Lectro Brother , Mike Olson is all over the field. You see #41 flying in on almost every play he is involved in. Hes got the talent just flown under the radar. He will turn many heads this year.
Indeed, and put brother Jackson on the outside where he won't get swallowed up...not enough ass for an inside backer but a perfect OLB makeup. Got to have him run through the ball and be in on every play like Olson. I think Justin's move to his natural position added to his being immersed in the schemes the last 3 years will lead us to see a guy who is 'playing' instead of thinking. -- My optimism springs from having watched the light 'go on' for so many rising Juniors these last 12 years. If a guy comes in and works the program and is able to stay with it then he typically shows up in year 4 as a redshirt JR. -- This is extremely important, in my view, with regards to the type of 2 star athletes the coaches bring in. Some staffs would prefer the most sound player as a 2 star...hoping to bring him in and he'll improve athletcally...this staff at Wake likes to take flyers on pure athletes...the kid may play multiple sports or has come to football late (OT Will Smith for example) and the staff thinks "if we can work together with this guy and he is hungry then by year 3-4 he should show up..."
A guy like Jyles Tucker was a 2 star football player...but he was a 4-5 star athlete. He stayed in the program. 2 star WR (38" vert) Kevin Smith had as much upside and even more hops than Tucker but he was unable to stay in the program and get his 'doctorate' in football.
Eric Berry was a 2 star from Nansemond River and averaged a whopping 22 tackles a game in top level Tidewater Football. The guy was built and could toss guys aside and stone people at 6'2-255... I thought he was a better football player than either 2 star Arnoux or 2 star Curry. But alas, Eric was unable to stay in the program.
So, when you see a guy who used to be 210 pounds on a 6'4 frame...a guy who averaged 20 points and 10 boards in Atlanta and who also had nearly 20 sacks as a SR DE... a kid who was also wanted by another school that takes high caliber raw ath's (Louisville)...a kid with strong character and active parents...well, when you see that 6'4 kid coming on as a 275 pound RS JR. then you are looking at Kris Redding. He has stayed in the program and 'now' is the time when the 3rd and 4th years emerge. Neither Tucker nor Smith did squat prior to the RS JR year...
Now then, I'm not saying "all of these guys are destined to emerge" or "they are all going to be superstars", but pick up your heads and look at this list:
Steven Chase** -- Grayshirt/former 235 lb TE/athletic kid now 315 and 6'7
Frank Souza -- touted OL wanted to be DL/ 300-310 RG /25 offers and Bama 'if play OL'
Duran Lowe -- TB -OLB, coach stated 'best ath I've seen in 13 yrs of Fla. coaching
Devin Bolling -- 265 pound ath new to game -- Virginia Tech offered as an ath -- now 305 pounds/6'5 T
Daniel Vogelsang** -- ex TE/Grayshirt/225 pound hard nose/UK & Cincy wanted as H-Back/ 275 pound DL
Justin Jackson -- Touted / NCSU, Clemson, UNC
Michael Campanaro -- Touted / Under Armour AA
Daniel Mack -- Touted / 25 offers
Quan Rucker -- Touted / Clemson, UNC, State, etc.,
Kris Redding -- see above
Mike Olson -- 2 star 185 lb LB/ William & Mary/ Today: 240 plus lbs/4.65 40/37"vert
Josh Harris -- 2 star from lone star/ dynamic speed/ high ceiling ath looks to put "nagging" behind.
Nikita Whitlock -- 5A Texas POY on D/ incredible conf. hotbed- pro's Stafford,Ware,etc., -- only WF offer.
Tommy Bohannon * -- powerlifting champ/nimble footed and soft handed/ Nebraska finished 2nd
Whit Barnes -- Decorated NC footballer/Shrine/ looks to fulfill "depth-utility" role of Chance Raines. 6'3-290
I 'see' us eventually pointing back to this class as having started 'another ACC Championship and Bowl run' that will exceed what was accomplished by the previous era.
