2019 commitment
With the caveat that we’ve never actually seen these guys play, it looks like we are doing well. Three commits that seem highly recruited guys that a lot of schools were after.
Practically, Furman has the luxury of finally (after what seems like 5 years) filling out a depth chart. We are not looking for day 1 starters as incoming freshmen. We have a solid group of starters and some depth built up behind them. I’m sure Hendrix will say depth isn’t where he wants it to be, but its getting there.
AstroDin liked this
This is one of the most well known writers on the FCS. He keeps a pretty close tab on FCS recruiting.
A couple thoughts on Veneziale
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5290151/59 ... 2388a6049c
Reminds me a bit of Carl Rider. Tall rangy linebacker. One of those guys with a big motor who finishes plays and should be a good fit in Staggs' "fast and physical" defensive scheme.
It looks like he played OLB last season at North Paulding. NP's MLB, Braylin Fisher, was a late commit to Furman for this incoming class. My guess would be that Veneziale will move over and play inside this season.
As an OLB, you can see he can really run. Several clips on the video show closing speed on ball carriers. One thing I always look at with defensive players is whether the ball carrier goes down when you get to them (tackling ability), and you see that he has that ability.
At 2:00 you can see him stuffing both the QB and RB on the pitch option, which takes some real athleticism.
Numerous times he fights through blocks instead of around them. That's good to see. He knows his assignment, holds ground, and makes the runner try to get around him. Probably best example is at 2:18 where the offense sends two blockers after him, he fights to keep outside position and turn the runner back inside. He maintains outside leverage, fights through those blocks, uses the sideline as an extra defender, and limits the runner's ability to turn up field.
I am interested to see what he does as an ILB. A lot of his highlight film seems to be him "crashing" the offensive backfield, sometimes from well outside the OT. That is a great defensive strategy when you are more athletic than your competition and can simply run by them. That probably isn't something you can live and die by in D1 football. Most certainly not as an inside linebacker.
The good news is by doing that he tries to reset the line of scrimmage. At 3:13 you see 1st and 10 and the offense in the I-formation. Clearly a run look. He knifes into the backfield and the FB runs right by him. While he makes basically an uncontested tackle in the backfield (and I'm not sure who the FB was looking for if not the LB in front of him) he still would have moved the line of scrimmage two yards into the backfield where the RB would have to stop and change direction before really even getting going. That's the stuff you want to see from an ILB.
Great pickup for the Paladins at a position of need.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5290151/59 ... 2388a6049c
Reminds me a bit of Carl Rider. Tall rangy linebacker. One of those guys with a big motor who finishes plays and should be a good fit in Staggs' "fast and physical" defensive scheme.
It looks like he played OLB last season at North Paulding. NP's MLB, Braylin Fisher, was a late commit to Furman for this incoming class. My guess would be that Veneziale will move over and play inside this season.
As an OLB, you can see he can really run. Several clips on the video show closing speed on ball carriers. One thing I always look at with defensive players is whether the ball carrier goes down when you get to them (tackling ability), and you see that he has that ability.
At 2:00 you can see him stuffing both the QB and RB on the pitch option, which takes some real athleticism.
Numerous times he fights through blocks instead of around them. That's good to see. He knows his assignment, holds ground, and makes the runner try to get around him. Probably best example is at 2:18 where the offense sends two blockers after him, he fights to keep outside position and turn the runner back inside. He maintains outside leverage, fights through those blocks, uses the sideline as an extra defender, and limits the runner's ability to turn up field.
I am interested to see what he does as an ILB. A lot of his highlight film seems to be him "crashing" the offensive backfield, sometimes from well outside the OT. That is a great defensive strategy when you are more athletic than your competition and can simply run by them. That probably isn't something you can live and die by in D1 football. Most certainly not as an inside linebacker.
The good news is by doing that he tries to reset the line of scrimmage. At 3:13 you see 1st and 10 and the offense in the I-formation. Clearly a run look. He knifes into the backfield and the FB runs right by him. While he makes basically an uncontested tackle in the backfield (and I'm not sure who the FB was looking for if not the LB in front of him) he still would have moved the line of scrimmage two yards into the backfield where the RB would have to stop and change direction before really even getting going. That's the stuff you want to see from an ILB.
Great pickup for the Paladins at a position of need.
Coaches are saying they got three yesterday so another one's coming.
Just for reference, Furman lists 11 seniors in this class.
RB: Dirks, Gibson
TB: Luke
QB: Roberts
NG: Reid
DE: Okonya
S: Anoor
CB: Evangilster, Lemons
ILB: Voyles, Noble
RB: Dirks, Gibson
TB: Luke
QB: Roberts
NG: Reid
DE: Okonya
S: Anoor
CB: Evangilster, Lemons
ILB: Voyles, Noble
A little hard to judge Mr. Veneziale's competition but what jumps out is the constant motor, never gets lost in a play and never takes a play off. Love his physical play. Great pick up for Coach Staggs style defense. Bring em on!
I think North Paulding went 8-2 in Georgia’s biggest classification. Can’t speak to competition level, but its a big program.
furman88 liked this
Had a chance to look at Jalen Miller. http://www.hudl.com/profile/6035412/Jalen-Miller
He is a bit of a "tweener," listed at 5'11 200. Byrnes looks like they play a lot of 3-3-5 on defense (MAC special!), so he was inside at linebacker a good bit. My guess is he profiles as an OLB/S at Furman in the Joe Farrar/Jordan Willis mold.
Keeping with the theme, he's both a fast and physical football player. Film reminds me a good bit of AK Olusanya's high school tape, who came downhill fast, wrapped up on the runner, and the play was then over. I always like to see guys who tackle looking at their target, head up field. Miller does that.
