Three-point stance: Mizzous struggles, BC props
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This past weekend was a rare opportunity to make the three-hour drive from
Connecticut to North Jersey and see some amazing 2016 and 2017 talent with IMG
Academy making the trek up north. Later in the week, I'll talk about the 2017s,
but let's start with the seniors.
The nation's No. 1 player, Ole Miss quarterback commit Shea Patterson, lived up to the hype. But I was also very impressed with his
quarterback counterpart as Tennessee commit Jarrett Guarantano
has himself a very good game in a 59-47 loss. In fact, Guarantano outplayed
Patterson in the game head-to-head, although he was forced to be the focal point
of his team's offense, unlike Patterson, whose team has many more weapons.
Guarantano was very impressive and could be set for a bump in the rankings. Before Vols fans get ahead of themselves, Patterson backed up his No. 1 ranking and has done so all year so far.
Paramus Catholic lost to Gilman during the trip, but defensive tackle Rashan Gary looked very solid despite constant double teams and a scheme that ran
away from his side of the field.
Only running back Kareem Walker, an Ohio State commitment, and
defensive tackle Shavar Manuel, struggled out of the group I saw
overall. Walker had a key fumble that led to a score against a St. Joe's defense
that put nine in the box against DePaul Catholic and smothered him while Manuel
is physically gifted but hasn't earned a starting role on his own team and
should have dominated the smaller Bergen line.
It's not every weekend you get to see the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the country
in action. In fact, short of all-star camps and games, I think it's a first for
me. The others I saw? No. 14 Rahshaun Smith (impressive), No. 18
Isaac Nauta (Jason Witten clone), No. 30 LSU commit Saivion Smith (played as expected) and wide receiver Drake Davis (freak
athlete who still has no idea what he's doing but can dominate). Heckuva group
for sure.
3. Props to Boston College
While it doesn't get much national attention, the Boston College
defense deserves some props and defensive coordinator Don Brown should
be recognized as one of the best in the country.
Yes. BC's defensive stats were padded with wins over Maine and Howard but,
against Florida State, the Eagles gave up only one good drive and one
touchdown Friday night. The defense is ranked as the No. 1 unit in the nation
through three games and will keep them in contests despite the loss of
quarterback Darius Wade and a predictable offense.
This might be seen as blasphemy, but BC's front seven could be mentioned in the
same breath as any other front seven in the country, including teams like
others. If you're a wide receiver, you're certainly not looking much at the
run-heavy offense, but if you're a defensive player, then BC is a place to
consider as long as Brown is in charge. And it's not like he's doing this with a
ton of four-stars either.
BC's biggest fear has to be that Brown, who was an excellent head coach at UMass, gets hired away by a low- to mid-level Power Five program or a MAC school.
Mike Farrell
National Recruiting Director
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