Under the Radar Florida Recruits - LB

[Wildhog]

This is one thing that CBB and staff are doing that I absolutely love.  They've been finding hidden gems down in S. Florida.  Guys that have never seen a weight room in their life, but are still producing at the highest level of competition in High School football.  I'll take a raw Florida prospect over a Texas prospect that's been in the weight room since the third grade.  They just have a higher ceiling, and there's less competition than for a Texas kid.

I actually wish we'd spend MUCH MORE time in Florida, as I think it's going to pay big dividends in the near future.

With our huge need, here are a few of the lower rated LINEBACKERS from Florida that may be of interest to us. 


Jordan Griffin

James King

Tyler Horstman

Anthony Fiory

Emilio Gibbs

Doyle Grimes

Tavon Cox

Eric Gallon

Bruce Davis

[BrassNunchucks]

Some pretty good players. Griffin looks really good.

[Wildhog]

It's why I wanted CBB to hire assistants with S Florida connections. 

Like Bert said, once you get south of Orlando, those kids are more willing to leave home. 

[Wildhog]

Some pretty good players. Griffin looks really good.

I believe Robb Smith has connections in that part of the state.  Kid needs to have an Arkansas offer.

[Kenny Hawgins]

You know, it's definitely a balancing act and this is why guys sometimes fly under-the-radar. 

A lot of Texas schools emphasize powerlifting, which can certainly be a good thing.  On the other hand, if one is training for football, there are other issues that must be taken into consideration.  Mobility, flexibility, explosion, and risk of injury are all issues that could arise within a program that is short-sighted to the fact that strength training is only one tool in the coach's toolbox to develop athletes. 

I have a buddy that was a strength coach at a rival SEC school at one point; one of the things that he noted is that they were seeing more and more guys that had muscular imbalances. 

[Wildhog]

You know, it's definitely a balancing act and this is why guys sometimes fly under-the-radar. 

A lot of Texas schools emphasize powerlifting, which can certainly be a good thing.  On the other hand, if one is training for football, there are other issues that must be taken into consideration.  Mobility, flexibility, explosion, and risk of injury are all issues that could arise within a program that is short-sighted to the fact that strength training is only one tool in the coach's toolbox to develop athletes. 

I have a buddy that was a strength coach at a rival SEC school at one point; one of the things that he noted is that they were seeing more and more guys that had muscular imbalances. 

This is why I like the raw florida talent.  You get 'em while they're still a blank slate.

[ricepig]

This is why I like the raw florida talent.  You get 'em while they're still a blank slate.

Yeah, they more than likely won't contribute right away, but some of these raw natural athletes will develop into game changers.

[Wildhog]

Yeah, they more than likely won't contribute right away, but some of these raw natural athletes will develop into game changers.

And you never know-  these kids are competing against the very best talent in high school.  You may get more early production out of them than you'd expect. 

[ricepig]

And you never know-  these kids are competing against the very best talent in high school.  You may get more early production out of them than you'd expect. 

True, but I figure the non-stop guys need a year to develop their body, or you hope they get it. Kind of like Coley, I'm interested to see how he does this year, maybe Marks, too.

[Wildhog]

True, but I figure the non-stop guys need a year to develop their body, or you hope they get it. Kind of like Coley, I'm interested to see how he does this year, maybe Marks, too.

Coley is kind of the quintessential prospect that we're talking about in this thread.  He was barely recruited, save for a few small schools.  If he can be a difference maker, it would bode very well for us and recruiting in S Florida.

[Steef]

Good thread, WH.

Agree about the Griffin kid. Look at his offer list!  A lot of really good schools. Harvard!? This is a smart kid.

[hawgsmellgud]

Great thread, completely agree with the S. Florida need. I have the exact same thoughts about Florida and Texas players.

[Poker_hog]

It's the same analogy with LR/pine bluff kids vs northeast ar kids. 

[Wildhog]

It's the same analogy with LR/pine bluff kids vs northeast ar kids. 

Northeast?  or West?

[Hoggish1]

Beating the bushes is what it's all about.

[Poker_hog]

Northeast?  or West?

Brain fart.  Meant northwest.

[Wildhog]

Brain fart.  Meant northwest.

Yeah, that's a similar analogy, on a much smaller scale.  The number of D1 prospects that come out of Miami ALONE is unreal.  There's just a vast wealth of talent down there.

[Kenny Hawgins]

This is why I like the raw florida talent.  You get 'em while they're still a blank slate.

On the other hand, it can be a bit of a crapshoot in trying to project these kids also.  It's hard enough but trying to guess how these kids will perform with an added 30-40 lbs can be difficult.  You'd certainly have to consider a lot of variables.

It's been a while since I've read it but the book Meat Market, about Ed O's recruiting @ Ole Miss, was very interesting.  It seems like for some guys, he'd look at their flexibility by having them squat and watching if they can keep their heels on the ground.  If you can find an underdeveloped guy with good instincts, it could certainly give you the chance to develop them properly.  Heck, Miami made a killing off undersized guys and bulking them up.

[Wildhog]

On the other hand, it can be a bit of a crapshoot in trying to project these kids also.  It's hard enough but trying to guess how these kids will perform with an added 30-40 lbs can be difficult.  You'd certainly have to consider a lot of variables.

