Question about Lashley

[Natedogg33]

While everyone is getting over their meltdown, I have a question about Lashley. I understand he was ranked as a 4 star that lived 15 minutes away from campus, and he is apparently related to one of our greatest players of all time. Should've been an easy pick up. He certainly has the measureables to be regarded as a high end guy.
My question is this. Did any of y'all see him play? If so, were you highly impressed? Or was he worth his rating? I ask this because, early on, my understanding was there was very little to no game tape on him. Something about he was growing in to his body. He basically got his rating from camp showings, size and future potential. I personally have to take a breather on him, because I can't see a guy that highly regarded having not started 2 or 3 years in high school. Find it odd. And I could be completely off base, and if so thank you for informing me otherwise.
He may be great, and my questions aren't meant to be a knock on him. Just wanted some first hand opinion on the reasoning for our freak out.

[MSUDeltadawg1971]

First he is not kin to Johnnie. Second, he was going to have to redshirt just like he will at Bama. Only difference he would have played three years here and he won't at Bama. He has 2-3 5 stars ahead of him. He would have been our answer to the missing left tackle but he would not have come in as an immediate impact such as Simmons. He burnt a major bridge, I hope he makes it at Bama.

[missouridawg]

There isn't one player that signs with Alabama that we shouldn't want. Maybe a QB on occasion, but no one else.

[TUSK]

First he is not kin to Johnnie. Second, he was going to have to redshirt just like he will at Bama. Only difference he would have played three years here and he won't at Bama. He has 2-3 5 stars ahead of him. He would have been our answer to the missing left tackle but he would not have come in as an immediate impact such as Simmons. He burnt a major bridge, I hope he makes it at Bama.

'71, this is something that I've asked several times before, so perhaps you can give me an answer re: Bama's LT Depth....

who do you have at LT for Bammer beyond Cam (who will be gone after this year)?

edit: actually, the whole OL, if you've the time & don't mind...

[Coach34]

Most people think he is a future NFL OT-enough said

[Natedogg33]

Delta, I know you've stated he and johnnie aren't related. I kind of posed that as the way everyone has understood it. Wether it was false or not. And he may very well have been our left tackle in 3 years.
Missouri, I think Saban took this year to take a small shot over the bow of the Mississippi teams. All three guys he took have issues, in my non expert opinion. He can afford to steal projects from us, because he doesn't miss on many. Grey shirt or red shirt em, damage them and put them on medical.

[TUSK]

Most people think he is a future NFL OT-enough said

that's kinda what I was thinkin', Coach... he may be a bit "raw", but that size & speed can't be coached, IMO...

I think he's expected to be more than just a "flier"...

[Natedogg33]

If that's the case coach, we will have truly dropped the ball. But I've been around guys that made it that you'd have never expected and seen others not do jack that you thought would. It's an imperfect science, especially on the line.

[msstate7]

that's kinda what I was thinkin', Coach... he may be a bit "raw", but that size & speed can't be coached, IMO...

I think he's expected to be more than just a "flier"...

Make no mistake though, he is a project. You guys recruit at such a high level that lashley better not take too long to start projecting or he'll be processed in favor of a more finished player

[defiantdog]

that's kinda what I was thinkin', Coach... he may be a bit "raw", but that size & speed can't be coached, IMO...

I think he's expected to be more than just a "flier"...

I doubt Bama will be patient with him though. The dude needs some work

[Natedogg33]

I hate we missed on Lashley, I just wanted a little first hand knowledge.

[TUSK]

Make no mistake though, he is a project. You guys recruit at such a high level that lashley better not take too long to start projecting or he'll be processed in favor of a more finished player

Oh, I agree completely, but there are so many variables... My point is that those who are saying that Lashley will definitely "ride the pine" for years behind a pile of "5 stars" when they likely don't know the depth situation at all of Bammer's OL positions...

[MSUDeltadawg1971]

'71, this is something that I've asked several times before, so perhaps you can give me an answer re: Bama's LT Depth....

who do you have at LT for Bammer beyond Cam (who will be gone after this year)?

edit: actually, the whole OL, if you've the time & don't mind...

I believe your starting left tackle is a sophomore, Lester cotton is a freshman, just early enrolled a juco all American and a 5 star high school kid. Not counting what you have that will come off redshirted this year.

I just think with him being a project Bama may not have patience with him to develop. I hope I'm wrong.

[PSYCHO(thesis)DEFENSE]

All I know is Lashley has to beat out two 5* tackles & a 4* guard who enrolled early & have a full spring on him, as well as a 4* guard who signed today, all of whom were rated higher than him. IDK what else bama has but getting on the field ahead of that is a tall task in itself, w/o even considering the 5*s coming next year. That's enough for me to believe that Lashley will never be more than high quality depth at bama. Great for saban, great for bama, great for the wal mart fans who will never know his name.. bad for the kid, bad for the prospect.

[TUSK]

I believe your starting left tackle is a sophomore, Lester cotton is a freshman, just early enrolled a juco all American and a 5 star high school kid. Not counting what you have that will come off redshirted this year.

I just think with him being a project Bama may not have patience with him to develop. I hope I'm wrong.

LT Cam Robinson will go pro.... his backup Kirven will graduate....
Cotton (SO) will play OG unless the sky falls on us... he is a swing lineman...
The new JUCO kid (Baldwin) is a RT next year (unless he sucks... if he does, we're screwed)...
The 5* kid from Cali is an early '16 entry and "projects" well, but is still unproven and needs more size, IMO...

[MSUDeltadawg1971]

As I said, hope it works for him, if not, oh well

[TUSK]

All I know is Lashley has to beat out two 5* tackles & a 4* guard who enrolled early & have a full spring on him, as well as a 4* guard who signed today, all of whom were rated higher than him. IDK what else bama has but getting on the field ahead of that is a tall task in itself, w/o even considering the 5*s coming next year. That's enough for me to believe that Lashley will never be more than high quality depth at bama. Great for saban, great for bama, great for the wal mart fans who will never know his name.. bad for the kid, bad for the prospect.

You may be right buddy... but I'm willing to give the kid the benefit of the doubt...

[shoeless joe]

Scott is a good kid but he handled his recruitment poorly. He was ranked based on size and athleticism...not production. He has never played a full season of football. I hoped he would go to state and we'd watch him develop but he made his choice.

I will also say that folks who think West Point is a miss state stronghold are badly mistaken. It's almost as bad as bammer central...aka, lowndes county.

[banded]

He and Knott will end up at JSU with TV in my opinion

[bulldawg28]

Raw is an understatement. He's a big guy that's just learning to use it. He's average on run blocking unless the guy is stupid enough to attempt a bullrush and extremely raw on pass blocking. His ratings are a generic eye test of height to weight versus high school kids. The fact that he was rated a 4* is absurd with no technique or football experience. He has no football IQ and everything he's learning. He has pure potential.. Only. He could be great once he figures everything out or bust 101 due that he has a short time to learn.