All In On Malcolm Brown

Who is our realistic competition for Brown at this point? According to GoBR he’s listed Oklahoma, TCU, Alabama, and Florida State. Gotta figure that OU is pretty much out of the running at this point having taken Williams. What about TCU, Bama Florida State?

OU is not our competition, obviously.
 
TCU, no.
 
I think our competition is SEC OOS (Bama) and A&M in-state. The Florida State thing strikes me as odd, honestly. I guess they’re rejuvenated as recruiters under Jimbo Fisher and trying to get back into Texas.

Honestly Bama worries me a bit. Saban has established that program as a place for a power running back to flourish – producing a sophomore heisman winner and a national champ. That’s scary even if the kid is from fattown.

Given the depth chart at A&M and the OLineman we have coming in, I’d be absolutely stunned (and feel completely emasculated) if we lost out to the aggies on this one.

On a somewhat related topic, there may be a bit more room on our depth chart – Vondrell got popped for DWI

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2010/04/20/vondrell_mcgee_1.html

Brandon Williams may be a physical freak but he kind of runs like a spaz

Sorry to hear about Vondrell.

Brown looks like he has pretty amazing balance. But he doesn’t seem to have Williams’ top speed. Of course it’s pretty hard to tell from junior film against 4A San Antonio.

The loss of Brandon Williams in this call will be, when we look back in the not to distant future, yet another huge black mark for this program at this position.

Sydney -
 
Even if we land Malcolm Brown?

It won’t if we land Brown.

Malcolm Brown and Brandon Williams both have awesome film.

Brandon Williams’ film excites me more because I follow recruiting and have an Al Davis propensity to mark potential to market.

“Cibolo Steele also does an extraordinary job of blocking for Brown "
Thats exactly what some folks said about my high school teammates. The coach had designed a sort of “swinging gate” zone blocking scheme that allowed me to run in a straight line untouched
for almost 10 yards everytime. Sure fooled you and the Buffaloes.

Scipio-

Yes, I think that will be the case even if we do land Brandon Williams. I like, but more importantly the people who’s opinion I really respect on player evaluation, including a guy who does it for a living, all think Williams is a better long term talent.

But more importantly, I just have this feeling like at the end of the day, we’re just not going to get Malcolm Brown.

Isn’t this a good time to discuss whether we think Major is a good fit at his current coaching position?

jigglebilly -
 
Implicit in your question is the notion that Applewhite makes the recruiting calls at RB.

Sydney -
 
We might suspect Brandon Williams is the best back, but that doesn’t mean he’s the only back. Adrian Peterson is a better player than Jamal Charles, but sometimes very good is good enough. I don’t think we’re in the streets rending our hair and tearing at our garments if we have a 1500 yard rusher and OU has a 1800 yard guy.
 
Obviously, to your point, if no Brown at all, all bets are off.

Scip- I was referring to the theory that potential RB recruits meet him, arent old enough to know who he is, and arent impressed by a guy who had trouble getting into practice as a freshman because security didn’t believe he was a football player. Something like" WTF does this guy know about making RBs better, he doesnt look like he can outrun Greg Davis." I mean he doesnt yet have much of a track record putting backs in the pros yet, does he?

I don’t mean to direct this at anyone in particular, but it occurred to me that maybe it’s a little early to start wringing our hands.

MB appears to be an exceptional talent. Terrific vision and runs like he’s had gyroscopes implanted into his hips (not sure how that would work). On top of that, he’s got plenty of speed & power.

If we land him, we shouldn’t start complaining until after he’s played in several games; I don’t care who else we could have gotten. Just MHO. Same goes for Green.

Sorry, just wanted to bring some perspective to this thread. I think we’ve done so well in recruiting lately that we’ve lost a bit of it.

BTW, thanks for the write-up, Scipio. No doubting that Williams has loads of potential.

jiggle -
 
Cale Gundy is the OU RB coach. Is that better?
 
RB is the least coached position on the football field. And RBs know it. They’re more interested in the offense you run, the depth chart, and your program’s ability to put them in the NFL.
 
Also, what specific recruits has Major Applewhite missed out on? Whaley was handed to him whether he wanted him or not, Traylon Shead was arguably the best runner in a weak year, and I consider DeMarco Cobbs a hell of a catch.
 
