[Hulk01]

It's all over my Twitter feed--and I don't have that many football links.

Trent Irwin has committed to Stanford.

This is brobdingnagian.  A remarkable talent.

[Hulk01]

It's all over my Twitter feed--and I don't have that many football links.

Trent Irwin has committed to Stanford.

This is brobdingnagian.  A remarkable talent.

[OutsiderFan]

Hulk, it's all over the Class of 2015 recruiting thread which greatly misses your contributions :)

[OutsiderFan]

Hulk, it's all over the Class of 2015 recruiting thread which greatly misses your contributions :)

[stupac2]

Am I crazy or did people start using "huge" way more after the filter went up?

Anyway, on topic, this is good news. Hopefully a few of the much-needed DL targets commit soon.

[stupac2]

Am I crazy or did people start using "huge" way more after the filter went up?

Anyway, on topic, this is good news. Hopefully a few of the much-needed DL targets commit soon.

[Hulk01]

For pure receiver skiils--route running, hands, and ball skills--Irwin is the best receiver prospect in this class.  The edge several other receivers (e.g. Christian Kirk and the SC commit) have over him is as yard-after-the-catch, 30+ yards guys.  None of them have Trent's third-down, red zone, one-on-one package.  This is H--e.  I can't see him not becoming an outstanding college receiver, and in no time.

[Hulk01]

For pure receiver skiils--route running, hands, and ball skills--Irwin is the best receiver prospect in this class.  The edge several other receivers (e.g. Christian Kirk and the SC commit) have over him is as yard-after-the-catch, 30+ yards guys.  None of them have Trent's third-down, red zone, one-on-one package.  This is H--e.  I can't see him not becoming an outstanding college receiver, and in no time.

[82lsju]

Stanford's offense will likely be finding the end zone more often in the coming future thanks to the addition of wide receiver Trent Irwin.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/21571...r-prospect

[82lsju]

Stanford's offense will likely be finding the end zone more often in the coming future thanks to the addition of wide receiver Trent Irwin.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/21571...r-prospect

[dabigv13]

I can't see him not becoming an outstanding college receiver, and in no time.

Owwwwww.....my brain. Is this a triple negative? A double point five negative?

[dabigv13]

I can't see him not becoming an outstanding college receiver, and in no time.

Owwwwww.....my brain. Is this a triple negative? A double point five negative?

[scorecard]

I am stoked about Irwin.  You don't get to be the all-time leading receiver in California high-school history in receptions and receiving yards without being a stud.  Everyone has great highlight videos, but what may be even more telling is that, just like McCaffrey, he completely impressed the other players at the US Army All-American Bowl.  When you have your fellow all-stars wowed, you've got something special.  And can you really ever have too much white boy boogie?

[tweet]549620432454680577[/tweet]

[tweet]549984464181276672[/tweet]

[scorecard]

I am stoked about Irwin.  You don't get to be the all-time leading receiver in California high-school history in receptions and receiving yards without being a stud.  Everyone has great highlight videos, but what may be even more telling is that, just like McCaffrey, he completely impressed the other players at the US Army All-American Bowl.  When you have your fellow all-stars wowed, you've got something special.  And can you really ever have too much white boy boogie?

[tweet]549620432454680577[/tweet]

[tweet]549984464181276672[/tweet]

[Redrum]

Let Whiteboy boogie become his official nickname with our team.  And then, as a final favor Lord, let me be a fly on the wall of the ESPN meeting room when Fowler, Herbstreit, Corso and Des Howard  go over their plan for the upcoming Stanford / Oregon game.  If they actually used that on air, put in play by Des Howard,  it would make my day, my month and my year.

[Redrum]

Let Whiteboy boogie become his official nickname with our team.  And then, as a final favor Lord, let me be a fly on the wall of the ESPN meeting room when Fowler, Herbstreit, Corso and Des Howard  go over their plan for the upcoming Stanford / Oregon game.  If they actually used that on air, put in play by Des Howard,  it would make my day, my month and my year.

[Hulk01]

I'd say that DBs hate to see receivers like Irwin, but few do.  Corners will have to cheat outside to take away the out and safeties are going to have to move back over into over coverage.  All that obviously opens up the middle for everyone else, even creating more running space. 

