Here are my impressions after I went back and watched highlights on several of our lower ranked commits:
Cole Kelly - I wouldn't say shocked but would say very pleasantly surprised at his athleticism at that size and frankly how good he looks as a QB. Throws short and deep ball well. He is intriguing because he has a good enough arm, can run, and is 6 foot 6. If he has the brains and leadership of a QB he can play in the SEC. Lots of upside and such a unique athlete at QB. Might be compared to the 6'6 Memphis kid. But maybe even a step faster? I like him a lot better than I thought I was going to.
Terrance Malone - have to admit I did not expect much. I thought he is a fallback "reach" JUCO with low odds of ever contributing much less next year. After watching him I don't think that anymore. He is much more athletic than I expected. Big kid but pretty well proportioned not a fat tub of lard like the typical JUCO OL that you have to spend a year getting in condition to play. His future at Arkansas depends on his mentality not his talent. He has enough ability to play. The question is is he tough enough to battle SEC DL and smart enough to not bust plays. Those questions will be answered in due time but surprisingly he walks in the door with a chance. (his coach said so about him in the ADG article but I didn't believe him)
Hayden Johnson - Bigger than I expected, in my view more of an H-back TE than traditional fullback. He does do a good job out of the wildcat sort of like the Bell dozer kid at Oklahoma. Runs a little high with the football more like a TE than an actual running back. Good enough speed at his size. Catches the ball in his hands, not body and will be a tough match up even in the SEC. Actually expect him to play not redshirt next year barring training camp injuries. Herbs could make him a beast but walks in the door physically well ahead of Kraus for example (setting aside the ACL).
I'll probably cover a couple more later if I get the time.
What are your thoughts on these and others?
Cole Kelly - I wouldn't say shocked but would say very pleasantly surprised at his athleticism at that size and frankly how good he looks as a QB. Throws short and deep ball well. He is intriguing because he has a good enough arm, can run, and is 6 foot 6. If he has the brains and leadership of a QB he can play in the SEC. Lots of upside and such a unique athlete at QB. Might be compared to the 6'6 Memphis kid. But maybe even a step faster? I like him a lot better than I thought I was going to.
Terrance Malone - have to admit I did not expect much. I thought he is a fallback "reach" JUCO with low odds of ever contributing much less next year. After watching him I don't think that anymore. He is much more athletic than I expected. Big kid but pretty well proportioned not a fat tub of lard like the typical JUCO OL that you have to spend a year getting in condition to play. His future at Arkansas depends on his mentality not his talent. He has enough ability to play. The question is is he tough enough to battle SEC DL and smart enough to not bust plays. Those questions will be answered in due time but surprisingly he walks in the door with a chance. (his coach said so about him in the ADG article but I didn't believe him)
Hayden Johnson - Bigger than I expected, in my view more of an H-back TE than traditional fullback. He does do a good job out of the wildcat sort of like the Bell dozer kid at Oklahoma. Runs a little high with the football more like a TE than an actual running back. Good enough speed at his size. Catches the ball in his hands, not body and will be a tough match up even in the SEC. Actually expect him to play not redshirt next year barring training camp injuries. Herbs could make him a beast but walks in the door physically well ahead of Kraus for example (setting aside the ACL).
I'll probably cover a couple more later if I get the time.
What are your thoughts on these and others?
