Rivals is reporting ($) that Ohio State has offered College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn, Illlinois) OL Matt Finnin. The three-star JuCo prospect is currently committed to Nebraska and definitely has some impressive film (below).
I think, if true, this is a sign that the staff REALLY wants another OL body in this class and at 6-8/305, Finnin has one that fits the mold Ed Warinner is looking for.
Finnin will have two years of eligibility remaining, but could end up getting a third due to a potential NCAA medical hardship waiver. He originally committed to Western Michigan out of Crete Monee High School (same as Laquon Treadwell), and has offers from Florida State, Oklahoma, Kansas, Maryland, and others in addition to the Huskers.
He has one official visit remaining, so let's see if he makes it to Columbus or not.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Alex, do you consider this a reach? Obviously JUCO players have the added benefit of playing at the college level already and being able to come in and contribute right away. Do you think Finnin fits that description?
I look at his offers from Oklahoma, FSU, and Nebraska and I can't think of this as a reach.
Would they rather have Cameron Hunt or Dan Skipper? Absolutely.
Would they rather have Dennis Finley, Dorian Johnson, Ethan Pocic, Colin McGovern, and Hunter Bivin? You betcha.
But I think the staff clearly wants another OL in this class and they have moved on to the "next man up" on their list. That is apparently this Finnin kid and if they didn't think he could at least end up in the two deep right away, I don't think they'd offer him.
I just saw a tweet about this... Very confused as to why a JUCO guy. He would sit the bench next year and only start 1 year as a senior. That's if he beats out the younger guys. Boren, Decker, Dodson, and Elflein will all be either redshirt sophomores or juniors. I'm not a coaching expert, but one would think 3 years in the weight room and system would be good enough to win the starting spot and have a good o-line. Not including the guys who come in with the 2013 and 2014 classes. Those guys could be some stud o-linemen and put up a fight for a starting job like Decker did this year.
I think they just want bodies at this point. O'Connor is gone and who knows who else might leave from the OL, as some names have certainly been speculated. OSU may already know that one or two of the current OL may be leaving the program.
The four returning starters and Decker are there, but after them you have really only Farris who they are sure of. Dodson is coming off injury, Elflein will be a redshirt frosh, Boren looks promising but he's no guaranteed stud, Baldwin and Brown don't impress me, and Underwood is solid, but a back-up at this point in time.
They have Lisle and Gardner coming in, but they need bodies in case people go down with injury.
Also by taking a JuCo guy that you think may even be back-up for 2 years, it's only 2 years and provides depth. You're not stuck with him for 4-5 years.
Does he have 3 years to play 2 left? Could they bring him in and use him as a back-up if an injury occurs? If there aren't any injuries, redshirt him and let him start for 2 years?
I think he has 2 years to play 2 but is working on a medical waiver to get a third year
He finnin' to be a Buckeye. (Sorry for taking the low hanging fruit.)
I asked this yesterday, but doesn't this offer suggest that the Buckeyes would potentially accomodate four more players in this class?
In the event that (1). Finnin commits, they're still aggressively going after (2). Vonn Bell and (3). Wilson and presumably they're not going after (4). Clark/Carrington/Timmons only under the condition that Wilson does not sign?
I really like this guy. Good footwork and very tenacious. I can't see a freckles difference between him and Skipper. He may get a great deal of playing time this fall. Finnin has the speed that Urban likes for his OL.
Man, this program is reaching hard! I don't know why they would go for such low quality players. Might as well recruit some no stars while they are at it! JEESH!
seriously, if the kid is good enough for Urban and staff, good enough for me!
I will say that is this a possible future issue getting 6'8'' or 6'10'' tackles with a 6'1'' JT Barrett? I know the whole height thing is blown out of proportion but them are some big ass walls to look over!
Not to mention its hard for guys that tall to mantain leverage in the run game and pass block.
"if irony were made of strawberries, we' d all be drinking a lot of smoothies right now."
Well JT Barrett could be fighting a 6'4" Deshaun Watson or Drew Barker for the starting job, not to mention Cardale Jones will be in the battle as well (6'5")
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
I completely agree with this... Cardale, Barrett, and the 2014 QB will all be in a dogfight for that starting spot.
