The Class

[Big Six]

I’m going to try a different kind of Bowl Bound dynasty story this time.

 

I’ve always particularly enjoyed the recruiting process of the college sports simulations I’ve played. I probably spend more time than I really need to on recruiting, and I have a good time tracing the careers of players I remember from their days as recruits.

 

This dynasty is designed to tell the story of one group of athletes, from their first weeks as college recruits until their final days on campus.

 

I’ll follow the top high school player in the nation at each position over the course of his Bowl Bound career. Will he live up to the hype that surrounds him as he enters college football? Will he develop into one of the all-time greats, a solid starter, or a bust?

 

We’ll find out.

 

Along the way, I think I’ll learn a lot of other things, too.

 

• I’ll be able to compare their high school stats to their college production, and discover what patterns might emerge.
  
• I’ll get a chance to see how the recruits’ “measurables”—their times in the 40, their max bench press and squat results, their vertical jumps—translate into ratings once they become college players.
  
• I’ll find out what relationship their high school GPAs and SAT scores will have to their success in college classrooms.
  
• I’ll discover what effects their collegiate coaches have on their development. Many will probably be lucky enough to work with skilled coordinators who maximize their talents; some might end up with coaches who aren’t talented enough to bring out their best.
  

 

I’m not allowing any players to declare for the NFL draft early in this universe, because I’d like all my players to have four (or five) years on campus, to see what they’ll ultimately become.

 

I assigned myself to “coach” Duke, partially because it’s very unlikely any of the top high school football players in the country will end up there. Even so, I’ve delegated everything to the computer. I’ll just sit back and see what happens.

 

I’m as pumped about the start of this dynasty as I have been about any I’ve done in a long time. I hope we all enjoy the ride.

[Big Six]

Offseason 2010

 

Now, let’s meet the players we'll be following. Each is the top-ranked high school player in the nation at his position. They are listed in order of their place in the overall recruit ratings.

 

 

RUNNING BACK: Clyde Childers

South Panola High School, Batesville, Mississippi

 

“Clyde the Glide” is regarded throughout the pigskin world as the top high school player in the country. He rushed for nearly 2000 yards as a senior, scoring 19 times and averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He also caught 24 passes for 311 more yards.

 

Clyde brings the complete package to the field; despite his size (5’10”, 176 lbs), he’s strong enough to break tackles, he has good hands, and he’s willing to block. The skill that truly makes him special, however, is his speed. Clyde is the fastest running back in the nation, clocking a 4.29 in the 40. The only thing worrying college coaches is his less-than-stellar performance in the classroom. With a 1.8 GPA, Clyde will have to score well on his SAT in order to remain eligible for a Division I scholarship. Because of that fact, we’ll also follow a second player at this position.

 

Several SEC schools, plus Florida State and Miami, are high on Clyde’s list.

 

 

RUNNING BACK: Roger Gray

Murray-Wright High School, Detroit, Michigan

 

This tall, lean athlete starred on both sides of the ball as a prep. He gained 1460 yards and scored 11 times as a runner, caught 24 passes for 240 yards as a receiver, and racked up 93 tackles and six sacks on defense. He is ranked #7 among all players in this year’s recruiting class.

 

Roger should remain at RB in college, however, where his 4.37 speed should make him a breakaway threat and his better-than-average hands should make him a good fit for any offense. He is a solid student with a 3.2 GPA.

 

Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Wisconsin are among Roger’s favorites.

 

 

QUARTERBACK: Will Hawley

Peach County High School, Fort Valley, Georgia

 

Truly a peach of a prospect, Will is a classic drop-back passer with a big-time arm. The #2 player in the nation, regardless of position, Will completed 68.2% of his passes as a senior, good for 3685 yards and 26 touchdowns, while throwing only four interceptions.

 

The only thing Will lacks is prototypical size; he’s “only” 6’0” and weighs 185. He can move around in the pocket, however, and can make pass rushers miss.

Will needs to hit the books harder; his 2.2 GPA isn’t exactly making college coaches smile.

 

Home state schools Georgia and Georgia Tech lead the race for his services, with Florida, Florida State, LSU, and Tennessee also in the running.

 

 

STRONG SAFETY: Gilbert Rose

Moreno Valley High School, Moreno Valley, California

 

Gilbert, a 6’4”, 180-pound athlete, can do almost anything on a football field. He caught 46 passes for 850 yards as a senior, and could make an impact as a receiver, but most coaches think he’ll be an even better defensive player. He made 61 tackles, broke up 16 passes, recorded six sacks, picked off one pass, and scored one defensive touchdown. Gilbert ranks #4 among all prospects in the Class of ’10.

 

Strong enough to bench press over 400 pounds and quick enough to run a 4.41 40, Gilbert has the raw physical ability to dominate a game. He’s decent in the classroom, too, with a 2.5 GPA.

 

Gilbert lists USC, UCLA, Arizona State, and California among his top schools.

 

 

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER: Will Wilson

Sequoyah High School, Talequah, Oklahoma

 

Ranked #13 among all players in his class, Will is a fast, agile, hard-hitting linebacker with a nose for the football. His statistics (82 tackles, 11 sacks, 10 TFL, 8 passes defended, 3 picks, 4 forced fumbles, 3 defensive TDs) speak volumes about his versatility and talent.

