BleedGopher
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per SI:
Where does a coach start when projecting? The simplest question, coaches said, is to ask a player’s birthdate. This may sound rudimentary, but it makes a huge difference. A player slated to graduate high school at 17 should be evaluated differently than one who will graduate closer to his 19th birthday. The younger prospect is much more likely to add size and strength. The older one may pop off a YouTube clip and excite recruitniks, but may also be closer to his physical ceiling.
(Also, if it seems like a lot of these players are originally quarterbacks or safeties, that is because high school coaches tend to put their best athletes in positions where they can have the greatest impact. Depending on the offense, that means quarterback or tailback. On defense, it usually means free safety for two reasons. The star’s speed will allow him to reach most plays, and he is less likely to get injured because he isn’t taking on blocks every play.)
Florida coach Will Muschamp likes another basic question. He’ll ask recruits’ parents: “Is he shaving?” A 16-year-old who shaves daily is probably close to his final adult size. Meanwhile, a 260-pound lineman without enough peach fuzz to justify a razor is likely headed past 300 pounds, and might grow a little taller, too.
http://www.si.com/college-football/2014/08/10/college-football-recruiting-projection-process
Go Gophers!!
Where does a coach start when projecting? The simplest question, coaches said, is to ask a player’s birthdate. This may sound rudimentary, but it makes a huge difference. A player slated to graduate high school at 17 should be evaluated differently than one who will graduate closer to his 19th birthday. The younger prospect is much more likely to add size and strength. The older one may pop off a YouTube clip and excite recruitniks, but may also be closer to his physical ceiling.
(Also, if it seems like a lot of these players are originally quarterbacks or safeties, that is because high school coaches tend to put their best athletes in positions where they can have the greatest impact. Depending on the offense, that means quarterback or tailback. On defense, it usually means free safety for two reasons. The star’s speed will allow him to reach most plays, and he is less likely to get injured because he isn’t taking on blocks every play.)
Florida coach Will Muschamp likes another basic question. He’ll ask recruits’ parents: “Is he shaving?” A 16-year-old who shaves daily is probably close to his final adult size. Meanwhile, a 260-pound lineman without enough peach fuzz to justify a razor is likely headed past 300 pounds, and might grow a little taller, too.
http://www.si.com/college-football/2014/08/10/college-football-recruiting-projection-process
Go Gophers!!