I agree with Barker and Watson but everything I have heard and we are starting to hear this spring is that Cardale won't be any competition with JT. I wouldn't be surprised it after next year Cardale leaves the program.
Plus as much as I like the prospects of Barker and Watson, JT will hold his own. The kid knows how to wing the ball and is excellent in zone read. Barker and Watson are highly skilled but from all that I have seen, Barrett is the best at this offense. His ability to read plays is amazing. Wish we could have seen him in an all-star game.
I was just throwing that out there too as a bit of a joke. Those boys are getting big! If anything, EZe will be able to hide behind them.
Funny, I've actually heard quite the opposite on Cardale. I've heard he's been working his ass off and can really sling the ball well. Even heard he might push Kenny for the number 2 spot this year
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
A tackle being tall is not so bad because if you are looking to the outside of the field, usually a passing lane opens up on either side of the tackle.
It is having tall interior linemen that cause problems for QBs because they can see the center of the field nor the safety over the top. However, I think QBs that have great feel for the pocket and footwork can overcome this. Guys like Russell Wilson move so well and have a great feel in the pocket. Footwork and vision are so important for QBs and often overlooked by many. Some big guys just have poor footwork, i.e. Ryan Mallett and it gets them into trouble.
Kind of like a Danny Devito at center and 2 Arnold's at tackle right?
Troy Smith (maybe 6'0") had 6'8" Alex Boone to throw over
If Nebraska loses another commit, Bo might destroy the world.
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
As Bo destroys the world, he'd say "Good luck. You'll need it."
He might even kill a baby:
"if irony were made of strawberries, we' d all be drinking a lot of smoothies right now."
Bo might have the offense to destroy the world but his defensive skills are severely lacking.
"Attack the Strong, Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead!"
-Former OSU S&C Coach Lichter
It makes you wonder if something is going on at Nebraska and urban smells blood in the water
This may not be a reach, but he is certainly a 4th tier guy probably not expeced to have to go after.
After watching his highlights I don't know that I care for him. He seems way to mean, and enjoys punishing people until the play is over.. (insert sarcasm, and an EVILLL laugh)
I can't see how anyone who understands a depth chart can be surprised by this. We need bodies.
I think this gives a little more perspective of the number of spots available. We know of 1 spot and everyone is assuming there is another available. However this offer makes me think that there might actually be 3 (perhaps even 4) spots still available by the staff's count.
Too late IMO...I hope I'm wrong bc his highlights remind me of O'Connor and Decker with the way they block till the whistle blows.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
Now with Juco players, they can play immediately right?
good footwork, great explosion with hands/good reach, quick enough to reach 2nd level and even secondary in the run game, finishes his blocks. sign him up I dont see a reach here at all.
Funniest thing I heard from this kids interviews is this ...
Matt Finnin on #Huskers pledge "I want to play in a national championship. I feel like we can do this here" http://t.co/PFaSKRoU #Nebraska
Seriously ... you think you can play in a national championship with Bo and Nebraska ... smh
It blows my mind when kids say this and go to a school that doesn't compete for titles. This makes no sense at all... Similar to what Diggs said last year about going to Maryland... Bell has said he wants to compete for titles, but I don't see UT being competitive in the 4 years he could be there. Maybe his last year, but prob not the first 2-3 years.
saw it mentioned on twitter, but if they just want a body in, why not let Florida transfer Matt Patchen in....one year fill in...
Hey Alex, what is the story with Matt Patchen? Have you heard anything new?
I really don't understand offering a JUCO but not Patchen.
I wouldn't cheer for Michigan if they were playing the Taliban.
Kid has a mean streak. Would need to improve his technique. I like this offer.
according to twitter, he is staying with Nebrasky......
That was a quick scratch. Nice try though.
Let's just pretend that this offer never happened
*deletes thread*
I enjoy it the most when they let the biggins get out and roam the open field to go eat somebody.. go get you some biggins.
I like football
We even struck out on a JUCO OL haha, this is getting a little sad. Ah well, pack it in and stock up in 2014!
Agreed
haha that was quick