Brick by Brick: Zion Nelson

[Ethnicsands]

Christy is the best beat writer we have. Need more guys like Zion.

We do. And we need them to redshirt, get experience, S&C, and not get tossed out before they’re ready because we have roster holes we can’t fill.

 

[JD08]

The reason why he was maligned on here last yr, is because this dyck sucking fanbase is filled with irrational star whores. If they had any sense whatsoever, they would've realized that OL is a developmental position, and what ultimately determines the rate of development, is intangibles, not stars. Smh. This kid had elite intangibles from day 1, and that's why he will turn himself into a legitimate NFL prospect before its all said & done.

It's to be expected when you throw a true freshman to the wolves.

 

[CorniceCane]

Scheme! Plain and simple. Enid was in way over his head. He had no clue how to adjust to the hand that he was dealt. He tried to force it through his way. We see where that landed him, us and Zion. Lashlee is a real OC and understands that side of the ball. He is giving these guys an opportunity to succeed. Expanding concepts once they show that they can master the one’s that they are first given. Zion has continued to refine his skills and footwork and we are seeing the culmination of the two this season. Add experience in and if he stays for 4 years, he will show out for sure.

 

[Silver King]

Harley and now Zion, good signs.

 

[Trafficante]

It's to be expected when you throw a true freshman to the wolves.

That's what i'm saying. This fanbase was extremely impatient towards Zion last yr and many were calling him a bust & a JAG. They should've afforded him more time, and taken a wait & see approach. In his case I actually think playing him last yr was the right decision, because his intangibles equipped him to withstand & overcome that adversity. For some players early struggles can break them

 

[darius19]

Is it possible for Zion to become a first rounder?

 

[1LuvCane]

Another leader emerging?

 

[Hoyacane1620]

Christy is the best beat writer we have. Need more guys like Zion.

Always liked her stuff when she was at the Sun Sentinel

 

[ChicagoCane1992]

Most of us trashed the kid last year including myself but he was set up to fail by one of the worst o line coaches ever at the U and he was a true freshman who weighed 240 lbs as a senior in high school. **** of a turn around so far and he’s only going to get better.

 

[The Franchise]

I’ve still got many doubts..I’ll never forget him
Struggling vs Bethune

Cling to that negativity like it’s a pile of gold.

 

[Papo]

Old school Cane mentality and attitude right there. Congrats to the young man who has stepped it up.

 

[sedlst11]

We do. And we need them to redshirt, get experience, S&C, and not get tossed out before they’re ready because we have roster holes we can’t fill.

Also need dudes to stop declaring early when they aren’t ready so we can create that kind of depth.

 

[The Franchise]

Christy is the best beat writer we have. Need more guys like Zion.

I don’t think she’s a beat writer.

 

[We'retheBoss]

That's what i'm saying. This fanbase was extremely impatient towards Zion last yr and many were calling him a bust & a JAG. They should've afforded him more time, and taken a wait & see approach. In his case I actually think playing him last yr was the right decision, because his intangibles equipped him to withstand & overcome that diversity. For some players early struggles can break them

Criticizing the recruiting and development failures that led to a true frosh starting at LT? **** yeah

Criticizing the inept OC who is too incompetent to scheme around said frosh LT? All day

Not only ripping Zion, but going a step further by saying he'll be nothing more than a JAG here? More than dumb on the part of some on here

 

[Billy D Williams]

I wish the kid and the entire line well. The cold truth is our OL is a C- at best. If anyone of us was picking an offensive line of current players, not a one would select a Cane """Starter"""".

 

[ddann]

It's to be expected when you throw a true freshman to the wolves.

Especially when the coaching staff “leaks” to the media right before the first game about how impressed everyone is gonna be with his performance.

Glad he’s working hard and playing well.

 

[305to954]

Cling to that negativity like it’s a pile of gold.

I don’t think it’s negativity..I’m not rooting against the kid..I just don’t trust it yet

 

[jw410]

I don’t think it’s negativity..I’m not rooting against the kid..I just don’t trust it yet

Then you're blind! He's been one of the better lineman this year

 

[JHallCanes]

It’s great to see him progress.

A few things were clear last year. He wasn’t ready. No one could have expected otherwise. It’s an indictment of our OL and staff and other kids at the spot that Zion had to get thrown out there before he was ready.

It’s also a good way to illustrate why I’m often critical of simplistic ‘nfl kids’ statistics that get posted around here. Zion may well play in the NFL. That won’t be evidence of his being a good player in 2019. That’s why you have to look at actual roster talent, experience, depth, maturity at the time, and can’t just conclude some nfl stat from years later tells the story. If one team had a few future nfl players on its OL who weren’t game ready, and another team had juniors and seniors on its OL who weren’t nfl kids but we’re tough and experienced college kids, which do you think likely has a better OL?

I’ve always agreed with you here

NFL potential is great and not taking that away at all, but sometimes that overshadows who can be a good college football player

look at recruiting for the answer

a lot of local ballers get overlooked because they don’t have NFL potential, when they can still rip up college

 

[AllAboutTheU]

We do. And we need them to redshirt, get experience, S&C, and not get tossed out before they’re ready because we have roster holes we can’t fill.

Hoping Chris Washington is the next one.