Practice Report
Get the ball to Joshua Harris! That fella is about to have a great season!
CCH after Tuesday practivce: I want a hat like the one CCH is wearing anyone know where I can get one?
There is a lot to like about Ferguson. He was impressive in his high school films.
He looks like a natural flanker/slot receiver. Good field vision, route running, body control, and hands.
Notably, he's a pretty solidly built as a flanker. At 190 lbs, that's a good bit bigger than most freshmen we have had at that position. I believe Ryan Deluca, Thomas Gordon, and Dejaun Bell were all about 20 lbs lighter when they arrived at Furman.
He looks like a natural flanker/slot receiver. Good field vision, route running, body control, and hands.
Notably, he's a pretty solidly built as a flanker. At 190 lbs, that's a good bit bigger than most freshmen we have had at that position. I believe Ryan Deluca, Thomas Gordon, and Dejaun Bell were all about 20 lbs lighter when they arrived at Furman.
Two more excellent interviews by Dan Scott…
FUBeAR liked this
I can't believe I'm the first one on here to notice this…
A couple of freshmen are missing from the roster.
I noticed a comment. About losing a few players on the offensive line, but it went right over my head.
Watching the Matt Sochovka interview, he mentioned that offensive lineman Luke Pettit injured his meniscus and may miss this season.
Then it hit me, and I went back to the OL review post to double-check. Maddox Epperson and Caleb Lyons are no longer on the roster. I have no idea what happened. Both of these players committed to Furman while Quarles and Duke were leading the offense. Eli Braiser is on the roster and appears to be earning PT. He was also the most recruited and was a two-time all-state player.
I don't see this as an issue this season. The starting o-line is set.
Tomlin OT
Toomey OT
Jumper C
Johanning OG
Hughes OG or Gerrick Vollmer OG
Vollmer appears to be the utility guy that can play C/OG/OT
The depth is now a little smaller.
Ryan Lamb OG/C is a critical piece for depth.
EJ Wilson OG/OT.
Blake Hundley and Garland Greenway are both OTs.
Luke Westerman is a PWO center and had some nice Divison II offers.
The final piece again is Eli Brasher. A 6-4 280 OT had offers from Richmond, Elon, Jax St.
Now it makes sense that Furman offers several linemen for the 2022 class. Picking up a commitment from Brody Balliew 6-5 275 is a big deal. It also makes me wonder if Coach Cutch prefers these longer linemen. I'd expect at least three linemen signed in the 2022 class.
A couple of freshmen are missing from the roster.
I noticed a comment. About losing a few players on the offensive line, but it went right over my head.
Watching the Matt Sochovka interview, he mentioned that offensive lineman Luke Pettit injured his meniscus and may miss this season.
Then it hit me, and I went back to the OL review post to double-check. Maddox Epperson and Caleb Lyons are no longer on the roster. I have no idea what happened. Both of these players committed to Furman while Quarles and Duke were leading the offense. Eli Braiser is on the roster and appears to be earning PT. He was also the most recruited and was a two-time all-state player.
I don't see this as an issue this season. The starting o-line is set.
Tomlin OT
Toomey OT
Jumper C
Johanning OG
Hughes OG or Gerrick Vollmer OG
Vollmer appears to be the utility guy that can play C/OG/OT
The depth is now a little smaller.
Ryan Lamb OG/C is a critical piece for depth.
EJ Wilson OG/OT.
Blake Hundley and Garland Greenway are both OTs.
Luke Westerman is a PWO center and had some nice Divison II offers.
The final piece again is Eli Brasher. A 6-4 280 OT had offers from Richmond, Elon, Jax St.
Now it makes sense that Furman offers several linemen for the 2022 class. Picking up a commitment from Brody Balliew 6-5 275 is a big deal. It also makes me wonder if Coach Cutch prefers these longer linemen. I'd expect at least three linemen signed in the 2022 class.
“Longer linemen” are fine IF they can play
FUBeAR has seen a lot of longer linemen playing that cannot play - ESPECIALLY at the FCS level
Seen 1 SoCon Team, in the past, really focus on bringing in and playing longer linemen. As their ability to maintain consistent drives, maintain consistent offensive production, and convert in critical 3rd down short yardage situations deteriorated, so did their Team’s record.
