Which true Freshmen will exceed expectations / not live up to them? Mine are...

[bonedaddy401]

Chris Jones and Fred Ross.

Hope Chris Jones proves me wrong but all of the drama leading up to signing day and some of the weight rumors I've heard have me doubting. Dude has to get in shape and play like he did in the All Star game. Has some pretty legit competition at DE to see the field.


Fred Ross from all accounts I've encountered has been everything billed and more. Really excited about what his future looks like. I think he will really be a stable force at WR.

 

[patdog]

Got to agree with you on both counts. It would be almost impossible for Jones to live up to expectations his true FR season, just because the expectations are so high.

 

[MSUDC11]

I would've loved for us to have Autry and Jones together for more than one year, but unfortunately the timing didn't work out for that.

I just don't see Jones having a Clowney-like impact this year. I think he can be awesome eventually, but he's already behind at a position where we are pretty deep. Hopefully he surprises me though.

Fred Ross is going to be a beast.

Shumphert may be the most talented back on our roster, but I'm guessing he redshirts.

 

[bonedaddy401]

I'm excited to see Preston Smith and Ryan Brown. I know the "you can only coach em up so much" line has been tossed around a lot but those two and McKinney are great examples of guys who have come in and exceeded expectations.

 

[DISTRICT DOG]

Do you think we RS him (Jones) to give him a year in the system, or does he for sure play right away? On the flip side of that, do you think R Nkemdiche lives up to the hype or does he just have a mediocre freshman year?

 

[dawgstudent]

Ryan Brown looks like a beast on the field.

 

[chew1095]

I think Ross is going to ball out. He's got too much swag not to.

With that said (and not to hijack the thread), here are three guys I really want to see take a step or the next step:

1. Joe Morrow: if he doesnt come around quickly, he will be lost in the depth chart.
2. Damien Robinson: I am not sure he has "it".
3. Dee Arrington: I expected way more out of this guy up to this point.

 

[57stratdawg]

Chris will struggle this year. He has all the potential in the world, but he's going to have A HUGE learning curve. Ross should be more polished and he's at a position it's easier to contributed.

Having said that, I doubt Ross is more ready to contribute as a freshman than Bumphis was. He'll be more productive though because Russell is going to complete some passes this year.

 

[kired]

Just this season, or over their career?

No way Jones lives up to the expectations people have for him this year. But over a 3-4 year career I think he'll be great.

I'm not sure of another true freshman who will play this year other than Ross... maybe Myles or Coman? With Redmond suspended I think one of the freshman corners will play and I have high hopes for Myles. I like the height of Coman but not sure if he plays corner or safety - I think he projects more as a safety longterm. But I could see him & Myles both getting time at corner this year and I think both will be good DBs in 2-3 years.

 

[engie]

Do you think we RS him (Jones) to give him a year in the system, or does he for sure play right away? On the flip side of that, do you think R Nkemdiche lives up to the hype or does he just have a mediocre freshman year?

Generally speaking, you don't redshirt guys that have 3-yr NFL potential even if you aren't expecting a major contribution for them. In that situation, you just totally waste a year...

 

[esplanade91]

Redshirt freshmen count?

Taveze Calhoun is going to be a baller. Can of swag style.

 

[patdog]

Generally speaking, if a guy has legitimate 3-year NFL potential, there's not going to be any question about him playing and contributing as a true FR.

 

[bonedaddy401]

No lets just talk about true freshmen, with redshirts...

most of the time you have a pretty good handle on what kind of momentum or lack thereof a new guy has.

Couple of points within this thread...

Great points about a guy who is a 3 and done player not redshirting. If he is good enough to leave his redshirt Soph year then he has to play now so you don't "waste" a year with him.

This year is make or break for Joe Morrow. No doubt. We gotta throw the ball to someone and unless he steps up that opportunity with move on to someone else.

 

[Curby]

Redshirt freshmen count?

Taveze Calhoun is going to be a baller. Can of swag style.

Calhoun is a sophomore.

 

[DISTRICT DOG]

Generally speaking, you don't redshirt guys that have 3-yr NFL potential even if you aren't expecting a major contribution for them.

If a guy is good enough to get drafted in the first round after only playing 2 years...then he clearly would have some sort of impact in his freshman year. If you redshirt a kid, and 2 years later he is an absolute animal and could be drafted in the first round, then I think you have to thank god he was on your team and let him go pro.

A redshirt is designed to get guys who have raw potential but needs polishing, ready to play a whole season. I absolutely hated the fact that we did not redshirt Quay last year, IMO the only time you should not redshirt a freshman is if they can have an immediate impact from day 1 OR you have a desperate need for someone to fill in a certain position.

With that being said, If Jones (or any other incoming freshman) can come in and provide QUALITY minutes, make an impact in someway, and can gain experience...then I think you have to play him. I am just not a fan of letting a kid play just to have another body out there, I also think that taking the year to get used to the daily grind of playing college football and going to class can greatly benefit someone in their RS Freshman season.