Major didn’t bring in the logjam of mediocrity in the upper class.

This thread is not complete till Balltastic gives us a review of the RB in crop in Texas.

I’m excited to see Cobbs in action. I sense that our coaches are higher on him than most are aware.

I honestly didn’t mean to imply he makes any calls on who to target at the position, I am only wondering if anyone thinks that him never being a running back is in any way a detriment to luring in talent.

i think there is a valid question as to what kind of recruiter applewhite is. to date, he’s listed as the main recruiter on shead and wood. good results for sure in one year, but certainly not the instant impact in recruiting muschamp has brought on the defensive side. not an apples-to-apples certainly, but i think the question is still out there.

if we get brown, great — but the player X or bust strategy leaves far more room for error.

I’m by no way advocating this, but at what point does the staff hedge bets and start actively pursuing other talent (like Brandon Willliams)? First the story was MB might commit early, then it’s after spring ball, now maybe even after that. I recognize that we’re far from 2011 signing day, but the Horns can’t afford the worst case scenario of losing out on the Texas RB talent this year.

eljinca -
 
I suppose anyone can pose any question.
 
As a general recruiter, Applewhite is real active. He feeds other guys on the staff leads, he makes an effort to attend high school games, he works. Don’t believe the “this assistant is credited with player X” bullshit on Rivals. Our recruiting is program and camp based. Not on the solitary rainmaker fucking a recruit’s Mom so we can nab him.
 
Lo Primero -

Brandon is a Sooner. It’s over with him.

Since 1988, 63 RBs that played HS ball in Texas were drafted. 33 of them played college ball in Texas. That is a position that, for whatever reason, is fine going out of state. If Brown is not a Texas commit by June, Texas needs to start working its backup plan.

“Brandon is a Sooner. It’s over with him.”

Hi!

One positive I’ve seen attributed to Major is the few # of fumbles from the RB position in the last couple of years. I think in 2008 the # was something ridiculous like 2.

No idea if this is credit is warranted.

Brown is the guy but Williams’ lightning in a bottle speed is needed. Maybe at slot as it is evident he can catch on the video. There is room for both. Herschel will also be a good running back in the Big 12 a la the OSU backs of the last 4 years.

Brown is RB 1(a) and Williams is RB 1(b) this year. If you put the a and b in the other spot it works just as well with me and has since we signed the ’10 class.

Missing on Brown now is not an option.

I enjoyed your evaluation of Brown.

Scipio,

What is your take on Hershel Sims? A 5’9" bowling ball of power and speed fits the Jacking Jill and the Spread looks. Should we be whispering sweet nothings in his ear so Patterson doesn’t lock him up before Memorial Day?

What about the other Williams…….Kenny? He is big and looks good on film.

Scip-

All that and the full speed cuts impress. 8:57 of tape showing a man among boys.

Liked the TD catch down the seam from Green.

It seems like Williams has got a Rabbi that hates him some UT.

The General -
 
Sims isn’t an elite athlete – not that fast, not big, so most have the Green/Brown/Williams trio ranked ahead of him. The guy catches extremely well out of the backfield, he’s durable, very skilled, and carried his team to the state title. Like Malcolm Brown, his team did a hell of a job blocking for him.
 
I think our coaches look at him and see a Fozzy Whitaker-level talent. I think they look at Brown and see something more.
 

Hookemic -
 
I like Kenny. Tuberville got his mail carrier.
 

 
He’s one of about a dozen other guys that are quality Division I starters in this year’s class. This is the year of the RB in the state. Funny given how weak that group was last year.
 
dasmith -
 
I haven’t heard anything about Brandon Williams having “advisors.” Maybe I’m out of the loop.

Sims is Thurman Thomas, right down to the state championship.

i cant find decent video of brandon williams on youtube. would someone be so kind as to post a link?

OK, so no way that I can keep up with Scipio and you others on the high schoolers. I can only make observations after the same things stare me in the face over and over again for years. Like Fozzy breaking down. DJ’s hands, etc… But for what it is worth, here are my 2 cents totally off the cuff and just based off of the video Scipio has posted here!

