'14 KS OL Braden Smith (Auburn Signee)

[Domina Nostra]

No kidding? Hmm. Have to wonder what's going on here... OL with Mama off the board or DL?

Hope it has nothing to do with any of our commits!

 

[NDBoiler]

Hope it has nothing to do with any of our commits!

 

[Cpnd1]

That was my first thought.

TAMU and TCU will also get officials. Bama, Auburn and Georgia all in the running for OVs as well. No timeline for a decision and dad says he could end up at any of the six.

Are we in the for sure group with TAMU and TCU, or the in the running group with BAMA, UGA, and Auburn?

 

[ab2cmiller]

Hope it has nothing to do with any of our commits!

I'm most concerned about Nelson and PSU.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I aint mad about this.

 

[Luckylucci]

No kidding? Hmm. Have to wonder what's going on here... OL with Mama off the board or DL?

I think Braden could be a good DLineman if he wanted to.

 

[irishff1014]

Him and Mama are the only other O-lineman we would take right?

 

[Cpnd1]

Him and Mama are the only other O-lineman we would take right?

I think McDermott too if he opens up

 

[Emcee77]

Are we in the for sure group with TAMU and TCU, or the in the running group with BAMA, UGA, and Auburn?

OV to TCU (presumed leader) scheduled for December. OVs to TAMU and ND are currently in the process of being scheduled for January.

Bama, Georgia and Auburn are all in contact, but no visit has been scheduled, and Braden may not OV to any of them.

 

[Emcee77]

I think Braden could be a good DLineman if he wanted to.

Oh yeah. He's built almost like Stephon Tuitt.

For some reason I tend to think he will play OL but I would not be shocked if he ended up on D.

 

[STLDomer]

I think McDermott too if he opens up

McDermott just signed his financial agreement with Miami today.

 

[koonja]

He's 6'6", 285 and moves really, really well.

IDK how that's not a perfect DE in a 3-4.

Can someone explain to me?

 

[IrishLax]

He's 6'6", 285 and moves really, really well.

IDK how that's not a perfect DE in a 3-4.

Can someone explain to me?

It is. I've often thought he has better upside at DT (or 3-4 DE) than OL, which is why I just brought it up. He's strong as an ox, big, and athletic... but has reportedly short arms which would really limit him to playing guard over tackle. Alternatively, he could be a disruptive force all over the DL.

 

[koonja]

It is. I've often thought he has better upside at DT (or 3-4 DE) than OL, which is why I just brought it up. He's strong as an ox, big, and athletic... but has reportedly short arms which would really limit him to playing guard over tackle. Alternatively, he could be a disruptive force all over the DL.

If I remember the tape accurately (it was months ago that I watched), he looks athletic (daresay fast?) for his size too.

 

[Emcee77]

Yep, no question that he could be a stud DL for us.

It's been so long since there's been any buzz around his recruitment that I can't remember now, but didn't the staff tell him that they preferred him on offense? I know I recall talk of him being able to play both, and I think I recall the staff having a preference, but might be mixed up with Mama.

 

[Irishman77]

Big skill ala Troy Niklas

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Does anyone have an idea if ND is jumping back in late or if he's just been staying away from recruiting altogether? Judging from the fact his first OV will be in December I'm hoping no news has meant no news as opposed to ND sitting out while he stayed in close contact with TCU and/or A&M and continued to build those relationships.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Does anyone have an idea if ND is jumping back in late or if he's just been staying away from recruiting altogether? Judging from the fact his first OV will be in December I'm hoping no news has meant no news as opposed to ND sitting out while he stayed in close contact with TCU and/or A&M and continued to build those relationships.

Indeed he has kept very quiet and is just now scheduling his official visits.

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

He looks like a slim 285 pounds if that is possible .

 

[Emcee77]

Does anyone have an idea if ND is jumping back in late or if he's just been staying away from recruiting altogether? Judging from the fact his first OV will be in December I'm hoping no news has meant no news as opposed to ND sitting out while he stayed in close contact with TCU and/or A&M and continued to build those relationships.

It was reported over the summer that his interest in ND was waning and he was leaning more toward Sun Belt schools. Apparently reports of our demise were premature. Haven't heard any specifics but I'd guess the staff deserves a lot of credit for securing an OV.

 

[connor_in]

It is. I've often thought he has better upside at DT (or 3-4 DE) than OL, which is why I just brought it up. He's strong as an ox, big, and athletic... but has reportedly short arms which would really limit him to playing guard over tackle. Alternatively, he could be a disruptive force all over the DL.

 

[Emcee77]

It was reported over the summer that his interest in ND was waning and he was leaning more toward Sun Belt schools. Apparently reports of our demise were premature. Haven't heard any specifics but I'd guess the staff deserves a lot of credit for securing an OV.

To add to this -- Wiltfong just posted that, although we are in the top 3, he still thinks Braden will end up somewhere in the South, probably either TCU or TAMU.

 

[connor_in]

McDermott just signed his financial agreement with Miami today.

Holy crap!

They get off with a slap on the wrist and now they are paying guys OVER the table?!?!?!?!?!

 

[ThePiombino]

Holy crap!

They get off with a slap on the wrist and now they are paying guys OVER the table?!?!?!?!?!

It's just easier this way. Now they can write the expenses off without getting "creative" with the books.

 

[Wild Bill]

It is. I've often thought he has better upside at DT (or 3-4 DE) than OL, which is why I just brought it up. He's strong as an ox, big, and athletic... but has reportedly short arms which would really limit him to playing guard over tackle. Alternatively, he could be a disruptive force all over the DL.

Tough to excel at any position on the d-line with short arms.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Tough to excel at any position on the d-line with short arms.

Maybe he could learn a thing or two from Bobby Brady

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tYs7qBsht_M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[IrishLax]

Tough to excel at any position on the d-line with short arms.

Wouldn't you say short arms are even more of a detriment on the OL though? There have been plenty of rush DEs with short arms that have been great... not sure about interior DL, but I would guess it'd be even less of a detriment there.

 

[dwshade]

I see a different player than some. I see OG all the way. A bit robotic and stiff, I just don't see DL and I don't know any school recruiting him for DL. I remember he went to Bama's camp last summer and afterwards their interest dropped off. Given the number of spots we have remaining he'd be way down my list.

 

[fitz_bu47]

My brother is on staff at his high school. Very serious, good kid, that hasn't done much w/ recruiting b/c has been focusing on high school season. Legitimate freak. Has been finally starting to put on some more weight this year, the first time I saw him-his soph. year, he looked like somebody built him on a video game. Huge broad shoulders, big arms and legs, tiny waist.

He played tackle on offense for South, and nose on D. Teams pretty much had to double/triple him and run away from him, and he pretty routinely destroys whoever he is blocking. Pretty good competition, biggest class in Kansas, lots of D-2 kids, and quite a few D-1 from area.

From everything my brother has heard, he thinks he will end up at TCU w/ his sister, but he always said he thought A&M and ND had a shot too....Braden just doesn't talk about it much. Definitely the type of kid I would love to land, whether it ended up being ol or dl, but 3-4 D-End just looks obvious as a fit to me. Great motor, relentless which is nice for a big ugly obviously.

The latest rumor about him that my brother shared, (I can't believe that this is true, but the students are saying it) supposedly Bama wanted him to play Right tackle, and he said no thanks, I am a left tackle....That response doesn't really fit the personality things I hear about him but, who knows.

I will try and let you guys know if I hear anything else.

 

[GBdomer]

I think him and Montelus would make some nasty road graders