2017 RB Class

[logand02]

At first glance I felt like this was a really down year for the state and I'm going to go ahead call that Arkansas does NOT land a top rated RB in the 2017 class. I.E. Whaley, Collins.... But I am starting to think there are more solid players this year than normal without the "Super Stars" (Tenpenny, Hill, Frazier, Burns, Mustain, Ziemba, Hillis etc) and a lot of the Dennis Johnson, Alan Turner, Jake Bequette, Freddy Burton, Greg Childs, Chris Gragg, Byron Jone, Braylon Mitchell type players. This will turn out to be a great class, I truly believe. 

On a tangent our 2009 class was atrocious. 

Instead I believe we land a few instate kids that will be underrated and excel in the program.

Possibly

Darius Hopkins
http://247sports.com/Player/Darius-Hopkins-85403

Pierre Strong
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3327246/pierre-strong

Terrance Rock
http://247sports.com/Player/Terrance-Rock-85840

Alex Day
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3925846/highlights/314955397

Monta Thomas
http://247sports.com/Player/Monta-Thomas-83238

Dezmon Jackson
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2759897/highlights/311324375

[WooPig90]

We are on some big names for the 2017 RB class

[Muskliketusk]

One of Carter or Dobbins and Bush should be expected.

[Obi-Hawg Kenobi]

At first glance I felt like this was a really down year for the state and I'm going to go ahead call that Arkansas does NOT land a top rated RB in the 2017 class. I.E. Whaley, Collins.... But I am starting to think there are more solid players this year than normal without the "Super Stars" (Tenpenny, Hill, Frazier, Burns, Mustain, Ziemba, Hillis etc) and a lot of the Dennis Johnson, Alan Turner, Jake Bequette, Freddy Burton, Greg Childs, Chris Gragg, Byron Jone, Braylon Mitchell type players. This will turn out to be a great class, I truly believe. 

On a tangent our 2009 class was atrocious. 

Instead I believe we land a few instate kids that will be underrated and excel in the program.

Possibly

Darius Hopkins
http://247sports.com/Player/Darius-Hopkins-85403

Pierre Strong
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3327246/pierre-strong

Terrance Rock
http://247sports.com/Player/Terrance-Rock-85840

Alex Day
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3925846/highlights/314955397

Monta Thomas
http://247sports.com/Player/Monta-Thomas-83238

Dezmon Jackson
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2759897/highlights/311324375

I'm one of Strong's former coaches...and I can tell you he is REALLY looking forward to receiving an offer from the HOGS.  He wants it in the worst way.
I hope he gets it.  He's a GOOD ONE.

[tophawg19]

has he been to the camps and made a visit yet?

[The Hawg Marshal]

I think it's waaaay early to be declaring what we are or aren't going to get in 2017.

[#1 STUNNA]

don't forget about Dennis Daniels who might have the best burst out of all the above mentioned in his video. And has the frame to add the weight needed.

[Obi-Hawg Kenobi]

has he been to the camps and made a visit yet?

has he been to the camps and made a visit yet?

Yes

[yraciv]

Don't see anyone in state getting an offer at RB.

[jgphillips3]

Don't see anyone in state getting an offer at RB.

If it's anyone, it will be Strong and I think he has a pretty good shot at an offer.  Beyond him, I agree. 

[scruf]

Myles Fells

[Wildhog]

Would LOVE for an instate RB to earn a Hog offer.

[scruf]

Would LOVE for an instate RB to earn a Hog offer.

Same. I think there is potential in this class and any potential offers will be determined by how well the players camp and produce during their senior seasons.

[AirWarren]

Another running back to look out for...Dennis Daniels from Warren. Ran for nearly 2000 last year. He will be a senior this year.

http://m.hudl.com/athlete/3446557/dennis-daniels

[RazorPiggie]

So OP is already saying in February of 2016 that we won't land a top RB for the class of 2017. LOL ok.

[jackflash]

I never worry about Arkansas getting as RB. DB now that's another story

[Acer4]

Another running back to look out for...Dennis Daniels from Warren. Ran for nearly 2000 last year. He will be a senior this year.

http://m.hudl.com/athlete/3446557/dennis-daniels

He is gonna have to improve on his track stats
https://www.directathletics.com/athletes/track/5295557.html

[#1 STUNNA]

He is gonna have to improve on his track stats
https://www.directathletics.com/athletes/track/5295557.html

is he going to Arkansas to run track??

