forums

Class Impact: Zion Nelson to Miami

View as article
Advertisement
BoxingRobes said:
None of the above equate to Zion Nelson, so I have no idea why you are bringing them up into a discussion.

LANCE gave us a few athletic comps already. These guys are not a comparison to look at.
Click to expand...

I evaluate film. I see traits and skills that are similar between players so I bring them up. Terron Armstead has rare movement skills as a puller in space and so does this kid. I don't think he has the natural power of Tyron Smith but Smith wasn't much bigger at the same stage so that's a data point showing that leaner linemen can add weight.

I don't give a rats *** about Lance's athletic comps (or his dull descriptive "breakdowns"). Looking at HS testing numbers is a fool's errand. Myles Garrett ran about a 5s SPARQ 40 time in HS. Teenagers take time to develop athletically, many don't know how to optimize their testing performance and the testing conditions are often flawed. Film will show what you need to see if you contextualize and know what to look for.

Awsi Dooger said:
The ever popular outlier comparison. It would have fared well a few years ago. Fortunately this board has slowly wised up and now the outlier garbage is properly evaluated for its worth...which is next to nothing.
Click to expand...

You're right. This board is wise now and trait-based evaluations are garbage and worthless. Let's all just whine about stars and offer sheets and testing numbers and predict the total downfall of the program - THAT'S VALUE! Anything that validates and conforms to your previously held opinions is great and all else is worthless - so incredibly astute and wise of you. Well done.

Looks like I'm overdue for my annual retreat from this ****hole. Sorry to the handful of posters who actually appreciate the insight I try to provide. The word is in the site name but obviously the board can't really handle it. Peace.
 
Advertisement
Stefan Adams said:
2019 Sumpter (SC) offensive tackle Zion Nelson flipped to Miami yesterday coming off his secret UM official visit this past weekend, flipping his pledge from Appalachian State.



The 6-5 240 pounder is a consensus 2-star prospect right now. According to the 247Composite, Nelson is the #2,622 player overall, the #211 ranked OT in the country, and the 49th best player in South Carolina. His commitment moves Miami’s 2019 class ranking to #32 on 247Sports and #37 on Rivals.


The Player

Nelson was recruited by UM with little fanfare and, although he had been hearing from Miami for weeks, nobody in recruiting circles ever brought up his name. The Canes brought him in on a secret official visit last week, and Nelson landed an offer. After taking a few days to mull things over back home with his family, Nelson decided to flip his commitment to UM from App State.

Taking a look at his film, there’s no way to avoid saying this: Nelson is an absolute project at this stage of his development. At a listed 6’5” 240, he has nowhere near the size or strength needed to play offensive line at the college level right now and it is going to take him some time to get there. Nelson played left tackle for his high school team, so he does have experience at a big position of need for the Canes.

Despite looking like a tight end, Nelson actually plays with an overly aggressive demeanor, a Stacy Searels specialty, and doesn’t back down when challenged. Nelson’s frame works to his benefit in some scenarios, as he shows he is an asset in the screen game by using his athleticism to get downfield and pummel linebackers and DB’s. His length is also something that stands out as well, and Nelson knows how to extend his arms to keep defenders away from his body. It won’t happen right away, and Nelson certainly has the physical traits and frame to turn into a quality left tackle, but it is going to take a lot of hard work and coaching to get him there. He is the definition of “boom or bust” prospect.


The Class

Nelson is the 14th commit overall in the 2019 class, the second offensive lineman (also OC Jakai Clark), and the first tackle. Nelson may have beaten Christ the King (NY) 3-star Adam ElGammal to the punch as the undersized tackle project for this class. ElGammal is slated to be on campus for a Miami official visit this weekend, but it’s certainly fair to question if he is even a take at this point.

Miami’s top target at any position this cycle has been IMG Academy 5-star Evan Neal, who made his official visit to Miami last month and seems down to a final five of Miami, Oklahoma, UGA, FSU, and of course Bama. Each has already received officials, but the Canes still seem to be running a distant second behind the Crimson Tide for now. Miami is trying to see if bringing in his brother as a PWO will help sway Neal, but I was told not to expect that to have any real impact on Neal’s decision. Neal will sign early next week and there are no signs that the choice will be Miami.

Next up, the Canes have been pushing for a flip from Mississippi State commit Darius Washington for a few months now and Washington made an OV to Miami back in October for the FSU game. Washington is a quiet kid that doesn't do many interviews and is hard to get a read on. While some believe the Canes have a better shot than is being reported, Miami will certainly have to get Washington back on campus to feel confident in making the flip. As of now, Washington is not planning to sign early, but the fact that he doesn’t regularly talk to the media makes me wonder if he might just quietly sign next week without any fanfare. If this recruitment goes into the New Year, it is certainly a positive sign for Miami’s chances, and with the state of the tackle board right now, Washington almost seems like a must-get.


The Team

Miami has struggled with their play up front for years, and they’ll be losing a three year starter at tackle this season. Tyree St. Louis was one of the only true tackles on the roster, and although he was solid overall, St. Louis’ play seemed to regress over time, and at best showed no real improvement by the end of his UM career. He has no clear successor at left tackle; although Delone Scaife started at RT with mixed results, he’s really more of a guard type and is better suited to stay on the right side if anything. Rising senior George Brown is coming off injury and barely looked serviceable before that. Second year tackles Kai-Leon Herbert and Zalon’tae Hillery have shown absolutely nothing yet. John Campbell was a true freshman this season and may have more upside than any of these names, but needs to continue to add to his frame and become adept at the mental side of the game.

