2027 Kaden Henderson 5* LB from Tampa Jesuit

[Combo]

I love the aggressiveness to build depth but I don't think its because our players didnt show but that our numbers are going to go down drastically enough to reup. You have to give freshman at least a year to be ready regardless of stars too.

Chase, Mo and Bonner are gone after this year.

That leaves

Jrs
Pruitt - Tweener

So
Marcelin - Depth guy
Wiley - Potential Starter

Freshman
Edwards - Needs weight
Busch - Summer Enrollee
Campbell - Summer Enrolle

Looking at that, I see why we're going after a third LB. We need more - any guy we get in this class has a decent chance of playing a lot right away.

And as of now, I consider Campbell a DE. When I hear of trying to "convert" a H.S. DE to LB, the vast majority of time it's not going to work.

 

[skeeter]

I dont see Bonner coming back barring a big breakthrough on his part.

You may be right, but it's not a lock he's gone. My point is he will still have eligibility left. I agree someone from the group likely portals out if they keep sitting.

It has to do with Pruitt in that he isnt a true LB and they need more depth behind 5 linebackers with little experience.

They have an opportunity to get elite HS while not knowing what will be in the portal. Its a numbers play is what I am saying. More LB options means better chances at hitting at the position.

Ya but again I don't think it's any reflection on Pruitt at all…They are and would be taking 2-3 regardless of whether a not a senior (Which Pruitt will be in '27) will be a full time quality backer

If replace a quality starter type (which is unknown if Pruitt can be) or a complete miss who decides to stay (Which Pruitt iat minimum is better than), they would still be taking 2-3 LB. You said it yourself it's a numbers game. They are going to have somewhere between 8-10 on the roster (10 may be pushing it nowadays since only 2 on field most of time)

 

[The Real Kirk Lazarus]

Pairing him with other LBs and a good DL can make his development better. Too often we brought in some guy, forced him into a role he was ill equipped for way too soon and it never worked out.

No telling if he’d develop here, but it’s reasonable to see how the path is easier now than it was under past HCs.

Linebacker and oline probably the 2 toughest to project from high school imo

 

[OrangeBowlMagic]

Linebacker and oline probably the 2 toughest to project from high school imo

QB by 5000 miles.

Then OL.

Then probably LB.

 

[The Real Kirk Lazarus]

QB by 5000 miles.

Then OL.

Then probably LB.

I think qb has gotten easier over the last couple decades compared to the other 2 imo

 

[Confidence1000]

Facts, that's how Saban maximized his guys. Put an elite DL in front of them and let them loose. Still so difficult to evaluate.

@Dwinstitles Man if I hear u mention SABAN AGAIN! Das the only coach u eva mention! Switch it up dawg

 

[ScorpionKane1]

Exactly! We have not recruited linebacker as well as other positions in terms of overall numbers. Wiley is a nice prospect. Hayes is in jail. The kid from this past class is solid. Glover is 200 pounds and although awesome needs to grow into his body. Randle is probably ready for some snaps. Henderson you add and this opinion that it’s an easier path other places haven’t looked deeper into the depth at backer on this team.

We don't have to we run a 4-2-5...toure,smith,bonner,wiley,pruitt, Marcelin,busch,edwards,campbell- freshmen- randle,glover. Did/do you mean stars? Because number wise were good!!

 

[DamienCane86]

Facts, that's how Saban maximized his guys. Put an elite DL in front of them and let them loose. Still so difficult to evaluate.

Linebacker is a cerebral position. People get lost in the physical traits but its about quick play recognition, read + spacial awareness, and decisiveness. High football IQ is needed to excel at the position and its hard to evaluate that at the high school level.

 

[ScorpionKane1]

I am convinced that if one of the young guns showed true promise this spring they would not be this aggressive. Mario doesn’t give much to the media but the fact that he basically told the fanbase our backup young linebackers flat out aren’t getting it done should speak volumes… and I believe is the exact reason why we are trying to close on the most ridiculous LB class miami has landed in the modern era

I love it

Even if they were getting it done they wouldn't beat out an 8yr vet or a 6 yr vet especially 2 who have been in the system multiple years and in toure case 3 or 4 years!

 

[ScorpionKane1]

Looking at that, I see why we're going after a third LB. We need more - any guy we get in this class has a decent chance of playing a lot right away.

And as of now, I consider Campbell a DE. When I hear of trying to "convert" a H.S. DE to LB, the vast majority of time it's not going to work.

