Some thoughts on Kevin Olsen

Some thoughts on Kevin Olsen

DMoney
DMoney
The first thing that jumps out about Kevin Olsen's commitment is that he picked us. Sounds silly to say, but it is significant. This has not been a top 25 program in six years. Sanctions are looming coming off a 6-6 season. Olsen is a Top 10 quarterback with all of the resources to make an educated decision. He chose us.

Now let's talk about Olsen the player. His physical skill set is good, not great. At 6'3, 189 pounds, he has enough size but isn't huge. Olsen has a baby face, though, and you wonder how much development is still head of him. His brother Chris ended up at 6'3, 222 pounds, and Greg is 6'5, 255 pounds, so Kevin could end up as a well-sized quarterback when he physically matures.

Olsen's arm strength is not elite but very good for the college level. He does his best work on inside breaking routes, throwing slants, digs and posts with zip and accuracy. Outside the numbers he isn't as good, but he can make those throws.

The most underrated aspect of Olsen's game is his athleticism. He is a much better athlete than Dewey, Crow and Williams and can escape the pocket. His quickness is evident on his drops from under center, which are very advanced for a high school quarterback. Olsen can also throw on the run.

Olsen also excels in the "little things." His ball handling is the best I've seen from a Miami quarterback since I can remember. His fakes are excellent and will suit him very well in Jedd Fisch's offense.

The thing that sets Olsen apart is his background. His dad is a big-time coach, he grew up around the game and he knows what it takes. He is also used to winning (22-2 as a starter), dealing with expectations and playing in a pro-style offense. His transition should be easier than any quarterback we've signed in years.

The comparison I heard from someone on UM's staff was Craig Erickson. If Olsen ends up with a ring, I think any Canes fan will take that comparison.
 

Comments (58)

The first thing that jumps out about Kevin Olsen's commitment is that he picked us. Sounds silly to say, but it is significant. This has not been a top 25 program in six years. Sanctions are looming coming off a 6-6 season. Olsen is a Top 10 quarterback with all of the resources to make an educated decision. He chose us.

Now let's talk about Olsen the player. His physical skill set is good, not great. At 6'3, 189 pounds, he has enough size but isn't huge. Olsen has a baby face, though, and you wonder how much development is still head of him. His brother Chris ended up at 6'3, 222 pounds, and Greg is 6'5, 255 pounds, so Kevin could end up as a well-sized quarterback when he physically matures.

Olsen's arm strength is not elite but very good for the college level. He does his best work on inside breaking routes, throwing slants, digs and posts with zip and accuracy. Outside the numbers he isn't as good, but he can make those throws.

The most underrated aspect of Olsen's game is his athleticism. He is a much better athlete than Dewey, Crow and Williams and can escape the pocket. His quickness is evident on his drops from under center, which are very advanced for a high school quarterback. Olsen can also throw on the run.

Olsen also excels in the "little things." His ball handling is the best I've seen from a Miami quarterback since I can remember. His fakes are excellent and will suit him very well in Jedd Fisch's offense.

The thing that sets Olsen apart is his background. His dad is a big-time coach, he grew up around the game and he knows what it takes. He is also used to winning (22-2 as a starter), dealing with expectations and playing in a pro-style offense. His transition should be easier than any quarterback we've signed in years.

The comparison I heard from someone on UM's staff was Craig Erickson. If Olsen ends up with a ring, I think any Canes fan will take that comparison.

Very good observation, D. The kid is young and he looks young. Some of these kids you see are just way more physically developed than their competition they look like men playing against boys. Olsen still has a ton of growing ahead of him. He already has a really nice arm and that should keep getting better as he gets bigger and stronger.

He could definitely end up being a 6'4"-6'5" kid with the ability to run and he already throws well on the run. Time will tell.
 
Excellent breakdown, the whole idea that he chose us when most would choose to go elsewhere is huge. Wisconsin is a much better program at the moment and plays in a better conference and Golden and Fisch were able to sell him on the future of the program. Hopefully this commitment will be what the program needs to get back on track.
 
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I saw an article where he said he wants to come in & red shirt his first year. You don't hear that from elite guys anymore. Probably a good idea too.
 
Morris will be a senior when Olsen is a freshman so a redshirt may not be that bad of an idea. The downside is he could end up starting with no game experience.
 
Think he could be a great one. He has plenty of time to mature and grow. Great get for this next class
 
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Another comparison is Baby Jesus that is just what I head lol
 
Ohh and Olsen already has the duke factor I think in an article 2day with the DE recruit Senet he said he saw Miami got a commit from a big time QB... ive decide to calls this duke Johnson's law of dominance
 
Interesting to see in the picture on the home page that Brian the Beast London is an assistant coach on Olsen's high school team.
 
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How many Al Golden camps you think Olsen will be attending this summer?
 
Coming in and redshirting is great. It's the kind of thing we need to get back to, guys growing and learning until their 3rd or 4th year in the program.
 
Why are people already penciling in a kid who hasn't taken a single snap for UM as the starter when we have 2 brand new QB's who, by all accounts, will more than likely be the starter after Morris and Williams depart?

Its just incredible the cognitive dissonance on this board. This isn't Duke where getting a good player means he starts right away. There are tons of kids ahead of him already. He'll sit because he knows he'll need to put distance between himself and the others to get 2 yrs to play.
 
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Why are people already penciling in a kid who hasn't taken a single snap for UM as the starter when we have 2 brand new QB's who, by all accounts, will more than likely be the starter after Morris and Williams depart?

Its just incredible the cognitive dissonance on this board. This isn't Duke where getting a good player means he starts right away. There are tons of kids ahead of him already. He'll sit because he knows he'll need to put distance between himself and the others to get 2 yrs to play.

If we're going by all accounts, Crow and Dewey both have a lot to work on. Olsen is more talented than both of them anyways, if anyone is going to challenge him it would be Dewey.
 
Why are people already penciling in a kid who hasn't taken a single snap for UM as the starter when we have 2 brand new QB's who, by all accounts, will more than likely be the starter after Morris and Williams depart?

None of the three have taken a snap for UM. And since when are Dewey or Crow penciled in as the heir apparent? Most people are putting Olsen above those two because he looks a lot better than them at the same stage.
 
I've read concerns that Dewey might be near max because of the coaching he got in HS. Those in the know, does he have a lot of room to get better?
 
I've read concerns that Dewey might be near max because of the coaching he got in HS. Those in the know, does he have a lot of room to get better?

Imo he does got room to get better, I think playing at a small school he's having to adjust a lot. He has to catch up to the college speed of the game.
 
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