So, while there’s playing time available and Miami really needed to get a tackle in this class that could at the very least contribute on the two deep in 2019, Nelson is not going to be that guy. Due to being so underweight, Miami likely won’t know what it has in Nelson until year 3 and Nelson is a certainty to redshirt his freshman season at UM. By his redshirt sophomore season, Nelson will either be starting or transferring from the program; I feel like there’s no in-between.

Click to expand...



Good feet.
Appalachian State has had some good OLmen in their program.
I wonder if the AppySt staff that just bolted to Louisville is interested in him.
All said, definite project who is going to take nutrition and S&C seriously.
 
Nothing personal against the young man but this is an embarrassment. What a joke this staff has become. Meanwhile Kendall Briles is still looking and word is he wants to bring his own OL coach with him which is why Tenn and FSU did not hire him. I say c'mon down Kendall and bring your OL coach with you.

I don't care what anyone on this board says. The fact that we are not on the phone with Briles agent right now is an indictment on this administration and program.

What to get the fans re energized? Want to sell out season tickets for 2019? Want all of these recruits to beat the door down? Want more big donations? Hire Kendall Briles and this program can be resurrected from the dead.
 
With proper coaching and 2 years in the S&C he has the ability with his athleticism to do well. First he must get to about 290 minimum-quality weight. Plus adapt to the caliber of ACC play. he has the physical tools but needs some real coaching to his play techniques down.
 
Advertisement
skeeter said:
Because that's what he will probably play at UM at huh? Get a f***in clue man...
Click to expand...

Some times I have to take a breath if people knew what to look for in talent on OL doesn’t need to be FAT 360 SLUGS.

They need to be fast off the ball in getting there hands on you first then apply weight shift ratios in man on man battle and know when and how to disengage for second and third level blocks.

IF YOU SRE A JABBA THE HUT SLUG.. THE PLAY FAILS PERIOD.

90% of play failures are missing or to late on blocks or disengaging before the whistle blows and the play or running back is still fighting for extra yardage as the SLUG already gave up and is just there watching, tell me you haven’t seen that????

Again ask Fon Bailey Jr who played OL at the U , again I assure you I’m correct
 
GOCANES05 said:
KUDOS , to the staff here no doubt these updates of information from my experience on OS over many years is unparalleled on OS they just monitor and go through the motions.

Here with this post as an example take ownership and apply there expertise , I love reading these there loaded with CIS stuff we all yearn for and in my case need experts to keep me updated , this here is good stuff. Thank you :)

Anyway this kid , excellent initial contact to engage and what I really like this kid keep engaged till pancake is completed or whistle blows. His frame is perfect to handle a good 30-40 more pounds of added muscle. I like this young man very much even if no stars , he's got a good POP to his play NICE.
Click to expand...
Could be a Jason Peters type from my Philadelphia Eagles. Peters played TE at Arkansas and didn't make the transition to OT until he reached the NFL. He went undrafted in 2004 as a TE, but made the Buffalo Bills squad as a backup and special teams player. With the Bills, Peter's transitioned to OT where he is now and has 8 Pro Bowls under his belt.

I like this kid Nelson. He could wind up being our left tackle by his rsh-junior year. Guys that are athletic tend to remain athletic as they ad good weight to their body. This may be the formula for developing future left tackles.

IMO, Scaife should move to LT next year because I think he's our most athletic lineman. While Brown, Campbell, and Herbet can battle for RT.
 
Last edited:
for all the amateur talent evaluators, look no further than rookie starter at right tackle, brian oneill for the minnesota vikings. 2star all state in hoops and football in delaware. at an aau game on pitts campus was spotted and offered as a tight end. got to campus at 6ft.6 240 and asked him to move to tackle.gained 50 lbs. and turned into a 2nd round pick with the fastest 40 for a lineman at the combine. i have seen enough of slow overweight lineman. athleticism, smarts and hard work can go a long way. give these kids. a chance
 
Advertisement
omaha said:
Most linemen do nothing until year 3. I like this kids intensity and feet. Would rather have these types than overweight slow kids.
Click to expand...
Yeah I like his feet and he finishes every block that's it...can he add 30lbs will be the question
 
Put this kid of the clear and the cream for a year or two and he’ll be straight.
 
Yeah, no reason to get excited. I'll hold out hope that the staff has seen something that will become obvious to the rest of us later.

I just want to say that if you want a great talent evaluator who gets the "under the radar" kids, then you have to be willing to take guys like this. I don't know if this kid's the goods, but I do know that you can't go around wishing for an exceptional evaluator, then get your panties in a bunch over a 2* kid.

Bottom line though, we've got schollies to give, so don't get too bent about this kid...he's not taking somebody else's spot.
 
Advertisement
Bright side is this has to be rock bottom. Stealing a 240 pound 2 star OT from Crapp State has to be the football equivalent of sucking dirty dyck for the $3.18 that the bum had in his pocket to buy a crack rock.

If Rick doesn’t have the intellectual honesty to admit what he’s doing to this team by insisting on burying our offense so deep it’s eating magma, then he’s officially human waste.
 
The Franchise said:
Bright side is this has to be rock bottom. Stealing a 240 pound 2 star OT from Crapp State has to be the football equivalent of sucking dirty dyck for the $3.18 that the bum had in his pocket to buy a crack rock.

If Rick doesn’t have the intellectual honesty to admit what he’s doing to this team by insisting on burying our offense so deep it’s eating magma, then he’s officially human waste.
Click to expand...

I'm with you but I just don't see anything changing. It's MR's way or no way. So, we just need to bottom out, again, which will happen in the next 1-2 years, and start over with a new coach and staff. Maybe one day the decision makers will hit on someone special.
 
Advertisement
Back
Top