2017 COMMITS - Defense

Discussion in 'Recruiting' started by Godz40acres, Jan 9, 2017.

  1. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Get to know the 16 recruits committed to TEXAS for 2017.
    Listed alphabetically by position -- Stats per 247Sports
    DEFENSE

    [​IMG]
    SDE Max Cummins
    Fort Worth, TX (All Saints Episcopal HS) – Video
    :hookem::hookem::hookem:-horn – 6-6/255 – #92 national position rank – 247

    I discuss [fit] so often because it’s essential for success for all players who aren’t necessarily elite. Cummins couldn’t be a better fit at a position where resources are limited – 4i defensive end.

    In Orlando’s scheme he’ll be tasked to play big versus interior linemen while sometimes being asked to be a stand-up rusher. When not holding the point of attack, he’ll be asked to knife through and make plays. He also shows good lateral agility and initial quickness.

    His potential is the most appealing. He runs a 4.7 (40), 4.1 (shuttle), 30 vertical, 327 on the bench, and 500 on the squat.
    [IT]

    Cummins has great size with room to add weight and play above 270. He has great length with long arms and wide shoulders. Cummins moves well for his size, and he shows a good ability to bend and move laterally. Cummins anchors well against the run, and drives his feet to get to the ball carrier. He shows a decent first step off the line, and pursues with a motor that doesn’t quit.

    He plays with great intensity and intelligence, and shows the ability to drop in coverage from time to time. His lateral ability allows him to play both players on the option to disrupt plays in the backfield.

    It’s easy to see why Cummins blew up at the end of the cycle like he did. Long, athletic players with a strong motor are valuable pieces. If Cummins adds the weight he needs and refines his game he could turn in to a multi year starter with all conference ability.
    [HS]

    [​IMG]
    WDE Taquon Graham
    Hooks, TX (Hooks HS) – Video (Junior season only)
    :hookem::hookem::hookem::hookem:-horn – 6-3/255 – #14 national position rank – 247

    Graham is a very lithe edge-rusher with a nice wingspan and he’s going to end up filling out to be an explosive 250+ pound edge rusher by the time he’s completed his college career. His greatest strength is beating tackles off the snap with his quickness and then using his long arms to keep them off his body and get free so he can bring down the QB. At Texas, they’d want to... send him after the QB more often than not.

    This kid is strong, long, good with his hands, gets off the rock and has some twitch to him. He has the ability to effectively rush the passer and he is capable of setting the edge and being very disruptive in the run game. Seeing a young defender be as good with his hands as he is right now is always refreshing... and will go a long way as he continues to develop.
    [IT]

    Graham gets after the quarterback and puts a ton of pressure on the offensive backfield. He is a new-age weapon at the position that is able to slide around and confuse offensive coordinators and offensive linemen from where he will be bringing pressure. Look for him to be a guy who can put his hand on the ground as a true defensive end, but can also stand up as a linebacker as well. He runs extremely well in the open field.

    Strengths: athleticism, pass rushing skills, and suddenness.
    [Scout]

    [​IMG]
    ILB Marqez Bimage
    Brenham, TX (Brenham HS) – Video
    :hookem::hookem::hookem:-horn – 6-3/233 – #25 national position rank – 247

    Bimage is exactly the kind of guy that makes a zone-blitz scheme like Todd Orlando’s work, he’s relentless fighting through blockers to reach the QB and he’s probably even more comfortable working inside than taking the edge. Where he ends up will depend on how well he takes to dropping into underneath zone and also whether he balloons in college to 250+ or so, which could see him end up on the DL.

    This kid plays hard, fast, physical, and violently with a motor that burns red hot. He’s disruptive both against the run and the pass and he’s an absolute handful on the edge with his agility and quickness against tackles. Not only is able to utilize and his quickness to his advantage, he is able to disengage and get off blocks by using his hands. He’s able to run the arc and beat tackles over the top, and he is able to cross their face back underneath them and blow up plays.
    [IT]

    Bimage is one of those guys who will wreck shop as a hybrid DE/OLB. He already has experience playing with his hand in the dirt and standing up. One of the first things that jumps out on his tape is his explosion. He is quick with the first step and that presses the actions. He is a solid tackler due to the fact that he delivers hits with a lot of force and violence.

    Strengths: aggressiveness, blitzing ability, and hitting ability.
    [Scout]

    [​IMG]
    ILB Gary Johnson
    Birmingham, AL (Dodge City C.C., KS) – Video
    :hookem::hookem::hookem::hookem:-horn – 6-1/225 – #1 national position rank – 247

    How can you not love a guy who titled his Hudl video, "I Hate QB's and RB's!!"? If his stats listed on his Hudl page are correct, it appears he'll be showing alotta hate in some fiery burnt orange.
    • 40 Yard Dash: 4.26
    • Shuttle: 4.51
    • Vertical: 39.4
    • Powerball: 38
    • Bench: 305
    -------

    Johnson could be one of the most important recruits of the 2017 class. He’s ultra-quick playing in the box and can scrape laterally as well as anyone on the roster but with a much better idea of what he’s trying to accomplish. This is what an ideal, modern inside linebacker looks like. Johnson is quick and smart enough to handle option or spread passing schemes but also sturdy enough to fill inside and handle lead run schemes.

