Football Recruiting
Class of 2003 - How We See It
Part III
By John Porentas
[Editor's Note: If you haven't read part I and part II of this
series, we suggest you scroll to the bottom of this page and follow
the links to those columns before reading this one.]
"I think when you're a big guy in the power group, you better
stay fast. If he stays fast, he'll play defense, because he can
move around." ----OSU Head Football Coach Jim Tressel.
The power group, according to Jim Tressel, are the guys who line
up along the line of scrimmage with their hand on the ground. It
doesn't matter what side of the ball they are on, if their hand
is down, they are a power player.
Tressel's statement about power players reveals much. What it screams,
however, is that just because a player comes in as a defensive lineman,
it doesn't mean he'll end up one. He has to exhibit certain things,
or his position will change.
This coaching staff has no problem with moving players from other
positions to the offensive line. As a matter of fact, it seems like
they like that idea. A player from last year's recruiting class
is already finding that out.
"You never know what guys grow into," said Tressel.
"A guy like R.J. Coleman, who knows? He's about 290 pounds.
He may grow right into a smaller number. He's an 80 number right
now. You never know what you're going to grow into," said Tressel
indicating that Coleman's larger numbers on the scale may soon translate
into a smaller uniform number if he is moved from tight end to the
offensive line.
Just so there's no misunderstanding, a move to the offensive line
is not considered a demotion or punishment. Actually, the Tressel
staff may be onto something here. By taking players athletic enough
to be considered as tight end or defensive line candidates and turning
them into offensive linemen, you end up with an offensive line that
is much more athletic than usual, and that seems to be the goal
at OSU.
"If you ask guys like Jim Bollman, he wants guys that are
very athletic, very powerful and have a chance to get big,"
said Tressel.
Of note is that Bollman does not put a premium on size, but rather
athleticism. Good athletes can get bigger. Non-athletic big men
will never become athletic. Bollman put it this way.
"I think we're looking for guys that are good athletes. When
you see big guys, guys that you think are going to be big enough,
it's really nice if they can run," he said.
Note that Bollman says "guys you that are going to
be big enough." He's careful to say that they don't have to
arrive big, but they do have to arrive athletic. Big is something
you can improve on in the weight room and with maturity, athletic
is something you're born with.
As Tressel put it, the most athletic group of power players in
the high school ranks are generally playing defense, not offense.
If the Buckeyes are looking for athletic power players, it makes
sense they would take a bunch of them that played defense in high
school, then sort out which ones will play defense at OSU once they
get here, and which will play offense.
OSU took four power players in this class. They are Kirk Barton,
Brandon Maupin, Sian Cotton and David Patterson. Only Barton is
considered an offensive line candidate at this point, but as the
profile we have developed demands, Barton was also athletic enough
that he played defense in high school. He also played tight end.
"A guy in that power group who actually played on both sides
of the line who is penciled in to play offensive line is Kirk Barton,"
said Tressel.
"I think he ran 4.8 in our youth camp. He has great athleticism
and can play both sides of the ball, but we think he could turn
into one of those outstanding athletic tackles. In fact, our coaches
talked about him looking kind of like a Jim Lachey. He moves around
with great athletic ability and has excellent power," said
Tressel.
Bollman is extremely high on Barton, because of his athleticism,
and his potential to get bigger.
"He played tight end in a running offense, played in our camp,
is a very, very intelligent guy, very intense guy, strong guy. He
has unusual flexibility for a big man, great feet,
and can really, really move well," said Bollman.
"His flexibility helps him change directions. He's the kind
of guy that has really, really good mobility and will be a big enough
guy to be able to play wherever he wants to. He'll be 305 when he
just starts filling out," a grinning Bollman said.
Those critical of this recruiting class say that one offensive
lineman is not enough. The bad news is, they're probably right.
The good news is, it's not very likely that there is only one offensive
lineman in this class.
According to John McCallister of McCallister's Scouting Services,
the Buckeyes got two of the top four offensive linemen in the state.
