'15 LA ATH Kirk Merritt (Oregon Verbal)

[BeauBenken]

Running Back/Wide Receiver
Destrehan, Louisiana
Destrehan

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 200
40: 4.5

247: (#6 APB, #140 Overall)
Rivals: (#19 WR, #161 Overall)
Scout: (#30 RB, #236 Overall)
ESPN: (#9 ATH, #149 Overall)
247 Composite: (#3 APB, #144 Overall)

Offers:
Notre Dame
Alabama
Arizona St
Arkansas
Auburn
Clemson
Florida
Florida St
Louisiana Tech
Louisiana Lafayette
LSU
Mississippi St
Missouri
Nebraska
Ole Miss
Oregon
Penn St
TCU
Tennessee
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Tulane
Washington St

Junior Highlights - Kirk Merritt highlights

 

[BeauBenken]

Currently in his top 5. Have been recruiting him hard. Loy heard we were #2 behind LSU just a month ago. Says he's not afraid to leave the state.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

How in the world didn't he have a thread

 

[GBdomer]

Kid is ridiculous and per his dad we are in his top 5

 

[Luckylucci]

Just share my two cents here. Many had previously thought that he was a slot prospect and he is good splitting out wide but I think he is at his best evaluated as an APB. When playing strictly outside lined up with CB's there just isn't enough consistency in running routes and getting open. Thats completely fine because there are very few APB's in the country that are better. Love this kid, top 5 offensive player for me.

 

[GBdomer]

1. Kirk
2. Meritt
3. ESB
4. Patrick
5. Kyler Murray but that ain't happening so Soso

 

[BeauBenken]

How in the world didn't he have a thread

I wondered the same thing. His master list link sent you to his 247 page so I had to change that.

Just share my two cents here. Many had previously thought that he was a slot prospect and he is good splitting out wide but I think he is at his best evaluated as an APB. When playing strictly outside lined up with CB's there just isn't enough consistency in running routes and getting open. Thats completely fine because there are very few APB's in the country that are better. Love this kid, top 5 offensive player for me.

I agree. He's an APB. He's perfect for it.

 

[GBdomer]

The top two seem to be A&M and LSU

 

[PANDFAN]

couple quick hits from his eval

couple quick hits from his eval

-Possesses excellent top end speed and shows a noticeable second gear in the open field. Is quick, elusive and explosive with great feet.
- He is raw as a wide receiver at this stage, shows flashes for great development. However, he appears more natural as a ball carrier and if devoted to running back fulltime could really develop into an explosive playmaker with outstanding receiving skills.
-capable of winning foot races on a consistent basis.
-excellent lateral quickness and change of direction movement. Can explode out of the pack with the burst and second gear that gets him to the end zone. Slashing, over-the-pads, inside running ability gets him through the hole with a burst to the second level. Shows outstanding cutback and bounce to the outside ability. He is very difficult to get a clean shot at -- is slippery
insider

#1 in vert at sparq 45.8
#1 in power throw 43.0
#1 overall sparq rating 138.84

 

[Luckylucci]

1. Kirk
2. Meritt
3. ESB
4. Patrick
5. Kyler Murray but that ain't happening so Soso

I love this game

Kirk
Merrit
Newsome
ESB
Barnett - sigh

 

[GBdomer]

I forgot about Newsome! I will still take Kirk and Merrit and that is saying something

 

[PANDFAN]

<script src="http://player.espn.com/player.js?pcode=1kNG061cgaoolOncv54OAO1ceO-I&width=576&height=324&externalId=espn:10877473"></script>

 

[irishff1014]

I think it is fair to say with that offer list he is a WANT!!!!

 

[GBdomer]

Sounds like A&M might be the leader

 

[Irishman77]

Kid plays pissed and blocks like a psycho! I love it!!!

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

His acceleration is unreal, he just passed KJ Hill as my favorite receiver.

1. Merritt
2. Hill
3. Newsome
4. ESB
5. Everyone else

 

[GBdomer]

Can you guys please explain to me why so much love for KJ Hill?

I have seen like 3 posters claim he's there favorite WR prospect

 

[Irishman77]

His acceleration is unreal, he just passed KJ Hill as my favorite receiver.