 

Will squats almost 600 pounds and benches over 400, and runs a 4.54 40. And, with a 3.4 GPA, he won’t be an academic problem, either.

 

Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Colorado, and Nebraska are among the schools in hottest pursuit right now.

 

 

WIDE RECEIVER: Phil Berrios

Northern High School, Owings Mills, Maryland

 

Phil is almost as much fun to watch on the basketball court as he is on the football field. In either setting, this 6’4”, 169-pound playmaker steals the show. He’s sticking with football at the college level, though. Phil is the #14 recruit in the nation.

 

As a senior, Phil hauled in 63 passes, gaining 869 yards and scoring 17 times. He added four more TDs on punt returns, and gained almost six yards per carry, too. Phil’s athleticism is off the scale, with a 4.26 40 time and a 40-inch vertical that are just plain sick. He'll need to bulk up some in college, but that shouldn't be a problem.

 

Maryland would love to keep him at home, while Penn State, Pitt, and Virginia Tech, among others, will try to lure him their way.

 

 

DEFENSIVE END: Pedro Segura

The Hun School, Princeton, New Jersey

 

The nation’s most dangerous pass rusher, Pedro attacks quarterbacks with a combination of speed (4.54), strength (632 squat, 426 bench), and relentless aggression. He hits the books just as hard as he hits opposing players, maintaining a 3.9 GPA.

 

His high school statistics include 66 tackles, 18 TFL, 11 sacks, and four forced fumbles. Pedro is the #17 player in this year’s recruiting class.

 

Pedro has expressed interest in Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Boston College, among others.

 

 

CORNERBACK: Barry Byrd

Moon Valley High School, Phoenix, Arizona

 

Barry possesses the body control and speed to develop into a shutdown corner at the collegiate level. The #18 player in the nation, he recorded 78 tackles and five sacks as a senior, and despite the fact that opposing teams avoided his side of the field whenever possible, he defended 17 passes and picked off another.

 

A superlative student with a 4.0 GPA, Barry’s list of favorite schools includes Notre Dame, Michigan, USC, and Arizona.

 

 

TIGHT END: Sam Ashford

Mitchell Christian School, Mitchell, South Dakota

 

The state of South Dakota is not usually considered a hotbed for college football talent, but Sam is the real deal. The nation’s #25 recruit, Sam could make an impact on either offense or defense at the collegiate level.

 

He caught 43 passes for 520 yards and seven scores as a senior, adding 66 tackles, 9 TFL, six sacks, and two forced fumbles on defense. His 6’6”, 240-pound frame could add up to 20 more pounds, which would give him the bulk required to become a steamroller of a run blocker. Like several other members of the Top 22, Sam is a somewhat lackadaisical student (2.0 GPA).

 

Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State are high on Sam’s list.

 

 

INSIDE LINEBACKER: John Carver

Cloverdale High School, Cloverdale, California

 

When a 6’2”, 221-pound high school senior can run a 4.49 40, squat over 600 pounds and bench over 400, he’s apt to be one hell of a linebacker. John, the #27 player in the nation, is exactly that: a game-breaking force who can dominate a game from the middle of the defensive set.

 

John racked up 114 tackles, 11 sacks, 11 TFL, 11 passes defensed, and five picks, forcing five fumbles and scoring five touchdowns. His 2.1 GPA is questionable, but that’s all about his profile that seems to be an issue.

 

UCLA, California, and USC will probably be able to persuade John to stay close to home.

 

 

DEFENSIVE TACKLE: Jeff Cox

Morris High School, Morris, Illinois

 

Jeff stands 6’4”, weighs 283 pounds, and has the strength (670 squat, 444 bench) to hold the point of attack against the most stalwart blockers. No wonder this Illinois farm boy is the #28 player in the nation.

 

He’s quick enough (4.88 in the 40), and possesses a nasty streak, too. Jeff’s statistics include 61 tackles, 20 for losses, and nine sacks. He demonstrated enough agility to intercept two passes, too.

 

Jeff’s favorite schools include Notre Dame, Michigan, Minnesota, and Michigan State.

 

 

FREE SAFETY: Roger Spaulding

Alexandria High School, Alexandria, Louisiana

 

From down in Cajun country comes this versatile athlete, who excels as a safety, a receiver, and a punt returner. He could see action at any of these spots at the next level, but most coaches believe his size—6’2”, 180--, his 4.49 speed, and impressive strength would make him a game-changing safety. He’s the #41 player in the nation, regardless of position.

 

Roger made 71 tackles, broke up 12 passes, recorded six sacks, and intercepted a pass on defense. He caught 62 passes, good for 817 yards, as a receiver. He averaged 20.1 yards on punt returns, taking two all the way.

 

Texas, LSU, Mississippi State, and Florida State are among Roger’s likely college choices.

 

 

KICKER: Carlton Davidson

Franklin Academy, Winnsboro, Louisiana

 

It’s rare to see a kicking specialist ranked as high as #42 among the nation’s recruits, but this lightning-legged Louisianan is a very special player.