Assuming the very realistic, we could quickly go from seeing regular Eight in the Box to Out of Necessity Nickels.  DCs--again assuming the very realistic--would have to plan for everything from Ogres and two or three tight ends to four wides with mac and Marx coming out of the backfield, and even the read-option. 

Mac, the tight ends, and Irwin could radically change our game.  The upside here is something.

[Hulk01]

I'd say that DBs hate to see receivers like Irwin, but few do.  Corners will have to cheat outside to take away the out and safeties are going to have to move back over into over coverage.  All that obviously opens up the middle for everyone else, even creating more running space. 

Assuming the very realistic, we could quickly go from seeing regular Eight in the Box to Out of Necessity Nickels.  DCs--again assuming the very realistic--would have to plan for everything from Ogres and two or three tight ends to four wides with mac and Marx coming out of the backfield, and even the read-option. 

Mac, the tight ends, and Irwin could radically change our game.  The upside here is something.

[OutsiderFan]

I've learned my lesson not to expect much from Stanford True Frosh offensive players.  If McCaffrey was going to be used so sparingly, and Ty Montgomery was similarly little used until late in his first season, hard to imagine Irwin making a big impact as a True Frosh. 

Regardless of how Irwin might be physically capable of playing and contributing in a big way right away, isn't Stanford's offense too complicated for a True Frosh WR to master right away? 

[OutsiderFan]

I've learned my lesson not to expect much from Stanford True Frosh offensive players.  If McCaffrey was going to be used so sparingly, and Ty Montgomery was similarly little used until late in his first season, hard to imagine Irwin making a big impact as a True Frosh. 

Regardless of how Irwin might be physically capable of playing and contributing in a big way right away, isn't Stanford's offense too complicated for a True Frosh WR to master right away? 

[Hulk01]

It's much easier for a college WR to play early in his career.  The RB playbook is bigger and more complex, and there are all sorts of blocking responsibilities,  And in Stanford's scheme, a frosh RB is less likely to be physically ready, and even mature enough, to battle inside the tackles.  If Irwin needs even a little more strength, he will have it by fall.

---

I can't recall many top level, Pac 12 WRs who red-shirted.  And the seven-on-seven camps have them even more ready than they were a dozen years ago. 

Irwin has put in his 10,000 hours.  He plays.

[Hulk01]

It's much easier for a college WR to play early in his career.  The RB playbook is bigger and more complex, and there are all sorts of blocking responsibilities,  And in Stanford's scheme, a frosh RB is less likely to be physically ready, and even mature enough, to battle inside the tackles.  If Irwin needs even a little more strength, he will have it by fall.

---

I can't recall many top level, Pac 12 WRs who red-shirted.  And the seven-on-seven camps have them even more ready than they were a dozen years ago. 

Irwin has put in his 10,000 hours.  He plays.

[fullmetal]

I think Irwin *should* be given a chance to play, a la McCaffrey.  But I just want to point out that WRs at Stanford must learn all sorts of blocking responsibilities as well :p  (Yeah yeah, not as complex as the RB blocking...but still!)

[fullmetal]

I think Irwin *should* be given a chance to play, a la McCaffrey.  But I just want to point out that WRs at Stanford must learn all sorts of blocking responsibilities as well :p  (Yeah yeah, not as complex as the RB blocking...but still!)

[Papa John]

So what is a reasonable expectation for Irwin's freshman year? Here's how the statistically most-productive receivers in Stanford history fared as true freshmen:

Troy Walters 1996-99: 32 receptions for 444 yards, 3 TDs
DeRonnie Pitts 1997-00: 13 for 195, 1
Ken Margerum 1977-80: 3 for 64, 0
Mark Bradford 2003-07: 37 for 587, 3
Brian Manning 1993-96: 17 for 382 , 4
Ed McCaffrey 1986-87, 89-90: 4 for 31, 0
Jeff James 1984-87: 18 for 312, 2
Emile Harry 1981-84: 10 for 196, 0
Ty Montgomery didn't quite crack the top 10 in receiving yards, but his freshman receiving numbers were 24 receptions, 350 yds, 2 TDs

If we average the above--and round up of course--we get: 18 receptions for 285 yards, 2 TDs. Those numbers are remarkably similar to the receiving numbers for Christian McCaffrey: 17 receptions for 251 yards, 2 TDs. But amongst the WRs, this average superstar freshman receiver would have been fourth in receptions, fourth in receiving yardage, and tieds for third in TDs.