Sure…bad record…BUT…LONGER LINEMAN…every freakin’ play!!!
Hopefully Furman’s OL recruiting will continue to focus on bringing in high quality ATHLETES who can PLAY…and IF they happen to be longer…that’s not, necessarily, a bad thing…as long as they can PLAY!
Last edited by FUBeAR on Thu Aug 11, 2022 8:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
NCAA MANUAL
20.10.1 ...intercollegiate athletics...competition in amateur athletics…
20.10.1.2 …maintaining a line of demarcation between student-athletes who participate in the Collegiate Model and athletes competing in the professional model
20.10.1 ...intercollegiate athletics...competition in amateur athletics…
20.10.1.2 …maintaining a line of demarcation between student-athletes who participate in the Collegiate Model and athletes competing in the professional model
I try not to speculate about why a player leaves the program. It could be any of dozens of things from grades to playing time to realizing they aren't cut out for the college game.
I think we are fine depth-chart wise. The starting 5 should be solid and then you'll have quality backups with the ability to play multiple positions. Even along the current line players are cross training at multiple positions, which will help backups get work and help curb losses in the future.
One thing I've noticed during Hendrix's tenure is that he really hasn't struggled to recruit OL. So I have no real concerns that we will struggle continuing to fill that pipeline.
The good news is that none of the new recruits HAVE to play right now. Bring in a few every year - let them sit a season or two, get stronger, get better, and be ready for their opportunity.
I think we are fine depth-chart wise. The starting 5 should be solid and then you'll have quality backups with the ability to play multiple positions. Even along the current line players are cross training at multiple positions, which will help backups get work and help curb losses in the future.
One thing I've noticed during Hendrix's tenure is that he really hasn't struggled to recruit OL. So I have no real concerns that we will struggle continuing to fill that pipeline.
The good news is that none of the new recruits HAVE to play right now. Bring in a few every year - let them sit a season or two, get stronger, get better, and be ready for their opportunity.
AstroDin liked this
Ideally, your football team would have 6'6 320 lbs cyborgs that could run, hit, block, and had perfect footwork.FUBeAR wrote: ↑Thu Aug 11, 2022 8:36 am“Longer linemen” are fine IF they can play
FUBeAR has seen a lot of longer linemen playing that cannot play - ESPECIALLY at the FCS level
Seen 1 SoCon Team, in the past, really focus on bringing in and playing longer linemen. As their ability to maintain consistent drives, maintain consistent offensive production, and convert in critical 3rd down short yardage situations deteriorated, so did their Team’s record.
Sure…bad record…BUT…LONGER LINEMAN…every freakin’ play!!!
Hopefully Furman’s OL recruiting will continue to focus on bringing in high quality ATHLETES who can PLAY…and IF they happen to be longer…that’s not, necessarily, a bad thing…as long as they can PLAY!
You'd rather have a good football player over a big football player.
You'd rather have a good big football player.
My guess is Hendrix believes in his ability to "coach them up." Find guys with the right mold and mentality, and utilize the process.
AstroDin liked this
I agree with both of you guys…
Toomey
Johanning
Lamb
are athletes that also have big bodies.
I'm probably reading too much into it comparing the body types of;
Tomlin 6-5 301 OT
Brasher 6-4 280 OT
and Brody Balliew 6-5 275 OT
Toomey
Johanning
Lamb
are athletes that also have big bodies.
I'm probably reading too much into it comparing the body types of;
Tomlin 6-5 301 OT
Brasher 6-4 280 OT
and Brody Balliew 6-5 275 OT
Yep just like the speed guns in baseball pitching. Everyone is throwing 95 plus these days including every college and minor league pitcher. I ain’t buying it!
Just temporary / transitory inflation. No need to worry .
gman84 liked this
NCAA MANUAL
20.10.1 ...intercollegiate athletics...competition in amateur athletics…
20.10.1.2 …maintaining a line of demarcation between student-athletes who participate in the Collegiate Model and athletes competing in the professional model
20.10.1 ...intercollegiate athletics...competition in amateur athletics…
20.10.1.2 …maintaining a line of demarcation between student-athletes who participate in the Collegiate Model and athletes competing in the professional model
You aren't following baseball very closely, then.
Like a lot of sports, the game is light years ahead of where it was 20-30 years ago.