2015 4* RB Kerryon Johnson commits to AU!

[TigerWar 82]

It seems pretty clear that his highest ceiling is at safety. I understand why he excels at RB( because he's naturally more athletic than most of the other guys on the field) but that doesn't mean it's where he should end up. In college that won't necessarily be the case anymore. Kind of reminds me of TG as a quarterback.

I hope KJ ends up at safety because I think he has the potential to be All-SEC caliber but if he turns out to be a star RB at AU I'll gladly eat my crow.

Case in point Mark Barron was an awesome runningback in high school and is now an NFL safety.

I haven't done enough film study on Johnson to determine specifically which position is better for his future, but the first thing that came to my mind while reading your post was how quality of a rb Barron was in high school, BUT he was a ferocious defender and you could clearly see that the defense was his more likely destination.

[IronMan70 3,277]

It seems pretty clear that his highest ceiling is at safety. I understand why he excels at RB( because he's naturally more athletic than most of the other guys on the field) but that doesn't mean it's where he should end up. In college that won't necessarily be the case anymore. Kind of reminds me of TG as a quarterback.

I hope KJ ends up at safety because I think he has the potential to be All-SEC caliber but if he turns out to be a star RB at AU I'll gladly eat my crow.

Case in point Mark Barron was an awesome runningback in high school and is now an NFL safety.

I haven't done enough film study on Johnson to determine specifically which position is better for his future, but the first thing that came to my mind while reading your post was how quality of a rb Barron was in high school, BUT he was a ferocious defender and you could clearly see that the defense was his more likely destination.

With the trend in the NFL draft that CBs and Ss are being valued more highly than RBs, a lot of the very talented kids might want to play in the secondary over RB if they have the choice. Then when you look at the 2nd contracts that guys like Sherman are getting, it just reinforces it in their minds.

I read recently that Ben Tate stated if he had to do it all over again he would have played safety in college because NFL running backs have been devalued so much. It's been an interesting trend to watch the last 3 years.

[NoALtiger 3,862]

I have watched every game he has played (at least home games I should say) and I think he can impact any position he plays but IMO his highest ceiling is safety. He could REALLY be special there

^^This is absolute correct. He can excel at any position folks but he has a higher ceiling on D. It's win-win for all though I can tell ya that. Kid is a baller and a class guy.

[douggwilliams 61]

That is going to be one hell of a sell job. He is our #1 or #2 back on our recruiting board. He is thinking he is coming to play RB at AU. We will see, I think the D and O coordinators are going to fight over this guy.

[AU Is Gold 410]

Let's get him going Iron man style. He can play safety for most of the game, if that's where his true potential is. Then if he can compete at RB as well, give him 6 or 7 carries a game. I don't know if this is looked down upon nowadays and it would probably never happen with a team talented all around the board such as Auburn, but it would be truly unique to see a player play both ways in the SEC. Stanford had a guy that played both ways about 5 or 6 years ago and it turned out well for him.

[auadmin 20]

I pray our talent doesn't merit having to play anyone on both sides of the ball. The NFL may reward his skills on the D, but as a kid, I had pictures of James Brooks, William Andrews and Joe Cribbs on my wall. I couldn't even begin to tell you who was playing DB at that time. RB still trumps DB in the eyes of many.

[AUbritt 611]

I just want him to play in the best spot for him and to help the team. If that's RB, great. If that's S, great. If that's both ways, great.

It seems too easy to assume we know what the best position is for him, as well as assuming that he'll automatically want to play that position. It's possible that KJ will want to play RB, even if the best position for him is S. That'd obviously be a shame. But I don't think our coaches would be recruiting him as RB unless they thought that would be his position (at least initially).

[WaynesAUworld 179]

Nick Marshall was a db at thuga, but look at him now. Different strokes for different folks. I'm glad he is playing QB for us and whatever position the coaches end up having Kerryon play is going to be the best position for AU.

[Tiger 8,826]

If you reference Nick Marshall as a success story with the blurry positional lines, one has to point out Tristan Davis who didn't get to be full time at either RB or Safety and his football career was undoubtedly hurt because of it. Had he just specialized as a DB or a RB he would've been much better off in terms of his chances of making it into the NFL. He essentially missed out on important coaching at both spots to be a professional.

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

Onterio McCalebb says hello.

[McLoofus 35,182]

If you reference Nick Marshall as a success story with the blurry positional lines, one has to point out Tristan Davis who didn't get to be full time at either RB or Safety and his football career was undoubtedly hurt because of it. Had he just specialized as a DB or a RB he would've been much better off in terms of his chances of making it into the NFL. He essentially missed out on important coaching at both spots to be a professional.

