[yvonne]

Apparently, Shittu, who's sent quite a few tweets Michigan's way, and who has spoken effusively of UC East Bay and tepidly about Stanford, did not do well at this week's The Opening camp and combine at Nike headquarters.

http://247sports.com/Article/Free-Link-D...ning-31176
http://bit.ly/rdDVcp (USC Scout)

The camp could have been an aberration, but it's entirely possible that the lineman is not as great as his early ranking.

Luke Kaumatule is also being recruited, and according to 24/7, he had a much better camp, according to the 24/7 article. I've seen Luke, who was at Stanford's last open spring practice on the Farm. He seemed kind of long and lean, so he's probably more of a DE, while judging from the photos, Shittu is more of a DT.

[yvonne]

Apparently, Shittu, who's sent quite a few tweets Michigan's way, and who has spoken effusively of UC East Bay and tepidly about Stanford, did not do well at this week's The Opening camp and combine at Nike headquarters.

http://247sports.com/Article/Free-Link-D...ning-31176
http://bit.ly/rdDVcp (USC Scout)

The camp could have been an aberration, but it's entirely possible that the lineman is not as great as his early ranking.

Luke Kaumatule is also being recruited, and according to 24/7, he had a much better camp, according to the 24/7 article. I've seen Luke, who was at Stanford's last open spring practice on the Farm. He seemed kind of long and lean, so he's probably more of a DE, while judging from the photos, Shittu is more of a DT.

[StannyBoy]

I don't think Aziz has anything against Stanford. I just think he's not very close to being admitted. As for Luke Kaumatule, I read he's up to 6'8" and in the 250-260 range. I'm not a fan of tall DEs and I'd move him to OT immediately. He's also Masifilo's cousin and has Stanford as his top school.

[StannyBoy]

I don't think Aziz has anything against Stanford. I just think he's not very close to being admitted. As for Luke Kaumatule, I read he's up to 6'8" and in the 250-260 range. I'm not a fan of tall DEs and I'd move him to OT immediately. He's also Masifilo's cousin and has Stanford as his top school.

[Redrum]

One observer noted that the final Nike combine had more of the best of the best HS players than any of the others around the country.  Instead of dominating at a lesser combine,  Shittu was up against some of the best OL prospects in the nation.  That he lost some of the individual battles (but won his share, too)  probably shows he's elite, but  not  Superman or the Green Lantern.  Just a very good HS player.  If he's admitted we'd love to have him even if he can't slay 100 foes with a backhand slap.

[Redrum]

One observer noted that the final Nike combine had more of the best of the best HS players than any of the others around the country.  Instead of dominating at a lesser combine,  Shittu was up against some of the best OL prospects in the nation.  That he lost some of the individual battles (but won his share, too)  probably shows he's elite, but  not  Superman or the Green Lantern.  Just a very good HS player.  If he's admitted we'd love to have him even if he can't slay 100 foes with a backhand slap.

[jalapeno]

Jabari Ruffin (U..S.C. commit) said that Shittu is quite a "character". Said that Shittu would say that he's commited to the Trojans one minute, then commited to Stanford, or commited to Cal-Berk the next. He's obviously playing the game.

[jalapeno]

Jabari Ruffin (U..S.C. commit) said that Shittu is quite a "character". Said that Shittu would say that he's commited to the Trojans one minute, then commited to Stanford, or commited to Cal-Berk the next. He's obviously playing the game.

[StannyBoy]

I'm curious, young_money: What do you see as the problem with tall defensive ends?

