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News-Star Commitment Tracker
LA Tech got it's first 2016 football commitment today in the form of Devin Hamilton, 6-1 225 LB, Lake Charles Washington-Marion HS.
http://sports.yahoo.com/latech/footb...amilton-172866
http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/devi...Jg/default.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OCZjSbLx0o (So season interview)
Awesome. And so it begins.
It will be interesting to see how many high school recruits we sign next year. Loading up with 4 year players every year has got to be a good thing. Go Dogs!
After this football season almost every former JuCo player on the team will be gone.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beaver-Dog
I was hoping this would open the gate for a few more to commit. I know. Be patient.
Just watched this guys Jr. highlights. If he played at 180, he can really lay the wood for his size (I know, twss)
Has a good nose for the football. He slid through unblocked a lot, will be interesting to see if he can release off blocks and still play sideline to sideline. He can only get bigger and stronger from here, though.
(twss)Quote:
Originally Posted by dixonfor6
(twss)Quote:
Originally Posted by dixonfor6
(twss)Quote:
Originally Posted by dixonfor6
TWSSQuote:
Originally Posted by Beaver-Dog
We need to stop attaching a negative stigma to JUCO players. Once they put on the state-T helmet, they are Bulldogs forever. Some of our best modern era players were JUCO transfers (Eddie Brown, Tim Rattay, Barry Robertson, Quinton Patton to name a few). Yes, I understand that overloading on JUCO signees is not a good play for program building, but these guys are ones of us and your post just came off wrong to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by DogsWin
I think you sign JUCOS for 2 reasons : 1)they are good athletes, 2) you need depth.
If you are recruiting good high school players like HCSH appears to be doing, you should have the depth.
Save a scholarship or two for a really good Juco or walkon. Just don't waste a scolly.
JCs are quick fixes. We could have used 2 JC LBs and 2 JC DL this year, but we are getting off the quick fixes and building the program. That will mean we will see RS Freshmen and True Freshmen playing at LB and DL this year, but they should be studs by the time they are JRs!
Is it a wasted scholarship? How many high schools signees fail to live up to the hype? Probably more than our recent JUCO signees.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beaver-Dog
Tony Johnson worked out well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde
Mitch Villemenez (sp)Quote:
Originally Posted by Tech77
Quinton Patton, Tim Rattay
Preach! I hate it when our fans, coaches, admin, etc. put a stigma on jucos.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde
I don't think guys like Rattay, Patton, White, etc. were quick fixes. Those guys were LEADERS and PLAYMAKERS! You wanna claim we are getting off quick fixes? If you consider 2-3 year jucos quick fixes, then what are the 1-year grad transfers that Skip keeps bringing in at QB? There is nothing wrong with a student-athlete just because they come in with less than 4 years of eligibility.Quote:
Originally Posted by T1
Rattay wasn't, but Patton and White definitely were. Think of Sonny's offense before Patton and White got here (uuugly). We didn't go the quick fix route this year. We could have used a few LBs and DL from JC, but we are going to develop the young guys instead. That's more healthy in the long run, imo. We may suffer a bit this year, but we will be better prepared for the future. There is too much inconsistency when you recruit a bunch of JCs every year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawg06
If a juco guy can come in and start, get him.
We need the best players on the field possible, regardless of location or class.
Just because you plug in a juco doesn't mean you can't have a high school guy behind him learning.
We also need to stop reading things into a comment that aren't there. I simply stated a recruiting fact in response to Beaver-Dog. No player "stigmas" at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde
Ah, the tenderizing of the off season dead horse. Don't leave out Barry Robertson on the list of Jucos.
My mom was a Juco transfer to Tech from JCJC, ended up one of the top Tech graduates and then got her PhD from Arkansas. Jucos just start from a different place
Dejar de latir el caballo muerto.
As expected Lorenzo Dantzler (6-2 240 DE from Starkville, MS) commited to Louisiana Tech. This guy very much wants to be a LOUISIANA TECH Bulldog.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2753851/...s/181796375/v2
IMO he is in the mold of former Dawg IK Enemkpali.
