Gators CB2 Spot Seems to Be Unsettled

Chad Wilson

By: Chad Wilson – GridironStuds Blog
Twitter: @gridironstuds

We all know that the Florida Gators 2020 football season had a Jekyll and Hyde feel to it.  On one side there was an offense that was record break and high achieving.  On the other side,  there was a defense that had the looks of a stock portfolio that was losing money during a bull market.  Much of the attention on the underperformance fell on the secondary which will now have to replace three members in 2021.

Of focus in this post is the cornerback spot across from all conference member Kaiir Elam.  As departed cornerback Marco Wilson took much heat during the season for the lackluster secondary performance,  the noise from Gator twitter and some media members was increased playing time for Jaydon Hill.  This came despite Hill playing significant crunch time minutes while rotating in the line up for both Wilson and Elam.  As the season developed and Wilson became the lightning rod,  calls were made for Hill to outright replace Wilson as a starter.  Such is the Twitter mob and the bloggers that are fueled by them.

As Wilson has departed and the open role seeming ready to be filled by Hill,  the offseason has clouded that notion.  For all their cries for Hill to supplant Wilson in the line up,  his move into that role with Wilson now moved on the NFL has seemed to have had sand kicked on it.  I,  for one,  am surprised by this.  How do we go from “put Hill in!” to being excited about every cornerback that entered the transfer portal this offseason?  How did we go from “he deserves more playing time” to “Jason Marshall is going to be an impact player along side Kaiir Elam in 2021”?  Hello,  Jaydon Hill is still on the roster.  Is he injured? I missed that story if he was.

Fans, media and some times coaches like to run through talent like coordinators run through dry erase markers.  They resemble unsatisfied gold diggers at the mall with their billionaire boyfriend’s platinum American Express card.  In other words,  they love new “stuff” and that’s not the word I wanted to use.  I don’t know what the thought process is for the coaching staff.  I am not privy to those conversations nor do I want to be.  However,  so far as the media and fanbase goes,  it seems they are on their train again.

I don’t know if Jason Marshall is ready to play or start.  Perhaps he is.  I don’t know if new transfer Jadarrius Perkins from Missouri is that guy for the spot on the other side of the field.   However,  I do know this,  Gator fans,  Gator media,  the offseason is getting long and we still have a lot of time left.  Jaydon Hill was the apple of  people’s eye in 2020.  Don’t let his insides turn brown now.  He shouldn’t have to feel cast aside and forgotten for no reason.  Whatever you saw in him a year ago is still there and most likely improved.  He took all those reps for something.  Let’s give that guy a chance to see what it all was for.  If the coaches decide it’s not good enough then write your stories.

At this point it seems that it there are too many blogs, too many opinions and far too much speculation.  Go hit your lakes, oceans and mountain trips.  Take a break from all of the speculation and let these players go through the process free of your fantasy football dreams laid out on digital currency.

No Surprise at the Top of the Latest 247 Class of ’23 State Rankings

Chad Wilson

By: Chad Wilson – GridironStuds Blog
Twitter: @gridironstuds

We have long known where the hotbeds are when it comes to college football recruiting in this country.  Though we wish to argue over it because our geographical pride demands that we do,  there is no denying where the hottest bed is and the latest 247 sports Class of 2023 rankings bears that out.

When Alabama rolled up to their national championship title game vs. Ohio St. with an entire secondary comprised of starters from the Sunshine State,  we should have all bowed down to the king hotbed.  I’m not here to piss off the other 49 states but spades must be called spades in the interest of avoiding delusion.  In their latest class of 2023 Top 247,  247 sports has loaded 49 players from the state of Florida.  If you are being honest with yourself,  there should be no surprise there.  However,  there were some interesting things to take from the latest rankings and we can look at them here.

Leading the Way Through the Palm Trees

Though a Florida prospect does not hold the top spot overall,  the state does have four in the top 20 with three of them being the #1 rated recruit at their positions.  Starting with IMG Academy’s offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa.  The two way trench player has been all over the country during his high school career but currently calls the Bradenton, FL academy his home.  Newly acquired American Heritage wide receiver Brandon Innis is the #1 ranked wide receiver in the country and falls at #7 on the Top 247.  The former University School product seems like he’s been on the scene for half a decade but is one of the five Top 10 recruits that are committed.  Like two others,  Innis is committed to Oklahoma.  IMG’s weak side defensive end Malik Bryant comes in at #12 on the list and is ranked second at his position.  The 6’2″ speedy edge rusher is originally from Orlando and has all the usual suspects on his recruiting heels.  Finally,  Lehigh’s running back Richard Young is also the top player at his position and is ranked #19 on 247 sports latest rankings list.  Since earning Max Prep Freshman All American honors,  Young has shown no signs of slowing down literally.  The dual sport track athlete is building himself into a monster.

