Player Development

[corchjay 5,311]

I've been promising in multiple threads from requests from other posters responses to younger players...  So here we go.  I'll do it again after spring practice and include the EE commits.

Whitlow - big bodied running back with ball skills.  He was a 1 man team in high school so playing within the play itself will be important for him early to not try to do to much.  His body is SEC ready.  Will need to prove he can protect the football since he was a QB in high school.  Potential to be a good to great player.

Malik Miller -  Good big back.  Needs to lose about 10 pounds.  When he gets in a game he unlike Whitlow needs to show he can do more, break that tackle, shed that tackle make a play.  

Iggy - Elite speed.  Will never be a go up and get it WR.  He will be much like Stove but may be more shifty and could possibly develop better hands.  

Devin Barrett - he's listed 6' 185.  I'd say he's closer to 5'10" 180.  and probably needs to add 15 pounds.  Got explosive burst.  Good running back just has to get his opportunity.

Malik Willis - Not enough information to make a guess. 

McClain - Has impressed me with his body control and hands.  What happens in practice to keep him off the field I have no idea.  Not as fast as Slayton or NCM.  

Cannella - Big WR 6'5" 225.  He will be a Junior next fall.  Would love to see him report to fall camp at 245 pounds and senior camp 255-260.  He's a likable guy with swag but needs to get that fire to be excellent at something.  Be that massive blocker, be that guy that go up and get it, be that guy that will catch the ball in traffic across the middle.  

The young offensive lineman - I don't have enough information to really break down.  I do know Ashley needs to lose weight to be quick enough to play OT.  Kim/Brahms might be the biggest question going into next year at center.  We will see how it plays out with the OL through spring and fall camps.  

For guys that are at these elite levels getting your mind and body right are extremely important.  That's what they have control over the next 6-8 months excluding spring practice.  You do the things off the field to make yourself better and it goes a long way to getting on the field.  

I'll let @bigbird @augolf1716 @1913-14 break down the young defenders if they would like to or expand on offensive players as well. 

Defensive players I have questions about is Big Cat and his weight.  Peters and if he will move to nickel/Star or will he stay at safety.  Broussard/Leonard both looked lost a lot against the better WRs.  Will Davidson move inside if Russell goes pro?  Juantavis Johnson, should he move to OL and learn to snap the football?

[DAG 33,955]

Wait a minute so do you have like some sort of practice passes to make this evaluation?

[corchjay 5,311]

10 minutes ago, DAG said:

Wait a minute so do you have like some sort of practice passes to make this evaluation?

I don't understand the question.  If it's a legit question, no I do not have access to practices.  Some I have noticed off watching in games, some is logical example is Ashley and needing to lose weight, some is what I would want if I were advising the players, and Whitlow is off what I witnessed from him in high school and what I gathered from fall camp.  @ellitor can vouch for me on calling Whitlow a singing day add from last year before anyone even the recruitniks ever even mentioned him. 

[DAG 33,955]

41 minutes ago, corchjay said:

I don't understand the question.  If it's a legit question, no I do not have access to practices.  Some I have noticed off watching in games, some is logical example is Ashley and needing to lose weight, some is what I would want if I were advising the players, and Whitlow is off what I witnessed from him in high school and what I gathered from fall camp.  @ellitor can vouch for me on calling Whitlow a singing day add from last year before anyone even the recruitniks ever even mentioned him. 

Of course it’s a legit question . I am JW what are you basing your evaluations off specifically. For example like McClain, you say he has impressed you but when? I’ve only seen him catch one pass.

[corchjay 5,311]

Spring he impressed on the catch in the middle of the field.  When he was in late in games he was busting his tail blocking.  On the RPO vs UGA he disengaged at the right time and possibly could have scored if a better pass from Willis.  Do I think he’s some superstar that’s not getting a chance?  No.  Do I think he can develop into a good WR? Yes. 

You’re welcome to disagree with my assessments.  