Also committing to Tech was Wossman's big 6-2 215 RB Ladarrius Thomas.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3134099/ladarrius-thomas
These are two outstanding pick ups for Tech.
Why is the SEZ project so important to Tech football?Quote:
Originally Posted by DogsWin
http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/on-...tech/26019091/Quote:
"The coaches were jumping up and down. Coach (Skip) Holtz was surprised because he thought I'd go to an SEC school," Thomas told The News-Star on Saturday night. "They're a program on the rise, they're getting new facilities and all that and I get a chance to play."
Champ967, where ya at?Quote:
Originally Posted by TechAlum05
God bless Ladarrius Thomas' mom. :laugh:Quote:
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound power back said his commitment to Tech is firm.
"I'm all Louisiana Tech. Once I made a commitment to them, my mom told me if I'm going to make a commitment I gotta stay with it and I can't go visit anymore colleges. That's what my mom told me, she's not taking me on any more visits because this is really what I wanted to do."
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by HogDawg
Lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dixonfor6
And this kid's mom rules. She's gonna keep his head on straight. Not saying he can't do it for himself, but the obvious respect he has for his mother won't let him do anything less than his best.
Sounds like she may also be the kind of momma that makes sure he goes to class!Quote:
Originally Posted by Built4Speed
That's what I'm talkin bout! Love a kid that has that much respect for his mom. Shows that he was raised right and that'll translate to the next level.Quote:
Originally Posted by HogDawg
Bottom line...he has RESPECT!!!! A lot of kids in this day and age...have no RESPECT for ANYONE!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Built4Speed
<br>Quote:
Originally Posted by TechAlum05
<br>
Sounds like he's a solid commitment on staying committed to Tech. . . sorta like Beast Mode out of southern Arkansas when Tech recruited him from Strong.
Interesting watching the twitter verse last night after Isabella's column on this commitment...
Some of the juco hacks took great offense to what the kid had to say about that local school
Wow, they should be pissed. The kid said ULM doesn't recruit locally and he was disappointed about that. Then the Wossman coach piled on to talk about how great Tech recruits locally. Berry's seat should be hot over that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
The one thing I truly like about Skip (admire) since the day he stepped on campus is his ability to make the local kids and their families feel wanted and desired...
He gives them the Elite treatment -
You can argue (and I did) that he wasn't the absolute best fit when hired for tactical reasons, but one important thing he seems to get very well is the idea of the Tech family. You see that word in a lot of these recruiting stories. And it's paying off big.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
I'm very comfortable saying homerun hire now. We needed someone who could rebuild a program quickly, recruit HS kids, and play for championships. We got all three pretty quickly with Holtz. His embracing the Tech family and attracting big time assistant coaches on peanut salaries have been bonuses, but I still wouldn't be surprised if this is his final year at Tech and he will leave it much better off than he found it.Quote:
Originally Posted by inudesu
I was skeptical initially as well, but Skippy has won me over. I expect him to stay one more year at least. He's in his comfort zone at a mid-major and he is on the cusp of potentially transforming/elevating our school to a whole new level. We will see new and first time supporters like we have never seen before if this 2015 season goes as well as anticipated. The attendance at the spring game despite the weather is an indicator to the level of enthusiasm that Skippy has infused into the program.Quote:
Originally Posted by T1
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowmane88
I don't think Skip is going to bail on us.
If Dykes fails at Cal this year - I don't think any P5 school would hire Skip away from Tech.
and JJ is creating a nice niche in S La-- more players on roster to go back to S La and talk us up...Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
Just my opinion== Skip is the total package, offense-defence and building program the right way. He has never done anthing to embarass program --we all knew our previous coaches were looking to leave ASAP but at least Skip goes out of his way to be one of usQuote:
Originally Posted by latech
Skip's past and Dykes'/Dooley's pasts are night and day.Quote:
Originally Posted by latech
he still has 3 more years at 500k from Florida school -- would be nice to have him that long--he is recruiting for future and hopefully some of his staff will be ready IF he bailsQuote:
Originally Posted by Tech77
I know we all we say this about all our coaches and I am sure if the right situation came he would accept but from what I hear he really likes it here and sees that he can build a team, compete every year, etc. he has been there done that...seen the "what have you done for me lately" mentality (which we sometimes have as well). I think he is very comfortable in Ruston.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tech77
Corrected it for ya!Quote:
Originally Posted by latech
Quote:
Originally Posted by MiloBumP
There you go! He's leaving tomorrow! :D
What he is leaving?