There's plenty of doubt about whether or not that hurt his chances in the NFL. You frame it as though he got shuffled around by the coaches. Another way to frame it was that he was never good enough to outright win a starting position at Auburn. You suggest that his lack of specialization diminished his NFL opportunities, but maybe it's his versatility showcased by the Auburn staff that allowed him to kick around the NFL for several years.

By the way, somebody awhile back in this thread reached way back for some two-way player from Stanford, but you only have to go back to last year at UCLA to land on Myles Jack, who was very successful on both sides of the ball. Very successful.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/418147-uclas-two-way-playing-heisman-candidate

[gravejd 3,270]

If you reference Nick Marshall as a success story with the blurry positional lines, one has to point out Tristan Davis who didn't get to be full time at either RB or Safety and his football career was undoubtedly hurt because of it. Had he just specialized as a DB or a RB he would've been much better off in terms of his chances of making it into the NFL. He essentially missed out on important coaching at both spots to be a professional.

There's plenty of doubt about whether or not that hurt his chances in the NFL. You frame it as though he got shuffled around by the coaches. Another way to frame it was that he was never good enough to outright win a starting position at Auburn. You suggest that his lack of specialization diminished his NFL opportunities, but maybe it's his versatility showcased by the Auburn staff that allowed him to kick around the NFL for several years.

By the way, somebody awhile back in this thread reached way back for some two-way player from Stanford, but you only have to go back to last year at UCLA to land on Myles Jack, who was very successful on both sides of the ball. Very successful.

http://www.fannation...isman-candidate

I thought Tristan Davis was constantely hurt during his AU career. Am I remembering that wrong?

[JFDTiger80 790]

If you reference Nick Marshall as a success story with the blurry positional lines, one has to point out Tristan Davis who didn't get to be full time at either RB or Safety and his football career was undoubtedly hurt because of it. Had he just specialized as a DB or a RB he would've been much better off in terms of his chances of making it into the NFL. He essentially missed out on important coaching at both spots to be a professional.

There's plenty of doubt about whether or not that hurt his chances in the NFL. You frame it as though he got shuffled around by the coaches. Another way to frame it was that he was never good enough to outright win a starting position at Auburn. You suggest that his lack of specialization diminished his NFL opportunities, but maybe it's his versatility showcased by the Auburn staff that allowed him to kick around the NFL for several years.

By the way, somebody awhile back in this thread reached way back for some two-way player from Stanford, but you only have to go back to last year at UCLA to land on Myles Jack, who was very successful on both sides of the ball. Very successful.

http://www.fannation...isman-candidate

I thought Tristan Davis was constantely hurt during his AU career. Am I remembering that wrong?

You remember correctly.

[AUEngineer2016 407]

IMO KJ has a better chance of PT and the NFL as a Safety. Furthermore, Safety is more of a concern for us right now than RB, where we are pretty well stocked with guys (by the time he gets here, we will have Peyton Barber (4*), Jovon Robinson (5*), Roc Thomas (5*), Kam Pettway (3*), and probably some others that I am forgetting).

Again, just my opinion, but I think the best course of action for Kerryon and for the team is to put him at Safety. I'm all for giving him a chance to play on both sides of the ball and giving him a chance at RB, but I think safety should be his primary position.

[Tiger 8,826]

If you reference Nick Marshall as a success story with the blurry positional lines, one has to point out Tristan Davis who didn't get to be full time at either RB or Safety and his football career was undoubtedly hurt because of it. Had he just specialized as a DB or a RB he would've been much better off in terms of his chances of making it into the NFL. He essentially missed out on important coaching at both spots to be a professional.

There's plenty of doubt about whether or not that hurt his chances in the NFL. You frame it as though he got shuffled around by the coaches. Another way to frame it was that he was never good enough to outright win a starting position at Auburn. You suggest that his lack of specialization diminished his NFL opportunities, but maybe it's his versatility showcased by the Auburn staff that allowed him to kick around the NFL for several years.

By the way, somebody awhile back in this thread reached way back for some two-way player from Stanford, but you only have to go back to last year at UCLA to land on Myles Jack, who was very successful on both sides of the ball. Very successful.

http://www.fannation...isman-candidate

Good point on Davis.

[WarDamnEagleWDE 12,737]

Johnson will play RB at AU. AU has is NOT recruiting Johnson for any other position but RB.

[magnumtiger 0]

If you reference Nick Marshall as a success story with the blurry positional lines, one has to point out Tristan Davis who didn't get to be full time at either RB or Safety and his football career was undoubtedly hurt because of it. Had he just specialized as a DB or a RB he would've been much better off in terms of his chances of making it into the NFL. He essentially missed out on important coaching at both spots to be a professional.

There's plenty of doubt about whether or not that hurt his chances in the NFL. You frame it as though he got shuffled around by the coaches. Another way to frame it was that he was never good enough to outright win a starting position at Auburn. You suggest that his lack of specialization diminished his NFL opportunities, but maybe it's his versatility showcased by the Auburn staff that allowed him to kick around the NFL for several years.

