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First Impressions of Recruits

Micah Awodiran (LB)-Arguably the top recruit in the class, Awodiran is a speedy sideline-to-sideline linebacker who effortlessly sheds blocks.  He is a great blitzer, has excellent tackling skills and demonstrates high effort on the gridiron.

Christian Sampleton (TE/DE)- Sampleton displays natural instincts on the defensive side of the ball with quick play recognition abilities.  He punishes smaller backs that attempt to block him and chases down ball carriers when given a window.  On offense, he is a solid downfield blocker with sure hands and is a threat after the reception.

Jake Hinish (OL)- Hinish is a bruising blocker that utilizes his hands well and generates a push off of the line of scrimmage.  He is quick enough to be an effective pulling guard and once he locks onto a defender, he will play through the whistle.

John Dean (LB)- Dean may be the best linebacker in pass coverage of this class as he is constantly disrupting throwing lanes.  He is also a very effective blitzer and open field tackler.

Jimmy Check (QB)- Check is a tall, lanky passer with a big arm.  He looks to throw first, but is evasive in the pocket and can create opportunities with his legs.  Check can adjust on the fly and keeps broken plays alive.  His throwing mechanics and most notably footwork, are excellent for a young QB.

Patrick Conte (QB)- Conte is able to fit the ball into tight spaces and keeps his eyes downfield when the pocket collapses.  He throws accurate passes rolling out to his right or left side.  Conte is great at reading defenses and loves getting the ball to his deep threats when there is a breakdown in coverage.

Walker Lott (DB)- Lott is a former QB who has the size and tools needed to successfully transition to defensive back.  His film shows off his speed and power.  Given his QB experience, he should be able to learn Yale’s coverage packages quickly.

Jordan Carey (LB)- Carey is a downhill linebacker that can shoot into the backfield and disrupt plays from the start.  He is shifty in a short area making it difficult for linemen to latch onto him.  His most impressive traits are his speed and tackling abilities.  Coaches look for linebackers that run like safeties and Carey definitely fits this mold.

Blake Hill (LB)- Hill looks like the classic middle linebacker with the size and power to limit offenses.  He is a big hitter and seizes opportunities to lay the wood on opponents.  Hill was a solid runningback at the high school level and that athleticism should serve him well chasing down backs at the collegiate level.

Donovan Slater (OL)- Slater is a strong center that maintains leg drive through the whistle.  His snapping skills are solid and he uses his size to overpower smaller linebackers at the second level.  He is also effective at recognizing blitzes and stunts.

D. Major Roman (TE)- Roman is a tall tight end with the hands and leaping ability to catch balls in traffic.  After the catch, Roman has the speed and power to extend the play.  He could develop into a serious weapon for Rawlings.

Thomas Vissmann (RB)- Vissmann runs with aggression and easily breaks arm tackles.  When the hole is clogged, he has the patience and vision to turn a loss into a gain.  With the talented RBs we have and a defensive backfield that will graduate several starters after this season, Vissmann could find himself on the defensive side of the ball given his talent at safety.

Ethan Campbell (LB)- Campbell is a technically sound player that loves running down ball carriers.  With his height and pass rushing abilities, he may be better suited to play defensive end than linebacker at the next level.  Campbell loves to punish quarterbacks and is hard to block at the point of attack.

Brandon Peterson (DE)- Peterson has the leg strength to bullrush offensive tackles into the backfield and the speed to run down quarterbacks after disengaging with the blocker.  He is quick off the ball and keeps containment on the outside shutting down sweeps and reverses.  Peterson could develop into a defensive tackle with additional weight.

JJ Howland (TE)- Howland is another tall target at tight end that is able to catch the ball at its highest point leaving smaller defensive backs helpless.  Howland’s biggest strength is receiving balls in traffic as he will catch contested balls and isn’t afraid to get hit over the middle.  He is also strong run blocker and keeps his legs driving through the whistle.

Cameron Warfield (OL)- Warfield shows that he has the power to move defenders in the run game and the quick feet to stay with speedy defensive ends in passing scenarios.  He utilizes his size and leverage to seal off defenders on the backside of plays and likes to finish with a pancake.