Maybe I am wrong but I feel the really tall DEs are better fit for the 4-3 where they can use their speed and long arms to rush the QB. 3-4 DEs are kind of hybrid DTs, and DTs need to be able to get leverage and drive the o-line back. Harder to do that when you're 6'8". But most of these guys get too big to be 4-3 DEs. An example of this is Arik Armstead whos a verbal commit to USC. He's considered a 5 star sure thing at OT. But the problem is he wants to play DE and he's 6'8" and listed at 280 lbs, and that's probably low balling it. I see him as way too big to play their 4-3 DE. His brother played DE for them last year and was pretty crappy. He was listed at 6'5" and close to 300 Lbs. I believe he's moving to DT. Maybe Armstead and Kaumatule can be 3-4 DEs or stay slimish and be 4-3 DEs, but they are much better prospects at OT.

[StannyBoy]

I'm curious, young_money: What do you see as the problem with tall defensive ends?

Maybe I am wrong but I feel the really tall DEs are better fit for the 4-3 where they can use their speed and long arms to rush the QB. 3-4 DEs are kind of hybrid DTs, and DTs need to be able to get leverage and drive the o-line back. Harder to do that when you're 6'8". But most of these guys get too big to be 4-3 DEs. An example of this is Arik Armstead whos a verbal commit to USC. He's considered a 5 star sure thing at OT. But the problem is he wants to play DE and he's 6'8" and listed at 280 lbs, and that's probably low balling it. I see him as way too big to play their 4-3 DE. His brother played DE for them last year and was pretty crappy. He was listed at 6'5" and close to 300 Lbs. I believe he's moving to DT. Maybe Armstead and Kaumatule can be 3-4 DEs or stay slimish and be 4-3 DEs, but they are much better prospects at OT.

[jalapeno]

[quote author=garvin link=topic=4199.msg30000#msg30000 date=1310481183]
I'm curious, young_money: What do you see as the problem with tall defensive ends?

Maybe I am wrong but I feel the really tall DEs are better fit for the 4-3 where they can use their speed and long arms to rush the QB. 3-4 DEs are kind of hybrid DTs, and DTs need to be able to get leverage and drive the o-line back. Harder to do that when you're 6'8". But most of these guys get too big to be 4-3 DEs. An example of this is Arik Armstead whos a verbal commit to the University of Spoiled Children. He's considered a 5 star sure thing at OT. But the problem is he wants to play DE and he's 6'8" and listed at 280 lbs, and that's probably low balling it. I see him as way too big to play their 4-3 DE. His brother played DE for them last year and was pretty crappy. He was listed at 6'5" and close to 300 Lbs. I believe he's moving to DT. Maybe Armstead and Kaumatule can be 3-4 DEs or stay slimish and be 4-3 DEs, but they are much better prospects at OT.
[/quote]

All of this is true. I don't think Kaumatule is as tall as his listed height (which wouldn't be surprising), and the benefit of being taller is more room to carry good weight. If he's 6'7" 300+, i don't think he'd be too bad of a fit in the 3-4.

[jalapeno]

[quote author=garvin link=topic=4199.msg30000#msg30000 date=1310481183]
I'm curious, young_money: What do you see as the problem with tall defensive ends?

Maybe I am wrong but I feel the really tall DEs are better fit for the 4-3 where they can use their speed and long arms to rush the QB. 3-4 DEs are kind of hybrid DTs, and DTs need to be able to get leverage and drive the o-line back. Harder to do that when you're 6'8". But most of these guys get too big to be 4-3 DEs. An example of this is Arik Armstead whos a verbal commit to the University of Spoiled Children. He's considered a 5 star sure thing at OT. But the problem is he wants to play DE and he's 6'8" and listed at 280 lbs, and that's probably low balling it. I see him as way too big to play their 4-3 DE. His brother played DE for them last year and was pretty crappy. He was listed at 6'5" and close to 300 Lbs. I believe he's moving to DT. Maybe Armstead and Kaumatule can be 3-4 DEs or stay slimish and be 4-3 DEs, but they are much better prospects at OT.
[/quote]

All of this is true. I don't think Kaumatule is as tall as his listed height (which wouldn't be surprising), and the benefit of being taller is more room to carry good weight. If he's 6'7" 300+, i don't think he'd be too bad of a fit in the 3-4.