Signing Day 2017

#284      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
LurkLongandProsper said:
The video with Phair talking about him basically said the same thing. Pure speed rusher right now.

Staff definitely trusts their evaluations, too. The other hats on the table for him were Duquesne, Elon ? and something with an orange duck
Click to expand...

The first play of his highlight tape made me say holy $h!t in front of my tutoring kids. It was fun.
 
#292      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
Kind of surprised they took another DL at this juncture. Must really believe in him.
 
#294      

bigruss22

B
bigruss22
UofI08 said:
I was wondering the same thing. That's what, 6 DEs?
Click to expand...

A couple of those DEs will probably go over to DT at some point.

I'm a little surprised by it but if they feel like he will be a + pass rusher in a few years than it could be a good gamble.
 
#295      

BRy12

B
BRy12
Football commandment: Thou shall never have too many lineman, especially on defense.
 
#297      

FT35

FT35
Naperville
FT35
OrangeAndBlues said:
Makes me wonder why he didn't get any other major offers.
Click to expand...

His lack of size is an issue. I think most programs are looking for DEs who can contribute or provide depth after a red shirt season.

I don't think we'll see Gay on the depth chart before 2019 at the earliest. He needs to add 25-30 lbs and then you have to question how much speed and explosiveness he will lose? When you look at our roster and who we may have left at DE after 2018, this is a risk worth taking.

Given the potential size of the class of 2018 who knows how many DEs we can take?
 
#298      

Dbell1981

D
Decatur, IL
Dbell1981
I bet they have plans for him at OLB. Or maybe they know he has the room to fill out and become a monster. I trust their evaluations with all that experience on staff!
 
#299      

OrangeAndBlues

O
Indianapolis
OrangeAndBlues
FT35 said:
His lack of size is an issue. I think most programs are looking for DEs who can contribute or provide depth after a red shirt season.

I don't think we'll see Gay on the depth chart before 2019 at the earliest. He needs to add 25-30 lbs and then you have to question how much speed and explosiveness he will lose? When you look at our roster and who we may have left at DE after 2018, this is a risk worth taking.

Given the potential size of the class of 2018 who knows how many DEs we can take?
Click to expand...

Gotcha, good post!
 
#300      

combes

C
combes
mhuml32 said:
Kind of surprised they took another DL at this juncture. Must really believe in him.
Click to expand...

6-3, 215. Needs strength. But he played his senior season at age 16. He will be 17 when he enrolls at Illinois. Redshirt year could do wonders.