    Johnson gets downhill in a hurry and looks like he is shot out of a... cannon. He arrives at the ball carrier with bad intentions... He can run, he will strike you, he has good range, he squares guys up, and he plays with a bad attitude.
    [IT]

    He can get downhill in a hurry and closes with controlled violence. He’s another example of what Todd Orlando appears to want in his blitz-happy defense. Johnson also does a good job of leveraging the ball. Reportedly Oregon likes him at safety so he gives you the added versatility of being a LB who can cover. Johnson is a former Alabama commit, but due to some academic barriers he can’t transfer to an SEC school.
    [TFB]

    [​IMG]
    CB Kobe Boyce
    Lake Dallas, TX (Lake Dallas HS) – Video
    :hookem::hookem::hookem:-horn – 6/163 – #53 national position rank – 247

    Physically, Boyce is still a lean player at 163 pounds who might end up benefitting from a redshirt season to work in the weight room, though his willingness to be a hitter from his cornerback position and speed could make him difficult to keep off of Texas special teams in 2017.

    In coverage... Boyce has such impressive top-end speed, quickness, and leaping ability, he can recover if he gets beat, plant and drive on the football in off coverage, and elevate to play bigger than 6'0. There were some teams that tried to take advantage of him on go routes last season, but he's just too fast for that to work often at the high school level. And with verified 4.49 speed in the 40-yard dash, there won't be many players in college who can run past him either.

    Give him credit for some physicality and functional strength despite his lack of overall mass, as evidenced on... his ability to throw the power ball 35 feet, a solid number that put him in the 89th percentile of all 2017 prospects tested by Nike.
    [BON]

    Boyce is a cornerback who has good size at the position and will only look more impressive as he adds some weight, but has the height to match-up with the opposing team's No. 1 outside receiver. He is a strong talent against the run and will come up and secure the edge. Again, that will be an even bigger strength as he adds natural size and power with natural development. He played a huge role in his team's on the field success in 2015, as he locked down one half of the field and team's rarely want to pass or run on the side he lines up on.

    Strengths: burst out of breaks, frame, recovery ability, and tackling ability.
    [Scout]

    [​IMG]
    CB Josh Thompson
    Nacogdoches, TX (Nacogdoches HS) – Video
    :hookem::hookem::hookem:-horn – 6/182 – #39 national position rank – 247

    Thompson is a fighter in addition to being a great athlete,... he’s never out of a play and gets involved against the run game. He’s definitely fast enough to hang outside at corner but what you find repeatedly on film is the kid using his initial burst and length to close on the ball and break up passes when it initially appeared that there was an open passing window. He... has sticky fingers and sharp breaks combined with savage instincts.

    There must be something in the water down there in Nacogdoches, because this is the third year in a row they have produced a sure fire FBS defensive back. Thompson saw his stock soar this spring and deservingly so. [H]e shows a willingness to compete for the ball in the air, he is going to get physical with you when he presses you up at the line, and he isn’t passive when it comes to lay a lick on ball carriers.
    [IT]

    Well-built prospect with good combination of size and athleticism. Laser-timed at 4.48 in the 40, as well as a 4.22 shuttle. He's shown excellent straight-line speed as well as good lateral quickness and hip turn. Physical player who can fight through receivers' perimeter blocks vs. the run. Type of player who could become a dangerous blitzer if used that way. Always around the ball and possesses the ability to chase down receivers in coverage if beaten off the line. Thompson can provide the big hit, but occasionally sacrifices tackling technique to do so.

    Strengths: closing speed, coverage awareness, recovery ability, and size.
    [Scout]

    Offense Commits 1Offense Commits 2
     
    • Like Like x 3
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2017
  2. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

  3. Horns R Back

    Horns R Back 250+ Posts

    Im liking me some Bimage. If that kid can add some weight and not lose any explosiveness he could be a very good de. Boyce had some good highlights as well. Thanks for posting.
     
  4. mchammer

    mchammer 10,000+ Posts

    I forgot we got a kicker. 1-2 games become wins on that alone.
     
  5. Omniscient.one

    Omniscient.one 500+ Posts

    Agreed on both counts. Bimage's highlights were the most impressive to me, especially considering his competition (Little)
     
    • Like Like x 1
  6. Dionysus

    Dionysus Idoit Admin



    Senior Highlights

     
    • Like Like x 1
  7. Dionysus

    Dionysus Idoit Admin

  8. OldHippie

    OldHippie 2,500+ Posts

    Congratulations and welcome Max Cummins.
     
  9. Omniscient.one

    Omniscient.one 500+ Posts

    Hook em. Not sure if his competition level limited his offers but explodes off ball at DT (where he looks best position wise) and good pursuit.
     
  10. Dionysus

    Dionysus Idoit Admin

    Recruit cake swag, nice.

     
    • Like Like x 1
  11. El Sapo

    El Sapo Bevo's BFF

    Just.
    Wow.

    :hookem:
     
    • Like Like x 1
  12. Hoop

    Hoop 500+ Posts

    This guy really has 4.2 speed at 225lbs? That's pretty insane. I'm gruntled.
     
  13. HornSwoggler

    HornSwoggler Horn Fan

    I was wondering if they got the shuttle and dash times reversed. A real 4.26 40 is very rare.
     
  14. Omniscient.one

    Omniscient.one 500+ Posts

    he doesn't run a 4.26, but he real fast
     
  15. bystander

    bystander 10,000+ Posts

  16. mchammer

    mchammer 10,000+ Posts

    That is almost Teddy Lehman fast.
     
    • Like Like x 4
  17. X Misn Tx

    X Misn Tx 2,500+ Posts

    He runs with his forearms!
     
    • Like Like x 1

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