Well, I guess you could make the argument that Pitt needs another change-of-pace back with LaRod Stephens-Howling graduating. Otherwise someone might have a question (Insider subs).
If college programs can overlook Douglas’ lack of size, they are going to get one heck of a running back with all the skills to become very productive and create major mismatches in a spread offense.
Pardon?
Durability is a concern but he does not give defenders a clean shot on him. Quicker than fast but displays an extra gear and great top-end speed when he reaches the second the level. Overall, Douglas is the real threat with the ball in his hands and can turn a short run into a big gain. Size could deter some programs but he does a great job masking it and also using it to his advantage as runner. Great change of pace back if finds an open spread offense. Potential to contribute at corner and in the return game as well.
Hmm. Maybe there is some concern with Cameron Saddler coming back from his ACL injury.
Douglas comes in at 5-6, 170 pounds. He’s a 3-star or 2-star recruit from Weston (Cypress Bay HS), Florida.
Seems the other BCS Conference offers came from Kansas State (coach fired at the end of the year) and Vandy (coach heavily rumored for Clemson). Still, let’s look at the positive.
ESPN’s Billy Tucker said of the news, “Pitt may struggle to sign another top-25 class in 2009, but it does have a solid class with a handful of sleepers like Douglas. This was a major land out of Florida. All this kid is lacking is great size; he is a game-breaker with the great speed and quickness needed to create mismatches in space for Wannstedt and the Panthers.”
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“Look for him to also get a lot of touches in the receiving game and as a returner where he is very dangerous. Pitt just landed a very versatile weapon that has really slid under the radar.”
That would be nice.
I’d love to see some marquee offensive linemen in this class. Our current group has been coming together nicely over the past few weeks, but we need more talent and more depth to move to the next level.
I think we’ll see a couple of players that have already verballed in this class not qualify, and as in every year some fifth year seniors won’t be back, so we’ll have a few more scholarships than expected at this point. If we had only one or two left and signed this kid over some bigger targets I’d be concerned, but I don’t think that is the case as yet.
Andy Katz: (11:26 AM ET ) He’s very happy there. But I’ll reserve judgment to see if Arizona makes a huge play for him.
Pure projection but I think Burns is the real deal.
Now saying the offense will be as good or better without McCoy – I dont know many teams that can replace a Heisman candidate and not lose a beat. I have not seen much in Stull or Bostick to think he can “pick it up” and make up for McCoy’s abscence and depth at wide receiver is shaky at best now.
I don’t think the economy or job market is going to influence his decision one way or the other. The kid is going to play in the NFL one day no matter what.
As good a college back as McCoy is, he’s way too small to handle even 15-20 carries a game with the big boys. He’s also way too dependent on making guys miss, which works incredibly well in college and NOT so well in the pros. He’s an absolutely awesome college RB whose stock won’t be that high at the next level.
My hope is that means he stays another year to work on his overall game, because I think he’ll have to develop Reggie Bush-like skills to make a name at the next level and that would mean we can selfishly keep enjoying his talents at Pitt.
But my guess is he will go and have to be satisfied with going somewhere in the late 2nd or 3rd round and then hope that his burst and his moves are good enough to get him a job somewhere where he can be a good receiver out of the backfield and and a change-of-pace RB. I don’t think many teams would even consider him for a lead back role; it’s a different world when the pass-rushing OLBs (think James Harrison) are faster than you are.
I’d love to see him stay and try to accomplish some lofty goals in 2009, but you can’t blame him if he goes.
I doubt he is a 1st. rounder in this years draft. Last year the Steelers drafted a RB #1, can’t remember the one before him.
I don’t get your “depth at wide receiver is shaky at best now” comment. in 2009 we’ll have every WR but Kinder returning plus two kids playing as rsFR who I think may be excellent in Saddler and Shanahan. We’ll have more depth at WR than we’d had in years.
Stull cant throw accurately consistently (see all the receivers he throws behind).
Bostick would be the starter if he showed some of his potential.
Cross cant grasp the game and was brought in only as an emergency situation.
Kevan Smith – career college 3rd string.
You have to go with historical precedents until proven otherwise. A handful of games this year against often times inferior opponents does not say things have changed, though I hope they have.
If Dave and Co. can get these recruits and play them as they should, potential is there for great seasons to come.