Michael Purvey Jr. (RB)- Purvey is a well-rounded back that is dangerous on handoffs and short passes out of the backfield.  Once he has a step on the defender, there is no chance of running him down.  As he extends plays laterally, he can find a hole and quickly turn upfield for a big gain.

Darrion Carrington (WR)- Carrington is the complete package at wideout.  He is fast, tall, runs sharp routes, and has sticky hands.  Carrington is also a dangerous punt returner and could make an impact on special teams early in his career.

Melvin Rouse II (CB)- Rouse has all the tools to be a shutdown corner in the Ivy League.  He’s quick, has great awareness, and packs a punch when tackling.  Rouse is fantastic at reading quarterbacks and once he intercepts the pass, he is electric with the ball in his hands.

Zane Dudek (RB)- Dudek simply could not be tackled at the high school level.  He breaks arm tackles, stiff arms defenders and spins away from the opposition as he dashes for large gains.  Dudek’s vision and patience allow him to wait for teammates’ blocks to spring free.

Sasha Hoban (TE)- Hoban is a versatile tight end that can be lined up on the outside or in the box.  He runs sharp routes often leaving defenders yards behind as the ball is delivered.  Hoban is also great at releasing from the line of scrimmage as he rarely will get jammed by linebackers or safeties.

Tyler Jost (OT)- Jost uses quick feet to set up nicely in pass protection and looks to put defenders onto the turf when they lose their balance.  He is most comfortable when down blocking a defensive tackle as he clears the gap for the back.  When Jost engages a defender, he keeps his legs driving through whistle.

Deonte Henson (CB)- Henson is a very quick athlete than can turn on a dime. He has excellent catch-up speed allowing him to intercept well thrown balls.  His sticky hands and awareness make him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.  Henson has all the tools to play on an island and shut down a team’s top target.

Grant Neagli (OT)- Offensive line coaches love players like Neagli who can create a hole at the line of scrimmage and then run downfield to continue blocking multiple defenders.  He has a nasty streak and routinely plants defenders.  Neagli’s strength and long arms keep defenders at bay and allow him to defeat pass rush moves with ease.

Rodney Thomas (DB)- Thomas has great route recognition skills and the agility to stay glued to fast wideouts.  He is a high effort athlete that is always competing whether it be on defense, offense or special teams.  Thomas’ speed and athleticism enable him to play man coverage without a 5 yard buffer.

Darnell Robinson (CB)- Robinson is yet another talented defensive back in this class.  With his confirmed 4.5 speed, receivers simply cannot outrun him.  When he’s not shutting down wideouts in coverage, he is equally impressive in run game support.  He knows how to get off blocks and is a sure tackler.

AJ Ryan (LB)- Ryan has the prototypical size, speed and strength for an inside linebacker.  He shoots downhill with aggression and obliterates backs on contact.  Aside from the run game, Ryan is also a skilled blitzer and a talented defender in pass coverage.

Michael Chime (DT)- Watching Chime block a punt and then proceed to scoop and score should show you everything you need to know about this athlete.  Chime is solidly built and is able to bull rush through blockers, yet he also has the speed and hip flexibility to rush an outside edge.  Chime has a powerful first step and is quick enough to penetrate the backfield before the play develops.

 

29 replies on “First Impressions of Recruits”

PATRICK CONTE HAS MISSED GAMES IN HIS JR. AND SR. YEARS OWING TO INJURIES. ALSO, BLAKE HILL WAS INJURED FOR A LENGTHY PORTION OF HIS SR. YEAR DUE TO FRACTURED WRISTS.

In addition to the proliferation of LBs (perhaps our coaches will surprise H with a 2-5 defense on 11/18), the class of 2021 exhibits some geographic anomalies. There’s nobody from the left coast. What gives with that? Also, with the exception of one from AL and one from FL, we got skunked in the deep south, usually one of our happier hunting grounds. Another oddity: five from the Commonwealth of MA. With the exception of Dick Jauron, it’s been difficult to out-recruit H in its own backyard. Was H interested in them? Then there’s PA with three from one team. A package deal?
Ray: Are you planning to attend next week’s camp? I hope so, because you always bring back some interesting intelligence.

