Lavonte David --- Overlooked

I am I said:
I recall one play in particular in the CCG:

OU had just gotten the ball back in the late 3rd or early 4th, they were running at a very high rate, they ran a toss sweep on 1st or 2nd down and La Dav just absolutely crushed through the block of a huge o-lineman and steamrolled right through the tackle without once stopping his feet. It was so textbook and so tough and so straight up legit, they showed the replay only once, but it was seriously, one of the most singular efforts I have seen ALL year at any level. He is good, and he is coached amazingly to just instinctively play and bust heads. :throwdabones1:
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The crowd I watched the game with erupted on that beast of a tackle by David. Dude woulda steamrolled through a train to get that tackle!

 
Landlord of Memorial Stadium said:
While I think Lavonte is great, and has contributed far more than I thought he could in year one in the system, keep in mind that his numbers are just as much because of the system as they are because he's the greatest linebacker since sliced bread.
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If it was ONLY the system we'd be talking about David breaking Will Compton's record, or Phillip Dillard's record.

 
good point knapplc.

on the other hand, i for one got tired at times of the announcers during nebraska games with their love fest of david. until the end of the year when some started mentioning hagg, it seemed like david was the only blackshirt they would talk about. dude hasnt got overlooked at all in my opinion.

granted, the announcer thing had a lot to do with them having to say his name after pretty much every play, soooo...

 
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knapplc said:
Landlord of Memorial Stadium said:
While I think Lavonte is great, and has contributed far more than I thought he could in year one in the system, keep in mind that his numbers are just as much because of the system as they are because he's the greatest linebacker since sliced bread.
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If it was ONLY the system we'd be talking about David breaking Will Compton's record, or Phillip Dillard's record.
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I agree entirely. He's a hell of a player either way.

 
There is a blurb on ESPN Insider from Mel Kiper talking about LaVonte David being a player to watch for the 2012 Draft.

 
crazy to think that he might not have seen the field nearly as early (or ever) without injuries to Fisher and Compton before the season

 
Landlord of Memorial Stadium said:
knapplc said:
Landlord of Memorial Stadium said:
While I think Lavonte is great, and has contributed far more than I thought he could in year one in the system, keep in mind that his numbers are just as much because of the system as they are because he's the greatest linebacker since sliced bread.
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If it was ONLY the system we'd be talking about David breaking Will Compton's record, or Phillip Dillard's record.
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I agree entirely. He's a hell of a player either way.
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Absolutely. We're lucky to have him, and darned lucky to have him again next year.

 
husker_hurdler said:
crazy to think that he might not have seen the field nearly as early (or ever) without injuries to Fisher and Compton before the season
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I think it would have been a 2009 DeJon Gomes situation, where Gomes didn't really start until after Missouri last year, but once he got on the field he was on for good. David would probably have worked himself into the mix reasonably early, with his talent.

 
The headline on ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest installment reads, "In 2012, look out for Lavonte David."
Smart guy, that Kiper.

He writes:

One of the more interesting talent evaluations when it comes to the 2012 draft will be Lavonte David of the Nebraska Cornhuskers; he was credited with 17 tackles in their 23-20 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday night in Dallas.

 

Throughout the season, this guy has been a tackling machine. We're talking about someone with 145 tackles -- 52 more than the next leading Cornhusker. A big-play performer, he's second on the team in tackles for loss (14) and sacks (six). And how about this one: He's also second in pass breakups (10). The intrigue is in where, at 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, does he project at the next level? He has safety size playing the middle linebacker position. Does he gain 10 pounds and project to outside linebacker? Do you convert him to safety? Those questions are still to be determined. What I do know at the present time is he possesses very good read-react ability. He has excellent speed to the football. He's extremely productive. And he can make big plays in a variety of ways.

LINK
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Tweener status could hurt him at the next level. I wonder if it would hurt Hagg, too, but I think Hagg could be more than fast/athletic enough for safety at the next level - and his skills speak for themselves. Lavonte may be viewed as a not-elitely athletic safety with limited cover skills, or as a linebacker that's too small and may not hold up for long. I think he will be a LB in the league. Are MLBs supposed to be smaller and rangier than OLBs in a 4-3? Could be a fit there. Or is it 3-4. I know 3-4 OLBs are supposed to be 6'4, 240 guys that can set the edge. I guess 4-3 OLBs can be smaller.

 
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if glenn can go and make a spot for himself, i think lavonte has a chance as well. guys that fly like that can be a special teams superstar, and able to fill in multiple spots. only time will tell tho. time, hard work, a break or three, the usual. hes still got another year to grow and show as well. 'odd' shaped players seem to be redefining the NFL everyday.

 
robsker said:
Amid all the gnashing of teeth and wailing cries of agony of the Husker faithful over this season --- most of which is, by the way --- unnecessary... anyway with all these distractions, a phenomenal performer has been largely overlooked.

Lavonte David has just absolutely rocked the place this season. He has nearly 140 tackles! He has been outstanding --- in every game. This guy is as good as we have seen since Terrel Farley. He is off-the-charts excellent at reading the play. he is w/o fear. He has great wrap-up ability. He covers well. All American performance --- no doubt.

Also worth pointing out. Alex Henery. Awesome. Jared Crick --- had a great season... did not draw the attention that some thought he would... but he played great.

Guys like Mike Caputo, Keith Williams, Cam Meredith... each had excellent seasons.

We all hear of Amukamara, Dennard, Gomes, Hagg, Burkhead and Helu... rightly so, but David (in particular) and Crick, Henery, Caputo, Williams, and Meredith deserve some accolades. These kids played their hearts out and performed well.

In closing, I should have done the research.. and did not. But isn't David near (or perhaps has already) eclipsed Barrett Ruud's single season record for tackles?

Lets all focus in on congratulating these kids for their great performance... especially David
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Totally agree Rob.

T_O_B

:bonesflag: :throwdabones1: :throwdabones1: :throwdabones1: :bonesflag:

 
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