Disagree....wiley and busch(when ever he shows up) are next in line..fingers crossed!!

 

[Dwinstitles]

Facts, that's how Saban maximized his guys. Put an elite DL in front of them and let them loose. Still so difficult to evaluate.

@Dwinstitles Man if I hear u mention SABAN AGAIN! Das the only coach u eva mention! Switch it up dawg

Cause he’s the best, same if I’m talking about Brady or Jordan. All these cats I didn’t like, but they him

 

[Allabouttheu95]

Even if they were getting it done they wouldn't beat out an 8yr vet or a 6 yr vet especially 2 who have been in the system multiple years and in toure case 3 or 4 years!

Actually Mario was getting on them for exactly the mindset you just laid out right here

 

[Combo]

Linebacker is a cerebral position. People get lost in the physical traits but its about play recognition, read + react fast, and being decisive. High football IQ is needed to excel at the position and its hard to find that.

Yup. If you can't read/diagnose, you're not going to be a good LB regardless of how big and fast you are. A lot more to it than "looking good getting off the bus."

 

[KingB02]

I am convinced that if one of the young guns showed true promise this spring they would not be this aggressive. Mario doesn’t give much to the media but the fact that he basically told the fanbase our backup young linebackers flat out aren’t getting it done should speak volumes… and I believe is the exact reason why we are trying to close on the most ridiculous LB class miami has landed in the modern era

I love it

Nah we bringing in the best talent year in and year out regardless.

 

[CT Cane 44]

We don't have to we run a 4-2-5...toure,smith,bonner,wiley,pruitt, Marcelin,busch,edwards,campbell- freshmen- randle,glover. Did/do you mean stars? Because number wise were good!!

I mean Henderson adds something different with his skill set than the guys you mentioned. It doesn’t matter we run 4-2-5. Campbell will be an edge in time. Bonner scares no one. The first two won’t be here next year. So yes you take all 3 if you can.

 

[CT Cane 44]

If your a 5 star LB and the top of your position group, you should start day one. I don’t think Henderson is that. Henderson has yet to prove he’s able to diagnose a play and actually play LB. Pay him all that money for him to learn the position and not start til year 2 at best? I’d pass. Randle and glover are way ahead of him in that department. Henderson seems like a higher ranked and more athletically gifted Jordan Campbell

I don’t care about stars.

 

[aelmiami]

Pairing him with other LBs and a good DL can make his development better. Too often we brought in some guy, forced him into a role he was ill equipped for way too soon and it never worked out.

No telling if he’d develop here, but it’s reasonable to see how the path is easier now than it was under past HCs.

Linebacker and oline probably the 2 toughest to project from high school imo

It’s hard because usually they are either a tackling machine and probably missing a trait or two, they’ve just always been a really good football player. Or they have insane measurables and you have to maximize them with the mental side.

I mean the best LB of the last 20 years, Keuchley, was like a two/three star and he was elite from the day he got to BC until concussions ended his career.

Just place enough talent around the freak athlete and let them come along at a good pace. Bringing in just Henderson and some lower rated guys would be a recipe for disaster.

 

[aelmiami]

Facts, that's how Saban maximized his guys. Put an elite DL in front of them and let them loose. Still so difficult to evaluate.

Linebacker is a cerebral position. People get lost in the physical traits but its about quick play recognition, read + spacial awareness, and decisiveness. High football IQ is needed to excel at the position and its hard to evaluate that at the high school level.

Which is why it’s crucial to get talent around a twitchy LB who maybe doesn’t have the mental aspect fully yet.

If our DL is eating up blocks it makes the read and react part easier. For too long we had suspect LB play when our DL wasn’t good. It’s not a mystery why the LB play we’ve had since the early 2000’s was last season. Obviously there’s more reasons than just that, but that’s a major reason for it.

 

[Dwinstitles]

Which is why it’s crucial to get talent around a twitchy LB who maybe doesn’t have the mental aspect fully yet.

If our DL is eating up blocks it makes the read and react part easier. For too long we had suspect LB play when our DL wasn’t good. It’s not a mystery why the LB play we’ve had since the early 2000’s was last season. Obviously there’s more reasons than just that, but that’s a major reason for it.

It is a mystery to me man

 

[lindend]

Did Kaden cancel his O$U visit this weekend? I thought I read that somewhere but can't find it now. 247 definitely shows the date as being open on his visit calendar.