You forget Eric Johnson, Bobby Abare and Larry Abare were all star players Yale recruited from Mass.

I don’t forget, and I’m afraid I’ll have to stand. Never seen anything like this number in one class. That said, let’s hope we pulled off a coup. And yes, the captain my year was from the Commonwealth.

I AM UNABLE TO ATTEND ANY OF
THE CAMPS THIS WEEK. THIS IS OWING TO AN ILLNESS IN MY FAMILY.

Ray:
I’m sorry to hear about the ongoing illness in your family. Here’s hoping for a complete and speedy recovery.
All the best, L et V

TRENTON CHARLES, RB, 3 *** , 5 ‘ 9 ” , 165 LBS. , SCOTLANDVILLE H.S., BATON ROUGE, LA. OFFERS FROM : SMU , TCU, ARIZONA STATE, PLUS OTHERS.

SEAN OMONIJE , WR, 6′ 1″ , 181 LBS., 4.53, ST. MARK ‘ S SCHOOL , DALLAS , TX.

TATE GOODYEAR , OL, *** , 6’ 4″ , 275 LBS., SYCAMORE H.S., CINCINNATI, OHIO

If you watch Dudek’s Hudl video, he doesn’t get tackled for the first 7 minutes! At least in the originally posted video.

No question Yale has a plethora of talented running bs is snd receivers. Defense should also be strong if they can stay healthy. The OL and QB are the variables that will tell the tale for the season. If they are both good Yale should win and Ivy League Championship. If not, they will be lucky to avoid another losing season.

Thank you for the thoughtful analysis of the recruits.
Is it worth posting anything on Grinde or are his tapes too out-of-date?
Any word on Pope and Sandifer, and are we to assume that the D-1 LB didn’t make it?

Thanks also for the great snapshots! We appreciate your effort on behalf of Yale football! It looks like a very good class. Now all we have to do is to develop these young men to their potential as players and to keep them healthy!

Has anyone noticed – for the last several years Yale has been playing the top two or three teams in the Patriot League, and Harvard has been dealing with the bottom feeders (and Rhode Island)? I know, schedules are made years in advance, but since the PL has gone to football scholarships, our guys have been hit hard.

RECRUIT :

REID NICKERSON , LB / SAFETY 6 ‘ 4 ” , 210 LBS. FRIENDSWOOD H.S., FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS

New commit: Nick Gargiulo, DT, C, 6’5″, 270 lbs. Somers, Ny . Captain of team who made the state playoffs last year.

Gargiulo was names 2nd Team Class A All State at offensive line. Nickerson had offers from Army and Air Force.

RECRUIT:

SHANE FROMMER , RB , 5 ‘ 11 ” , 192 LBS. , 4.5 ; KING PHILIP REGIONAL H.S. , WRENTHAM , MA.

Any info on the Yale/Brown scrimmage 9/2 @ Brown? Will it be open to the public? ‘eye roll’

Bruno Mail informs me that the scrimmage will not be open to the public. C’mon guys. That’s ridiculous.

All scrimmages should be cancelled and replaced with an eleven game schedule opening the first weekend in September with a mid season BYE week. The Ivy League is the only Division I Football League to play less than eleven games.

Any thoughts on Yale being picked fourth in the Ivy League this year? The New Haven Register report on the team makes it looks like a much stronger squad than last year’sfourth place team, but maybe Priceton, Harvard and Penn are much stronger too.

New commit: Jaylan Granberry, 5-9, 180 lbs, Safety, Nashville, TN.

Had offers from Cornell, The Citadell, Elon and Austin Peay.

Keeping this post on topic and in perspective, has anybody noticed how long it takes 247 to post Yale commits for their rated players? Sometimes it is 2 weeks or more. I have seen Harvard commits posted in 1 day (Patrick Holly). And this is with Barton Simmons (YC) as an editor. Not that ratings mean that much in the long run (i.e., matriculating and playing), but I bet it means something to potential recruits who bother to post and get rated.

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