http://espn.go.com/high-school/football/events/nike-football-training-ca...
Here's the link to the ESPN NFTC video page, they just released the linemen highlights from this weekend, and can I just say, wow, Khaliel Rodgers is a beast. There are 6 or so clips of next year's consensus number 1 De'Shawn Hand, and in three of them he blows right by his man easily. In another, he gets edged to the outside, making weak contact with the dummy. Finally, he gets absolutely stuffed TWICE. Guess who the last three mentioned were by: hint, his name is the title of this post.
Rodgers fails the aesthetic test. he looks to round to move quickly, doesn't tower over anyone, and looks less strong than most of his peers, and then he hits the field.
Take camp highlights however you like, but he doesn't get flat out beat by defenders, ever. He takes on the best, and makes them work. His feet are incrediblyquick for a guy of his size, and he's damn strong. I'd love to see what Marotti could do with a guy like this, and transform this kid from a sleeper to a powerhouse.
Links to the highlight clips?
Woops, thanks for catching that. Fixed
To me Rodgers is a stud. I would love for OSU to pick him up. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't he strictly a guard? Some have the philosophy of only recruiting kids who can play tackle or center and fill in the guard spot from there and not go after a kid who just plays guard, but I say if the kid is a stud, go after him.
I just watched some of those highlights, and Rodgers was probably the most impressive O Lineman I saw even against top competition. Let's hope the staff is working hard on him.
Thanks for posting about this, Buck-I.8.
I don't care what position he plays. He took a kid who scouts say would be number 1 right now if included in the 2013 class and absolutely blows by everyone else, and puts him on the ground.
I get that sometimes the drill just doesn't go your way, but when you stuff a guy like that twice and still get the better of him the third time, you are flat out a ridiculous OL. This is why another user, I think named Silverbullet or something like that, and myself are so incredibly high on this kid.
Last month when he called out Nkemdiche and someone else, I assumed he was blowing smoke, but now, I figure that he's got as good a chance as any to beat those guys.
I totally agree with ya BUCK. I am high on Rodgers as well. The whole 'stricly a guard' tag doesn't bother me anyway. He may be just a guard, but he looks like a damn good one.
My buddy and I have been high on him as well. Has he actually visited yet? I know he was supposed to visit this month.
The hype was a visit and possible commitment this month. While I doubt the commitment rumor because I don't think Kurelic and the gang at 247 are very credible about these things, he seems high on OSU and will likely visit in the coming month
we need all the oline help we can get. Esp with the way meatchicken has been grabbing them
mark may wins douchebag of the year... again
I put a tremendous about of stock in DL/OL 1 on 1 drills, because if you can pass block w/o pads on, when there is nothing for you to grab/hold ... its all about technique, moving your feet, and hand placement, on top of the fact the guy you're blocking can go either outside or inside, and their target is stationary *can't step up, or move around in the pocket* ... then in my eyes you're a legit lineman. I do agree he is a bit round, but your guards usually are ... A good workout program, and I'm sure he will shape up nicely ... Add K.Rodgers, E.Pocic, and maybe another tackle, and consider the OL stocked for this recruiting cycle ....
Hope we can land this one!
Rodgers looked pretty darn good and has some quick feet/hands. After seeing him I'd take him even if he is strickly a guard. Most imppressed with Bigelow, can't be blocked period!
Love to have Rodgers and Hand
Muck Fichigan
I don't care if he's a guard, good OLs have good guards. Kid is a beast.
@BAMA I kind of agree, but I don't put drills on par with game situations, no matter what. But what we can look at is raw skill, which this kid has.
Especially when we're talking about about a drill that is slightly favoring the DL. More when it's a DE vs. Tackle, but still evident with an interior battle.
This kid is the real deal
Pair Rodgers and O'Connor at the guards... opposing defensive lines will fold like wet cardboard.
"Attack the Strong, Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead!"
-Former OSU S&C Coach Lichter
I watched the #1 DE of '14 have his way w/pretty much everyone he competed against, except Rodgers. That's an interior linemen against an elite DE ... and Rodgers won ... The only person that got the best of Rodgers from what I seen is actually the #2 player of '14 according to 247sports ... I'll take him ...
Good stuff Buck-1.8! You're right, me and you have been pretty high on this kid for quite some time now... Thanx for posting this.
Sorry, I meant the actual positions they played in the drills. Did hand line up at DE against Rodgers? Im pretty sure Rodgers was on the interior the whole time, but Hand switched between DE and DT throughout
Did anyone else notice in the middle of the 3 times Hand and Rodgers squared off, at the end of the whistle, they were laughing and congratulating each other. I know this is a stretch, but if we land Rodgers this year, maybe a little bit of early friendship now could help in recruiting Hand. Either way, I like what it shows about the personality of both kids.
I don't think that's anything, there's always the friendly competition factor with these things. What we need is McMillan to reach out to Hand (get it?) and sell him the package deal
Agreed, I was enjoying the post about McMillan's twitter... and his video is scary when you consider it's Soph/Frosh film. All 3 of these kids would be fantastic additions to the next couple years of recruiting.
I'm really excited about this 2014 class. 6 Ohio kids in the top 100, McMillan, who likes OSU. Hand has said positive things, Quin Blanding has us in his top list, DEmetrious Knox, Dante Booker Jr., William Crest, Clifton Garrett, Davonte James, Michael Ferns, Dareian Watkins, all top 100 guys as of right now, have shown interest in Ohio State. It's only May 2012, and double digit top-100 guys are getting interested. I like where this is going
Will we have a more scholarships available in '14 compared to '13 even w/the sanctions? I see our '14 class filling up quickly much the way Michigan's '13 class filled up ... '14 OSU #1 recruiting class ... Count on it!
@buckinbama, especially after we tee off on everyone for the next two years.
"I'm One Bad Buckeye, and I approve this message."
I hope our class doesn't fill up that fast, I'm personally not a fan of closing recruiting for most positions in March
Unless a couple transfer out, the 2014 class will look very similar to the 2013 in size. 2015 though, look out. We have 27 sophomores on scholarship right now.
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
Khaliel? Yes Plz!
Can we get Matt Kalil too?