Melvin Johnson

[jackflash]

does anyone know much about Melvin Johnson

[onebadrubi]

Yes, but there are very few legit in-state kids.  We have to effectively go outside and participate in the blood bath.

Yes we do.  As I mentioned on here before, this staff has our hat getting put on the table with top recruits more than ever the last 2-3 years.  We HAVE to start to close a few of those, Martin hopefully being the first of many.  We've really improved our Louisiana recruiting base with Michael Smith's help.  I don't think anyone would argue we must continue to improve else where similar to the job he has done. 

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

But I don't know that CBB necessarily expects a hulking behemoth at NG like Bama

Well it was CBB going after 350lb Javier Edwards

[Pig in the Pokey]

moving to a 3-4. at least we have jackson next year. maybe capps can hold 325lbs. we'll see.

[presidenthog]

you forgot guidry red shirted 4* 6'3 294 DT

That isn't big enough to play NT. Need a 350 guy who requires a double team.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

That isn't big enough to play NT. Need a 350 guy who requires a double team.

My hope is that Guidry will be our next Philon.

[a0ashle]

That isn't big enough to play NT. Need a 350 guy who requires a double team.

Not in a 1 gap 3-4 scheme

[Oklahawg]

The reason the staff prioritized Edwards over Johnson is that Edwards would be here in January, and hopefully beat the learning curve that hits so many JUCO guys. Johnson coming in over the summer means he misses winter workouts and skull sessions (hoganese stuff) and spring drills. That is the difference. I thought Johnson had three to play three, maybe three to play two. Either way, he has every opportunity to get up to speed.

What hurts is that we need someone now to help out. Push the depth chart a bit, anyway.

I refuse to accept that any single recruit makes or breaks a class. it must be sad to be a fan and have one recruit make or break your fandom.

[Pig in the Pokey]

That isn't big enough to play NT. Need a 350 guy who requires a double team.

we only need 1 NT tho, well sure depth, but 1 starter- that's jackson. i think between just Capps, Agim, and Guidry there will be 2 starters @ DE. Those 3-4 DEs need to be 290+. Me real hope is Agim moves to OLB and plays @ around 280.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

we only need 1 NT tho, well sure depth, but 1 starter- that's jackson. i think between just Capps, Agim, and Guidry there will be 2 starters @ DE. Those 3-4 DEs need to be 290+. Me real hope is Agim moves to OLB and plays @ around 280.

You're gonna need more than 1 reliable NT.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/809791971300667392

[The_Boot_stops_here]

The reason the staff prioritized Edwards over Johnson is that Edwards would be here in January, and hopefully beat the learning curve that hits so many JUCO guys. Johnson coming in over the summer means he misses winter workouts and skull sessions (hoganese stuff) and spring drills. That is the difference. I thought Johnson had three to play three, maybe three to play two. Either way, he has every opportunity to get up to speed.

What hurts is that we need someone now to help out. Push the depth chart a bit, anyway.

I refuse to accept that any single recruit makes or breaks a class. it must be sad to be a fan and have one recruit make or break your fandom.

Actually, we don't know "the" reason the staff prioritized Edwards over Johnson by what appears to be a fairly significant margin.

It likely did have something to do with timing, as you said. It also likely had even more to do with what they saw as a more talented player who better fit what the scheme that they apparently are thinking of tinkering with this upcoming season.  Someone who could contribute right away, in their opinion.  They wouldn't have recruited him with the idea to redshirt him, unlike what you suggested in a thread on WH.  They likely saw what Florida, Ole Miss, Missouri, Colorado, etc.. saw.  So what we know is that the staff prioritized Edwards and missed.  We know the backup, at this time, appears to be Johnson.  It is fair to be disappointed in this. 

Not one single person, by the way, has claimed that whiffing on Edwards either breaks this class or their fandom.  That would be rather unreasonable. 

[lefty08]

It is a big loss.  The staff put a LOT of time into this young man and wanted him for a reason.  They swung and missed.  And the backup plan (Johnson) is clearly not the player Edwards is.  Times like this remind you that this staff just is not capable of recruiting at a consistently high level. Doesn't mean their terrible but there are no excuses to be made for this loss.

