I love rewatching and rewinding games just to get a look at as many players as possible in any given play. I wanted to pass along some of the things I have noticed with certain guys on the team.
Jay Ward: Jay has improved in both his angles and overall discipline. He still shows a corner's ability in coverage, lacking some of the high level quick twitch characteristics and traits we see with guys at the position, but it is evident that he grades out really well in this regard for a safety. His tackling continues to improve, largely due to his improved angles and body positioning upon contact, but he still needs to max out his potential. He also has the slight frame thing working against him, although he does look like he addes some weight.
It is obvious Ward has a much better understanding of the position and has put in more film time than he did in the past. He is diagnosing much quicker and flies to the ball with confidence and anticipation more than reacting. Overall, he is much improved in both run support, open field tackling, zone replacement and is still one of the better coverage safeties in the nation.
Mekhi Wingo: I really like this kid's game. Wingo is going to have a long career because he can provide interior pressure and is disruptive in the running game by shedding blocks and shooting gaps. He utilizes his natural leverage advantage very well and shows explosive power, which he uses in unison to drive blockers back. His quick first step also plays a key role in his success and his explosiveness helps him disengage from blockers as well.
It does look like his high energy style of play can wear him down at times, but he does seem to respond well after getting a breather in rotation. But when you add his somewhat undersized frame to some of the fatigue due to exertion, his effectiveness wanes quite a bit. Nonetheless, the guy is a bonafide stud and one could only wish to have seen the 3-headed monster of Roy/Wingo/Smith play out this year.
Will Campbell: Boy, Will is going to be a stud. Of all the things that have stood out this year, the most impressive may be his ability to battle and regain position when beat. There were numerous times this year that he was rocking on his heels, being bent back and driven back a bit, only for him to reposition his hands, find the ability to rebalance and anchor and lockout the edge rusher. It is really impressive stuff. He has shown some exceptional backbend and hip flexion, which are the physical traits needed to pull this off. He has also shown that he is pretty light on his feet and has the natural strength to move the line of scrimmage when he fires off low and can get some leg drive.
Another year in the weight program will do wonders on his game. There's a lot of areas he could improve, but one that stands out to me is winning the initial hand war. He has shot his hands too early at times, been too wide at other moments and even lacked some of the impactful punch coaches desire to see. It's not that these are weakness per se, but they are definitely areas he could improve in.
Malik Nabers: LSU's wide receiver corps is in a strong position heading into next season and Malik Nabers is a big reason why. He has an ever improving overall game that could make him one of the best receivers in the country next season if he continues to progress. He has shown some new releases this year, utilizing his wiggle and solid short area quickness. He is adding variations of tempo into some of his routes showing confidence in his knowledge and skillset. Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase are exceptional at changing pace, which allows them to become vertical threats despite not being burners simply by lulling defenders to sleep at times. Nabers is developing some of those same attributes.
Nabers has also shown that his ability to high point the ball has translated from the high school to college level. He can make the acrobatic catches reserved for those with elite athleticism. I would like to see him improve on consistently creating sharp angles out of some breaks and becoming more sound in positioning when run blocking, but he is on his way to being a 10 year NFL vet.
What are some other guys you want me to break down or key in on over the next few contests?
Jay Ward: Jay has improved in both his angles and overall discipline. He still shows a corner's ability in coverage, lacking some of the high level quick twitch characteristics and traits we see with guys at the position, but it is evident that he grades out really well in this regard for a safety. His tackling continues to improve, largely due to his improved angles and body positioning upon contact, but he still needs to max out his potential. He also has the slight frame thing working against him, although he does look like he addes some weight.
It is obvious Ward has a much better understanding of the position and has put in more film time than he did in the past. He is diagnosing much quicker and flies to the ball with confidence and anticipation more than reacting. Overall, he is much improved in both run support, open field tackling, zone replacement and is still one of the better coverage safeties in the nation.
Mekhi Wingo: I really like this kid's game. Wingo is going to have a long career because he can provide interior pressure and is disruptive in the running game by shedding blocks and shooting gaps. He utilizes his natural leverage advantage very well and shows explosive power, which he uses in unison to drive blockers back. His quick first step also plays a key role in his success and his explosiveness helps him disengage from blockers as well.
It does look like his high energy style of play can wear him down at times, but he does seem to respond well after getting a breather in rotation. But when you add his somewhat undersized frame to some of the fatigue due to exertion, his effectiveness wanes quite a bit. Nonetheless, the guy is a bonafide stud and one could only wish to have seen the 3-headed monster of Roy/Wingo/Smith play out this year.
Will Campbell: Boy, Will is going to be a stud. Of all the things that have stood out this year, the most impressive may be his ability to battle and regain position when beat. There were numerous times this year that he was rocking on his heels, being bent back and driven back a bit, only for him to reposition his hands, find the ability to rebalance and anchor and lockout the edge rusher. It is really impressive stuff. He has shown some exceptional backbend and hip flexion, which are the physical traits needed to pull this off. He has also shown that he is pretty light on his feet and has the natural strength to move the line of scrimmage when he fires off low and can get some leg drive.
Another year in the weight program will do wonders on his game. There's a lot of areas he could improve, but one that stands out to me is winning the initial hand war. He has shot his hands too early at times, been too wide at other moments and even lacked some of the impactful punch coaches desire to see. It's not that these are weakness per se, but they are definitely areas he could improve in.
Malik Nabers: LSU's wide receiver corps is in a strong position heading into next season and Malik Nabers is a big reason why. He has an ever improving overall game that could make him one of the best receivers in the country next season if he continues to progress. He has shown some new releases this year, utilizing his wiggle and solid short area quickness. He is adding variations of tempo into some of his routes showing confidence in his knowledge and skillset. Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase are exceptional at changing pace, which allows them to become vertical threats despite not being burners simply by lulling defenders to sleep at times. Nabers is developing some of those same attributes.
Nabers has also shown that his ability to high point the ball has translated from the high school to college level. He can make the acrobatic catches reserved for those with elite athleticism. I would like to see him improve on consistently creating sharp angles out of some breaks and becoming more sound in positioning when run blocking, but he is on his way to being a 10 year NFL vet.
What are some other guys you want me to break down or key in on over the next few contests?
