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Post by buchananm on Feb 25, 2008 15:24:06 GMT -6
Coaches, I need some advice. I have an unbelievable junior running back but he is undersized at 5'6/150. He's a very elusive runner and strong for his size(250lb bench) but often is overlooked because of his small size. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards the past two years with over a 9 yard average. There's no doubt he could play higher level college football if given the opportunity. Has anyone had any experience in this area? (You should see him at linebacker. We put him there one game out of necessity and now we can't move him.) Thanks.
Check him out at youtube: Jonny Sitton
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Post by djwesp on Feb 25, 2008 16:00:29 GMT -6
Coach, we've been in a similar situation. Here's what I'd say.
1. GRADES, GRADES, GRADES. Get his grades in, grades taken care of, grades very high. He's got too many things stacked against him for the grades to be an issue.
2. IF he doesn't get recruited or interest by a school fitting for his talent get him enrolled in the nicest Junior College in your area. GRADES, GRADES, GRADES. Make sure the coaching staff is serious about keeping him in the weight room and helping him reach the higher ranks. Don't lose track of this guy, keep in touch and help him out during the short time he spends in JC.
3. Exposure. Keep getting tapes out. Whole game tapes, which show that he can perform every down and that he does well after contact.
You will probably have a really hard time getting him in/recruited purely because of his size (sadly), so keep putting him in a situation where he can prove himself and hope for the best.
The best news about the whole thing is that he is only a junior. You get to keep him another year and on top of that he still may have some growth left in him. The highlight video was exciting coach!
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Post by dubber on Feb 25, 2008 18:26:46 GMT -6
Coach,
I do not like being a naysayer, but 5'6'' 150 lbs. is not going to cut it.
That is just the way it is.
For every Doug Flutie, there are a million Jimmy-joes who tried just as hard, but ultimate couldn't do it. They just couldn't do it-----that happens to most people.
If your kid wants it, he may be that one in a million-----that's his dream and this is America, go for it.
I would suggest looking at a DIII school. This kid is NOT going to get a scholarship, so he should be worrying about his education.
DIII is not "a step above intermurals", in fact, those athletes that were a hair too slow, an inch to short, a pound too light to play DI usually find themselves in DIII.
I don't know where you are located at, but I would say a special player like that who is 5'6'' would find a home playing DIII football.
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Post by dubber on Feb 25, 2008 18:43:29 GMT -6
WOW! After watching film I really like that kid. Not just he way he cuts and his vision, but the way he handles himself after a big play.....
no chest pounding, no "look at me" showmanship......
seems like a good kid.
Versatile too........I see him as a slot on offense, a $ on defense, and definitely a returner.
I wish this kid was 6' 200 lbs., because he probably deserves to go DI.
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Post by tog on Feb 25, 2008 18:53:14 GMT -6
We have one about 5'6 165
he runs a 4.4
squats 500+
benches 300
deadlifts 500+
total genetic freak that is learning to work hard
a tremendous athlete
I expect him to get a full ride somewhere. He is a special talent. He is more short than he is small.
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on Feb 25, 2008 19:08:36 GMT -6
Coach Buchanan
Video looks great- you're lucky to have a kid like that...
He sure can do it all- love the way he get's upfield in a hurry on those returns!
looks like a helluva good player to me- has great ball skills!
Definitely look D3- I played at an upper tier D3 school and we had about 3 of these guys just at RB...short, shifty, tough backs- they all played and had great careers
If he loves football for what it is (a game not a meal ticket) and he sure looks like he does, D3 is where it's at- he will play at most of these schools, he may even get some burn early in his career in the right situation.
Hate to say it but these guys are a dime a dozen in recruiter's eyes- anything 5'8 and under, 175 and under has to be BLAZING fast- I mean standout speed (a la Darren Sproles [SD Chargers and Kansas State]) to get a look from the coaches-
Unless he hits a major growth spurt I wouldn't waste time and money at Jucos and Prep Schools either...I would nip any talk of these in the bud early...
Good luck coach!
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Post by buchananm on Feb 25, 2008 19:21:43 GMT -6
dubber, that's exactly what I'm having difficult with. Colleges reading into more of his size than his ability on the field. He is indeed a great young man as well: 3.5GPA, yes sir and no sir, dedicated off-season, and leads Bible studies. I agree, slot would fit him well like a Wes Welcher maybe?
tog, wow, what a specimen! Do you anticipate your kid's size being a set back with colleges?
