Thoughts on Alton Robinson
This was a guy I liked before I saw a single second of his film. 98 tackles and 20 sacks? Even if you're playing in peewee league, that's a lot. So, after looking at his film, two things: I still really like him and I definitely think he's an outside linebacker, not a defensive end. He's got the frame and the athleticism to play standing up, and he's the type of guy A&M needs at the position.
A few things of note on him:
A look at Irvin Smith
If you're going to play in A&M's offense, you'd better be able to catch the football. Guess what? This kid is a natural pass catcher. Great technique, soft hands, watches the ball all the way in before he heads upfield. Overall, he's probably the second most complete tight end that A&M offered in this class, behind Kaden Smith. I wish I knew more about the level of talent Smith was playing against, but his pass catching definitely stands out. With respect to that, he's SEC-ready right now. I like his frame; he's 230 now but looks like he could easily get to 250 and not have any trouble. He'll probably add 10 pounds just from getting into the Aggies' S&C program alone. He's definitely a guy who could play H-Back, regular tight end or operate in the slot.
A few things he can work on: his route running needs to be sharper, for sure. He definitely needs to use his lower body more when he blocks at the next level, because the lowered shoulder won't be enough. At some points in his film, he ran stiffly and in others he was very fluid. I don't know quite what to make of that, but he's got respectable speed. With Smith and Jordan Davis, A&M now has two real athletes who can fill several roles on the offense. Another very nice pickup.
Ready for another?
Katy Langham Creek WR Quartay Davis, who got offered at the A&M camp two weekends ago, will announce his commitment today. Odds are very strong he'll be Yessir 14. So be around at 5.
Visitors, Visitors
Outside of former UCLA corner Priest Willis (who we're trying to get a hold of), there were some pretty prominent visitors over the weekend. Euless Trinity DT Chris Daniels and Houston Episcopal 2017 DT Marvin Wilson were both in as well. To boot, they offered Powder Springs, Ga., WR Tyler Simmons. We'll see about getting to talk to them. Both of those guys are probably A&M's top targets at the position for their respective classes. Manvel RB D'Vaughn Pennamon will be in tomorrow, so head's up on that.
Rossley hasn't given up on JFF
When were in Baltimore, we saw a familiar face working with the quarterbacks at the 5-star challenge: Former A&M quarterbacks coach Tom Rossley. We got a chance to talk to him Sunday night, and he had good things to say about both Ryan Tannehill and Johnny Manziel. When he brought up Tannehill, he smiled from ear to ear, and you can tell he was like a proud papa about what Tannehill has accomplished, saying he still hasn't peaked and will be great when he's done.
Now, when we talked about Johnny, he was visibly angry at the critics who have written him off. "Johnny's going to succeed. He's only been there a year, and this is the NFL. You don't learn that stuff overnight," he said. Rossley is the man who brought Manziel to A&M because he had faith in his ability to succeed in college, and he's just as adamant that he'll succeed in the NFL. It was nice to hear him say that, and he's still a huge fan of the A&M program. He'll be back for a game this fall, in fact.
Not who you'd think of as an Aggie fan
Jim Palmer was the best pitcher in the American League, and maybe all of baseball, in the 1970s. He won three Cy Young Awards with the Orioles and is still a celebrity in and around Baltimore, where he does TV for MASN. He's now on Twitter, and outside of the Orioles, the thing he tweets about most is... Texas A&M Athletics?
Yep. We shot tweets back and forth the other night and he said that his wife is an Aggie, born and raised in College Station. "She and Johnny Manziel got me hooked. I'm now part of the 12th Man," he said.
I said he should come down and have some beers with some AY folks at the Chicken this fall. "My wife whooped at that," he replied. Not who you'd ever expect to be a redass Aggie, but Jim Palmer is now one. That's the reach that Manziel, Sumlin and Aggie football have these days.
Old school Monday
Still epic.
This was a guy I liked before I saw a single second of his film. 98 tackles and 20 sacks? Even if you're playing in peewee league, that's a lot. So, after looking at his film, two things: I still really like him and I definitely think he's an outside linebacker, not a defensive end. He's got the frame and the athleticism to play standing up, and he's the type of guy A&M needs at the position.