NB: Justin Armour did not play as a true freshman. Darrin Nelson is the other player missing from the top 10 list above, but he was technically a running back. Still, his freshman stats were awesome: 50 receptions for 524 yards and 3 TDS, to go with over 1000 yards rushing!

[Papa John]

So what is a reasonable expectation for Irwin's freshman year? Here's how the statistically most-productive receivers in Stanford history fared as true freshmen:

Troy Walters 1996-99: 32 receptions for 444 yards, 3 TDs
DeRonnie Pitts 1997-00: 13 for 195, 1
Ken Margerum 1977-80: 3 for 64, 0
Mark Bradford 2003-07: 37 for 587, 3
Brian Manning 1993-96: 17 for 382 , 4
Ed McCaffrey 1986-87, 89-90: 4 for 31, 0
Jeff James 1984-87: 18 for 312, 2
Emile Harry 1981-84: 10 for 196, 0
Ty Montgomery didn't quite crack the top 10 in receiving yards, but his freshman receiving numbers were 24 receptions, 350 yds, 2 TDs

If we average the above--and round up of course--we get: 18 receptions for 285 yards, 2 TDs. Those numbers are remarkably similar to the receiving numbers for Christian McCaffrey: 17 receptions for 251 yards, 2 TDs. But amongst the WRs, this average superstar freshman receiver would have been fourth in receptions, fourth in receiving yardage, and tieds for third in TDs.

NB: Justin Armour did not play as a true freshman. Darrin Nelson is the other player missing from the top 10 list above, but he was technically a running back. Still, his freshman stats were awesome: 50 receptions for 524 yards and 3 TDS, to go with over 1000 yards rushing!

[Hulk01]

Good grab Papa John.

In recent years, Robert Woods, Marqise Allen, and Keenan Allen all contributed significantly as true freshman receivers in the Pac-12.  And the biggest contribution Irwin could make is as a threat on the out--which stretches the DBs out to the edge--and the wicked double move he makes out of it, which could tempt defenses to move safeties over to cover over the top.  That combination could open up the rest of the field for our offense.

Plus the fact Irwin gets so open automatically gives him yards after the catch and could pressure Pac-12 safeties to stay back to help instead of coming up to stop the run. 

It's what we have needed to open up the intermediate zones in the middle of the field. 

If his skills more resembled those of our current backs, he'd merely be a great prospect in waiting.  But his skills are unique to those team, so the need for them is immediate--if he can deliver on them, of course.  But everything suggests that he can and will.  He is a as close to a finished product as we've seen in a Stanford receiver in decades.

[Hulk01]

Good grab Papa John.

In recent years, Robert Woods, Marqise Allen, and Keenan Allen all contributed significantly as true freshman receivers in the Pac-12.  And the biggest contribution Irwin could make is as a threat on the out--which stretches the DBs out to the edge--and the wicked double move he makes out of it, which could tempt defenses to move safeties over to cover over the top.  That combination could open up the rest of the field for our offense.

Plus the fact Irwin gets so open automatically gives him yards after the catch and could pressure Pac-12 safeties to stay back to help instead of coming up to stop the run. 

It's what we have needed to open up the intermediate zones in the middle of the field. 

If his skills more resembled those of our current backs, he'd merely be a great prospect in waiting.  But his skills are unique to those team, so the need for them is immediate--if he can deliver on them, of course.  But everything suggests that he can and will.  He is a as close to a finished product as we've seen in a Stanford receiver in decades.

[Red State]

I'm pretty sure that Jeff James, Troy Walters and DeRonnie Pitts all redshirted their freshman year.

[Red State]

I'm pretty sure that Jeff James, Troy Walters and DeRonnie Pitts all redshirted their freshman year.

[OutsiderFan]

How abut the stats for True Frosh Rivals Top 10 WRs over the last 10 years?

Those other guys were good, but Irwin is on another level in terms of his high school production.  Granted, he played in a throw it 50 times a game spread offense, but again listen to the comments and watch the video of him taking on other guys at all-star camps, etc. 

A True Frosh WR headed for stardom should have 40+ catches, 500+ yards, and 5+ TDs in his first season, IMO.