 

Carlton connected on 84.9% of his field goal attempts as a senior, with a long of 49 yards. He punted, too, averaging 42.9 yards a kick with a net of 38.3. He has the leg strength to kick off, too. And he’s no slouch in the classroom, a 3.1 student.

 

Florida State, Tennessee, LSU, and Georgia Tech appear to be Carlton’s top schools right now.

 

 

FULLBACK: Dylan Starr

McKinney High School, McKinney, Texas

 

The advent of spread offenses has made the fullback something of a relic, but Dylan is determined to prove that an old school fullback can still help a college team win. He’s the #47 recruit in the Class of ’10.

 

Dylan packs 245 pounds onto his 5’11” frame, and he possesses the strength to be a devastating lead blocker. He’s a threat with the ball in his hands, too, as he gained 714 yards and scored six touchdowns as a senior, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He is a weapon in the passing game, too, with 25 receptions, and he recorded 82 tackles and seven sacks on defense.

 

Besides the big programs of the Lone Star State, schools such as Nebraska and Oklahoma make Dylan one of the most highly sought recruits in the Top 22.

 

GUARD: Shawn Davison

Jonathan Law High School, Milford, Connecticut

 

Shawn, the #49 player in the country, is a big, big boy. He stands 6’7”, weighs 300 pounds, and could pack on 20 more with ease. Strong and explosive, Shawn can blow defenders off the line and is agile enough to excel in pass protection.

 

His 2.1 GPA might scare off some schools, but Syracuse, Ohio State, Penn State, and Virginia are among those who are willing to take a chance on him.

 

 

OFFENSIVE TACKLE: Trent Miller

Philip & Sala Burton High School, San Francisco, California

 

Trent stands only 6’1”, short for a tackle, and his 306-pound body almost looks soft, but he’s actually light on his feet and athletic enough to rank #54 among all players in his class. His quick hands and feet should make him a fine pass blocker, and he’s strong enough to manhandle almost any defensive lineman he’s faced.

 

Another so-so student (2.1 GPA), Trent has UCLA and USC at the top of his list of dream schools.

 

 

CENTER: Richie Henry

John A. Holmes High School, Edenton, NC

 

Richie is rangy for a center, at 6’5” and 271 pounds. With some time in the weight room, he could bulk up to 295 or so, and with a 660-pound squat, he has the power to hold his own against tough nose tackles. He’s the #57 player in his class.

 

A beast in the weight room, Richie needs to spend as much time in the library, working to pull up his 1.9 GPA. Nevertheless, schools such as West Virginia, North Carolina, and N.C. State have their eyes on him.

 

 

PUNTER: Melvin Gaines

Affton High School, St. Louis, Missouri

 

Compactly built at 5’8” and 196 pounds, Melvin can both crank out long, high punts and drop the ball inside the 20 with great accuracy. No wonder he’s the #81 prospect in the nation, and one of only four punters with a four-star rating.

 

As a senior, he averaged 45.8 yards per punt, with a 39.2 net. He made over 70% of his field goal tries, too, making one from 47 yards out.

 

Missouri, Iowa, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State are high on Melvin’s list.

[Big Six]

Here are the "measurables" for the players we'll be following:

 

[b]NAME              POS    HT    WT  40YD  VERT   SQ   BP  GPA[/b]
Clyde Childers     RB  5'10"  176  4.29  36.1  508  275  1.8
Roger Gray         RB  6'0"   183  4.37  36.4  360  236  3.2
Will Hawley        QB  6'0"   185  4.70  30.6  252  250  2.2
Gilbert Rose       SS  6'4"   180  4.41  35.4  592  409  2.5
Will Wilson       OLB  6'1"   221  4.54  35.8  592  408  3.4
Phil Berrios       WR  6'4"   169  [b]4.26  [/b][b]40.1[/b]  547  328  2.7
Pedro Segura       DE  6'3"   263  4.54  36.0  632  426  3.9
Barry Byrd         CB  5'10"  178  4.48  39.0  566  369  [b]4.0[/b]
Sam Ashford        TE  6'6"   240  4.56  35.9  599  385  2.0
John Carver       ILB  6'1"   220  4.49  33.1  603  421  2.1
Jeff Cox           DT  6'4"   283  4.88  32.1  [b]670  444  [/b]2.7
Roger Spaulding    FS  6'2"   179  4.49  37.6  551  356  2.2
Carlton Davidson    K  6'0"   165  4.85  27.5  276  184  3.1
Dylan Starr        FB  5'11"  245  4.81  31.9  610  430  2.4
Shawn Davison       G  [b]6'7"[/b]   300  5.20  29.6  656  422  2.1
Trent Miller        T  6'1"   [b]306[/b]  5.26  27.3  583  412  2.1
Richie Henry        C  6'5"   271  5.22  32.0  660  403  1.9
Melvin Gaines       P  5'8"   196  5.15  27.1  337  209  2.2

 

• Phil Berrios is the fastest player in this year's recruiting class. A large group of linemen place last, each running a 5.32 40.
  