[DAG 33,955]

17 minutes ago, corchjay said:

Spring he impressed on the catch in the middle of the field.  When he was in late in games he was busting his tail blocking.  On the RPO vs UGA he disengaged at the right time and possibly could have scored if a better pass from Willis.  Do I think he’s some superstar that’s not getting a chance?  No.  Do I think he can develop into a good WR? Yes. 

You’re welcome to disagree with my assessments.  

I don’t disagree at all just wondering how you were impressed with him but critical on my statement on NCM, seeing as this kid barely touched the field. He caught a wide open pass in garbage time. He looks the part.

[alexava 6,973]

I am not very familiar with Whitlow. Anything you can expand on ..... size?

[Mikey 16,550]

25 minutes ago, alexava said:

I am not very familiar with Whitlow. Anything you can expand on ..... size?

6' 1", 220, thereabouts.

[AU64 10,122]

Iggy is a mystery to me.   Watching him run kick-offs back....he usually just goes straight ahead until he meets the first defender.   Is that a call the coaches make.....or does he just not seek out a seam to go through?   

Personally I don't worry much about making yards on punt returns....just don't drop the ball and don't let it bounce to the 3 yard line.....but on KO.s....it would be nice to see some run back to the 35 or 40 from time to time to help with starting field position.   Another of our many ST issues perhaps?  

[TigerPAC 959]

not a professional evaluator by no means, but Iggy seems to have straight-line speed but has not developed/does not have very good vision.  this can be coached somewhat, but also is inherent.  as an example, look @ how KJ runs versus KP.  we desperately need help with special teams.

[McLoofus 35,182]

9 minutes ago, AU64 said:

Iggy is a mystery to me.   Watching him run kick-offs back....he usually just goes straight ahead until he meets the first defender.   Is that a call the coaches make.....or does he just not seek out a seam to go through?   

Personally I don't worry much about making yards on punt returns....just don't drop the ball and don't let it bounce to the 3 yard line.....but on KO.s....it would be nice to see some run back to the 35 or 40 from time to time to help with starting field position.   Another of our many ST issues perhaps?  

That might be one of those "getting used to the speed of the game" things. Maybe he's seeing seams that would have stayed seams a split second longer in high school? 

I will say that, of the shortcomings that a kick returner might have, getting vertical fast isn't the worst one. 

[lionheartkc 6,150]

11 hours ago, corchjay said:

Whitlow - big bodied running back with ball skills.  He was a 1 man team in high school so playing within the play itself will be important for him early to not try to do to much.  His body is SEC ready.  Will need to prove he can protect the football since he was a QB in high school.  Potential to be a good to great player.

 

50 minutes ago, alexava said:

I am not very familiar with Whitlow. Anything you can expand on ..... size?

I'll add that Whitlow is getting rave reviews from Chip in bowl practice. I'll see if I can dig it up, but I saw an article, yesterday, that proclaimed him the most impressive young player during bowl prep.

[lionheartkc 6,150]

5 minutes ago, TigerPAC said:

not a professional evaluator by no means, but Iggy seems to have straight-line speed but has not developed/does not have very good vision.  this can be coached somewhat, but also is inherent.  as an example, look @ how KJ runs versus KP.  we desperately need help with special teams.

Ah, but keep in mind that Kerryon's vision and timing to the hole increased dramatically between last year and this year, because he studied players who were exceptionally good at it. Iggy is just a freshman. Those kinds of things should improve in years 2 & 3.  The one thing he has that you can't learn is raw speed.

[Gowebb11 9,308]

38 minutes ago, AU64 said:

Iggy is a mystery to me.   Watching him run kick-offs back....he usually just goes straight ahead until he meets the first defender

Unfortunately, there are usually 11 defenders flying to our 15 yard line unblocked. Our special teams need a complete overhaul. 

[AU64 10,122]

4 minutes ago, Gowebb11 said:

Unfortunately, there are usually 11 defenders flying to our 15 yard line unblocked. Our special teams need a complete overhaul. 