1. Merritt
2. Hill
3. Newsome
4. ESB
5. Everyone else

I stated as well...Hill tops my list. I see Merritt as a rb.
My wr top 5
1. Hill
2. Newsome
3.Boykin
4. ESB
5. AO

 

[GBdomer]

Just curious on why you guys like Hill so much? Not rippin you I am just curious

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Just curious on why you guys like Hill so much? Not rippin you I am just curious

Quite frankly, his tape impressed my more than anyone else until now, Merritt. I like to see guys catch the ball and explode north --> south. KJ Hill and Merritt do that. Their 0 --> 60 is better than most and they appear to have a second gear that allows them to turn slant passes into TDs. Other WRs can do that in high school but probably don't have the speed to do it at the next level, both of these young men have that ability. Couple that with some violent action in their highlights and that's all I have to see.

They will block when you ask, they can dominate with speed and have good hands, etc.

Hill is a top 5 receiver unless he has bad hands. Since I can't review game film I have to trust the highlights and he's a dominant force.

If you watch highlights of all the WRs, keep in mind the competition and watch the separation that occurs between them and the field.

Hill and Merritt don't take anytime to "get up to speed" it's like they start at 20 and hit 60 in no time. If you go back and watch Hill's highlights, make sure to watch the Junior highlights, way more impressive than his Sophomore highlights.

 

[GBdomer]

I will re watch his highlight tape, but I remember watching it for the first time and not seeing anything spectacular. You are the only one who seems ultra high on him. I will have to rewatch his tape.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I will re watch his highlight tape, but I remember watching it for the first time and not seeing anything spectacular. You are the only one who seems ultra high on him. I will have to rewatch his tape.

Saving you some searching, here's the Junior Highlights

 

[GBdomer]

Saving you some searching, here's the Junior Highlights

Pretty impressive. I don't know if I would put him in the top 5 WR wants though. I didn't see much of a catch radius with him. I also didn't see anything from him in the run game. I saw good speed I don't think it's great. He seems to catch everything though. I really like his lower body control and the way he can make certain players miss in the open field. I also am wondering his competition because I don't think its that great and that's why I think he dominates. I like this kid a lot, more then I did the first time around. But I wouldn't put him as my number 1 WR want. But I respect that you do, a lot to like about his game.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Pretty impressive. I don't know if I would put him in the top 5 WR wants though. I didn't see much of a catch radius with him. I also didn't see anything from him in the run game. I saw good speed I don't think it's great. He seems to catch everything though. I really like his lower body control and the way he can make certain players miss in the open field. I also am wondering his competition because I don't think its that great and that's why I think he dominates. I like this kid a lot, more then I did the first time around. But I wouldn't put him as my number 1 WR want. But I respect that you do, a lot to like about his game.

Let me say that Merritt's tape impressed me more but KJ Hill would've been an ideal slot to me. Merritt looks phenomenal and I really like ESB & Newsome, Ofodile's tape looks good and I like him but he doesn't appear to be a gamebreaker.(I could be wrong)

In regards to catch radius, I don't know what to say. He caught everything thrown his way, including one hand grabs. If you watch from the 7 min mark onward, you'll see him in the run game and return game. I don't blame you if you didn't watch the whole thing, it's a long highlight reel (a lot of duplicate plays from multiple angles)

In the end, I'm not trying to convert you but just point out why I view him as a dynamic player. If I could hand pick 3 WRs for this team, it'd be ESB, Merritt and KJ Hill (Newsome would be 4th).

 

[Irish#1]

That offer list looks more like a 5 star prospect.

 

[GBdomer]

“Auburn, Oregon, Texas Tech and Notre Dame are doing a good job too,” he said. “Oregon wants to use me like Josh Huff. I can be used as a receiver or running back --a lot like how De'Anthony Thomas was used. Basically, as an athlete, receiver, slash running back. Auburn and Texas Tech want to use me in the same kind of way too. Both schools obviously throw the ball a lot. Tech wants to use me in the slot and at running back too, with me catching passes out of the backfield.”

Says Auburn and A&M stick out

 

[Cackalacky]

Someone should let him know Aubrn runs the ball over 70% of the time.

 

[GBdomer]

Auburn likes him as APB. Most schools are recruiting him for that

 

[Cackalacky]

Auburn likes him as APB. Most schools are recruiting him for that

Yeah I get that. He said Auburn throws the ball a lot. They don't.

 

[bigedefense]

I think it is fair to say with that offer list he is a WANT!!!!

It looks like the mighty sec is high on him! 10 of the 14 are shown as offered.

Tenn, Vandy, Kentucky, & So Car doesn't show as offered