One standout play is at the 2:27 mark. Miller, playing inside, stands up a pulling guard, which shuts off the running lane and throws the RB three yards in the backfield. Really impressive play.
He is a bit of a "tweener," listed at 5'11 200. Byrnes looks like they play a lot of 3-3-5 on defense (MAC special!), so he was inside at linebacker a good bit. My guess is he profiles as an OLB/S at Furman in the Joe Farrar/Jordan Willis mold.
Keeping with the theme, he's both a fast and physical football player. Film reminds me a good bit of AK Olusanya's high school tape, who came downhill fast, wrapped up on the runner, and the play was then over. I always like to see guys who tackle looking at their target, head up field. Miller does that.
One standout play is at the 2:27 mark. Miller, playing inside, stands up a pulling guard, which shuts off the running lane and throws the RB three yards in the backfield. Really impressive play.
Jasper liked this
Competition level is VERY HIGH. They lost in OT to a Team, within their Region, that made it to the GHSA 7A Final 4, before falling to the ultimate state champion, North Gwinnett. They also beat a Team, within their Region, that made it to the 7A Elite 8, who also lost a close game to North Gwinnett.The Jackal wrote: ↑Tue Jul 03, 2018 5:55 amI think North Paulding went 8-2 in Georgia’s biggest classification. Can’t speak to competition level, but its a big program.
If he’s a standout, as a Jr, in this level of HS Football in Georgia & has the requisite physical tools; barring injury or any ‘other issues’ (which is a VERY broad spectrum for all of these young men), he will be an outstanding Player for Furman. Right now, he’s playing with and against more than a few future SEC, ACC, and SoCon stars every day already.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers,
For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother
For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother
I like the Farrar/Willis comparison with this young man, Jackal. (I expect big things from Jordan this season). What makes kids like this so good is their smarts. Miller has great ability to find the ball early and get to it quickly. He is obviously very coachable since he appears to do exactly what he has been asked and trained to do on each play. On one play, he appears to have shadow responsibility for the QB and sure enough, here comes the QB on a designed draw with an open field in front of him - with the exception of Mr. Miller - who does not bite on the juke and brings him down hard for a short gain. Devastating tackler with great form.The Jackal wrote: ↑Tue Jul 03, 2018 9:20 amHad a chance to look at Jalen Miller. http://www.hudl.com/profile/6035412/Jalen-Miller
He is a bit of a "tweener," listed at 5'11 200. Byrnes looks like they play a lot of 3-3-5 on defense (MAC special!), so he was inside at linebacker a good bit. My guess is he profiles as an OLB/S at Furman in the Joe Farrar/Jordan Willis mold.
Keeping with the theme, he's both a fast and physical football player. Film reminds me a good bit of AK Olusanya's high school tape, who came downhill fast, wrapped up on the runner, and the play was then over. I always like to see guys who tackle looking at their target, head up field. Miller does that.
One standout play is at the 2:27 mark. Miller, playing inside, stands up a pulling guard, which shuts off the running lane and throws the RB three yards in the backfield. Really impressive play.
Jasper wrote: ↑Tue Jul 03, 2018 11:24 amI like the Farrar/Willis comparison with this young man, Jackal. (I expect big things from Jordan this season). What makes kids like this so good is their smarts. Miller has great ability to find the ball early and get to it quickly. He is obviously very coachable since he appears to do exactly what he has been asked and trained to do on each play. On one play, he appears to have shadow responsibility for the QB and sure enough, here comes the QB on a designed draw with an open field in front of him - with the exception of Mr. Miller - who does not bite on the juke and brings him down hard for a short gain. Devastating tackler with great form.The Jackal wrote: ↑Tue Jul 03, 2018 9:20 amHad a chance to look at Jalen Miller. http://www.hudl.com/profile/6035412/Jalen-Miller
He is a bit of a "tweener," listed at 5'11 200. Byrnes looks like they play a lot of 3-3-5 on defense (MAC special!), so he was inside at linebacker a good bit. My guess is he profiles as an OLB/S at Furman in the Joe Farrar/Jordan Willis mold.
Keeping with the theme, he's both a fast and physical football player. Film reminds me a good bit of AK Olusanya's high school tape, who came downhill fast, wrapped up on the runner, and the play was then over. I always like to see guys who tackle looking at their target, head up field. Miller does that.
One standout play is at the 2:27 mark. Miller, playing inside, stands up a pulling guard, which shuts off the running lane and throws the RB three yards in the backfield. Really impressive play.
You see the discipline pretty routinely in there. He plays with his head up, reading his keys, not overruning the play, and attacking once the runner commits.
One other thing. It looks like on some plays he is positioned as an inside linebacker. Other plays, it looks like he is essentially playing corner back. Speaks to some athleticism.
Also, regarding Willis, I agree with you. I think Willis could be a huge player for Furman this year. He played in every game last year and should be the heir apparent to Joe Farrar at that "SPUR" position in Furman's defense.
This isn't the place, but I imagine Staggs is pretty excited about what he can deploy on defense. With the coverage guys we should have available (Lemons, Kearse, Trapp, Anoor) and athletic and physical hybrid players (Willis, Okeh, Perryman) I imagine Furman is going to be able to throw all sorts of stuff at an offense.
This isn't the place, but I imagine Staggs is pretty excited about what he can deploy on defense. With the coverage guys we should have available (Lemons, Kearse, Trapp, Anoor) and athletic and physical hybrid players (Willis, Okeh, Perryman) I imagine Furman is going to be able to throw all sorts of stuff at an offense.
and Jackal...look at the experience up front on the D-Line...I think the Defense should be pretty stout for 2018.