📝 A Tight end observation with the James verbal

[TerryP]

While looking over the signing class in February I noticed the size—not height, but weight—of the two tight ends signed. If you look at Forristall (who may be the best tight end signed in quite awhile) you'll see the build of a bigger wide receiver ... @22o lbs.

James and Forristall are roughly the same height, but different builds. James is carrying 245-250 lbs right now.

I'm noticing a difference in how they're recruiting the position(s). Last year, it was your smaller guys they were after. The 'heavier' WR type. This year, it's more of the true, blocking tight end frame.

I'm watching the staff and the next tight end we see commit. They are looking to sign one more, and I'm forecasting this one is going to be the same type build as well see with Kendrick James; that 6' 4-5" height weighing in around 245-250 lbs.

Look for the staff to sign one more tight end in this class.

As example:

Major Tennison, Bullard, Tight End

You see the trend? One year that H-back role ... the next that true TE role ... 2018 going back to the H-back role.

 

[OldPlayer]

One of the things Saban and staff look for is development potential. Has the player maxed out his frame or can they put some size/strength to him? These 225 lb TEs fall into that category. One year with Cochran can change a kid.

 

[TerryP]

One of the things Saban and staff look for is development potential. Has the player maxed out his frame or can they put some size/strength to him? These 225 lb TEs fall into that category. One year with Cochran can change a kid.

I certainly agree. That's a given. Those that follow recruiting, and how the players develop, would have that in mind when reading my thought earlier, right?

Here's the thing, OP. That's the same scenario the staff sees with the 245-250 lbs guys. Time with the S&C department and they've put on weight and strength as well.

If you look at the tight ends you're going to see two types going back. Your Colin Peek's that are playing at that 260 range. Today, it's Henges. Then you've got those guys like Howard who've put on a few pounds since arriving. Remember, he came in around that 220 mark and is playing in the mid 240's now.

 

[musso]

So Terry, are you saying that Saban intends to keep utilizing both the H Back and traditional TE types?

 

[TerryP]

So Terry, are you saying that Saban intends to keep utilizing both the H Back and traditional TE types?

We've seen the offense use an H-back role since 2008 with Smelly and he was a underclassman at that point. By the time we got to 2010, we had the combination of Michael Williams (that bigger, blocking tight end weight) and Brad Smelly (with a young Preston Dial) playing the H-back role.

It's a pretty safe assumption if we've seen something practically the entire Saban era, we see the same type of recruiting, that we'll see the same type of approach out of that position, right?

 

[musso]

Ha never mind. I might have misunderstood you, but the names you listed (Peek, Hentges, and Howard) are all of similar build. Yet you seemed to indicate that Saban will continue using both H Backs and TE types. I was just asking for clarification of your views. I realize we signed an H Back type in Smith, but I haven't heard of him arriving yet.

 

[JoshB]

Yeah looks like he wants to keep combining the Michael Williams types with the OJ's for particular roles. I just really hope we see OJ lined up in more spots this year to take advantage of the mismatches down field. There isn't a secondary in the country that cover the amount and different types of weapons Alabama has in the passing game right IMO, it surpasses even 2014. Now we just have to find that guy that can consistently get the ball to them. I still think its Barnett or Cornwell but looks like its gonna be Bateman for now.

 

[TerryP]

I might have misunderstood you, but the names you listed (Peek, Hentges, and Howard) are all of similar build.

Henges is playing at 15-20 lbs heaving than Howard. Same height, different build. Henges is almost a Peek clone.

There's two blocking type tight ends and one H-back there.

 

[TerryP]

I just really hope we see OJ lined up in more spots this year to take advantage of the mismatches down field. There isn't a secondary in the country that cover the amount and different types of weapons Alabama has in the passing game right IMO, it surpasses even 2014

You're opening up another can of worms here that deserves a thread of its own.

(And here's one reason I love this software ... you're about to create a new thread. :devil: )

 

[TUSKtimes]

I would have loved to have seen the Brad Smelly role as a senior continue through the OJ Howard role. One last year to make the human mismatch work on the field. But Michael Williams has been the most devastating TE during the Saban era. He could plow a way for our backs and clutch enough to catch the first downs and TDs when we needed it.

 

[musso]

I would have loved to have seen the Brad Smelly role as a senior continue through the OJ Howard role. One last year to make the human mismatch work on the field. But Michael Williams has been the most devastating TE during the Saban era. He could plow a way for our backs and clutch enough to catch the first downs and TDs when we needed it.

And yet I will always remember him for letting that Maze TD pass get ripped out of his hands against LSU! :doh2:

 

[TerryP]

I would have loved to have seen the Brad Smelly role as a senior continue through the OJ Howard role. One last year to make the human mismatch work on the field. But Michael Williams has been the most devastating TE during the Saban era. He could plow a way for our backs and clutch enough to catch the first downs and TDs when we needed it.

$1 to @planomateo

#BamaProblems

 

[planomateo]

Pretty confident our high school beat La Vega in the state championship game 8 years ago. #uselessinformation

 

[UAgrad93]

I like the way we recruit our TEs. They often initially take that big WR look 6'4 220 but then gradually transforms into that 245/250 range.
I carried my son to a couple of prospect camps this summer (Samford and JSU). He is a freshman and plays TE. With the exception of maybe 4 kids at both camps, about 25 TEs total, all of the kids were of the big WR looking variety. While a freshman, my son is hovering around 6' and 160lbs. A couple of years in our HS weight room and with my genes, he will be in that 6'3-6'4" range and around 210-220.