Malcolm Brown
Strengths: He looks plenty fast to me! People get overhyped on speed (like they do on size, ha). Running the fastest 200m is not going to get 5-6 yards a carry on its own. Top end speed is good when used properly, ala Jamaal Charles’ last UT year and in the pros. (a side note regarding Major – if he is helping with our ball security improvements, bless his Opie heart. I was actually glad when Charles left so he wouldn’t cost us another game or two with the "I’m on the 5 and tired, oops!)

But for our new system, MB definitely has more than enough speed. His balance is un-frekin-believable. I think he does pirouettes on the field just for fun. Good pad level. Great vision. Reads his blocks really well. Good use of his off hand. Plenty of endurance after all of those long TD runs.

Weaknesses: Hasn’t committed yet. I haven’t seen him lower his shoulder and move a pile. He breaks lots of open field tackles and maybe his tape just doesn’t show the less glamorous pile-moving. Probably will need some work on hands and blocking.

Projection: There is a reason the coaches want him the most. He is awesome, the best, and is the most ready to contribute as a frosh. No way he can’t come in and run instantly. Shead doesn’t have much time to prove himself. I would take him over Williams and Green every day of the week.

Brandon Williams
Strengths: Fast. Potential. Blah blah. No video so what can I say.

Weaknesses: Picked OU, so obviously he doesn’t mind living in Norman. I can’t think of a town in Texas with a worse name than that.

Projection: Most likely a really good college and pro career. I don’t think he is as good as MB in high school or will be in college. Maybe in the NFL were tackles are harder to break and the speed difference is so much closer. But I am glad we didn’t pursue him first.

Aaron Green
Strengths: Great cuts, vision, timing, on and on. Really nice killer block in the video there. Not afraid of contact… which is nice. Definitely has a chance to be a RWIB.

Weaknesses: None that I am going to say because I want him here. He is awesome in all his ways.

Projection: Definitely the open field cutter, speed type of back. He won’t consistently move the chains as well as MB but is down for a big play. It’s close, but I would pick him over Lache if given the opportunity. Lache seemed faster on the outside but didn’t have the vision and overall running ability as Green. Watch how Chip Kelly uses Lache to see what I meant on that speed deal earlier. I REALLY want him to go with MB. If we get them both this year and Josh Turner, you negative types don’t ever get to complain about recruiting again in your lifetime of life.

Herschel Sims
Strengths: He’s got as much big bootie power in his running as a little guy can get. Gamer. Runs like everybody should. Versatile.

Weaknesses: I’m 5’7", so as much as I want him to succeed, I don’t know how he well he will transition to the college game. Not super fast of course, and I think MB is definitely faster, but fast enough.

Projection: I would take him with MB if we can’t get Green or another 5star type at another position. He is not as sure a thing as the other 3, but he has potential. And he could fit in with our big backs just fine.

Kenny Williams
Strengths: Something about him made me like him before I even saw his tape. Fast. Strong. Great vision and great balance; did you guys see that spin move on the kick off? Holy schnooks.

Weaknesses: I don’t really see too much. Overall just not as good as MB.

Projection: Wow. Might be better than Brandon Williams. Already committed to TT, but I can guarantee you that if it looks like we are going to miss on Brown and Green, we will let that be known and will pick up Kenny or Lasco or the other Williams or the guy from Cali. I really like him and any other year he is more than a consolation prize.

My fear this year is coming to pass. I wasn’t afraid we wouldn’t get a top back with so many good ones in the state. I just don’t like the idea of everybody else getting one too. OU gots one. Nebb might get one. Even TT has got a kick-A awesome runner now. What is going on? We better lock down a couple good ones next year to restore some pre 2007 order up in this piece quick.

Synopsis:
MB is the man and perfect for our big back. Green or Sims is a good pairing. If we miss on them we will get a great back nonetheless. I haven’t minded us missing on B Williams from the beginning because we didn’t miss, we just didn’t offer him. And good night.

I am rarely impressed by RB film, but MB’s film did it for me. He has the extra step/balance/wiggle/power combo that all the good ones seem to have inherent.

Hi, You write some good blogs. I always check back here often to find out if you have updated. I thought you might want to know, when I click your RSS feed it re-directs me to another website.

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