Just a sampling of some elite WR recruits and Jordy Nelson who was a 2 star Safety recruit, for comparison and reference:

DeSean Jackson: 38 rec 601 yds 7 TDs
Amari Cooper:    59 rec, 1,000 yds  11 TDs
A.J. Green:          56 rec, 963 yds, 8 TDs
Robert Woods:    65 rec, 792 yds, 6 TDs
Jordy Nelson:      45 rec, 669 yds, 8 TDs*
Michael Floyd:    48 rec, 719 yds, 7 TDs
Alshon Jeffery:    46 rec, 763 yds, 6 TDs
Keenan Allen:    46 rec, 490 yds, 5 TDs
Marqise Lee:      73 re, 1,143 yds, 11 TDs


* First played as as a Soph

[OutsiderFan]

How abut the stats for True Frosh Rivals Top 10 WRs over the last 10 years?

Those other guys were good, but Irwin is on another level in terms of his high school production.  Granted, he played in a throw it 50 times a game spread offense, but again listen to the comments and watch the video of him taking on other guys at all-star camps, etc. 

A True Frosh WR headed for stardom should have 40+ catches, 500+ yards, and 5+ TDs in his first season, IMO.

Just a sampling of some elite WR recruits and Jordy Nelson who was a 2 star Safety recruit, for comparison and reference:

DeSean Jackson: 38 rec 601 yds 7 TDs
Amari Cooper:    59 rec, 1,000 yds  11 TDs
A.J. Green:          56 rec, 963 yds, 8 TDs
Robert Woods:    65 rec, 792 yds, 6 TDs
Jordy Nelson:      45 rec, 669 yds, 8 TDs*
Michael Floyd:    48 rec, 719 yds, 7 TDs
Alshon Jeffery:    46 rec, 763 yds, 6 TDs
Keenan Allen:    46 rec, 490 yds, 5 TDs
Marqise Lee:      73 re, 1,143 yds, 11 TDs


* First played as as a Soph

[Papa John]

Good comments by all, but I'll repeat my question: What is a reasonable expectation for Trent Irwin's true freshman year?

I would be thrilled if he could match the first year numbers (redshirt or not) of Troy Walters or Ty Montgomery. And then there are the trickier-to-measure numbers, such as his effect on the production of the other WRs, TEs and RBs. As teams start to scheme to stop Irwin, that will be a real positive for our offense.

I'll stick my neck out and say that expecting 50+ receptions, 500+yards and 6+ TDs from Irwin is flat-out not realistic. For a variety of reasons, freshman wide receivers don't do things like that at Stanford.

[Papa John]

Good comments by all, but I'll repeat my question: What is a reasonable expectation for Trent Irwin's true freshman year?

I would be thrilled if he could match the first year numbers (redshirt or not) of Troy Walters or Ty Montgomery. And then there are the trickier-to-measure numbers, such as his effect on the production of the other WRs, TEs and RBs. As teams start to scheme to stop Irwin, that will be a real positive for our offense.

I'll stick my neck out and say that expecting 50+ receptions, 500+yards and 6+ TDs from Irwin is flat-out not realistic. For a variety of reasons, freshman wide receivers don't do things like that at Stanford.

[Hulk01]

Both Williams (Reggie and Kasen) made lots of grabs for the Huskies as true frosh too.  And Agholor at SC, inlciuding a brobdingnagian one against us.

[Hulk01]

Both Williams (Reggie and Kasen) made lots of grabs for the Huskies as true frosh too.  And Agholor at SC, inlciuding a brobdingnagian one against us.

[martyup]

Does anyone besides me think that Irwin reminds them of Kenny Margerum?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJCZGc1ZaSw

[martyup]

Does anyone besides me think that Irwin reminds them of Kenny Margerum?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJCZGc1ZaSw

[81alum]

I can't find any stats at all for James Loften's freshman year.  At first I thought he must have been before they allowed freshman to play, but the rule changed in 1972 and he graduated in 1977.  I noticed that his sophomore and junior years were not terrific, though.  One would hardly have known what he was going to be like in 1977 once he had Bill Walsh as coach.  But another late blooming, great WR.

[81alum]

I can't find any stats at all for James Loften's freshman year.  At first I thought he must have been before they allowed freshman to play, but the rule changed in 1972 and he graduated in 1977.  I noticed that his sophomore and junior years were not terrific, though.  One would hardly have known what he was going to be like in 1977 once he had Bill Walsh as coach.  But another late blooming, great WR.