What is interesting is that he ranks Barton at number four, saying
that Barton "has the athleticism to play defense, but will
probably play offense. Has tremendous potential on the offensive
line. Intense competitor. Could develop into a great one."
That's pretty consistent with Bollman's evaluation. What's interesting,
however, is that the Buckeyes have a big man in the class that McCallister
ranks as possibly the best offensive lineman in the state, Brandon
Maupin.
Maupin is coming to OSU as a defensive lineman, but McCallister
loves his potential as an offensive lineman, saying "Excellent
arm extension and has the frame to add 30 pounds. Wants to play
defense, but better suited at OL."
Remember what Jim Tressel said?
"I think when you're a big guy in the power group, you better
stay fast. If he stays fast, he'll play defense, because he can
move around."
If Maupin gets bigger, he won't be as fast, and he may find himself
an athletic blocker for the OSU offense, the kind of blocker Jim
Bollman is looking for.
Sian Cotton is a part of the OSU power player class that fits to
a T the mold of what the coaching staff is looking for in big men.
"Sian Cotton I suppose is close to 290 pounds and was telling
me the other day he was forced to play out on the wing in basketball.
I haven't seen too many 290 pound guys playing out on the wing on
a great basketball team," said Jim Tressel.
"He has great athleticism. He's a power guy that as we begin
will be a defensive player, but like we all know, you never can
guess what a guy is going to be when he grows into what he's going
to be."
We looked for Cotton's rating by McCallister as a defensive player.
We couldn't find one, so we looked at offensive linemen. Bingo.
There was his name, with this commentary.
"An athlete in a big body. Runs well with excellent bench
press. Potential is really good."
Sound like Barton and Maupin? Coincidence? We think not, and Tressel's
comment that "you never can guess what a guy is going to be
when he grows into what he's going to be," is more than just
a little hint that Cotton may end up being one of those athletic
offensive linemen that the coaching staff is looking for. Just for
the record, lets remind you again.
"I think when you're a big guy in the power group, you better
stay fast. If he stays fast, he'll play defense, because he can
move around."
If Cotton gets bigger, and loses a step, he could become a very
athletic offensive lineman.
The one power player that we'd be surprised to see on offense is
David Patterson.
"David Patterson we think is one of the outstanding defensive
front people in the country this year," said Tressel
"We had him in youth camp. He's extraordinary. Great explosion,
loves the game. If you ever call him on the phone he's going to
talk about football until you're exhausted. He just loves football,"
Tressel said.
We ran into Patterson last week, and it doesn't take long to begin
to like the big guy from Warrensville Heights, and to understand
he has that rare competitive fire that makes great defensive linemen
what they are.
"I love football, but I hate to lose," said a smiling
Patterson
"I want to win at everything I do. I'm a huge competitor.
That's one of the biggest reasons why I chose Ohio State. A lot
of schools told me that even though their programs were down I could
come in and play right away. It's OK to play right away, but I want
to win also. I just don't to go somewhere to play early, I want
to compete for a national championship. That was a big thing for
me," he said.
Patterson has that ultra-competitive drive that makes for an outstanding
defensive player.
"If I'm playing my best friend at video games and he beats
me, I want him to go home," he said smiling but in total sincerity.
"A lot of my friends play on different teams in my league.
When the game comes, we're not friends. After the game we shake
hands and hug, but during the game, it's all business," he
said.
Patterson will be a defensive lineman, and probably a good one.
McCallister said this about him.
"Mr. Nice Guy off the field and a cat-quick DL on the field.
Tough man to block. Excellent control of body. Flexible. Quickness
to play any DL position, but best suited inside. Strong hands. Quickness
and burst. Excellent tackle finisher."
"I think when you're a big guy in the power group, you better
stay fast. If he stays fast, he'll play defense, because he can
move around."
That's a great description of David Patterson.
Next, Part IV. The final wrap up.
Part
II
Part
IV
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