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Post by tog on Feb 25, 2008 19:26:24 GMT -6
dubber, that's exactly what I'm having difficult with. Colleges reading into more of his size than his ability on the field. He is indeed a great young man as well: 3.5GPA, yes sir and no sir, dedicated off-season, and leads Bible studies. I agree, slot would fit him well like a Wes Welcher maybe? tog, wow, what a specimen! Do you anticipate your kid's size being a set back with colleges? yes there will be some colleges that will not take the chance because he is short but i expect him to land at a d1 and play there as a slot receiver i wish the best for your kid, he looks like a good one as well |
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Post by groundchuck on Feb 25, 2008 20:29:59 GMT -6
We have a kid like ya'll have. Didn't get a sniff for football but will probably run track in college next spring. He's fast......but small.
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iso
Freshmen Member
Posts: 78
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Post by iso on Feb 25, 2008 20:40:22 GMT -6
My experiences tell me that at a scholarship school he will have to convince someone to let him walk on. He will get beat up and it will be the end of the road, or he will prove the world wrong . . .
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Post by phantom on Feb 25, 2008 20:49:28 GMT -6
Coaches, I need some advice. I have an unbelievable junior running back but he is undersized at 5'6/150. He's a very elusive runner and strong for his size(250lb bench) but often is overlooked because of his small size. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards the past two years with over a 9 yard average. There's no doubt he could play higher level college football if given the opportunity. Has anyone had any experience in this area? (You should see him at linebacker. We put him there one game out of necessity and now we can't move him.) Thanks. Check him out at youtube: Jonny Sitton Whay size school is this? |
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Post by coache67 on Feb 25, 2008 20:50:31 GMT -6
We've got a guy just like him - a little heavier, but just a ball of muscle - played the slot for us. Mount Union has been all over him, but he isn't sure if he wants to continue his football career or just go to school.
I'm sure gonna miss him.
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Post by buchananm on Feb 26, 2008 7:59:29 GMT -6
D2 or D3 is what I would figure. Size, IMO, is an overrated factor of football players. Jonny takes a hit better than most big backs. Like Jonny, smaller backs have a way to elude most big hits anyhow. I think playing at a solid Christian college would suit him fine. He's one of the top soccer players in West Florida as well. I just hate to see kids like this get overlooked because of size. I've seen it all too often. Thanks for the replies.
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Post by superpower on Feb 26, 2008 8:16:39 GMT -6
We have a junior/rising senior wing back who is 5'9 and 155. He ran for 2171 yards on 182 carries and had 30 TDs rushing, 1 receiving, and 1 on a kick return. He also won a state title in wrestling last weekend and will qualify for state track in multiple events. While he really wants to play college football, he is keeping all options open as he will also probably have wrestling and track opportunities. He realizes that because of his size he won't likely get any D1 offers, so we are working to get his name out to the D2 schools. I also think he will be a slot receiver at the next level.
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on Feb 26, 2008 8:18:33 GMT -6
D2 or D3 is what I would figure. Size, IMO, is an overrated factor of football players... Damn skippy- but our jobs are not on the line when it comes to recruiting, so I do understand why coaches overlook them. That's the business side of college football. Are you near Tampa? I lived in Clearwater when I was working with MLB... |
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Post by buchananm on Feb 26, 2008 10:31:18 GMT -6
We are located in Largo, FL.
superpower: What are some things you are doing to get your kid's name out there to the D2 schools? letters, videos, emails?
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Post by wingt74 on Feb 26, 2008 10:42:03 GMT -6
How big is Noel Devine? I thought I saw him playing in a bowl game last month
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Post by warrior53 on Feb 26, 2008 11:02:04 GMT -6
Pimp him hard. Be ready for people to tell you he can't cut it. Don't limit yourself or the kid to one division, send out film to every size college. I would also recommend for him to try to go to some type of combines - I would not have said that a couple of years ago, but more and more people are paying attention to these things. I would also recommend you to try to find schools who pride themselves on finding the diamond in the rough (Texas Tech - Wes Welker) around your area.
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Post by wingt74 on Feb 26, 2008 11:11:19 GMT -6
Watched the highlight film. First, at 3:19, he fumbles...should take that out  Second - 32 needs to block someone! Otherwise, I believe this kid is D-1 talent if he has decent hands. He runs very hard, cuts at full speed, doesn't dance. He might struggle in a zone blocking scheme as it requires a runner to be more patient. But I think a spread team could use him out of the backfield, on draws, and as an explosive change of pace. |
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Post by coachsowders on Feb 26, 2008 11:13:38 GMT -6
I would hate to see this kid miss out on a D1 scholarship because of his size, but realistically it is very difficult to get that type of opportunity at his size. I would keep putting his stuff out there, especially "the mid-major" schools, but you need to be honest with him about his chances. I played with a player just like him in D3. He was 5'6" 165 4.3 40. He was a 4 year starter at the slot in a run and shoot. Made All-American one year and player of the year in the conference more than once.