Not really, but that's the joke. Every time a coach loves Ruston, he loves it so much that he leaves so another coach come in and experience it too.
This upcoming 2015 season is a crucial year for LA Tech football. In order to really grow the football program and its' fan base, La Tech needs CONSISTENT, sustainable, winning over an extended period of time. We need multiple bowl appearances, and some more conference championships. We've had big year's before on the Div 1A level....only to falter very quickly soon after, with seasons below .500. This time, things need to be different.Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowmane88
ThisQuote:
Originally Posted by HogDawg
I agree 100%! And he is one of us. He's a part of the Tech family.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogsince65
I agree! So many pounded on him during his first season. But, we all know we had NO QB and the defense was almost non-existent. He sure changed that around last year! He knows what needs to be done and is getting it done. Come on football season!Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogsince65
David Beasley DB Pine Bluff, Ark 6'2" 192lb just announced commitment on twitter.
niceQuote:
Originally Posted by SIC_EM_DAWGS!
That's a big DB.Quote:
Originally Posted by SIC_EM_DAWGS!
labgQuote:
Originally Posted by Docman5
24/7 also shows him with a 4.52 40, at 200 lbs. and with growing to do. #ARROOOFQuote:
Originally Posted by HogDawg
Maybe with a little more weight a LB?Quote:
Originally Posted by SIC_EM_DAWGS!
That's blazing for a safety. I never believe 40 times anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by SIC_EM_DAWGS!
4.52 is blazing fast for a college corner too.
Watching his film I think that may be a stretch at 4.52, looks to me like a high 4.6 low 4.7 guy. Good nose and instincts for the ball. It looks like he is a do all for them cb, s, wr, and even slot. This is the type of guy that without this staff or sez we don't get IMO. Hopefully he wants to be a junkyard dog and holds true when arky, state, and piss come calling.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
Teammates with John Tate, 4 star DE with offers from us, Louisville, Ole Miss, Houston, Ark St, ULM, and South AL. I know Tate was at the scrimmage the weekend before the spring game.
I love this. 247Sports says he's a "Hard Commit".
http://247sports.com/Player/David-Beasley-32182
According to 247Sports, David Beasley was offered by Houston back on March 20th. Ark State also offered.
http://247sports.com/Player/David-Beasley-32182/Feeds
Here's a good story on Beasley's commitment to us:
http://pbcommercial.com/sports/high-...ommits-la-tech
Or maybe he can be a huge FS like Boise had about 10 yrs ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Houston Techsan
The Nike SPARQ combine is great because we're actually starting to see some real 40 times. 4.6 is a good 40 time for a high school kid. Anything sub-4.5 is a kid who can absolutely fly. If you check a kid's recruiting profile, and he's attended a SPARQ combine, then you can believe that 40 time is accurate.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
Good info. Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by theprofessor
Now if they could just figure out a way to measure ''football speed" instead of 40 times.
Run the combine drills in full pads. I've never understood why it's not done that way.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
My theory of "football speed" has always been that some guys can run faster when they are either being chased or chasing. It's an adrenalin thing I think. Also, a baseball player's time running to first (or bases) is usually faster in real time game situations than when timed in camps and such.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dowty
And have large guys chase you trying to takle you ;)
Dangit maddog beat me to it
Looking forward to spatial data capture as in the NBA.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
Hmm. You can really see .08 to .18 seconds on a highlight video? Hmm.Quote:
Originally Posted by SIC_EM_DAWGS!
I agree with you. Combines have become more of a track meet than anything. Making the players put pads on would be an easy improvement.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
Having guys chase each other during the 40 would be even better because you could time 2 players at once. Line the bigger one up 5 yards behind the other one.
