'13 DT AL Rod Crayton

#1,026
#1,026
MockingVol said:
He is a solid 6 and one of his obvious special attribute is his amazing strength. He would come into the program as the strongest current vol and would leave with probably all the weight lifting records.

He has a chip on his shoulder because people have always told him he can't, I want him. We need a guy like this
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Unfortunately, football is not weightlifting.
 
#1,029
#1,029
Take, no question. IMO. Should be in CBJ's too. Perfect individual and player for CBJ given the way he portrays himself, what he looks for in a player, and style of (D) play.
 
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#1,030
#1,030
I would bet a kid spends more time in the weight room than he does on the field (during a game) if he is a successful football player. JMO

Weight lifting may not be #1 for alot of positions. OL/DL are a couple where power makes all the difference. You can have all the technique in the world, but trying to show it off from your back as the guy on the DL/OL has ran over you does not work out so well.
 
#1,035
#1,035
Height is not an issue --- camp stats have him 6'1. Heard grades aren't a prob. I think it's his foot---question durability at this level and whether he can plant, pursue---got to get past that. He showed in camps not only that he can move just fine but just how dominate he truly is.
 
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#1,036
#1,036
jave36 said:
You have any reasons to believe he won't be a good DT?
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I haven't seen him play or watched his highlights, but I don't think he has an offer from either in-state school and it doesn't look like any high profile schools are rushing to get his sig.

LebanonVolunteer said:
I would bet a kid spends more time in the weight room than he does on the field (during a game) if he is a successful football player. JMO

Weight lifting may not be #1 for alot of positions. OL/DL are a couple where power makes all the difference. You can have all the technique in the world, but trying to show it off from your back as the guy on the DL/OL has ran over you does not work out so well.
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Strength isn't the same as power. Power is explosiveness, a must for a DT. I'm willing to believe the poster that says he's too short and lacking explosiveness based on his recruitment.

The kid's got a great story, and he's obviously a hard worker. That doesn't make him an SEC DT.
 
#1,037
#1,037
oskie_score said:
Height is not an issue --- camp stats have him 6'1. Heard grades aren't a prob. I think it's his foot---question durability at this level and whether he can plant, pursue---got to get past that. He showed in camps not only that he can move just fine but just how dominate he truly is.
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I agree personally, but why so few offers and pursuit?
 
#1,041
#1,041
Burn the Boats said:
Rod is already NCAA qualified. So, not grades folks.
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Thanks for the info you provide. I honestly do not understand the offer situation with this kid. Unless he did not perform well against reasonable talent, it does not make sense. His stats show a kid who makes plays. DL player of the year in Alabama has to mean something. While I have no idea if RC would actually commit to UT right now if he could, I see him as a take no matter who is left on the board.
 
#1,042
#1,042
marksboy7 said:
Tell that to Trent Richardson.
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Trent would be a better back if he wasn't one big friggin muscle...

IMO, Eddie Lacy will be a better pro RB than Trent Richardson...

Now back to Mr. Crayton whose recruitment is a bit puzzling...
 
#1,043
#1,043
From the thread:
- Bama doesn’t want him because they don’t take guys under 6'4"
- Auburn never seemed to be interested
- There are concerns over his handicap and his ability to chase and be agile
- He’s a full qualifier

One bone I would think with UT is that Crayton fits the 0-tech, and by my count there are 5 on the roster already. It sucks that DT isn’t near the priority DE is in this cycle.
 
#1,044
#1,044
"I'm still open and undecided right now," said Crayton, who Rivals ranks as a four-star prospect. "I'm still looking at LSU, Tennessee, Arkansas and Southern Miss. I don't have any favorites, I like all the schools. I have a good connection with the (defensive) line coach at all the schools."
Uncommitted 4-star prospect Rod Crayton narrowing down his decision for National Signing Day (video) | al.com

FWIW, two week ago ESPN recruiting coordinator Damon Sayles tweeted from practice at the US Army Bowl, "Wondering if #LSU commit Josh Boutte is the strongest kid on the West roster. He is intimidating on the O-line." Boutte (6-4, 305) is rated among the top 5 OG prospects in the country.

Back in July, Tiger Sports' recruiting analyst Gino Joubert posted this report on Crayton after watching him take on Boutte at LSU's camp:

Yesterday was a very intriguing day when looking at two aspects of the interior linemen, and how LSU will close out their needs for the interior line. When Rod Crayton made it into town with coach Matt Harrison, and 2015 WR Anfernee Jennings, Crayton was ready to demonstrate his ability in a scrutinized setting.

Coach Brick Haley matched up Crayton against Joshua Boutte exclusively. Each rep saw Crayton have his way with Boutte, either with the bull-rush, or coming from the four technique. Crayton showed no ill effects with leg movement as he used perfect hand placement to overcome Boutte.

Prior to these reps, Boutte was handling everyone else he competed against. Crayton was a little nervous at first considering how big Boutte is, but after the first rep, where a swip-swipe move with the right hand gave Crayton the advantage, Crayton believed he would own the competition thereafter.

