Dobbs 4 Heisman
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So there's already been a lot of talk about Trey Smith, Ty Chandler, Deandre Johnson, and Matthew Butler when it comes to true freshmen that could contribute early. You all know I'm high on all four of those guys. Well here are a couple of less heralded freshmen that I'm also high on. These kids aren't getting a lot of buzz right now but after fall camp we should be hearing plenty about them:
The 2017 recruiting class may not have been highly rated but man did we get a lot of players. In addition to the guys I highlighted above, I also like Riley Locklear and K'Rojhn Calbert's potential on the offensive line as future starters for us. I think Jordan Murphy can be a dynamo in the slot. Obviously Maleik Gray is a freak athlete who will make plays for us in the secondary.
I have a feeling that 4 years from now we'll look back at this class as being a lot better than the recruiting sites gave it credit for.
- RB Tim Jordan - I don't know how Butch Jones does it but he always seems to find diamonds in the rough when it comes to recruiting and I have a feeling Tim Jordan is going to be another one of them. How he was only rated a 2-star by Rivals and Scout will never make any sense to me. Jordan reminds me a lot of John Kelly. Very underrated recruit that will contribute as a backup RB this year and be a starter for us down the road. He's a really special prospect IMO.
- WR Josh Palmer - Another diamond in the rough we got late in recruiting last year. The kid has what you look for in a WR. He's got size, speed, and hands. Don't be surprised if he's pushing Marquez Callaway and Brandon Johnson for playing time this year as the other starting outside receiver opposite Jauan Jennings. He should be a really good player for us.
- LB Will Ignont - Surprised there hasn't been more buzz about this kid. He was one of our more highly rated recruits this past cycle. With all the depth we have at LB right now, its unlikely he plays early on defense. But I think he'll be a menace right off the bat on special teams. Down the road he'll be a heck of a starting LB.
- DE Ryan Thaxton - This is a kid whose long term potential I'm really high on. He looks the part in terms of size and length when it comes to a big-time pass rushing defensive end prospect. However, he's a little light right now. I think a redshirt year and 20-25 lbs of muscle to his frame would do him wonders. Look for him to be a big factor on our defensive line next year if a guy like Jonathan Kongbo leaves early for the draft next year. I have a feeling Ryan Thaxton will make the recruiting services look really stupid in a few years for not having him more highly rated. He's a future NFL player IMO.
- CB Cheyenne Labruzza - This has been my guy in this class from the very start. It always boggled my mind why he was not more highly rated by the recruiting services. Physically he reminds me a lot of recently departed Florida CB Quincy Wilson. Both are long athletic press corners that are the type that are en vogue right now in the NFL. I don't know how much playing time Cheyenne gets this year at CB because I believe Justin Martin and Emmanuel Moseley are set up for big years. But by next year he should be a starter for us alongside Baylen Buchanan. This kid's focus and work ethic reminds me a lot of Cam Sutton. He's got future star written all over him.
The 2017 recruiting class may not have been highly rated but man did we get a lot of players. In addition to the guys I highlighted above, I also like Riley Locklear and K'Rojhn Calbert's potential on the offensive line as future starters for us. I think Jordan Murphy can be a dynamo in the slot. Obviously Maleik Gray is a freak athlete who will make plays for us in the secondary.
I have a feeling that 4 years from now we'll look back at this class as being a lot better than the recruiting sites gave it credit for.