If you watch enough film, you can pretty much tell the difference between a 4.52 guy and a 4.68 guyQuote:
Originally Posted by rabiddawg
Given the amount of film I've watched and level of athletes I've had the privilege to both compete with and against, yes I believe I can. You'd be surprised the difference when you are conditioned to study athletes to decipher and anticipate not only timing on closing but also how quick they are to top end. I had to compensate for a 4.9 40 when dealing with athletes with speeds ranging from 4.2(Trindon Holliday) to 4.3 (Joe McKnight) to guys all the way up to 4.8. The difference in a 2° angle of pursuit is the difference in a 1st down and a touchdown.Quote:
Originally Posted by rabiddawg
Good stuff right there.Quote:
Originally Posted by SIC_EM_DAWGS!
Here's my point.
Kid/coach/camp/recruiting guru reports 4.52. I assume that is a timed all out best effort.
When you watch a highlight video and make a statement that the kid doesnt look 4.52. How do you know that he is putting out max effort? That is why i say hmm.
That's what I saw.Quote:
Originally Posted by rabiddawg
After some poking around the interwebs I found his Sparq camp time... 4.81. My guess is he's somewhere in between the two times based on film.
That's laser-timed, and he's got over a year before he gets here.Quote:
Originally Posted by SIC_EM_DAWGS!
40 times are for bragging rights. Football speed is more important. The young man looks fast especially for his size. I didn't see anyone catch him when he broke loose so that fast enough.
Fair enough. No matter his 40 time it translates well onto the field, he's fast enough with his size and instincts to be a playmaker.Quote:
Originally Posted by cscollis
How many guys get their 40 times in pads vs. in shorts, on field vs. track or turf, fresh or after practice/workout? I would love to see the times in pads, on our playing surface, and after 3 quarters of action. That is the time that matters.Quote:
Originally Posted by cscollis
That can be conditioned. One of the more unique off-season conditioning programs I was ever apart of consisted of 100 40 yard dashes. The precedent being that the average football play lasts between 5 and 6 seconds with a 30 second break in between. You would be surprised the time difference between the last 40 in May and the last forty in August. Coincedentaly this was by far the most well conditioned team I ever played with, early September game in the 90s at kickoff and the 1s played every snap while the game was competitive.Quote:
Originally Posted by techman05
That's good stuff there. Sounds like something out of Chip Kelly's book. I've read stories about how his players complained about the practices being so brutal, but they're still in good shape late in the game while the other team is gassed.Quote:
Originally Posted by SIC_EM_DAWGS!
Former LSU defensive tackle Mickey Johnson is transferring to Louisiana Tech, Johnson told The News-Star on Tuesday afternoon.
The former four-star recruit verbally committed to Tech coaches this past weekend when he was in Ruston for his official visit. He said he plans to sign with Tech either later this week or early next week.
http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/sports/college/louisiana-tech/2015/04/28/ex-lsu-dt-mickey-johnson-headed-tech/26527269/
The best part is this comes directly on the heels of Monroe fawning over the LSU coaches visit.
Throw us a little bone, oh great flagship. :icon_roll:Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Dawg
Article says he will graduate in August. I assume that will be in time to get here for Fall camp.
I'm glad to have him. Though he's far from being a star at LSU, he will give LA Tech some badly needed depth at the all important DT position.
Quote:
Originally Posted by latech
Indeed!! Welcome to your real family!Quote:
Originally Posted by HogDawg
I hope he is as successful as Bates. It will send a message to other recruits that they can come to Tech and play and be a winner.
GO DOGS!
Fixed it.;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Beaver-Dog
ANOTHER grad transfer for Skip (5th by my count)... "But, but, but, but Skip isn't looking for quick fixes." :rolleyes4:
Bottom line: Skip is looking to WIN ball games. Glad to have Mickey!
I posted in another thread. This is a 2015 commitment, not a 2016.Quote:
Originally Posted by latech
Skip isn't looking only for quick fixes. He's looking to WIN ball games, now and later.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawg06
Maybe one day in the near future these kids will figure out how good of a career they can have at TECH and come here from the start.
We all hope for that, but it's not likely. As you know, every multi-star recruit considers himself SEC material. Can't blame them for buying the goods.Quote:
Originally Posted by WWILL