I'll jump in this and concur. I'm really testing my recall skills here and I just can't remember any recruits who brought in the nation-wide hype as someone who was gonna immediately transcend the team. I just cant come up with any. Even Suh didnt garner the attention. He emerged after getting here. We've never signed that top 5 player at one of the high-profile positions such as qb, wr, rb, LB and so on. MAYBEEEEE Harrison Beck?
I'm actually just talking about contributing at a high level as a freshman. Doesn't matter if they are 3* or 5*. Hyped or hiding under a rock. I can't recall many. Like you said, Suh didn't even really break out until a Junior. Tyler Moore possibly. Maybe Rex if you stretch your definition of high level. No true fresh QB has taken over. No WR has went for 800+. No RB for 1000+. No LBer making 1st or 2nd team conference. I'm having a hard time coming up with anyone. I'm sure there's some, but it's tough to think of.
Something I do wonder though is how many of our guys from the 90's wouldve garnered such attention had the media coverage been as extensive then as it is now.
DId we have any of the guys in the 90's playing as true freshman out of HS? Again, can't remember any. This would be a good research project for someone with WAY too much time on their hands.
Tommie Frazier. Lawrence Phillips. I know Ahman Green was highly touted before he even got his opportunity. Grant Wistrom played considerable snaps as a freshman. Ralph Brown. Erwin Swiney was pretty notable. He started as a true. keyou craver got lots of playing time as a true in '98. Bobby Newcomb started as wingback/PR after being a pretty prestigous signee if I recall. Correll Buckhalter got quite a bit of carries as a fresh in '97.
Never said that, but as Saunders rightfully pointed out, to ignore that we have a tougher slate than our division foes is ignoring reality. Much like ignoring the fact that this team is still young and inexperienced is ignoring reality. It's not unthinkable to think that we can win every game on the schedule, but realistically, I wouldn't bet on it. Reality sucks sometimes, and sometimes you have to realize it.sd'sker said:
Thanks
Yes, Mike Brown got a lot of playing time as a freshman. He actually played out of position at CB. He started then for 3 years at safety. You got to remember that the defense they played was fairly simple. They ran 11 robber almost all the time. Basically this is a man free. All they needed was good man to man cover corners. for the most part.
Interesting thought, had this not happened, does Callahan get the axe first? Rather than Pederson?
