Grad Transfer OL - Kenneth Kirby

Techbert said:
Also, our young players are too young at OL. We have a real gap in age caused by past recruiting sins between the transfers and holdovers we have, and our babies. They are too young, and should not be upset if a freshman does not beat out a senior.

To me the most interesting battle to watch will be ROT. Will a transfer dethrone a GC recruit? As long as it is an honest competition I don't think our culture will get upset either way.

And if we start moving opponents with our OL, and I predict we will, we will win, and if we win, everyone should be happy.

If our holdovers get annoyed I predict it will be the attention to improve the transfers get in the spring, but if I were a coach that is what I would be doing.

Techbert,
is really most concerned about young linebackers stepping up this spring
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Center will be interesting. Paula gonna make a run.
 
OptionsJacket said:
Center will be interesting. Paula gonna make a run.
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I've been pretty jacked about Paula since he signed. I think he's going to be a good one. I was a bit surprised he didn't see more playing time last year.
 
ncjacket said:
Center usually makes the calls for the line so you really don’t want one that young if you have other options.
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I would like to know if the teams that get whoever they want start freshmen centers but that isn't easy to find.

I found a couple of ratings of true freshmen last year, one said a UAB guy was best at week 7 and another mentioned a Duke guy near the end of the season, so like you said, probably out of options.
 
It will be interesting to see if he can start OR does he slow down the development of a young guy who needs the exp. for '22.
 
AlaGold said:
It will be interesting to see if he can start OR does he slow down the development of a young guy who needs the exp. for '22.
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I don't think being surrounded by better players slows growth. If anything, it should make the young OL work harder. We want our players better
 
AlaGold said:
It will be interesting to see if he can start OR does he slow down the development of a young guy who needs the exp. for '22.
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Id be surprised if we wanted to bring in a grad transfer that wouldn’t be starting or heavily in the rotation.

I’d also be surprised if he would transfer to a school where he wasn’t starting or heavily in the rotation when he’s transferring specifically to prove his talents for the NFL.
 
AlaGold said:
It will be interesting to see if he can start OR does he slow down the development of a young guy who needs the exp. for '22.
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Freshmen OL are not hurt by not being thrown into the starting lineup. The are hurt more often by having to play. It causes bad habits to ingrain, as they cannot experiment and refine new techniques.

On the other hand, having a Kirby around can teach young players a ton.
 
Techbert said:
Freshmen OL are not hurt by not being thrown into the starting lineup. The are hurt more often by having to play. It causes bad habits to ingrain, as they cannot experiment and refine new techniques.

On the other hand, having a Kirby around can teach young players a ton.
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This is true but theres still the mental aspect of it whether it's in the forefront of his mind or not. If he goes from starting every game as a true freshman to being a backup, that can linger in is head and he could have people in his circle asking "why arent you starting or playing as much?" Hopefully he takes it all in stride and uses the time to cross train at LT and RT. Because he may be our future LT.
 
Techbert said:
Freshmen OL are not hurt by not being thrown into the starting lineup. The are hurt more often by having to play. It causes bad habits to ingrain, as they cannot experiment and refine new techniques.

On the other hand, having a Kirby around can teach young players a ton.
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Do you mean freshmen in the starting lineup or freshman getting meaningful snaps in controlled situations? Biiiiiiiiiig difference. I'm all for situational substitutions to get the freshmen some game snaps but when you have freshmen OL starting, something is wrong with your program. I'm not saying you think otherwise, just making that distinction.
 
00Burdell said:
Do you mean freshmen in the starting lineup or freshman getting meaningful snaps in controlled situations? Biiiiiiiiiig difference. I'm all for situational substitutions to get the freshmen some game snaps but when you have freshmen OL starting, something is wrong with your program. I'm not saying you think otherwise, just making that distinction.
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I am differentiating freshmen offensive line having to play due to a lack of seasoned players in front of them, as opposed to getting to play due to being that good and/or getting snaps to apply theory to practice. As you say, it is a distinct difference.
 
The body of an offensive lineman profits from the red shirt year, as a general rule, more than other positions. The weight room and training table help turn weight into strength. Technique for offensive linemen is subtle but important. Big strong recruits typically overpower most high school opponents. In college they see quickness and strength that calls for great footwork and technique. (I remember my son learning that lesson at Gailey’s camp when he went up against a young Derrick Morgan in a blocking drill.) In recruiting OL coaches often recruit potential over performance. You will see plenty of 6’5”/285 pounders that are not great blockers getting offers over 6’1”/230 types that are great blockers. They figure they can coach up technique, but you can’t coach up height and frame. There are a few ready to play at a high level as freshman, but only a few. If you are having to play a lot of true and redshirt freshman and second year sophs on the OL it is seldom a good thing. Experienced transfers coming in should be good for the program until recruits develop maturity.
 
00Burdell said:
Do you mean freshmen in the starting lineup or freshman getting meaningful snaps in controlled situations? Biiiiiiiiiig difference. I'm all for situational substitutions to get the freshmen some game snaps but when you have freshmen OL starting, something is wrong with your program. I'm not saying you think otherwise, just making that distinction.
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Jordan Williams was in no way a liability last year. He may have been if Ryan Johnson wasn’t on his shoulder being an on field coach every play every day. Both he and GT benefited from his starting. No doubt this was the exception rather than the rule but starting a true freshman does not necessarily mean there is something wrong with the program.
 
We could see Williams beat out Kirby for a spot. We just don't know. Bringing in a guy capable of starting will push every player to get better.
 
ComputerNut62 said:
Jordan Williams was in no way a liability last year. He may have been if Ryan Johnson wasn’t on his shoulder being an on field coach every play every day. Both he and GT benefited from his starting. No doubt this was the exception rather than the rule but starting a true freshman does not necessarily mean there is something wrong with the program.
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I think starting a true freshman indicates that no quality depth has been established which, to me at least, indicates that the program is not healthy. It is by no means a knock on great players like Jordan Williams. But I do think a year on the sidelines with an upper classman to observe while he learns and grows and gets better would be mutually beneficial.

Think about Jordan Williams as a senior. Now think about him as a red-shirt senior.
 
00Burdell said:
I've been pretty jacked about Paula since he signed. I think he's going to be a good one. I was a bit surprised he didn't see more playing time last year.
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What's the big fascination with Paula? He looks solid but wasn't that highly recruited. Are we just hoping he's the next Roman Reigns or something because they look similar?
 
bonham said:
What's the big fascination with Paula? He looks solid but wasn't that highly recruited. Are we just hoping he's the next Roman Reigns or something because they look similar?
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I watched a very short clip of him somewhere and got the exact same vibe I got when I saw a similar clip of the lineman from Australia who played on the DL and got a spearing call against the UNC qb - think he played for Denver - spacing on his name.

Anyway, I trust my gut on these things - I don't get that excited all that often about recruits. Call it a hunch.
 
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