This isn't the only DT prospect the hogs are in play for, but for what it's worth, Melvin is ranked slightly ahead of Edwards according to rivals. Funny how a 3 star is a huge loss unless he signs with us, then he becomes a reach

[ricepig]

This isn't the only DT prospect the hogs are in play for, but for what it's worth, Melvin is ranked slightly ahead of Edwards according to rivals. Funny how a 3 star is a huge loss unless he signs with us, then he becomes a reach

Well, it's a loss when one guy is a mid-term, and the other has been told he will more than likely redshirt. As far as playing abilities, I'll leave that up to the coaching staff.

[LJHOG]

I agree Agim is better at DE but if we stay in a 4-3 he will stay in the middle.

Only because we do a sorry job of recruiting.

[jackflash]

Didn't know this board was full of recruiting experts.  How many of you actually seen these kids play? Let them get to Arkansas before you judge them.

[island hog]

This isn't the only DT prospect the hogs are in play for, but for what it's worth, Melvin is ranked slightly ahead of Edwards according to rivals. Funny how a 3 star is a huge loss unless he signs with us, then he becomes a reach

.    Don't get your " this staff sucks and can't recruit" sentiment.  How do you feel about Patton and Martin? 

[island hog]

.    Don't get your " this staff sucks and can't recruit" sentiment.  How do you feel about Patton and Martin?

. Wrong quote... This was in reference to The Boot's negative vibe

[Darren DeLoach]

Only because we do a sorry job of recruiting.

Asinine statement.

Recruiting is and ALWAYS will be determined by a small group of factors. This staff recruits better than  most at THIS university. Do they miss? Yep, but that in no way makes them poor.

[tophawg19]

we also have Jordan Wright whom we are chasing as well as others who we don't know about. not every name is made public . I know that surprises some of you . The reason we may only sign 25 is that we can only have 85 on scholarship. and the coaches may not expect much movement on the roster

[Vantage 8 dude]

. Wrong quote... This was in reference to The Boot's negative vibe

Hasn't everyone learned by now? Negative comments are the ONLY type of post Boot can make. It's against his very nature to actually think or feel optimism.

[Hugo Bezdek]

we also have Jordan Wright whom we are chasing as well as others who we don't know about. not every name is made public . I know that surprises some of you . The reason we may only sign 25 is that we can only have 85 on scholarship. and the coaches may not expect much movement on the roster

That 85 number seems to be hard for a lot of people to grasp. If you sign 25 a year it's because you've got high attrition. It's been argued that a program like Arkansas, without a lot of in state talent to draw from, needs to rely on blue-collar player development that wins with fourth and fifth year players. It's hard to do that if they're all leaving the program. Look at our OLine this year. We had no fifth year guys and one fourth-year Senior (Skipper). We had one third-year Junior (Ragnow) and a grad transfer. Imagine a line in 2017 with Skipper, Kirkland and a healthy Koehler as fifth year Seniors and Ragnow and Wallace as fourth year Juniors. High attrition is not in our favor, so being unable to offer 25 a year should be a good thing.

[tophawg19]

a upper class line is something we have to get to in order to really win

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Is Johnson a 3 to play 2 guy?

[Bubba's Bruisers]

we also have Jordan Wright whom we are chasing as well as others who we don't know about. not every name is made public . I know that surprises some of you . The reason we may only sign 25 is that we can only have 85 on scholarship. and the coaches may not expect much movement on the roster

Where do we stand with Wright?  I assume he's scheduled an OV.

[tophawg19]

i think they could get him with an all out push but that is a guess . also it depends on other offers

[Oklahawg]

Is Johnson a 3 to play 2 guy?

Yes, Johnson is a 3 to play 2 guy. They wanted the mid-term option, though, that is obvious from listening to CBB and the coordinators talk last week.

Honestly, short of us having another option lurking that they like better I am surprised Johnson has not committed.

[Oklahawg]

Where do we stand with Wright?  I assume he's scheduled an OV.

Wright visited the first weekend in December. We went from leading, by some metrics, to nary a peep. He is thought to be a Kentucky lean, although the likelihood he winds up at Miami is large...just waiting on a Miami offer. Thus, he'll have the offer until another DE with an offer steps up and commits (Turner?).

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Yes, Johnson is a 3 to play 2 guy. They wanted the mid-term option, though, that is obvious from listening to CBB and the coordinators talk last week.

