Swarm247 Board

This!

Like I said in a previous post, in our system, we don't need a Jonathon Dwyer. Would I like to have one? Heck yes! But the JD of 2008 was an elite level running back. Those type of RBs are few and far between, and there's maybe 2-3 running backs on the college level every year that are on that level.. CPJ was just lucky he was already on the roster when he was hired.

Don't forget, Charles Perkins wasn't that highly regarded when he committed to us early in the recruiting game. After he exploded on the field his senior year, he became AJC's top back for his recruiting class even though he didn't even make their Pre-season Super 11.

If you watch Zach's senior year film, and if you don't think he's a great fit for our offense, then I don't know what to tell you. I think Zach can come in early and actually play A-back (ala Ant in 2009) since his receiving skills are probably better than most of the A-backs we have now. He's much faster than I remember...he's got legit breakaway speed. It's not like he played in a lower level either.

He's already 210. He'll probably play around 225-230. If he keeps his speed, he'll be another good option for us.

I think he's better than helluva's shady-colored glasses are letting him see. But, you do have to acknowledge that he wasn't our first choice at BB last year. That distinction goes to James Wilder, who was a 5* athlete and would've been hell on wheels in our offense at the BB position. But, Laskey does appear to be a very solid second choice, and like I said, could end up being a very good option for us with size, speed, athleticism, and fire.

You know, it's quite possible that Zack Laskey's career could far surpass that of James Wilder in the long run. That's the craziness and maybe "fun" of college football and following recruiting. It's the human element.

I was talking about LSU Jacob Hester. Blew my mind to see a white boy blowing up the SEC. Loved it. Great example of North-South runner making people hurt without taking it to the house a lot.

Well, for once we agree! People don't line TW because he isn't especially fast, tough, good at passing, etc...he just does what he does. SD looks the part. I guess you could say TW isn't as "sexy" at QB as SD. But he actually surprised me last year. I hope we can do better, but for now I have accepted TW as the QB for '11. If SD beats him out, great.

The TO needs a quick hitting straight up the field type runner that finds the seams, has good vision, sets up his blocks and runs hard between the tackles. It is precision that makes this work. Whoever it is needs to perfect the mesh with the QB to limit turnovers. An east /west type runner is not a viable option IMHO. First steps are very important as it could make the difference between a 3 yard gain or a 25 yard gain. Those who think a shake and bake type runner will do well in this offense will be disappointed. All these kids are athletic or they wouldn't be here. As I watched Zach's senior video, I believe I saw this kid playing Griffin outrunning 4 star defensive recruits to the end zone twice. He has break away speed and good size. A quick research of Starr's Mill offense shows that they have run the TO and a version of the spread the last 10 years. This should also mean that he can block and catch out of the backfield playing the BB position in high school. He put up very good numbers and played in the AAAA state championship game. Hell, look at all the blue chip recruits that couldn't carry their teams out of the first round of the playoffs. I would think that he is somewhat familiar with what and where he needs to be in TECH's offense. One issue will be the speed of the game at this level. Anyone who has ever played the game knows what I mean here. His bio says that he broke 11 school records most of which was held by Rueben Houston who also played at TECH. He had quite a few accolades and when I googled him, he also was the AAAA GACA offensive player of the year. If you look at numbers and compare apples to apples, I believe TECH signed one of the most versatile and a top 5 RB in the state of GA. CPJ has said in the past that he doesn't get into all the hype about stars and such with recruiting. He prefers to evaluate players himself and not go by what some desk jockey at SCOUT/RIVALS says. Maybe this is the reason CPJ liked Laskey. I personally think he will have a very good career at TECH........just my two cents.

Have you seen their schedule? How many ranked teams did they beat? (I don't know the answer to either).

What offense doesn't need such a runner?! Actually, the only offense I can think of that can really use a great east-west runner is the TO! (AB). Who was the last shake and baker at GT? And a BB depends on vision much less than your typical RB (that's a knock on the position by the scouts). My only point is that BB isn't some special position that is that much different from what other schools look for in RBs. The only difference is that a little guy won't cut it. So, maybe CPJ is the only non-racist Div1A coach in the country and hopefully this kid turns into Toby Gerhart.

Like I said, he Sr. year video was MUCH better, but he is still missing a gear compared to Perkins, who will hopefully be around for 4 years. I guess I've always had this complex about the BB position. I don't want it to turn into a slow rumbling white dude position. BORING! And it is going to disappoint the hell out of me if we are not able to recruit more Perkins and Allens. The reason CPJ ran the bigger, slower BBs at Navy was because that was all he could recruit there. I had hoped it would be different here. So far, mixed results, but I guess we won't really know for another few years.

Only disagreement: AB is a lot of EW running...all about turning that corner a lot of the time...but EW running is simply speed.

Hopefully ZL pans out. Best of luck! I believe CPJ knows what he is doing, but it doesn't mean I can't scratch my head from time to time. Believe it or not, I am a GT fan, I just have this vision of what I want our offense to look like and even more so what I don't want it to look like. But....I am no expert, just want to be entertained.

Misconception---if we are blocking efficiently, properly, and the qb gets the right read, the AB get a lane, doesn't need to "turn the corner" , doesn't need to be exceptionally fast altho it always helps. When it's right, the AB gets 9, 10, 12 yards before being touched. Sometimes farther.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u20B6DJwTNg

Great video.

Laskey looks very fast compared to the other teams. What he looks best at is reading his blocks and going where the blocks are opening the running lanes. I see that either in the back field or when he's free down field. The neat thing is that when there is no hole, he just hits someone and takes them for a ride.

I can't wait to see him at the next level. He seems to have the same breakaway speed and ability to hit the holes as JD. His block reading and desire to deliver a blow seems better. But that is at a lower level. Trust but verify, I'll get totoally liquored up once I see him do those things against UNC or VT.

Holy hell....I'm turning a new leaf on ZL, but let's not get crazy!

We seem to have all these great players now---with so much potential and ability. Why aren't we better?