Crayton said, "Before we had our first rep, I was thinking man- this man is big." Afterwards coach Matt Harrison told Crayton, "There is no one in the country who can handle your strength Rod!" Quite naturally, coach Harrison is spot on.
 
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#1,045
#1,045
kamoshika said:
"I'm still open and undecided right now," said Crayton, who Rivals ranks as a four-star prospect. "I'm still looking at LSU, Tennessee, Arkansas and Southern Miss. I don't have any favorites, I like all the schools. I have a good connection with the (defensive) line coach at all the schools."
Uncommitted 4-star prospect Rod Crayton narrowing down his decision for National Signing Day (video) | al.com
_______________________________________________

FWIW, two week ago ESPN recruiting coordinator Damon Sayles tweeted from practice at the US Army Bowl, "Wondering if #LSU commit Josh Boutte is the strongest kid on the West roster. He is intimidating on the O-line." Boutte (6-4, 305) is rated among the top 5 OG prospects in the country.

Back in July, Tiger Sports' recruiting analyst posted this report on Crayton after watching him take on Boutte at LSU's camp:

Yesterday was a very intriguing day when looking at two aspects of the interior linemen, and how LSU will close out their needs for the interior line. When Rod Crayton made it into town with coach Matt Harrison, and 2015 WR Anfernee Jennings, Crayton was ready to demonstrate his ability in a scrutinized setting.

Coach Brick Haley matched up Crayton against Joshua Boutte exclusively. Each rep saw Crayton have his way with Boutte, either with the bull-rush, or coming from the four technique. Crayton showed no ill effects with leg movement as he used perfect hand placement to overcome Boutte.

Prior to these reps, Boutte was handling everyone else he competed against. Crayton was a little nervous at first considering how big Boutte is, but after the first rep, where a swip-swipe move with the right hand gave Crayton the advantage, Crayton believed he would own the competition thereafter.

Crayton said, "Before we had our first rep, I was thinking man- this man is big." Afterwards coach Matt Harrison told Crayton, "There is no one in the country who can handle your strength Rod!" Quite naturally, coach Harrison is spot on.
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Just makes our lack of interest that much more dumbfounding. Maybe we are pursuing him under the radar?
 
#1,046
#1,046
I'm a little shocked DT hasn't been prioritized even over the offensive line (which I know we will have major issues on in a year). It's definitely too silent on the Crayton front IMO
 
#1,047
#1,047
kamoshika said:
FWIW, I emailed the following message to UT coaches Jones, Jancek, Stripling & Thigpen earlier today:

Hello and welcome to UT! I'm very pleased with the reports coming out of Knoxville on the hard work you guys are putting in on the recruiting trail and elsewhere.

Hundreds of Vol fans have been following Rod Crayton's recruitment closely on Volnation.com for over a year, and he has become a fan favorite among the prospects we're looking at. I understand that some members of your staff have been in touch with him but he has not yet been offered, and many of us are hoping that we will tender an offer before someone else snaps him up.

But I just wanted to provide some more info about this outstanding young man, as he is a special player and a leader who I'd love to see suiting up as a Vol. I've followed UT football recruiting since 1976 and have never seen a defensive lineman put up pinball numbers like Rod's (157 tackles, 4 sacks, 6 FF, 3 FR, 22 QB hurries in 12 games in 2012). He may also be the nation's strongest HS football player not just this year, but of all time. In addition, his work ethic is stellar and he's academically qualified.

IMO, Rod Crayton personifies everything a future Vol for Life should be. Not only would he be the strongest Vol to ever play the game, his incredible work ethic and commitment to overcome his so-called disability would be an ongoing source of inspiration for his teammates. While his height is a bit less than ideal, he more than makes up for it with his power, quickness and relentless approach to the game. He will be a force to reckon with wherever he ends up, one that offensive guards dread facing.

So if y'all have decided to not offer Rod, I hope you'll reconsider. I've never before written the coaching staff about a prospect, but there's just something very special about Rod Crayton and I really hope he's a Vol next year.

Best wishes for a terrific 1st signing class, a successful off-season and a winning 2013 season! We're glad to have y'all in Knoxville.

I also included links to articles about Crayton that have been shared here before and all the stats I could find, along with some of Burn the Boats' glowing comments about him.
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Something really creepy about writing letters to coaches trying to recruit players. I understand the passion but you're making Harts case when he talks about those weirdo fans out there. Creepy man. Creepy.
 
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#1,049
#1,049
Has it been said that we aren't making him a priority, or is everybody just assuming that we aren't?
 
#1,050
#1,050
jave36 said:
Just makes our lack of interest that much more dumbfounding. Maybe we are pursuing him under the radar?
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I am hoping that is the case here. Maybe there is not alot of news about him with the Vols as we are not really in it. Maybe he plans on going somewhere else. Maybe he loves UT and will commit to us on NSD and be sort of a surprise. You can bet the same ones saying "pass" will be saying "great get" if he signs with us. Reading that article about him dominating the bigger guy just speaks to reasons why he could play here early.
 
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