Honestly, short of us having another option lurking that they like better I am surprised Johnson has not committed.

Maybe we aren't committed to Johnson.

[Hollywood870]

This isn't the only DT prospect the hogs are in play for, but for what it's worth, Melvin is ranked slightly ahead of Edwards according to rivals. Funny how a 3 star is a huge loss unless he signs with us, then he becomes a reach

Well he was a Florida commit so...

[Exit Pursued by a Boar]

That 85 number seems to be hard for a lot of people to grasp. If you sign 25 a year it's because you've got high attrition. It's been argued that a program like Arkansas, without a lot of in state talent to draw from, needs to rely on blue-collar player development that wins with fourth and fifth year players. It's hard to do that if they're all leaving the program. Look at our OLine this year. We had no fifth year guys and one fourth-year Senior (Skipper). We had one third-year Junior (Ragnow) and a grad transfer. Imagine a line in 2017 with Skipper, Kirkland and a healthy Koehler as fifth year Seniors and Ragnow and Wallace as fourth year Juniors. High attrition is not in our favor, so being unable to offer 25 a year should be a good thing.

Exactly.  MSU showed last year what having a bunch of seniors can do for a team. But that was a large senior class. I hope that CBB can work it that classes are evened out, especially in the trenches on both sides of the line.  I believe OL, especially, is one place where a bunch of fifth-year seniors who were lower rated out of high school can do some damage to opposing teams if developed well -- in terms of physical development, development of technique, and just in terms of maturity. CBB does a pretty good job of finding skill players, especially on the offensive side, that is where younger players can develop quickly.



EFBAB

[The_Boot_stops_here]

.    Don't get your " this staff sucks and can't recruit" sentiment.  How do you feel about Patton and Martin? 

Go to the Patton and Martin threads to see how I feel about them.....Oh, and while you're at it, go pull up a quote of mine saying this staff sucks...I'll be waiting...

[The_Boot_stops_here]

Hasn't everyone learned by now? Negative comments are the ONLY type of post Boot can make. It's against his very nature to actually think or feel optimism.

Nope, just call it like I see it.  When I like a signing, I say it.  When I don't, I say it.  This board could use a little more objectiveness...

[RedyorNot]

That 85 number seems to be hard for a lot of people to grasp. If you sign 25 a year it's because you've got high attrition. It's been argued that a program like Arkansas, without a lot of in state talent to draw from, needs to rely on blue-collar player development that wins with fourth and fifth year players. It's hard to do that if they're all leaving the program. Look at our OLine this year. We had no fifth year guys and one fourth-year Senior (Skipper). We had one third-year Junior (Ragnow) and a grad transfer. Imagine a line in 2017 with Skipper, Kirkland and a healthy Koehler as fifth year Seniors and Ragnow and Wallace as fourth year Juniors. High attrition is not in our favor, so being unable to offer 25 a year should be a good thing.

Well said.

[lefty08]

Nope, just call it like I see it.  When I like a signing, I say it.  When I don't, I say it.  This board could use a little more objectiveness...

Ha, yeah, that's what we don't get enough of here. We could all use more syphilis and kidney stones while you're at it

[The_Boot_stops_here]

Is Johnson a 3 to play 2 guy?

Maybe this is a reason he hasn't committed (or been allowed to commit) yet...He's likely in need of a redshirt in order to contribute, unlike Edwards, but we need someone to contribute right away...who knows for sure though...

[The_Boot_stops_here]

Ha, yeah, that's what we don't get enough of here. We could all use more syphilis and kidney stones while you're at it

That seems to be a strange thing to wish for...

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Maybe this is a reason he hasn't committed (or been allowed to commit) yet...He's likely in need of a redshirt in order to contribute, unlike Edwards, but we need someone to contribute right away...who knows for sure though...

Very possible.  It's why I wonder how committed we actually are to Johnson. 

[Oklahawg]

Maybe this is a reason he hasn't committed (or been allowed to commit) yet...He's likely in need of a redshirt in order to contribute, unlike Edwards, but we need someone to contribute right away...who knows for sure though...

Good point. They have to weigh a true frosh redshirting vs a 3-to-play-2 guy...you get two extra years with the HS recruit.

[Hollywood870]

That seems to be a strange thing to wish for...

I'll let someone else have my kindey stones, keeping with the Christmas spirit and all.