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Post by superpower on Feb 26, 2008 11:13:49 GMT -6
We are located in Largo, FL. superpower: What are some things you are doing to get your kid's name out there to the D2 schools? letters, videos, emails? Mostly DVDs and emails. It helps that we had a huge TE who was recruited by several jucos and D2s this year, so I got to make lots of contacts. |
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Post by ajreaper on Feb 26, 2008 11:19:52 GMT -6
Here in AZ the U of A just early offered a 5' 9" 160 RB and KR- there's always hope but then again the U of A has not made alot of great recruiting decisions if you ask me- send his tape there  |
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yspace
Sophomore Member
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Post by yspace on Feb 26, 2008 11:55:55 GMT -6
I haven't seen the tape, but I have very much the same type of player as you described - same strength, same resume' (MVP of the 6A Championship game as a junior), I have the same fears, because I know our guy can play and make a difference - my strategy for him is going to include the following:
1) Track - not really 'my strategy', but I am really hoping that he can run in the mid 10s at the state meet, because I think SPEED forces people to re-evaluate their criteria. Our guy isn't world class speed like he is, but I know LSU has a scholarship guy who's 5'5, largely because his speed makes him "unignorable."
2) Return game - He returned some KO this year, but we have to make him an impact player as a punt and KOR guy next year - hope he lights it up - make him a game-changer in that regard alone.
3) Make him a dynamic threat out of the backfield catching the ball
Hopefully with that and the right choice of camps this summer and a bombardment of tape and the right contacts, someone will get outside of their box and realize that he can help their program win games.
New England has made a living on taking guys who can do certain segments of things exceptionally well, and build around those things with each guy, not make them do things they can't, compliment them with guys that can do the other things, cobbling together a team that functions at a high level.
Realistically, the only way our guy's size should limit his functionality at the DI level is in pass pro and overall touches - I understand that he's not going to hold up at 20 carries a game.
But could he make a difference in the return game, and with the 6-8 carries he gets, and the touches out of the backfield, a difference that another guy couldn't make, and a difference that is more than worth a scholarship? Absolutely.
Hopefully someone - somewhere - will figure that out and upgrade their roster by looking at our guy.
I'm off my soapbox now, sorry. I feel you, brother.
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Post by jjkuenzel on Feb 27, 2008 0:22:43 GMT -6
I would advise everyone to not let your ego cloud your judgment in terms of what type of an offer a kid of yours will get. Sure it would be nice if every kid of yours that could "play" would get a D1 offer. The fact of the matter is that it just won't happen. There is nothing wrong with a good D2 or D3. Sometimes they are a much better fit for the kid. Keep that in mind when trying to sell your player to the college coaches. A full ride or huge scholarship isn't necessarily the best thing for the kid.
As far as the kid Mr Sitton, he is a IAA role/situational guy, a high level d2 starter, a mid d2 star, and a d3 all american. He could start in our backfield right now and if a high level D3 is something he might be interested in PM me. In fact if anyone has a kid who you think is being overlooked and would be willing to check out a D3 PM me.
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Post by warrior53 on Feb 27, 2008 5:06:06 GMT -6
Well said - too many kids don't go play college ball in my area of the country when they don't go DI.
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Post by superpower on Feb 27, 2008 7:59:31 GMT -6
There are also some very good NAIA programs that kids should consider when looking at all the options.
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on Feb 27, 2008 10:32:04 GMT -6
Coach Buchanan
How fast is this guy? If he's freaky fast then as warrior says "pimp" his speed. Seriously, do you have some #'s on him? Does he run track?
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on Feb 27, 2008 10:33:40 GMT -6
How big is Noel Devine? I thought I saw him playing in a bowl game last month Yeah- he's small, but he's freaky fast man! Just like Darren Sproles from KState and the Chargers |
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Post by buchananm on Feb 27, 2008 11:19:30 GMT -6
Jonny runs in the 4.5 range. At the Nike Combine he ran a 4.6 on a wet, soggy field radar timed. I would say he's more quick and elusive than straight ahead fast. He is also on the olympic developmental squad in soccer, so that may be another avenue for him. I want to give him as many possibilities to choose from. I know we all do for our kids.
It would be neat if us coaches could create a website or something where we could showcase the overlooked, under the radar players around the country be it size, speed, location, small schools etc...where smaller level colleges could find out what's really out there as far as high school talent that may be left out.
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on Feb 27, 2008 11:29:46 GMT -6
4.5 is good speed! He needs to hit it at a combine though- hand-timed won't cut it.
I have no doubt that he can play at a smaller level college- these coaches get paid to scour the earth for talent. If he's a player, then he'll be found...
Sounds like he has some stuff going with soccer though- that's great!
The good lower level teams out there do their homework- they find kids that can play. He will definitely get approached this coming year, probably by a few D1 schools willing to take a look.
Good luck coach! I wish you and Johnny the best
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