[AirWarren]

He is gonna have to improve on his track stats
https://www.directathletics.com/athletes/track/5295557.html

Track speed and football speed is a lot different.


Dennis' older brothers:

Ricardo Kemp-Tennessee signee and current arena ball player.
Chris Alford- signed at UAM.
Raheim Alford- signed at ASU


He will be able to hold his on speed wise on the field.

[yraciv]

Track speed and football speed is a lot different.

Dennis' older brothers:

Ricardo Kemp-Tennessee signee and current arena ball player.
Chris Alford- signed at UAM.
Raheim Alford- signed at ASU

He will be able to hold his on speed wise on the field.

They are a bit different I'd say, and you don't have to necessarily be fast to be a good RB...but it helps. That track time is very slow, and I can't imagine Kemp was that slow on the track.  Not familiar with Chris, but I doubt Raheim was either.  Daniels will be playing college ball somewhere and is a good player, but I'm not sure if the P5 offers are going to roll in.

[AirWarren]

You're probably right. Depends on his year this year.

[whosiskid]

At first glance I felt like this was a really down year for the state and I'm going to go ahead call that Arkansas does NOT land a top rated RB in the 2017 class. I.E. Whaley, Collins.... But I am starting to think there are more solid players this year than normal without the "Super Stars" (Tenpenny, Hill, Frazier, Burns, Mustain, Ziemba, Hillis etc) and a lot of the Dennis Johnson, Alan Turner, Jake Bequette, Freddy Burton, Greg Childs, Chris Gragg, Byron Jone, Braylon Mitchell type players. This will turn out to be a great class, I truly believe. 

On a tangent our 2009 class was atrocious. 

Instead I believe we land a few instate kids that will be underrated and excel in the program.

Possibly

Darius Hopkins
http://247sports.com/Player/Darius-Hopkins-85403

Pierre Strong
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3327246/pierre-strong

Terrance Rock
http://247sports.com/Player/Terrance-Rock-85840

Alex Day
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3925846/highlights/314955397

Monta Thomas
http://247sports.com/Player/Monta-Thomas-83238

Dezmon Jackson
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2759897/highlights/311324375

I think Pierre Strong is an elite running back. He isn't a consolation prize. I think we are moving slowly because he is instate. I was raving about TJ Hammonds a year ago and Strong looks to me like a clone. Everything I liked about Hammonds a year ago I like about Strong now. I think we'll offer Strong.

I think the ONLY reason Strong isn't blowing up nationally is that he only emerged as a elite back this past year. He had about 350 yards rushing as a sophomore and 2300 as a junior. I mean, he had two games where he had almost as many yards as his entire sophomore year. Glad to see his coach confirmed he is big on Arkansas. I saw a couple of interviews where he talked like he was hooked on the Hogs. And I think that is why he hasn't gotten an offer yet. They know he is a lock.

I think Strong and Bush is a great blend. I don't think Bush is an every down player, but he is a spectacular change of pace back.

[Polecat]

I was really excited about Hopkins as a sophomore. Seems to be a productive player, but not considered elite by so-called gurus. Is the drawback on him top-end speed?

[hvsupastar]

If none of those in state running backs get an offer it would be a travesty and the biggest miss since.... Dixon

[hvsupastar]

I think Monta Thomas is the best player in the state at any level and I really don't even think its that close.  Not sure if he's a running back on the next level but he is definitely a big time football player at the next level.  Watch him play against Jackson from Parkers Chapel who is also getting a look and should be. Both could be studs for Arkansas.

[Peter Porker]

I think Pierre Strong is an elite running back. He isn't a consolation prize. I think we are moving slowly because he is instate. I was raving about TJ Hammonds a year ago and Strong looks to me like a clone. Everything I liked about Hammonds a year ago I like about Strong now. I think we'll offer Strong.

I think the ONLY reason Strong isn't blowing up nationally is that he only emerged as a elite back this past year. He had about 350 yards rushing as a sophomore and 2300 as a junior. I mean, he had two games where he had almost as many yards as his entire sophomore year. Glad to see his coach confirmed he is big on Arkansas. I saw a couple of interviews where he talked like he was hooked on the Hogs. And I think that is why he hasn't gotten an offer yet. They know he is a lock.

I think Strong and Bush is a great blend. I don't think Bush is an every down player, but he is a spectacular change of pace back.

You were also high on Cecil Langston...