Peaches on the Rise

I have continued to tell people about the rising giant that is the state of Georgia.  Over the last half decade,  the Peach State has been cranking out top talent that is getting more and more heavily pursued by the kings of college football.  The eye opener here should be that a state significantly smaller than California has nine more (30 to 21) top 247 recruits.  Georgia is also holding the top spot with strong side defensive end Lebbeus Overton from Milton HS.  The 6’3″ 265 lb. manchild is one of three Top 10 recruits committed to the Oklahoma Sooners.  Though he is the only state of Georgia recruit in the Top 20,  the state is well represented throughout the rest of the rankings.

California Drought

Speaking of California,  you know they say it never rains.  Well the drought is starting to spread to the college football recruiting area too.  I wouldn’t say that it is reaching brush fire potential but when you are second in population but fourth in number of top recruits,  there is a smokey trend taking place.  There was a time when you wouldn’t dream of Alabama (18 top recruits) nipping at the heels of California in terms of pumping out talent.  The reasons for this could be better expounded on in other blog posts but for now,  the decline of Pac-12 football is either the result or the anthesis for the decline in talent.  I will let you,  the reader,  decide.  For now,  let me just mention that California does come in with the #4 overall rated recruit and #1 pro passer with Los Alamitos high’s Malachi Nelson.  He and his partner in crime, Maki Lemon are the only two Cali prospects to be ranked in the top 20.  Malachi to Maki is going to be a common theme this up coming football season.  Stop me if you’ve heard this before but Oklahoma has a commitment from Nelson and is in pursuit of Lemon as well.

Putting Up Those Goose Eggs

There are some parts of the country that just have a hard time producing top talent.  It can be weather,  history, population, importance or weather.  Whatever the case may be,  I often tell kids from these areas that if they really want to find out where they stand,  get to the hotbeds to go camp during the offseason.  If nothing else,  you will see what it is you have to work on or perhaps,  pull yourself out of delusion.  Prospects from these following states need to either book flights or pack up the minivan in search of camps to warm weather states this summer:  Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Delaware, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, Idaho and Alaska.   All of the mentioned states have zero prospects in the Top 247.  If you think you are a baller and you hail from these states,  grab a straw hat and some sun tan lotion.   It’s time to book it to a heated site for some competition.

Loan Wolf

Typically,  I would have to include the state of Minnesota in a paragraph like the last one.  The state possess all the traits of the ones mentioned which makes it difficult for them to compete with others in terms of producing top high school football talent.  However,  one young man keeps the land of timberwolves out of the bagel box when it comes to Top 247 recruits.  Robbinsdale Cooper High School’s Jaxon Howard’s mailbox is probably violating USPS codes daily.  The 6’4″ 245 tight end is the #65 ranked prospect in the country and can boast 51 offers from schools from coast to coast.  With the tight end position gaining more and more favor of late,  Howard,  with his size and athleticism is taking advantage.  My guess is that he will continue to rise up these rankings as he continues to look like a beast among mortals in competition this Fall.

This is the Worst Thing You Can Be As A Recruit

Chad Wilson

When it comes to recruiting high school football players to college football programs,  there are a host of reasons why a particular recruit may not get the final nod from a coaching staff to the school of their dreams.  It can range from being too short to too slow to not having the required grades to make it in.  However,  there is one element over all others that will sink a recruit in the college football recruiting game.

Virtually all of the reasons that most of us hear as to why a player won’t get an offer can be overcome.  If a player is too short he can develop elite speed.  If a player is too slow,  he can acquire outstanding instincts.  If his grades are too low he can study and get them higher.  When we are talking about words like develop, study and acquire they all involve work.  Every recruit is going to have holes in their game and areas that need improvement.  For a prospect to reach his potential,  work is needed or he will undoubtedly fail to reach his potential and be a disappointment.  So with that in mind,  above all else,  the worst thing a recruit can be is lazy.

