David staying

[mmmtodd]

This is like an early Christmas present! This dude is a stud, we got really lucky hooking him and Yoshi last year (although I still think back and feel kind of bad for that DT that visited with them... it must suck to visit and know you're the guy WITHOUT the offer), and he should make the transfer to the Big 10 a heck of a lot easier next year.

 

MmmTodd, as for your argument for leaving school as a JUCO guy who's played one year of D1 ball... Worked out for Jason Pierre-Paul, huh?

 

eh. JPP played D-line and was drafted to play d-line. He's 6'5" and if i remember correctly blew the doors off at the combine. David's situation is a bit different. He's a beast, but frankly he's an oddball. He works in Bo's defense and against JUCO competition, but whether he can or can not (and I believe he can), his size is a HUGE issue--he is not going to be drafted as a 1st or second round professional linebacker. So who's gonna draft him as a first or second round safety when thats not what he played? He's a full blown project, and there are a lot more guys like him out there than a 6'5" dude. He's got too many question marks compared to JPP.

[Danny Bateman]

This is like an early Christmas present! This dude is a stud, we got really lucky hooking him and Yoshi last year (although I still think back and feel kind of bad for that DT that visited with them... it must suck to visit and know you're the guy WITHOUT the offer), and he should make the transfer to the Big 10 a heck of a lot easier next year.

 

MmmTodd, as for your argument for leaving school as a JUCO guy who's played one year of D1 ball... Worked out for Jason Pierre-Paul, huh?

 

eh. JPP played D-line and was drafted to play d-line. He's 6'5" and if i remember correctly blew the doors off at the combine. David's situation is a bit different. He's a beast, but frankly he's an oddball. He works in Bo's defense and against JUCO competition, but whether he can or can not (and I believe he can), his size is a HUGE issue--he is not going to be drafted as a 1st or second round professional linebacker. So who's gonna draft him as a first or second round safety when thats not what he played? He's a full blown project, and there are a lot more guys like him out there than a 6'5" dude. He's got too many question marks compared to JPP.

Well, to be honest, there wasn't much depth to my argument to begin with. I just wanted to make a real basic point about how they both have played one year of D1 ball out of JUCO. I agree, though. David doesn't have prototypical LB size at this point, and he'll be able to add some bulk in the offseason, but will still be on the tiny side for a backer. He's just not a physically huge guy. He wouldn't get drafted very high this year if he went out, even with some AA accolades.

 

He has, however, proven he's a baller, and I think he could go pretty high next year if he bulks up some and continues to be a force in the Big 10, especially if he proves he can hold up and both produce AND stay healthy against some power running teams like Wiscy and Iowa.