• Raymond Marion, a wide receiver from Indiana, has the best hops in the class, with a 41.1 inch vertical. Marion is the #10 WR in the nation, by the way.
  
• The most earthbound is a punter named Patrick Watson, who only gets 22 inches off the ground.
  
• The king of the weight room is George Woods, a 6'7", 304-pound offensive tackle from Florida. He squats 746 pounds, which is a full 66 pounds more than the runner-up, and his max bench press is 445, also tops in the nation. Jeff Cox is #2 in both categories, losing out to George by a single pound in the bench press.
  
• A handful of quarterbacks only squat 241, and a placekicker from Maryland named Jimmy Gibbs places last in the bench press, at 181.
  

[Big Six]

Offseason Week 12, 2010

 

During the third week of the recruiting season, twelve of the eighteen members of The Class found their collegiate homes. Not surprisingly, almost all of them signed with perennial powerhouses or with teams that had experienced significant success in 2009.

 

However, one team which possesses neither of those qualities surprised everyone by walking away with two of our featured stars.

 

The most coveted prize of all, RB Clyde Childers, chose LSU. The Tigers went 11-2, winning the SEC championship game and a berth in the Rose Bowl, where they met Notre Dame for the national title. The Tigers lost to the Fighting Irish, but they won a pitched recruiting battle for the nation's top high school player.

 

The Texas Longhorns, who matched LSU's 11-2 record and finished #4 in the national polls, signed two hard-hitting offensive stars, TE Sam Ashford and FB Dylan Starr. Both should make the Longhorns' explosive, balanced offense even more dangerous. Both grew up rooting for the Longhorns; will they make their boyhood dreams of stardom come true?

 

With third team All-American QB Eric Carver graduating, Florida State needed a signal-caller, and they're excited to make QB Will Hawley a Seminole. Will ought to compete right away for a starting position--a fact that made it easier for him to leave his home state of Georgia.

 

The nation's #3 team, the Oklahoma Sooners, will add OLB Will Wilson to their swarming defense, which ranked third in the nation without him. Sooner Nation is thrilled that Wilson will be playing his college ball close to home.

 

Fans of the Virginia Tech Hokies aren't used to seeing their team go 4-7. The signing of DE Pedro Segura looks like a sign that the Hokies are ready to return to the ranks of the nation's elite.

 

Tennessee already has a fine kicker in Shane Presley, but that didn't stop them from signing Carlton Davidson. The fact that the Vols snatched him away from several SEC rivals makes this outcome even sweeter.

 

North Carolina State enjoyed a magical 2009 season, winning ten games, finishing #8 in the polls, and winning their bowl game. The addition of players like C Richie Henry, a home-state product, will make future winning seasons that much more likely.

 

Nobody hopes their team will have to feature its punter too prominently or too often, but Missouri fans might be excused for paying closer attention than most when fourth-and-long situations occur. That's because P Melvin Gaines is going to be a Tiger.

 

Lately, the Maryland Terrapins have been considered more of a basketball school than a gridiron power. In 2009, they won only three games, and their 1-7 record in the ACC tied them with lowly Duke for last place. The Terps have apparently served notice that those days are gone.

 

Signing in-state star WR Phil Berrios would have made their recruiting season a success by himself, but the Terps shocked the college football world by reaching up into Connecticut and bringing back G Shawn Davison. Both could start from their first day on campus.

 

Elite programs such as Michigan, Ohio State, USC, and national champion Notre Dame have yet to sign one of our featured stars. Seven of them are still uncommitted, however, so the excitement of recruiting season is far from over. Adding one, or more, of our remaining players to a team's roster could make the difference between success or failure in the seasons to come.

[Big Six]

Offseason Week 12, 2010

 

SAT scores have come in, and it looks like all the members of The Class will be eligible to play Division I football as freshmen.

 

Here are their scores:

 

[b]NAME                SAT[/b]
Clyde Childers     1150
Will Hawley        1230
Gilbert Rose       1180
Roger Gray         1150
Will Wilson        1210
Phil Berrios       1050
Pedro Segura       1290
Barry Byrd         1270
Sam Ashford        1080
John Carver        1020
Jeff Cox           1230
Roger Spaulding    1210
Carlton Davidson   1340
Dylan Starr        1340
Shawn Davison      1250
Trent Miller       1020
Richie Henry       1050
Melvin Gaines      1200

 

Clyde Childers and Richie Henry, the only players in our group with GPAs under 2.0, both scored well enough to maintain their eligibility, and in Childers' case, it wasn't even close.

 

Our best standardized test-takers were Carlton Davidson and Dylan Starr, each with a fine score of 1340. You have to wonder what Dylan does in class; it seems like he's far too bright to settle for a 2.4 GPA.

[Big Six]

Offseason Week 14, 2010

 

After several more weeks of intense recruiting activity, all of the members of The Class have given their commitments to the schools of their choice.

 

Week 13 saw the California Golden Bears add a future stud to their defense when they signed SS Gilbert Rose. Cal struggled to a 5-6 record last year, but if they add a few more players like Rose, they'll be turning things around fast.

