Big guy and according to some fans I talked to, he is only 16 years old. He is a project as not very fluid in movement and had a hard time with the Catholic lineman (one is committed to UT, other is choosing between EKU, Tn Tech and UTC, others are frosh who already have about 5 to 10 Power 5 offers and are really big frosh). Will need to learn to pass block as Belfry only threw 2 passes all night so has no experience to speak of in pass blocking but is ideal redshirt candidate. Was very impressed with the UL commit as he was always downfield blocking and played a good game on defense. Belfry fans were really nice especially considering it was a 4 1/2 hour ride for them.
Saw Austin Dotson play against Knox Catholic Friday night
- Thread starter sfvol76
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Per the fans I spoke with, will not turn 17 till later in the fall.
My son started his sr year at 16 then turned 17 in the fall of sr year and graduated at 17. Maybe something similar here.
This won't be popular with some but sounds like he probably should have been held back in middle school.
He will no doubt RS next year, with this added time in the weight room, and learning more about pass blocking, he could develop into a good one !
Because that would have given him an extra year to develop and work on his agility.
So his parents should have held him back academically so he could work on football skills? That's a little bit of backward thinking.
You're right, it's probably not a popular post in most eyes.
Listen, I understand and respect that you disagree. However, there's no reason to play dumb. You know exactly why this would help him. If he really is only 16 then he is younger than 99% of his classmates. Right now this kid has dreams of making money playing football. Giving him an extra year to develop would do nothing hinder his education and would help him athletically.
Kids with potential athletics in their future do it ALL. THE. TIME. All the freakin' time. In basketball, they complete enough coursework so they can choose what class they want to graduate with. Less so in football, because the whole idea is to give yourself more time to develop.
KY is making a mistake not offering the other 2 Belfry kids as well. Bentley will be a good player for the Dirty Birds. Watch and see
glut of interior O linemen already on the roster, sucks, I to wish we coulda got him
If a child is one of the youngest in his class, it can always make sense to hold him/her back to help the maturation process, regardless of whether an athlete.
One thing that never gets mentioned about holding a child back is that, generally, it means you will have him/her in the nest for another year. Anyone who is a parent knows how quickly they leave for the world anyway ......
One thing that never gets mentioned about holding a child back is that, generally, it means you will have him/her in the nest for another year. Anyone who is a parent knows how quickly they leave for the world anyway ......
I don't know why we wouldn't at least offer the Horton kid. We need Dline IMO, and represents the undersized, but quicker, powerful DT type that often seems to give us trouble.
This is exactly what I told my wife. My son is very smart. Tests on a 8th grade level as a 4th grader in reading and math. He was definitely ready to start early and graduate at 17. However, he also loves sports and has since he was 2 years old. I wanted him to start later for 3 reasons. 1. He was going to be fine academically anyway. 2. It gave him another year of sports when he gets older (assuming he still plays) 3. It give me another year of having him home.
Once I mentioned the 3rd one, momma was on board too. Lol.
He's got his scholarship. No need to spend time with hs coaches when he can spend more productive time with college coaches.
I didn't propose holding him back now. I said I think it would have been a good idea to hold him back in middle school.
Still a big difference in body maturation from 17 to 18 years old. So, it really isn't as.much to do about HS coaches as it is maturity.
And I don't understand the negative comment toward HS coaches.