What I encounter quite a bit in a recruiting hotbed like South Florida are a lot of physically talented athletes.  For those who show their talent at a very young age,  remaining motivated to improve can be a challenge.  For some,  the moment they put on the pads,  they were dominant or at least one of the best players on their team.  It is great when you have been blessed with God given speed, size and talent.  However,  these things will only take you so far.  As you progress through the game,  you will encounter more and more physically talented athletes and less guys that you can dominate on talent alone.

What separates the goods from the greats and the good from the average is work ethic.  A lazy player is of low value.  First reason why he is of low value is because he doesn’t tend to improve.  The second reason is that laziness can be contagious.  The last thing a football coach wants is something in his locker room that will infect his football team.  Having gone through a global pandemic like Covid-19,  I think we can all identify with removing an infected member out of a group.  The same way that individuals who caught “the virus” had to be removed and quarantined,  is the same way that a coach will not want a lazy player’s work ethic infecting the rest of the squad.

Don’t get me wrong,  if a prospect is supremely gifted physically,  a school may take a chance on them in hopes that their lazy nature will turn around.  However, if it comes down to you and another prospect for a spot in the recruiting class,  I can guarantee you that they will take the guy that is not lazy.  College football is hard work.  Between workouts, meetings, practices, classes and tutor sessions,  a lazy player is just not going to make it.  If you are lucky enough to get on the roster of the school you want,  you can bet that if you are lazy,  you will get buried on that depth chart and dig a tunnel to the transfer portal.

With all this in mind,  if you have any lazy vibes,  get rid of them ASAP.  Start making a schedule.  Schedule out your time and stick to it.  Get used to getting up early even on the weekends.  Get used to doing things you may not want or like to do because that is a part of growing up and becoming successful.  Your talent will only take you so far and you don’t want to find yourself surprised when the talent runs out and along with the attention from college football coaches.

Use Multiple Sports to Up Your College Football Recruiting Resume

Chad Wilson

By: Chad Wilson – GridironStuds Blog
Twitter: @gridironstuds

When a coach is out on the trail looking for prospects,  there is one trait that they absolutely can’t bargain on.  Nope,  it’s not size.  It’s being athletic.  You simply aren’t going to be able to function at a high level playing the game of football if you are not some kind of an athlete.  One thing you can definitely do to acquire this valuable trait is play multiple sports.

I don’t care if you are a right tackle,  a center or a three technique.  You have to have some athletic skill to go up against and win versus some of the best athletes in the World.  I routinely tell people that ask me that Warren Sapp was probably the best athlete on the Miami Hurricanes when I was there.  This is a guy that floated between 275 and 300 lbs.  Growing up,  Sapp played basketball and football.  He likely played other sports too because virtually every sport he tried his hand at he was good at.  If you don’t believe that this didn’t play a big part in his Hall of Fame career then you are kidding yourself.

In the World exploding with athletic trainers and parents eager to turn their kids over to them the moment they get out of pampers,  I am here to tell you,  the best thing you can do when you are young is pick up a basketball, baseball, soccer ball, tennis racket, etc.  Each sport you try develops a different set of muscles and builds the adaptation of your brain.  While there is some good in repetitive function as a form of mastery,  there is equal if not better stakes in the brain being able to adapt to different skills.  A child that is exposed to multiple languages at an early age becomes a skilled linguist and studies have shown them to be highly skilled in other areas of intellect.  When football season comes around there is round the clock emphasis on football skills.  Trust me,  you will get your fill of football drills when the season rolls around.

Don’t get me wrong,  I am not telling you to totally ignore your football skills in the offseason especially as you get towards and in high school.  However,  I am telling you to augment your football skill by participating in other sports.  Prior to high school,  if the choice comes down to trainer or another sport,  you are better off going with the other sport.  Hopefully you have been playing multiple sports from an early age.  To drive home my point,  pick a few of your favorite NFL players.   Then,  go to their Wikipedia page and look under ‘Early Years’ or high school.  Chances are you will see that they excelled at multiple sports.

Many college football coaches that I have talked to have told me that they look for players that played multiple sports.  First it indicates that they are likely a good athlete.  Second,  it may be an indication that they are coachable.  I am yet to run into a coach that has said they look for guys who had trainers at an early age to develop their football skills.  The only position in football where I have seen that bear consistent fruit has been the quarterback position.  Even with that,  many quarterbacks were multi-sport athletes.  Tom Brady was drafted as a baseball player as was Patrick Mahomes.  Aaron Rogers was also a baseball player in high school and Drew Brees lettered in football, baseball and basketball as a prep in Texas,  so there’s that.