[Acer4]

I was really excited about Hopkins as a sophomore. Seems to be a productive player, but not considered elite by so-called gurus. Is the drawback on him top-end speed?

Lets just say the kid has some issues.  Freak athlete though

[hvsupastar]

Strong and Day don't seem to have SEC speed on film

[Acer4]

Strong and Day don't seem to have SEC speed on film

Juan Day isnt an SEC back im afraid.  Maybe he can find a spot on special teams

[The_Hog_Father]

You were also high on Cecil Langston...

I would take a post from whosiskid over you every single time.

[PorkRinds]

Juan Day isnt an SEC back im afraid.  Maybe he can find a spot on special teams

Right.  Based on absolutely nothing.  CBB has said he likes Day's skills pretty recently and has been complimentary of him.  Maybe he will, maybe he won't.  But lets not pretend you know anything about whether or not he's an SEC back.

[Acer4]

Track speed and football speed is a lot different.


Dennis' older brothers:

Ricardo Kemp-Tennessee signee and current arena ball player.
Chris Alford- signed at UAM.
Raheim Alford- signed at ASU


He will be able to hold his on speed wise on the field.

Sorry boys but you just can't play in the SEC if you are long jumping 18 feet and not breaking 24 in the 200.  Fact

[Peter Porker]

I would take a post from whosiskid over you every single time.

That's your prerogative.

[#1 STUNNA]

Sorry boys but you just can't play in the SEC if you are long jumping 18 feet and not breaking 24 in the 200.  Fact

im not saying he is fast... but ive yet to see someone without an angle run him down

[Peter Porker]

Sorry boys but you just can't play in the SEC if you are long jumping 18 feet and not breaking 24 in the 200.  Fact

Don't even try to explain it. I've done it before. They don't listen.

[#1 STUNNA]

Don't even try to explain it. I've done it before. They don't listen.

so on film does Daniels look slow?

[WooPig90]

Right.  Based on absolutely nothing.  CBB has said he likes Day's skills pretty recently and has been complimentary of him.  Maybe he will, maybe he won't.  But lets not pretend you know anything about whether or not he's an SEC back.

Lol look at his post history, all he does is $hit on players.

[texas tush hog]

I'm one of Strong's former coaches...and I can tell you he is REALLY looking forward to receiving an offer from the HOGS.  He wants it in the worst way.
I hope he gets it.  He's a GOOD ONE.

He'll get one, I think he is as good as Benjamin and Dobbins, but this staff is just sooooo slow on these in state kids and I hate that.

[secneahog]

He'll get one, I think he is as good as Benjamin and Dobbins, but this staff is just sooooo slow on these in state kids and I hate that.

As good as Dobbins huh....smh

[Hogginout]

I hope that Strong gets a offer he runs behind his pads and reminds me of A.C

[Muskliketusk]

Dobbins didn't go to Texas junior day today. Maybe I'm crazy but I think he calls the Hogs.

[texas tush hog]

As good as Dobbins huh....smh

Well as good as Benjamin anyway, Dobbins may be on a different level and a Teasip lock if not an Aggie but Zero-U is in the mix big time but I think he is a whorn.

[whosiskid]

You were also high on Cecil Langston...

Not remotely the same. What I said was that we should have offered a preferred walk on to Langston. Still feel that way. I felt his football skills were outstanding, though some felt he was too slow. You can't make that claim about Strong. The other complaint about Langston was that he played for a small school. Again, no complaint that way about Strong.

Why bring up Langston, as if that would reflect on me and/or Strong, but not bring up TJ Hammonds? I think I was the first person on HV raving about Hammonds and I did that a few times before he got his offer. I can't see much, if any, difference between Hammonds and Strong. In fact, Strong's junior year was better than any year Hammonds had in high school, plus Strong played against a higher level of competition and was by far more important to his team's offense. Strong's two best games last year were better than any games Hammonds has ever had. Hammonds was one weapon among several, while Strong was McClellan's work horse on every level. So was there any point whatsoever about bringing up Langton, who hasn't even played a down of college football. So you can't even bring him up except as someone who didn't get a major Division One offer. And I never advocated offering Langston a scholarship, so there is that. I also advocated offering Carlos Blackman a preferred walk on slot. I haven't heard what he decided to do, though he was offered by all of the military academies. No way I'd want to go to Navy or Army, though that is me. Would have been a wretched fit for me, a great one for others.