 

Another California school landed their first featured star that week, too...and their second. USC should have one ILB spot tied up for the next several years. John Carver will be among the players hoping to lead the Trojans back to a BCS bowl; they lost the Sugar Bowl to the powerful Purdue Boilermakers in '09. They'll also be set at CB, with the signing of Barry Byrd. Many experts thought Byrd might end up at Notre Dame, but a late push by the USC staff sealed the deal for the Men of Troy.

 

Oklahoma, who already added a star LB of their own in Will Wilson, fortified their offensive line by signing OT Trent Miller. The Sooners boasted the fourth most productive offense in all of college football last year, and with a road-grader like Miller leading the way, look for more of the same in the future.

 

The Michigan Wolverines hit the jackpot during Week 13, signing the #2 and #3 running backs in the nation. Roger Gray is a versatile athlete who could find himself playing somewhere else. His formidable physical tools will get him on the field in a hurry.

 

The Wolverines scored again in Week 14, landing powerhouse DT Jeff Cox. Like many young linemen, he may need a year's worth of development before he's ready to make a huge impact, but the folks in Ann Arbor think it's only a matter of time.

 

The last member of The Class to sign finally picked a school during Week 15. FS Roger Spaulding will be joining Will Hawley at Florida State. Spaulding might also find himself on the receiving end of some of Hawley's passes, if the Seminoles find themselves in greater need of a wideout than a ballhawking safety.

[Big Six]

Preseason Week 1, 2010

 

The members of The Class have reported to their respective campuses, and have begun the difficult task of transforming from high school studs to college players. As their preseason training gets underway, we can compare some of their ratings to the high school "measurables" they presented as recruits.

 

Here's a chart that shows each player's ratings for Speed and Strength, as well as their overall player rating and their potential rating as it now exists. I'm not sure if Speed and Strength will increase much over the course of our players' college lives, which is why I'm featuring those ratings now, at the very beginning of their college football careers.

 

[b]PLAYER             TEAM            POS  NO   SP   40YD    ST   BP/SQ  PR/POT[/b]
Clyde Childers     LSU             RB   31   68   4.29    40    783   70/90
Will Hawley        Florida State   QB    6   42   4.70    24    502   71/86
Roger Gray         Michigan        RB   32   73   4.37    31    596   72/88
Gilbert Rose       California      SS   24   75   4.41    61   1001   69/89
Will Wilson        Oklahoma        OLB  54   61   4.54    46   1000   67/86
Phil Berrios       Maryland        WR   85   83   4.26    41    875   70/85
Pedro Segura       Virginia Tech   DE   93   47   4.54    66   1058   62/81
Barry Byrd         USC             CB   26   64   4.48    56    935   65/80
Sam Ashford        Texas           TE   85   75   4.56    59    984   67/81
John Carver        USC             ILB  56   62   4.49    76   1024   63/84
Jeff Cox           Michigan        DT   93   29   4.88    80   1114   61/80
Roger Spaulding    Florida State   FS   25   37   4.49    26    907   43/54
Carlton Davidson   Tennessee       K    13   38   4.85    22    460   71/88
Dylan Starr        Texas           FB   29   41   4.81    59   1040   60/83  
Shawn Davison      Maryland        G    71   34   5.20    63   1078   61/84
Trent Miller       Oklahoma        T    74   17   5.26    61    995   60/82
Richie Henry       N.C. State      C    74   17   5.22    57   1003   61/78
Melvin Gaines      Missouri        P     5   30   5.15    22    546   70/84

BP/SQ = combined max bench press and squat 
PR/POT = overall player rating/potential rating

 

All these ratings come from the Player Editor, which I figure are more accurate than the ones generated by the Duke coaching staff.

 

A few things I noticed right away:

 

• Clyde Childers' game speed doesn't look like it quite matches his 40 time, but he should still be a star. Roger Gray, however, might turn out to be every bit as good.
   
  
• Gilbert Rose looks like a beast. He's as strong as most linemen, with the speed to run with the fastest backs and receivers. Could there be a Jim Thorpe Award in his future?
   
  
• Texas might have uncovered a similar kind of gamebreaker in Sam Ashford. The Longhorns should find as many ways to get the ball into his hands as they can.
   
  
• John Carver is another player to watch. The USC linebacker's strength and quickness seem to translate very well to the field. He might not be ready to make much of an impact as a freshman, but he should be a future All-America candidate.
   
  
• On the other hand, Pedro Segura might lack the blinding quickness we thought he might have. He's still far from plodding, and I'm sure VA Tech is still pleased with him.
   
  
• Roger Spaulding is the only member of The Class who seems to face an uphill battle in his quest to become a collegiate star. He doesn't seem as fast or as strong as his stats would indicate, and as a result, his ratings don't look like those of a future starter at Florida State.
  

 

We'll visit The Class next as they and their teams move into the first week of the 2010 season. We'll take a look at where they stand on their teams' depth charts; we'll find out if any of them are redshirting; we'll see how their position-specific player ratings look as their careers begin.

