I agree that most years you can pull a good TE and FB out of Nebraska, but it's not like we didn't go outside of the state for fullbacks in the past. Omar Soto and Andra Franklin come to mind. Those are just two examples, I'm sure there are a ton of others.
Ben Miles becomes 12 member of 2017 class
- Thread starter Redscarlet
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Could be. But he plays fullback, the position with the least amount of spotlight by far. It's not like he's a QB.
I'm glad he's a Husker, but you have to think what went down with his father and LSU last year played some part in this decision.
Ugh; seriously, you take a top 5 at any position and count yourself lucky. Especially with his football I Q ; and the coaches plans. Otherwise you run a risk of a position way underperforming in your game plans. Guys all over the place acting like we should be knocking down mostly 4 and 5 stars or we can't compete; wonder if they'll give your walk-on thoughts a ride.
Welcome kid. This a great addition. The kid has power and good hands. Remember guys, we took a good athlete from sec country. What does that tell ya.
To the people who think we shouldn't have offered a scholarship to a fullback - go watch his highlight tape. It's easy to see how the coaches fell in love with him. He will definitely add another dimension to the offense that you aren't likely to get with a walk-on player. Whether it's as a lead blocker, catching the ball out of the backfield, or carrying the ball, Miles shows some unique abilities. I can totally understand how an offensive guru like Riley would want to have a player like this on scholarship. There is a lot of upside here.
To the people who think offering a fullback is a no brainer - Andy Janovich, one of the best fullbacks we've ever had at this school and the last FB to be drafted from Nebraska in a long, long time, gained only 323 yards in his senior season (265 rush, 58 rec) and six touchdowns. You could argue that his impact was much more than this as he was also an outstanding special teams player, but I think you could also say the fullback position in general has a relatively low ceiling in terms of overall production. With some of the other holes NU has on the roster, you could make the argument that the scholarship could have been used on a different position.
To the people who think offering a fullback is a no brainer - Andy Janovich, one of the best fullbacks we've ever had at this school and the last FB to be drafted from Nebraska in a long, long time, gained only 323 yards in his senior season (265 rush, 58 rec) and six touchdowns. You could argue that his impact was much more than this as he was also an outstanding special teams player, but I think you could also say the fullback position in general has a relatively low ceiling in terms of overall production. With some of the other holes NU has on the roster, you could make the argument that the scholarship could have been used on a different position.
Ha, his dad is a Michigan grad and it probably would of killed him to see his son in green. Speaking of which, congrats on the pick-up...I'll be a fan of his for his 4/5 years he is in Lincoln (except when we play you guys of course).
I seem to recall Tom offering some FBs scholarships that had long NFL careers. IF you get the right guy, you give him a scholarship. The kids film is sick for a fullback. His film looks more like a RB's high school film than a fullback and the competition he's playing against looks awfully good in pads.
I really don't understand why people are worried about the low ranking. He's a fullback, like centers, & like kickers, those guys are always rated low. Even the good ones. No one seems to notice that Miles is rated the #3 Fullback in the country by rivals. Which means, if a teams going to sign one, he's one of the few you want.
Also, Danny loves Fullbacks. It goes back to his days as a coach as a Giant and Peyton Hillis.
Also, Danny loves Fullbacks. It goes back to his days as a coach as a Giant and Peyton Hillis.
And hopefully the staff gets some of these kids to walkon. Landing Miles wont stop them from walking on. Jano (walk-on) beat out Zimmerman (scholly) for PT.
As for TE, you left me scratching my head on that one. Not sure Nebraska is a proven state @ TE walk-ons. Trey Foster, Dreu Young, & Jake Long are the only walk-ons as of late that have really had any PT. Guys like David Sutton & Sam Cotton maybe should have been walk-ons. Some may say Engelhaupt should have been a walk-on but I believe he will be the BEST TE that Riley has signed in at least 3 classes (including this year).
Bottom line, the state hasn't put out serious talent @ TE since the days of Mueller & Herian. People forget that Mueller was actually highly rated in a monster TE class ( class included Vernon Davis & Greg Olsen). Anyways, I am excited to see Miles in Red
I get what you are going for here and all but in context saying Jano "only" had 323 yards and six td's as a senior and that is a reason Fullbacks aren't possibly scholarship worthy is laughable to me.
Taking Rathman out of the equation (he simply blows everyone out of the water) compare Jano to what people consider husker legends at the position...
Cory Schlesinger finished his senior season with 456 yards. He also scored 6 touchdowns - in his entire career, 4 as a senior.
Joel Mackovicka's senior year was a bit heavier on the yardage as he had 525 yards... but he only scored twice that season.
His older brother Jeff finished his senior year with 385 yards and ONE touchdown.
Yes only Schlesinger was a scholarship recruit but all were absolutely worthy of being one. And I don't think there is a single Husker fan who would balk at handing them one today if they could, no matter what the rest of the roster breakdown looks like.
If this kid is capable of say 320 yards and a few scores his senior year history says he's absolutely worthy of one too, and apparently the coaches think he will be.
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I'm not advocating for or against a scholarship FB. I'm just saying there are arguments to be made for both sides. Andy Janovich was most definitely worthy of a scholarship. The point I was trying to make was that his impact was outside the norm.
Also, you kind of negated your point by lauding a group of players who were walk-ons or former walk-ons. You could argue the walk-on to scholarship by junior/senior year is the correct route to take with that position. It certainly has a history of working out.
I sincerely hope the fullback continues plays a prominent role in the offense and I will be rooting for Ben Miles to make an impact. Again, I have watched his film and he brings a lot of tools to the table. He's not just a lead blocker. He runs well and can catch the ball out of the backfield as well.