Well....there is that of course....

[DAG 33,955]

35 minutes ago, Gowebb11 said:

Unfortunately, there are usually 11 defenders flying to our 15 yard line unblocked. Our special teams need a complete overhaul. 

Special teams were god awful. Didn’t know special teams could be so bad. Even Carlson dipped a bit this year .

[corchjay 5,311]

1 hour ago, AU64 said:

Iggy is a mystery to me.   Watching him run kick-offs back....he usually just goes straight ahead until he meets the first defender.   Is that a call the coaches make.....or does he just not seek out a seam to go through?   

Personally I don't worry much about making yards on punt returns....just don't drop the ball and don't let it bounce to the 3 yard line.....but on KO.s....it would be nice to see some run back to the 35 or 40 from time to time to help with starting field position.   Another of our many ST issues perhaps?  

Iggy in high school tried to juke and danced to much so he’s completely opposite of what he did in high school so has to be doing what he is asked/told to do.  

Our special teams weren’t very special at all this year.  

[AuGrad2004 100]

2 hours ago, AU64 said:

Iggy is a mystery to me.   Watching him run kick-offs back....he usually just goes straight ahead until he meets the first defender.   Is that a call the coaches make.....or does he just not seek out a seam to go through?   

Personally I don't worry much about making yards on punt returns....just don't drop the ball and don't let it bounce to the 3 yard line.....but on KO.s....it would be nice to see some run back to the 35 or 40 from time to time to help with starting field position.   Another of our many ST issues perhaps?  

It's sad that I also just hope we don't fumble the ball on punt returns and kickoffs.  I would love to see some explosive plays from our special teams next year or in the bowl game.

[leglessdan 1,934]

3 hours ago, lionheartkc said:

 

I'll add that Whitlow is getting rave reviews from Chip in bowl practice. I'll see if I can dig it up, but I saw an article, yesterday, that proclaimed him the most impressive young player during bowl prep.

I too, knew little about Whitlow so i went back and watched some vids on him and man alive. The boy can play. Excellent size and I wouldn't be surprised if KJ doesn't return, JWhitlow isn't the starting RB next season. He has the tools, whether he can pick everything up in time, we'll see. Maybe Gus will break the trend on playing talent vs. veteran and let the talent run wild instead.

[AuburnNTexas 7,127]

I am super pleased to hear all the good things people are saying about Whitlow. Did he play at all this year as I don't remember seeing him. Maybe on Special Teams. If he did not play this year would he lose his Redshirt if he played in the bowl game?

[aufan57 922]

2 minutes ago, AuburnNTexas said:

I am super pleased to hear all the good things people are saying about Whitlow. Did he play at all this year as I don't remember seeing him. Maybe on Special Teams. If he did not play this year would he lose his Redshirt if he played in the bowl game?

Redshirted. Would lose redshirt year if played in Peach Bowl. 

[thaitopher 807]

35 minutes ago, aufan57 said:

Redshirted. Would lose redshirt year if played in Peach Bowl. 

NCAA should pass a new rule allowing redshirts to play in a bowl game, so long as it isn't a playoff game. 

[aufan57 922]

Link

8 minutes ago, thaitopher said:

NCAA should pass a new rule allowing redshirts to play in a bowl game, so long as it isn't a playoff game. 

Been proposed. NCAA can move at a snail's pace

Link

[aufan57 922]

4 hours ago, AuGrad2004 said:

It's sad that I also just hope we don't fumble the ball on punt returns and kickoffs.  I would love to see some explosive plays from our special teams next year or in the bowl game.

With a roster of 85+ players that the best Auburn come hope for on punt returns, is someone who can make a successful fair catch. Would love to see Auburn recruit someone who could be a home run threat as a return specialist. Maybe Worm can be that guy.

[alexava 6,973]

I honestly forgot about Whitlow. Actually a relief to know we have another possibility at RB.