[Big Six]

Week 1, 2010

 

The months of anticipation finally came to an end, as the 2010 NCAA football season kicked off. On campuses across the nation, the players who made up The Class found themselves in a variety of situations. Most emerged from preseason practice in the same spot on the depth chart they'd almost always occupied: first string. A few would begin their collegiate careers as backups. Others were given redshirts and a year to develop while older players took the field.

 

 

The Skill Guys

 

Despite his status as the #1 recruit in the nation, RB Clyde Childers began his freshman season as the backup tailback at LSU. Junior Paul Jackson, who gained 1042 yards in 2009, held onto his starting job. Clyde appeared to be a slightly more diligent student in college than he was in high school, with an early GPA of 2.11.

Key Ratings: Overall 69/88; Running 84/99, Hands 84/99. Obviously, Clyde's upside was incredible as he began his career. What he would do with it was yet to be determined.

 

At Florida State, QB Will Hawley was redshirted, while two slightly more polished signal callers will take the snaps for the Seminoles. Starter Josh King appeared in four games as a sophomore in 2009, completing five of nine passes. Redshirt freshman Ken McCord was listed as King's backup. Will's early GPA of 2.22 should be good enough to keep him eligible.

Key Ratings: Overall 70/85; Arm Strength 86/99, Passing Accuracy 71/88, Passing Touch 71/98. King and McCord were slightly better than Hawley as the 2010 season opened, but Will's golden arm and surgeon's touch made him the quarterback of the future in Tallahassee.

 

RB Roger Gray, too, found himself wearing a redshirt instead of Michigan maize and blue. Three stud running backs were already on the scene there, and with senior James Rodriquez slated to get the majority of the carries, Gray's talents were not needed as urgently. More time to study meant Roger's GPA opened at a fine 3.17.

Key Ratings: Overall 74/91; Running 82/96, Hands 73/94. Roger looked like a future Big Ten star, but so did the three guys listed ahead of him as the season began.

 

WR Phil Berrios, as expected, stepped right in to the Maryland lineup as the team's starting split end. He was also slated as the Terps' #1 kickoff returner. Phil needed to run a few more routes that end at the library, however. His 1.77 GPA endangered his future eligibility.

Key Ratings: Overall 75/85; Hands 73/88, Route Running 80/93, Kickoff Returns 83/99. The most game-ready member of The Class, Phil appeared to be the best bet for immediate impact on the college game.

 

Down in Texas, TE Sam Ashford faced a considerable challenge as his career began. With the Longhorns running a Vertical Passing offense, how often would he be on the field? He was listed as the starter in both the base set and the pass package, but there was a much bigger problem. Sam's 1.87 early GPA threatened to make the point moot. Ineligible players aren't on the field in any situation.

Key Ratings: Overall 66/81; Hands 65/65, Route Running 73/85, Pass Blocking 77/79, Run Blocking 78/84. Few freshmen debuted with skills as close to their potential as Sam did. What might that mean for the future?

 

Sam's teammate, FB Dylan Starr, was in the same position. Although Dylan began the season atop the depth chart, the 'Horns might not put a fullback on the field all that often. If his coaches decided to put their eleven best offensive players out there, he'd be among them. Alarmingly, Dylan continued to slack off in class, posting a 2.22 GPA that seemed way too low for a smart guy like him.

Key Ratings: 62/81; Running 73/82, Hands 68/83, Run Blocking 72/94. Having Starr on the field was like adding an extra O-lineman to the formation, but this one could run and catch, too.

 

 

The Offensive Linemen

 

Like Phil Berrios, G Shawn Davison opened the season in Maryland's starting lineup. Shawn was listed as the team's first string left guard. With a 2.95 GPA that was almost a full point higher than his high school standard, he appeared to adjust as well to collegiate academics as he did to collegiate athletics.

Key Ratings: 61/85; Pass Blocking 70/81, Run Blocking 71/95. The Terps might want to start drawing up lots of inside runs to the left side.

 

Oklahoma's Trent Miller surprised many observers by opening the year as the starting right tackle. Most true freshman linemen aren't physically ready for such a task, but the Sooners were thrilled by Trent's precociousness. He was getting by academically, posting an early 2.27 GPA.

Key Ratings: 60/81; Pass Blocking 78/99, Run Blocking 77/94. Trent's intangibles weren't great, but his physical attributes seemed to be those of a future All-American.

 

C Richie Henry broke camp as N.C. State's second string center, playing behind Zach Horton, a redshirt senior who started every game for the Wolfpack's outstanding 2009 team. The 'Pack's coaches, pleased with Richie's Aggressive tendencies (65), found a spot for him on their kick coverage units. They were also pleased with the way he pulled his GPA up to 2.33, after his 1.9 performance as a prep.

Key Ratings: Overall 57/81; Pass Blocking 69/76, Run Blocking 74/86, Long Snapping 63/71. The future looked bright for Richie, as he served an apprenticeship under a veteran master.

 

 

The Defensive Linemen

 

Virginia Tech discovered why DE Pedro Segura has always been a star. Playing above his "measurables," Segura grabbed the starting position at right DE, shifting inside on passing downs. He worked as hard in the classroom as he did on the field, opening with a 3.18 GPA.

