think the decision will be coming any time soon.

"A new target may have emerged at the camp, as well, and the position he plays might surprise you. Tremendous caught up with 2013 MD OL Khaliel Rodgers, who revealed that David Dawson was selling him hard on Michigan at the camp. Rodgers now plans to visit for July's BBQ at the Big House and appears to have pushed back his decision date, which was originally set for this week. He also tweeted last night that having him and Dawson on the same O-line would be "epic" and "unreal". The scouting services are split on Rodgers, with Rivals listing him as their #1 guard and a top 100 overall prospect, ESPN giving him four stars, Scout putting him as a three-star but the #2 center, and 247 giving him a meh three-star rating.

This could be nothing, or it could be a sign—especially if we get word that the coaches are after Rodgers—that things aren't entirely settled along the line. I doubt Michigan would take a sixth lineman in the class, but with over 20 commits in June, it's almost certain that the class will experience a decommitment or two at some point before signing day. Rodgers looks like he can slide in at any spot on the interior of the line and he'd be a quality contingency plan should attrition occur."

[AUTigerBlood 0]

Sounds like he's comfortable being a schools back up plan, yet he's always wearing AU gear. I don't blame him though, he should check out all options before he commits. Kinda refreshing.

[ellitor 33,108]

Sounds like he's comfortable being a schools back up plan, yet he's always wearing AU gear. I don't blame him though, he should check out all options before he commits. Kinda refreshing.

It's not about being a back up plan. Michigan is honoring the OL commits they have. If any of them flips then they may pursue Rodgers. As for waiting on USC, if they offer he would be the only interior lineman USC takes in this class.

[Guest EagleDamnWar]

New video on Irvin-Sills says he is trying to push Rodgers to Auburn.  Hope it happens!

[AUTiger2012 84]

Mike Farrell‏@rivalsmike

Kenny Bigelow's coach told me he's all #USC no matter where Khaliel Rodgers ends up. You boys wanna chime in?

Saw this on twitter looks pretty good for the hime team if USC saw any of it.