Tatum-Huge upside

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Ole

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Reading up on some of the defensive guys, I'm incredibly intrigued by Willie Tatum.
Wrestler at 6'3'' 205, which means he's lean, aka once he focuses on football he should gain size quickly.Also his wrestler background means he's physical and is probably a good tackler/blocker shedder, he's going to have some knowledge on how to maneuver and use leverage. 4.5 high 40, that's moving for a taller guy, he seemed to play safety in the tapes I saw, shows athletic ability.
Here's the kicker, 82 inch wingspan, that's 6'10''.
Redshirt this kid and have him hit the weights hard, learn pass rushing and D linemen technique, which he should already have some natural gifts in from wrestling, and which Coach Cross has already proven he can teach(DL Wilhite, a HS runningback), this kid has loads of potential.
 

I agree Ole, you gotta love the hard-nosed wrestling kids. I'm hopeful as well that this kid will end up being one of the standouts of this class.
 

If I was a football coach, I'd offer the top heavy weight wrestlers in the state just about every year almost without exception, even if they don't play football or it isn't their best area. They pan out into quality players at an extremely high rate. I'm an ASU fan and they've had tremendous luck with wrestlers, and I would have to imagine that in a state like Minnesota where wrestling is so much stronger, it'd be an even bigger pool to draw from.
 

I watched Tatum on TV earlier this year and he was excellent. Very lean, but very athletic. I hope they keep him at LB and he plays at 230lbs.
 

Gotta get back to talking about our commitments. I love any Defensive player with upside. Let him redshirt and then back up and play special teams for a year or two and then it is your time to shine.
 


Wrestling not only gets you in top physical shape, but it teaches you how to focus your body weight. That would be very useful for an OL.
 

It also teaches you an appreciation for the male form and close quarters grappling.
 

Tatum seems to be the consensus sleeper of this class.
 

I like Epping as well. Was kinda hoping for him to play DT, but sounds like Brew wants him for Center. So in that case, I like Bouie. I always thought his film looked amazing.
 



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