Key Ratings: Overall 65/81; Pass Rush Moves 78/93, Tackling 71/80, Point of Attack 67/77. ACC quarterbacks naturally didn't know Pedro as the season began, but it looked like several of them were about to meet him, up close and personal.

 

Michigan was just as pleased by the early showing of DT Jeff Cox. In the Wolverines' base 4-3, Cox started at tackle, and showed the versatility to stay on the field in the team's nickel and dime packages. Showing the Aggressive (80) nature of a berserker, Cox also became a fixture on Michigan's special teams. And his 3.73 GPA was the best among The Class.

Key Ratings: Overall 61/80; Pass Rush Moves 74/90, Tackling 70/77, Point of Attack 74/85. Would fans in the Big House be treated to four years of Cox tying up the middle of the line and breaking free to smash opposing passers?

 

 

The Linebackers

 

OLB Will Wilson arrived on the Oklahoma campus ready to rock, and was inserted onto the strong side of the Sooner defense right away. He demonstrated frighteningly good coverage skills and looked like he'd been playng college ball for years. A 3.16 GPA attested to his academic credentials, too.

Key Ratings: Overall 67/86; Tackling 80/92, Coverage 74/96, Pass Rush Moves 81/96, Point of Attack 68/79. Will looked like as sure-fire a future star as any of his fellow Class members.

 

USC's tradition of outstanding linebackers seemed safe in the hands of ILB John Carver, who opened 2010 as the starting right inside 'backer in the Trojans' 3-4 defense. He was listed as the #2 nickel LB as well. John's 2.33 GPA was a slight improvement over his high school record.

Key Ratings: Overall 62/86; Tackling 67/93, Coverage 58/65, Pass Rush Moves 59/80, Point of Attack 53/63. Carver's job will be to make stops, and he appeared to possess the potential for greatness.

 

 

The Defensive Backs

 

At California, SS Gilbert Rose's teammates began to call him "The Freak" after they witnessed the damage he could do on a football field. The starter at his position from Day One, Rose kept his nose clean academically (2.38 GPA) and prepared to disrupt Pac-10 offenses in myriad ways.

Key Ratings: Overall 69/89; Tackling 78/88, Coverage 78/93. Nasty. Just plain nasty.

 

Another West Coast guy, CB Barry Byrd, joined John Carver as true freshmen starters on the USC defense. The first string SCB (what's the S for?), B-Squared prepared to lock down on opposing receivers with the same results he produced in class, where his 3.65 GPA caught professors' eyes.

Key Ratings: Overall 67/79; Coverage 80/95, Tackling 73/76, Hands 69/77. Byrd impressed his coaches with his readiness for college ball.

 

Poor Roger Spaulding. In his first few weeks at Florida State, his coaches began to fear they'd discovered the only lame horse in a Class of thoroughbreds. Listed as the third-stringer at free safety, Roger's talents seemed to approximate those of the 'Noles' walkons, rather than their future stars. To make matters worse, his 1.77 GPA stunk, too.

Key Ratings: Overall 45/56; Coverage 49/49, Tackling 52/52, Hands 44/44. What was up with Spaulding? Could he really be as good (or bad) as he was ever going to be?

 

 

The Specialists

 

K Carlton Davidson seized the starting job at Tennessee with relative ease, and was given the responsibility of handling all the placements and kickoffs for the 2010 Vols. I doubt if anyone will tee up a ball for the Vols until Carlton gets his diploma.

Key Ratings: Overall 72/90; Kick Accuracy 72/84, Kick Length 79/95, Kickoff Length 74/86. The definition of "field goal range" for Tennessee might be expanded to "anywhere inside Neyland Stadium" for the next four years.

 

Fourth-and-long situations lost some of their terror for Missouri fans, now that P Melvin Gaines was on the scene. The new starting punter, Gaines was also listed as a backup kickoff specialist and placekicker. His 2.15 GPA wasn't great, but it was good enough...for now.

Key Ratings: Overall 70/79; Punt Accuracy 78/87, Punt Length 80/97, Kickoff Length 42/42. I can't figure out why Mel's potential rating was so low. If a punter can combine accuracy and length, I don't care if he isn't fast or strong or aggressive. All he has to do is punt the ball where we want it, either way down the field or into a particular spot.

[mauboy]

This is sweet!

 

Keep 'er rollin'.

[Jaded]

Just read this, really enjoyable! Looking forward to seeing how these guys develop.

[Big Six]

Thanks for the comments, guys. The traffic isn't always great on this forum, so I was wondering if anyone was taking the time to follow the thread. It's great to read that you're enjoying it.

 

I'll post a mid-season update later today, so you can see how the players and their teams are doing so far.

[Rathen4]

Don't be dead!

[Big Six]

Week 6, 2010

 

As the 2010 college football season neared its midpoint, the members of the Class were experiencing the variety of ups and downs that typically came the way of even the most talented freshmen. Several of them were establishing themselves as key contributors to national powerhouses. Others were suffering a variety of setbacks, from academic difficulty to lack of playing time to the frustration that came from playing for losing teams.