I totally get a youngster wanting to be better than all those around him at an early age.  I know that early on,  going to a trainer over playing other sports will seemingly give you an edge and allow you to score more touchdowns on the 9u team.  Trust me when I tell you,  there is a point of diminishing returns on football skill development as a youth.  You will likely pay the price for not developing your overall athleticism once puberty hits and your peers surge beyond you because they are better athletes.  Don’t make this fatal football mistake.

7on7 vs. Track in the Off Season for Football Players

Chad Wilson

By: Chad Wilson – GridironStuds
Twitter: @GridironStuds

Oh you thought practicing in the Fall and playing games on Friday night was the tough part didn’t you? Try figuring out what to do with your time in the offseason.  Between the other sports,  7on7, camps, combines and school visits,  it seems that there just isn’t enough time in the day to get it all in.  With so much on the plate to be eaten it’s tough to figure out what to consume and what to push off to the side.

One of the biggest issues for skill position guys is trying go achieve some balance between playing 7on7 and running track.  At issue is the commitment that is required to be great at both sports along with the desires of the coaches for each sport. There are also a limited amount of demands that one can make on their body before it forces you to take a break when it breaks.  In an ideal situation,  both the 7on7 and track coach would have a completely open mind to you missing some time from either sport.  However,  most times,  that is not the case.  At least one,  if not both,  aren’t going to be cool with you missing events pertaining to the sport they coach.

So how do we strike a balance between these two all important sports in the offseason for skill position players.  First of all let me start off by saying this;   in my opinion,  track comes before 7on7 for defensive backs, wide receivers and running backs.  For linebackers,  I’m neutral and for quarterbacks even ones that are dual threat,  7on7 is most definitely more important.  So with that said,  if one sport has to be picked over the other then for DB, WR and RB,  it’s track over 7on7.  Some 7on7 coaches won’t like that but if they are being honest with themselves and know what they’re talking about,  they really can’t argue.  For those three positions I just named,  speed kills and track is key to building that all important component.  When Spring football,  the summer and the actual Fall season comes around you are working on your football skills (at least you are supposed to be) and you are not really working on speed development.  So,  when you shun track for 7on7,  you are overloading yourself with one element (skill) and neglecting the other (speed).  This hurts when you start getting tested and the speed times don’t measure up to your counterparts.

With all of that said,  the trick is to not have to pick one over the other but instead,  find a way to do both.  When it comes to doing this,  communication,  negotiation and understanding are key.  If you are a key member on the track team especially in relays then missing key meets is going to be a problem.  Track is an individual sport until you are a member of a relay.  When you are a good to great runner,  expect your coach to put you on a relay or two.  For the coach and that team,  it’s about accumulating points to win the state meet.  There’s also an important part of chemistry that is developed on relays when you run them in the big meets.

On the flip side,  the better player you are in 7on7,  the more willing the coaches are to work with your schedule.  They too would love to have you at every 7on7 event but will gladly take you when they can if you are elite.  This does not mean that you abuse that position that you find yourself in simply because you can.  It says a lot about a person when they have the power to do something but choose not to use it.

If you are good to great in both track and 7on7 then you need to do some communicating and negotiating.  Get the schedule for both sports as soon as you can.  Determine (with the coach) which are the big events and make a plan to be available for those events.  In the event that major events for both sports occur on the same day or weekend then choose the track meet over the 7on7 event.  Again,  this is if you are great in both.  If you are great in only one then most likely that one is your priority and you should lean in that direction.  The only thing I will say is that if you are a DB, WR or RB and you lack speed,  you should be trying to do everything you can to get some.

After figuring out which events are key.  Tell your coach up front which events you will make it to and which ones you will miss.  It may annoy either coach that you will miss but for them it’s a whole lot better to know well in advance so that they can plan than getting a text a few days before, the day of or even worse the day after.  Successful coaching is about planning,  keep that in mind.  While you are trying to be great,  be sure to give your coaches a chance to do the same.

If you are not great in one or both sports then this is where the understanding part kicks in.  When you are not a key member of a team you become more replaceable.  A coach may choose not to run you in an event or put you in the 7on7 lineup as much as you would like.  You will just have to understand that and learn as much as you can from each sport while you are not actively participating in it.  This is easier when you are a freshman or sophomore.  It’s more difficult as a junior or senior.