A few things of note on him:
- He has tremendous range and really good speed. There are several plays where he runs down quarterbacks or ball carriers from the other side of the field. He doesn't quit on plays.
- He doesn't have a huge first step, which is another reason I don't think he's an end. But he gets up to speed really fast, which is another positive for a linebacker.
- He does a very good job of diagnosing plays. In the case of defending the run, he lets the back make his first move before he breaks on the ball. He doesn't get run himself out of position, and with guys coming off the edge, that's easy to do.
- I like his footwork when he's going after a back. Not long strides, good lateral movement until he decides what he's doing and attacks.
- He's got the speed to defeat high school tackles, but doesn't really have any moves. Another reason I think he's good as a linebacker.
- He wraps up. Thank goodness.
A look at Irvin Smith
If you're going to play in A&M's offense, you'd better be able to catch the football. Guess what? This kid is a natural pass catcher. Great technique, soft hands, watches the ball all the way in before he heads upfield. Overall, he's probably the second most complete tight end that A&M offered in this class, behind Kaden Smith. I wish I knew more about the level of talent Smith was playing against, but his pass catching definitely stands out. With respect to that, he's SEC-ready right now. I like his frame; he's 230 now but looks like he could easily get to 250 and not have any trouble. He'll probably add 10 pounds just from getting into the Aggies' S&C program alone. He's definitely a guy who could play H-Back, regular tight end or operate in the slot.
A few things he can work on: his route running needs to be sharper, for sure. He definitely needs to use his lower body more when he blocks at the next level, because the lowered shoulder won't be enough. At some points in his film, he ran stiffly and in others he was very fluid. I don't know quite what to make of that, but he's got respectable speed. With Smith and Jordan Davis, A&M now has two real athletes who can fill several roles on the offense. Another very nice pickup.
Ready for another?
Katy Langham Creek WR Quartay Davis, who got offered at the A&M camp two weekends ago, will announce his commitment today. Odds are very strong he'll be Yessir 14. So be around at 5.
Visitors, Visitors
Outside of former UCLA corner Priest Willis (who we're trying to get a hold of), there were some pretty prominent visitors over the weekend. Euless Trinity DT Chris Daniels and Houston Episcopal 2017 DT Marvin Wilson were both in as well. To boot, they offered Powder Springs, Ga., WR Tyler Simmons. We'll see about getting to talk to them. Both of those guys are probably A&M's top targets at the position for their respective classes. Manvel RB D'Vaughn Pennamon will be in tomorrow, so head's up on that.
Rossley hasn't given up on JFF
When were in Baltimore, we saw a familiar face working with the quarterbacks at the 5-star challenge: Former A&M quarterbacks coach Tom Rossley. We got a chance to talk to him Sunday night, and he had good things to say about both Ryan Tannehill and Johnny Manziel. When he brought up Tannehill, he smiled from ear to ear, and you can tell he was like a proud papa about what Tannehill has accomplished, saying he still hasn't peaked and will be great when he's done.
Now, when we talked about Johnny, he was visibly angry at the critics who have written him off. "Johnny's going to succeed. He's only been there a year, and this is the NFL. You don't learn that stuff overnight," he said. Rossley is the man who brought Manziel to A&M because he had faith in his ability to succeed in college, and he's just as adamant that he'll succeed in the NFL. It was nice to hear him say that, and he's still a huge fan of the A&M program. He'll be back for a game this fall, in fact.
Not who you'd think of as an Aggie fan
Jim Palmer was the best pitcher in the American League, and maybe all of baseball, in the 1970s. He won three Cy Young Awards with the Orioles and is still a celebrity in and around Baltimore, where he does TV for MASN. He's now on Twitter, and outside of the Orioles, the thing he tweets about most is... Texas A&M Athletics?
Yep. We shot tweets back and forth the other night and he said that his wife is an Aggie, born and raised in College Station. "She and Johnny Manziel got me hooked. I'm now part of the 12th Man," he said.
I said he should come down and have some beers with some AY folks at the Chicken this fall. "My wife whooped at that," he replied. Not who you'd ever expect to be a redass Aggie, but Jim Palmer is now one. That's the reach that Manziel, Sumlin and Aggie football have these days.
Old school Monday
Still epic.