 

RB Clyde Childers was demonstrating why he had been so highly regarded coming out of high school. LSU's option attack offered him lots of touches, and when Paul Jackson was ruled academically ineligible in Week 3, Clyde became the Bayou Bengals' feature back.

 

Against Hawaii in Week 3, Childers gained 112 yards on 27 carries. He found the going much tougher against SEC defenses, however, averaging only 2.3 yards per carry against Alabama and Florida. For the year, he had gained 248 yards on 72 carries (3.4 average). Clyde was also a weapon in the short passing game, with 13 catches for 119 yards.

 

Despite a 2-3 record and losses in their first two SEC contests, LSU found themselves ranked #20 in the nation.

 

Out in California, SS Gilbert Rose was a big reason why the Golden Bears defense was ranked among the top 20 nationally. Rose, who started all four games for the 3-1, #25 Golden Bears, led the team with 34 tackles. He'd broken up three passes, recorded two sacks, and stuffed four ballcarriers for losses.

 

Against Washington in Week 4, he made the Grey Dog Defensive Leaders list with 13 tackes and a sack. Gilbert alson found himself on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award.

 

Maryland WR Phil Berrios emerged one of the ACC's most exciting playmakers. Starting all four games for the 2-2 Terps, Phil snagged 22 passes for 409 yards (18.6 YPC). He had two games with seven receptions, and had gained over 100 yards receiving three times.

 

Against Buffalo in Week 2, Berrios became the first member of The Class to score a touchdown, when he hauled in a nine-yard scoring toss. The next week, he used his sprinter speed to turn a short pattern into a 65 yard TD play against Buffalo.

 

Phil also made an impact as a return man, averaging 29.1 yards on 16 kickoff returns. He took a kick back 86 yards against Temple.

 

Fellow Terp G Shawn Davison acquitted himself well in his first exposure to college football. He started three games and played in all four, and made four key run blocks and a pancake. Even more impressively, he failed to allow a sack. Shawn also found ways to get his hands on the football; he fell on a teammate's fumble and rumbled 25 yards on a kickoff return.

 

 

Down at Virginia Tech, DE Pedro Segura was battling for playing time against several veteran D-linemen. Pedro saw action in two of VT's first four games, starting one. He recorded his first collegiate sack, and hurried the passer three times.

 

USC CB Barry Byrd began the season as a starter, but lost his job after Week 2. Now USC's nickel back, he compiled 11 tackles and broke up three passes for the #9 Trojans.

 

Byrd's teammate, LB John Carver, played in all four Trojans games and started three of them. His season totals included 14 tackles, two stuffs, a sack, and a "hurry." Against Stanford in Week 4, he picked off two passes, returning them for a total of six yards.

 

The Texas Longhorns won four of their first five games and found themselves ranked #8 nationally. TE Sam Ashford and FB Dylan Starr both saw plenty of action for the Longhorns' offense. Ashford, who started all five games, caught seven passes for 56 yards. He was credited with two key run blocks and a pancake, and his all-around play earned him a spot on the John Mackey Award watch list.

 

Starr's college career began less auspiciously. Starting three games and appearing in four, Dylan carried the ball twice for six total yards and was yet to make an impact as a blocker.

 

Big DT Jeff Cox established himself as a force in the middle of the Michigan defensive front. Starting all four games for the #1 Wolverines, Jeff totaled four tackles, hurried the passer three times, and recovered a fumble, which he advanced four yards. In a game against Virginia Tech in Week 2, Cox sacked the Hokies quarterback twice.

 

Despite some early-season inconsistency, Tennessee K Carlton Davidson found himself on the watch list for the Lou Groza Award. Carlton hit all seven of his extra point attempts, but only seven of his 15 field goal tries. He was money from close range, but misfired on six of nine from more than 40 yards out. Davidson's problem wasn't leg strength, because he hammered his kickoffs an average distance of 66.6 yards, recording four touchbacks.

 

A pair of Oklahoma Sooners had very different early-season experiences. LB Will Wilson started four games, spearheading a swarming defense that helped the Sooners to a 4-0 start and a #4 ranking.

 

Wilson stood second on the team in tackles with 21, including eight stops against Kansas in Week 2. He recorded one TFL and knocked down a pass, and gained a spot on the Butkus Award watch list.

 

Meanwhile, OT Trent Miller struggled against college defensive linemen. He started three games, but allowed three sacks, missed three blocks, and was called for three false starts without recording a positive play.

 

Still, his season was going better than that of C Richie Henry from N.C. State. After starting one game, Henry found himself sidelined by a 1.88 GPA.

 

Finally, Missouri P Melvin Gaines established a reputation as one of the nation's top punters. His 34 kicks yielded a 42.1 average, with a net of 34.5. He knocked eight kicks down inside the 20, and only three went for touchbacks. His longest punt traveled 58 yards, but he had one blocked as well.

 

Poor Florida State FS Roger Spaulding, running third string, had yet to appear in a game.

[Big Six]

Just a quick post to let anyone who's still reading this know that I'll be back with a new post in the next day or two. Football season's right around the corner, so I feel like busting out BBCF again and seeing how The Class fares during the remainder of their freshman seasons.