For the coaches that may be reading this,  treat the players that follow this formula with respect.  If they have been open and honest with you then be open and honest with them.  Resist the urge to do things to them just for spite.  Don’t make an athlete think he will participate on the event day then sit him just because you are upset about previous times he missed.  Keep in mind that he likely missed the other sport to attend yours.  Also,  keep in mind that the kid’s ultimate goal is to try and go to college.   You would never want to stand between the athlete and that goal.  Sometimes you have to put your ego in the trunk and steer the car down the road of integrity.   When all sides can communicate,  compromise and understand,   everyone has a better chance of reaching their goals.

Transfer Portal Means High School Prospects Have to Close the Holes

Chad Wilson

By: Chad Wilson
IG: @gridironstuds

Few things in college football have been talked about over the last 12-18 months than the transfer portal.  From the onset of it’s implementation into the college football recruiting landscape,  the portal has been hot.  However,  it has turned into a menace for high school football prospects across the country.

No class has been harder hit in recruiting than the class of 2021.  Between the extended dead period and extra year of eligibility granted to all college football players + the relaxed transfer rules along with the streamlining of the transfer portal,  the value of a high school football prospect is declining fast.  In the state of Florida,  one of the major hotbeds for recruiting talent,  the class of 2021 saw the smallest amount of prospects sign with Power 5 schools in five years.  The 127 players signed was 17 less than 2020 and some 53 less than the class of 2017.  The inability of college football coaches to see prospects in person for almost a year wreaked havoc on the high school class.  It has now become safer for the schools to venture into the transfer portal and find a player that’s a little more college ready even if there may be a problem here or there.

For the college coaches,  a problem they know about is better than a problem they can’t foresee coming.  That means that whatever problem a player in the transfer portal may have,  they already know that he’s been to college,  knows the routine and for the most part has adjusted to it.  When it comes to a high school prospects,  even one you have been able to see in person,  there’s no telling how he will adjust to the shock of football consuming his life.  The truth of the matter is that some high school players can’t handle the schedule when they get to the next level even when they are a 5 star.  There are just a little more assurances when you are pulling a guy in out of the transfer portal.

In the early part of the transfer portal invention,  the pickings were a little slim as players and coaches adjusted to how it worked.  However,  after the initial feeling out,  the portal has exploded.  Over 1500 players are in the portal with their bags packed shopping for a new home.  This simply means that colleges have more options now when it comes to filling out their rosters.  When certain positions become depleted they are more apt to try and fill it with an athlete that has some college football experience over one who has none.  That’s just life.

So what does all this mean for the high school prospect?  Quite simply,  you are going to have to be a better version of yourself than you previously thought.  Everything matters more now.  Grades matter more,  film matters more,  work ethic matters more, athleticism matters more.  What was a fringe player in the past,  is now a guy that schools just won’t consider because they have other options.  If less high school players are going to be signed than in the past then it means you are going to have to up your profile.  You can’t have questionable grades and sneak in the door.   You will find now that the knob won’t turn for you.  You can’t show signs of lacking work ethic when there’s a chance that the school you like is eyeballing a player in the transfer portal who has already been getting up for the 6 AM college lift.

The other thing that matters more now is getting exposure.  If there’s one thing that the pandemic has ramped up it’s the creative ability of people to be seen.  Because coaches could not show up on campus,  players across the country have had to find ways to deliver their talents to doorstep of recruiters.  Of course this means more of what you do as a prospect needs to be captured on film.  This means your Hudl highlights need to be properly made and managed.  You can’t take your highlight video for granted,  things are just too competitive now.  You also have to be more diligent in getting your filmed exploits exposure.  Making proper use of your social media accounts is a must.  Post your workout and 7on7 videos on your Instagram and Twitter accounts.  By all means,  every high school football prospect should have an account on the GridironStuds App.  The app allows you to post everything about your recruiting.  From videos, to images, offers, weight room numbers, speed numbers and more,  the app allows college football coaches to get a complete picture of you as a prospect.

As this young generation likes to say,  prices have just gone up.  Has your value gone with it?  If not,  you can find yourself missing out on the school you wanted to go to or the whole recruiting process entirely.  Take this blog post as a message or as a warning.  Either way,  moving slowly on what has been outlined in this article will make for some severely hurt feelings come signing day of your senior year.