It's been a while since I've read it but the book Meat Market, about Ed O's recruiting @ Ole Miss, was very interesting.  It seems like for some guys, he'd look at their flexibility by having them squat and watching if they can keep their heels on the ground.  If you can find an underdeveloped guy with good instincts, it could certainly give you the chance to develop them properly.  Heck, Miami made a killing off undersized guys and bulking them up.

Solid post

[three hog night]

Coley is kind of the quintessential prospect that we're talking about in this thread.  He was barely recruited, save for a few small schools.  If he can be a difference maker, it would bode very well for us and recruiting in S Florida.

Coley is a perfect example as you state, but I will also add that he is from a football factory HS.   We have to take some chances on kids in S FL to get in some of the top HS, so we have a relationship and reference to use in recruiting.  Coley is going to be a major asset for us on the field and in recruiting.

[ARtillahog]

Absolutley spot on with your OP.  I think this staff needs a decent foundation so they can mold these players how they see fit.  You might start seeing more of this in the future once they start winning more or it might happen earlier due to what's left. 

Great thread and great insight to a possible niche that could take the program to where it needs to be.

[tophawg19]

This is why I like the raw florida talent.  You get 'em while they're still a blank slate.

those kids have weights too. and gyms on every block.

[Wildhog]

I'm going to post more under-the-radar Florida prospects later.  There are SO many of them. 

[Wildhog]

those kids have weights too. and gyms on every block.

They haven't been in college-level weight programs for years like the Texas kids have.  There's just a lot more raw potential.

[ARtillahog]

those kids have weights too. and gyms on every block.

Weight lifting is not as stressed as it may be in Tx.  The coaches have said this several times.  Ex:  Anthony Brown and Randy Ramsey.  The weight programs aren't anything special.

[Wildhog]

I remember when Petrino wanted to recruit florida harder.  I was all for it.  We went into the panhandle and north central florida, and largely had no luck.

It got to the point that I thought we were wasting resources there. 

Then when Bielema got here, he said that once you get below Orlando, kids are much more willing to leave home.  It had never even occurred to me.  So I did some research, and he was proven to be right. 


When you recruit the panhandle, the prospects have a great many more options within driving distance.  They get more comfortable with these schools before Arkansas ever has a chance to get them to campus.

When recruiting South Florida, the fact that there's no SEC school around all that talent makes it a perfect situation for us.  They're a plane-flight away from ANY SEC school, unless you're making a long drive.  This helps to level the playing field for Arkansas, and gives us a chance at some really talented, although raw, prospects.

[Kenny Hawgins]

those kids have weights too. and gyms on every block.

There's a big difference in some cases.  Furthermore, I'd add that simply having weights available doesn't help you grow via proximity; you have to actually know what you're doing and be consistent.  There's a big difference between what most people think is a good program and a well-designed, appropriate training program.  Also, consider that many of these kids don't have great nutrition available, play multiple sports, etc. 

[ricepig]

There's a big difference in some cases.  Furthermore, I'd add that simply having weights available doesn't help you grow via proximity; you have to actually know what you're doing and be consistent.  There's a big difference between what most people think is a good program and a well-designed, appropriate training program.  Also, consider that many of these kids don't have great nutrition available, play multiple sports, etc. 

I've been surprised at a number of mentions of nutrition and eating, that's a big proponent of weight and weight training. I know one of my son's friends on the team said the staff had 3 different shakes he would have to come by and drink.

[Kenny Hawgins]

I've been surprised at a number of mentions of nutrition and eating, that's a big proponent of weight and weight training. I know one of my son's friends on the team said the staff had 3 different shakes he would have to come by and drink.

I can't overstate the importance of adequate, appropriate nutrition for performance.  Elite performance relies on the fine tuning of so many variables being 'dialed in': training, nutrition, no injuries, positive mental state, genetics, etc.  You have to control the things that you can and pray nothing else happens.

Simply telling players to 'eat right' or giving them a list of foods doesn't typically do it; you have to train them.  There's so much misinformation about nutrition, supplements, etc. 

[prattville pig]

This is a good thread, we need to offer Griffin, and we need to live in south Florida.

[Wildhog]

Here are some of the lower rated ATHLETE prospects from Florida that we may want to take a look at, based on offers.

https://rivals.yahoo.com/arkansas/football/recruiting/player-Jonathan-Crawford-133461;_ylt=Ape8gWFXHbGM6vukN3M83374q5B4

https://rivals.yahoo.com/arkansas/football/recruiting/player-Kemar-Downer-155923;_ylt=AsSphCeZBMUB92n0YjYpjtf4q5B4

This guy is committed to BC, but maybe an SEC offer would interest him?
https://rivals.yahoo.com/arkansas/football/recruiting/player-Mehdi-ElAttrach-157410;_ylt=ApYLNlgkJSS95wu3cwMCLvP4q5B4

https://rivals.yahoo.com/arkansas/football/recruiting/player-Damian-King-159830;_ylt=AhUStbHLEg.alscx_Wb9lEv4q5B4

https://rivals.yahoo.com/arkansas/football/recruiting/player-Darion-Staton-159974;_ylt=AmOnifpFeeG0V8yAFEQSQob4q5B4

https://rivals.yahoo.com/arkansas/football/recruiting/player-Trevon-Sands-147644;_ylt=AnEEMlsUE3Bl_Huf7tA.IAf4q5B4