(12-12-2017 09:18 AM)NIU32 Wrote:  

(12-12-2017 09:13 AM)Suptroop Wrote:  I’m sure they’re going to redshirt him. No reason not to. If you look at the roster there doesn’t seem to be a good replacement at center in the near future. This way he walks into a golden opportunity for 2019.

I’m glad they went after an agile center. Shively’s really the only center we’ve had here that’s not a great pulling option.

Suptroop - you obviously know best when it comes to offensive lineman. Have you had a chance to watch tape on any of our other commits at OL? What are your thoughts on them?


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Well it’s been a while now since I’ve played but some things as an offensive lineman you will always appreciate. So far we have Porter, Cox Perez and I’m really thinking Dehaan will be transitioned to a tackle. I believe this group has the most upside of any oline class we’ve ever recruited. The recipe has been the same stemming back from The Novak days. Recruit athletes and develop them in strength, size and technique.

Porter is a little raw but his athleticism is fantastic. He’ll need two years to build up his strenth and develope a bit more aggression particularly one on one blocking. He reminds me a bit of Tyler Loos although might need an extra year before he’s a dominant player.

Dehaan doesn’t have any particularly rare quality other than he’s got a good frame, feet and has plenty room to grow. Maybe a Trevor Olson type player in the future if he is in fact moved to the line. This is just a guess.

Cox is likely the most complete player. He’s got athleticism, size and a bit more of a mauler mentality. I can see him playing any position on the line just to have the best players in before finally settling in at tackle. Much like how Max played at guard before settling in at tackle. Gonna be an all-mac type player.

IMO Perez is the most interesting lineman we picked up. I’m thinking he will have four years to play three if not mistaking. His biggest knock is his size. Probably closer to 601 270 but Jesus is the kid quick. I can say with all confidence we’ve never recruited a kid with his feet. And he’s ALL lower body which is exactly what you want at center. He doesn’t have to plow through the line during one on one blocks. That’s why’s it’s important to have good thick guards. He simply needs to get in position to essentially “be in the way” without giving up ground. The thing that made Brian Vanacher good was his ability to be pulled like a guard. That was when it was uncommon to routinely pull the center. Then Eddie Adamski came in and took pulling to a whole new level for our offense. Then After Wedige it seemed like we didn’t have the centers to really be proficient. A center that can pull on outside leads is a huge weapon which this kid gives back in our favor. Give him a redshirt to master the offense and build up a bit more size and he will be the oline leader in 2019.

Overall I think our recruiting has been on point particularly on the line. They’ve been doing a good job of spreading out the classes so we don’t end up with five new lineman on any given year. I’d like to see them pick up one more stout interior guy to finish off the group. But like most on this board at very excited to see these kids on campus.