As some of you may know, I fancy myself a bit of an evaluator at times, and I like to focus particularly on 2012 commits.
I present to you, Ricquan Southward:
Rivals: 3* 60th WR
Scout: 3* 119th WR
ESPN: 4* 41st WR
247: 3* (87) 68th WR
That's an average of 3 stars, and a position rank of 72.
Now watch the video again. He's listed as running a 4.45, with a 6'2'' frame capable of putting on some bulk to be a stronger reciever.
He played on a 13-1 team his senior year, in always competitive Florida, including three playoff wins against other top class Florida schools.
Analysis: He looks like he outmatches opponents in a strong state, is clearly fast, shown both by his tape and 40 time, has decent lateral movement, sees the field well, and has a nose for the endzone.
The one thing I noticed from the tape is the fact that the QB at Lakeland is terrible. Every pass is a jump-ball, from with Southward comes up victorious often. He has great ability to hang in the air and catch balls at a higher plane, but because of this, the tape is slightly one dimensional. The tape doesn't display much route running, or complex passing plays that many recruits have to truly showcase their talents, due to the terrible QB play. He also returns kicks and punts with great success, and shows prowess coming out of the backfield.
So why does a big, fast kid, get rated so low? He had offers from schools in Mississippi and was once committed to U of Miami, but the offer list basically stops there. Is he a victim of underexposure, or perhaps he wasn't given a chance to showcase his total package of skills without an advanced quarterback throwing to him?
The point is, ESPN actually ranks him relatively high, and I think this kid could be a sleeper this fall. He actually reminds me of another Michael Thomas type, with maybe a bit more speed and shiftiness. I'm excited to see what he can do on the field in the coming years, and I'm interested to hear what others feel about his tape, and recruitment.
I'm a fan of Southward's and even did a little write up sharing my thoughts on him after NLOI Day which are here { http://www.elevenwarriors.com/blogs/thirdleglouie/hidden-gem-in-2012-recruiting-class }. Basically thought he had great timing on his jump and did some pretty nice downfield blocking (essential in Urban's spread). Given that he has similar size, and is a speedy, underrated WR from FL, made the comparison to Santonio (also, given that all Southward appears to tweet about is getting high or doing hood rat things with his friends, maybe the Santonio comparision is even more accurate?)
Watching that video again, I do think he could have an impact on special teams,too.
If you ain't a Silver Bullet, you're a target
Haha actually I kind of figured that he might have some character issues just from his only being recruited by Miss State, OLe Miss, and the U, but if he can straighten up to Urban's liking, he has a definite upside.
I don't mean to undermine your previous analysis though, hopefully I could offer some differing views, or at least bump the issue back up to the public eye.
haha we're on the same page bro- Go Bucks
oh, and also rated low because he was behind 3 WRs who were all a year ahead of him and all went D1. only started his SR year
If you ain't a Silver Bullet, you're a target
Amen to that, brother.
I figured that might also be the case, because he didn't seem to even get the touches that many guys get their junior years. I just figured it was because that QB couldn't throw well enough haha. I usually do more MaxPreps research (see my writeup of DeVeon Smith from last month), but Southward's school wasn't the best at reporting things like stats for games.
Good tid bit on him from this year's playoffs:
"LAKELAND - As Lakeland makes the three-and-a-half hour road trip to Jacksonville this morning to play First Coast in a Class 7A state semifinal game, the Dreadnaughts will have one thing on their minds: the state finals.
For wide receiver Ricquan Southward, there's a bit of additional motivation to make it to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando for the title game: His mother, Kathy Howard, will be able to watch.
Howard has watched her son play in every game since he started competing in 1999.
She won't make it to Jacksonville because she can't drive that far. Two years ago, she got into a major car accident that left her car totaled and her ankle in really bad shape.
"It wasn't that serious," Southward said. "But the car was done and she had to have surgery on her ankle twice so she doesn't drive much as it is. But this is the first game she'll be missing. If we make it to states, she'll be able to get to Orlando. So we need to win this one."
http://www.newschief.com/article/20111209/NEWS/112095019?p=1&tc=pg
If you ain't a Silver Bullet, you're a target
This was discussed a while back & I'll tell you I definitely agree this kid has loads of potential. Before Micheal Thomas showed up & put on his Spring show I think many on here were more excited about Ricquan than any of the other 2012 WR class members. All the points you make are spot on & I think his future is bright...
The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.
Totally agreed about Ricquan. He also shows some blocking skills in his video. Hopefully, he'll come and develop quickly.
I think it's especially relevant because the way he can get up for jump balls is reminiscent to both of Michigan's WR commits in the 2013 class so far. He has comparable size, strength, and jumping ability as Dukes, and York, but it also seems like he is faster than both, shifter than both, and plays far more difficult opponents than York.
Also, after watching highlights of Frank Epitropoulos from the International Bowl, I think our 2012 WR class could turn out to be very underrated.
I've been high on Frank since day 1. He's big, a smooth route runner, and has great hands. Probably more of a Tressel guy, but if he works hard Urban will find a place for him
For a punter, Frank Epitropolous is one hell of a wide receiver.
If you ain't a Silver Bullet, you're a target
We'll find out if it's that or the inverse
Southward seems like a guy with all the tools but only one year to prove himself. Thomas took an extra year because he was kind of in the same boat after his senior year of high school. If Southward has a work ethic like Thomas' (or hopefully just joins Thomas in his workout routine) they could both turn out to be top notch guys.
Unfortunately I could just as easily see him as a guy who slips through the cracks if he doesn't work hard and end up transferring back to a Florida school closer to his mom. Especially if we end up with Gibson, Quick, and Foster (not to mention Marshall) coming in behind him.
I'll stay optimistic since he has yet to step foot on campus, so here's hoping for some big things!!