By the way, somebody awhile back in this thread reached way back for some two-way player from Stanford, but you only have to go back to last year at UCLA to land on Myles Jack, who was very successful on both sides of the ball. Very successful.

http://www.fannation...isman-candidate

Good point on Davis.

I can't tell by the thread but you do realize the TD played in the league for 5 years right? Not being a jerk just think maybe there are better examples.

[Tiger 8,826]

If you reference Nick Marshall as a success story with the blurry positional lines, one has to point out Tristan Davis who didn't get to be full time at either RB or Safety and his football career was undoubtedly hurt because of it. Had he just specialized as a DB or a RB he would've been much better off in terms of his chances of making it into the NFL. He essentially missed out on important coaching at both spots to be a professional.

There's plenty of doubt about whether or not that hurt his chances in the NFL. You frame it as though he got shuffled around by the coaches. Another way to frame it was that he was never good enough to outright win a starting position at Auburn. You suggest that his lack of specialization diminished his NFL opportunities, but maybe it's his versatility showcased by the Auburn staff that allowed him to kick around the NFL for several years.

By the way, somebody awhile back in this thread reached way back for some two-way player from Stanford, but you only have to go back to last year at UCLA to land on Myles Jack, who was very successful on both sides of the ball. Very successful.

http://www.fannation...isman-candidate

Good point on Davis.

I can't tell by the thread but you do realize the TD played in the league for 5 years right? Not being a jerk just think maybe there are better examples.

I know he did. Pretty much exclusively as a special teams/practice squad guy. Seems like he had the skills to either be a fulltime RB or fulltime DB though, that's what I was alluding to. The guy would've outperformed O-Mac in Gus' offense in the same role IMO. But yeah I probably could've used a better example, but I can't think of anyone right now who was shuffled back and forth lol

[McLoofus 35,182]

The guy would've outperformed O-Mac in Gus' offense in the same role IMO.

Corey Grant reminds me of Tristan Davis, and I completely agree with you, because that's exactly what we saw him do last year and what I think we'll see him do to an even greater extent this year.

[mcgufcm 4,096]

I think Corey is a better football player than Tristan was. Tristan was tight is space, which held him back as a Safety, and he wasn't a banger between the tackles, which held him back as a RB. Corey isn't great between the tackles, but he's willing to pop pads. Tristan Davis was a specialist. He was a returner, an edge rusher, and a decent fallback option at Safety. I never thought he was a feature back. I don't think we misused him at all.

[aujeff11 6,243]

I think Corey is a better football player than Tristan was. Tristan was tight is space, which held him back as a Safety, and he wasn't a banger between the tackles, which held him back as a RB. Corey isn't great between the tackles, but he's willing to pop pads. Tristan Davis was a specialist. He was a returner, an edge rusher, and a decent fallback option at Safety. I never thought he was a feature back. I don't think we misused him at all.

I don't remember much about Tristan other than he was a touchdown machine against the little guys. At one point he averaged a touchdown within 8 carries if I remember correctly. He never got quality time so I couldn't really evaluate his talents.

[JFDTiger80 790]

Bump. Kerryon was named MVP of the running backs this weekend at the Rivals 5 star challenge. This may help Kerryon add enough points to be a 5 star through the combined rankings again. Congrats, Kerryon!

[TexasTiger 12,876]

If you reference Nick Marshall as a success story with the blurry positional lines, one has to point out Tristan Davis who didn't get to be full time at either RB or Safety and his football career was undoubtedly hurt because of it. Had he just specialized as a DB or a RB he would've been much better off in terms of his chances of making it into the NFL. He essentially missed out on important coaching at both spots to be a professional.

There's plenty of doubt about whether or not that hurt his chances in the NFL. You frame it as though he got shuffled around by the coaches. Another way to frame it was that he was never good enough to outright win a starting position at Auburn. You suggest that his lack of specialization diminished his NFL opportunities, but maybe it's his versatility showcased by the Auburn staff that allowed him to kick around the NFL for several years.

By the way, somebody awhile back in this thread reached way back for some two-way player from Stanford, but you only have to go back to last year at UCLA to land on Myles Jack, who was very successful on both sides of the ball. Very successful.

http://www.fannation...isman-candidate

Good point on Davis.

I can't tell by the thread but you do realize the TD played in the league for 5 years right? Not being a jerk just think maybe there are better examples.

Define. "Played in the league."

[chimesAU 89]

Bump. Kerryon was named MVP of the running backs this weekend at the Rivals 5 star challenge. This may help Kerryon add enough points to be a 5 star through the combined rankings again. Congrats, Kerryon!

Very cool. What other backs were there?

[ellitor 33,093]

Very cool. What other backs were there?

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