Funny, this conversation looks familiar. http://www.tigerfan.com/threads/lsu...composite-rankings.113030/page-3#post-1448610 Somebody really put COTiger on ignore? Hilarious. Dude is a great poster.
Actually, if the recruiting services don't want to take the time to evaluated the specialists the same way they do all other prospects, I would have 0 problem with that and would be the alternative to the nonsense they do now which is just rate almost every single one of them like trash. And yeah, all we are talking about is the absolute team ranking which of course your solution would not help anyway and the average rating per signee which would be helped. LSU for example got killed last year on average rating per signee because LSU not only signed a snapper but also a punter. Take out the 77.6 and the 77.4 for those 2 and LSU's average goes from a little under 90 to a little over 91 per signee. And they were so lowly rated, i don't think it would have dropped them to 5th behind GA either. Once again, the recruiting rankings dirty little secret...guys they don't even pretend to evaluate.
The staff to a certain extent doesn't worry about *, rankings, etc. they want the best player and try to fill needs. The lowest rated lineman in his class, out of high school, will be your starting Left Tackle this year. Hawk. One of the top DT ever signed by LSU, has been starting in the NFL at OT. Barksdale.
Subjectively, my evaluation of LSU class depends mostly on needs filled and who they offered and got that came to LSU camps...the best active way for LSU coaches to really evaluate prospects. The other thing that I believe tells a lot is which/how many schools offers a player...however, that can also be skewed badly by how much the player is perceived to be "in play" and also if he commits early, the OOS states usually don't have time to evaluate and offer. Objectively, we all know what people in general look at...the numerical assignments and star assignments given to prospects. As far as Hawkins goes, I have no problem with him. Having said that, we do not know how well Hawkins will perform at LT. There is a lot of difference between LT and RT...not so much in the run game but when the QB drops back to pass, the LT is usually facing the best pass rusher (RDE) on the opposition...Hawkins has yet to face that yet.
I wouldn't at all be shocked to see Hawk go in the first round in next years draft. He has the NFL body, long arms, moves well, good quickness, moves into the second level, strong hands, just what you look for in a LOT. Another year under Grimes can only help. Hawk helped himself by returning for another year. Pocic is another that could end up going in the top rounds, I know they want to play him at center, but I want to see the Spring game first. Alexander has to show me he can play ROT, keep his weight down. Pocic playing the center position then a move to LOT the following year, would only increase his Pro value. Having played Center, Guard and Tackle positions. I'm ready to see the Spring game, this should give us more insite.
Ok, just found this one, I know it's still early but.... William Clapp and K.J. Malone have each gotten time at first-team left guard during practices, and Miles said they each got reps there during today's scrimmage. He also hinted that Ethan Pocic played some right tackle, with Vadal Alexandermoving to one of the guard spots whileAndy Dodd replaced Pocic at center. "There’s a number of guys rotating in at the guard spots," Miles said. "There’s a necessity that we look at a lot of guys right now...The tackles have talent, period, no matter how it’s lined up.” From this, Hawk might be the only guy that has locked down his position? But again, still early.
Great minds think alike? Just shows you make quality points agreeing with me.. long before I post about it. Oh and agree on CO!
Vadal Alexander IMO is a starting SEC caliber guard. Whether he is quick enough at his weight to play OT is another question. Apparently, LSU promised Alexander his opportunity to play a tackle position to entice him to come back...nothing wrong with that on either side of the equation. I agree with you that if Alexander can't handle an end's pass rush, Pocic should be the next in line. In another post, you mentioned Hawkins as perhaps a 1st rounder...I have no opinion on that yet. It is key that LSU put out there a competent OL (certainly Porter at center and the turnstile at RG wasn't pretty last season) until Grimes' signees can come into play. Just like Chavis left the LBer corps depleted with poor recruiting, Studrawa averaging only 2 or 3 OL signed per year his last couple of years at LSU really hurt the OL.
I suspect Pocic could beat Hawkins at left tackle, but they promised it to Hawkins if he can get it done. I'm not convinced he is quick enough for left tackle and I worry that Alexander may not be a natural tackle either, although he has played there. Since Pocic can play any position on the line and Grimes has already called him his coach on the field, he'll probably play at center and make the line calls. But if Hawkins get injured, Pocic will likely go to left tackle. And he will be promised the left tackle position for his senior year, if he returns. He's a potential All-American and it would be good for LSU and Pocic if he played out his eligibility. Pocic can get downfield and block in the secondary, which ain't common in big inside linemen.