So to keep things straight, here is what I advocated about instate players the past couple of years:

Cecil Langston - Consider offering a preferred walk on
Carlos Blackman - Ditto
Damarea Crockett - Under no circumstances offer him a scholarship
TJ Hammonds - Offer him a scholarship
Pierre Strong - Offer him a scholarship
Alex Day - Depending on his performance this season, offer him a preferred walk on spot

Hope that clears things up.

BTW, I do expect Strong to get a scholarship offer, probably this summer, though certainly by November if he has another monster season. Remember, the major reason he isn't on a lot of team's radars is that he has had only one elite season. His sophomore season was nothing special.

I was also cool on Damarea Crockett

[whosiskid]

I hope that Strong gets a offer he runs behind his pads and reminds me of A.C

I'm not seeing the resemblance. For one thing, Strong is deceptively fast, while Collins is deceptively slow. Strong has a very long stride and is running a lot faster than you think on film Try an experiment. Watch Strong's highlight reel, but cover up his body with a sheet of paper as you watch it, exposing only his head and shoulders -

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3327246/highlights/315615379

He doesn't look slow at all that way, but if you just look at his legs, it looks like he isn't running as hard as others. The reason is his long stride. Remember how fast it looked like DJ was running, thanks to those short legs. He wasn't slow, but wasn't as fast as you thought he was. Strong has a great stride.

I do think that Strong and Collins are similar in the way they read the field. They also both get good numbers in yards after first touch. That was where Collins really shone and I hope he gets a chance to show that on the next level (his performance was so weak this weekend that I'm worried he could begin to fall in the draft). The difference between the two is that Strong can read the field and take it to the bank. Collins just lacks the burst that Strong has. The player Strong reminds me the most of is TJ Hammonds. I hate comparing a high school kid to another high school kid, but they really are incredibly similar. Both have great hands, though Strong didn't put many pass receptions on his junior year highlight reel. There are more on his sophomore highlight reel.

I like that Strong wears No. 5. Got to love an Arkansas kid who looks up to No. 5.

[1highhog]

From what I've seen of Strong I really like him.  He seems to have good speed, he can't cut without losing speed in the open field and runs in traffic well.  He'll have a shot if he keeps working hard this year and adding to his skill set.

[Obi-Hawg Kenobi]

Strong and Day don't seem to have SEC speed on film

https://twitter.com/LukeMatheson/status/704133403373916170

[Obi-Hawg Kenobi]

He'll get one, I think he is as good as Benjamin and Dobbins, but this staff is just sooooo slow on these in state kids and I hate that.

I HATE how this coach slow plays instate players.  Absolutely HATE IT!  I'm going to leave it at that because this will turn into an Anti CBB rant and I don't want to go that route, at this time.

[Obi-Hawg Kenobi]

I'm not seeing the resemblance. For one thing, Strong is deceptively fast, while Collins is deceptively slow. Strong has a very long stride and is running a lot faster than you think on film Try an experiment. Watch Strong's highlight reel, but cover up his body with a sheet of paper as you watch it, exposing only his head and shoulders -

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3327246/highlights/315615379

He doesn't look slow at all that way, but if you just look at his legs, it looks like he isn't running as hard as others. The reason is his long stride. Remember how fast it looked like DJ was running, thanks to those short legs. He wasn't slow, but wasn't as fast as you thought he was. Strong has a great stride.

I do think that Strong and Collins are similar in the way they read the field. They also both get good numbers in yards after first touch. That was where Collins really shone and I hope he gets a chance to show that on the next level (his performance was so weak this weekend that I'm worried he could begin to fall in the draft). The difference between the two is that Strong can read the field and take it to the bank. Collins just lacks the burst that Strong has. The player Strong reminds me the most of is TJ Hammonds. I hate comparing a high school kid to another high school kid, but they really are incredibly similar. Both have great hands, though Strong didn't put many pass receptions on his junior year highlight reel. There are more on his sophomore highlight reel.

I like that Strong wears No. 5. Got to love an Arkansas kid who looks up to No. 5.

You are absolutely correct about Pierre's stride.  He's working with someone now to help shorten that stride.

[Swine Time]

Don't forget about DEMEKKO CLARK from Blytheville!!!!!!!!!!!! HE'S the real deal!!!!!!
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3868569/highlights

[PorkRinds]

I HATE how this coach slow plays instate players.  Absolutely HATE IT!  I'm going to leave it at that because this will turn into an Anti CBB rant and I don't want to go that route, at this time.

Better get used to it, per his presser today.