'08 CA RB Milton Knox (UCLA Verbal)

[GoshenGipper]

Poly used to spit out athletes (albeit mostly in basketball), what the hell happened there?

They're still very good, they just haven't been as dominate the last few years although the did just send a 5 CB to UM, and DeSean Jackson to Cal. They play in the CIF Southern Section Semi-final this weekend. If they win they'll play the winner of Servite and Crespi.

 

[NDsuperfan09]

From what I've heard ND still has interest in Knox, and he would commit on the spot if offered but ND probably won't offer if they get two or more of the guys they currently have offered, which is very likely to happen at this point so it looks like he won't get an offer. He is a good player, but I don't think he's better than D. Scott.



I think you ment Crist and McDonald.

Yes I meant Crist, and McDonald but he is also very good friends with Clausen.

 

[notredomer23]

I say offer him. Solid 4 star player. plays against good competition. And he would be hungry because from what it sounds like he has always wanted to play at ND. But He Sounds like the same story as Compton and Kabongo. Would love an ND offer but wont get an offer

 

[notredomer23]

2.8 GPA. is that good enough for ND?

 

[GoshenGipper]

2.8 GPA. is that good enough for ND?

Yeah, it's only a B-. If he had decent test score I know that it wouldn't be a problem at all.

 

[Irishknight1023]

I don't see the reason in offering him. I watched him play against Crists team and while he did good that game he'll never break anything over 15 yards and I beleive Hughes and Jonas can do that already. He doesn't bring anything to the table that Jonas doesn't so I just would see it as just giving it to give it. I'd rather bring another 5th year back.

 

[notredomer23]

Yeah, it's only a B-. If he had decent test score I know that it wouldn't be a problem at all.

k thanks GG. I didnt know if his school went on the 4.0 scale(most do) or the 5.0(mine does)

 

[Irishknight1023]

ND23 it's time for you to change that Devils icon to a Rangers one. You're only one icon away from joining me

 

[GoIrish41]

I don't see the reason in offering him. I watched him play against Crists team and while he did good that game he'll never break anything over 15 yards and I beleive Hughes and Jonas can do that already. He doesn't bring anything to the table that Jonas doesn't so I just would see it as just giving it to give it. I'd rather bring another 5th year back.

agreed. I watched that game too. I did not walk away saying "wow, that kid is great."I'm not sure ND needs another RB, but offering Knox seems a little like just adding a body.

 

[SoCalDomer]

agreed. I watched that game too. I did not walk away saying "wow, that kid is great."I'm not sure ND needs another RB, but offering Knox seems a little like just adding a body.

I don't know whether he is a top back or not (i'm no talent scout), but I know we can always use good talent. who knows, he could work hard and develop into a better RB than a current one. Or, we could lose some RB's to injury and need him. Having talent throughout the starters and backups ensures that if one goes we don't miss a beat. Plus it drives the starters, otherwise they could lose their job.

Look what happened to Oregon and WV once their star QB got hurt.

 

[Z-Bo]

RBs generally have it or they don't. Most Irish fans could tell you how excited they were to get Darius Walker to commit four years ago. They knew that although he was a 3* player, he had uncanny field vision and would be much better at finding holes than Ryan Grant. It was just so evident on film. Yet, when you look at Knox, it's not at all obvious if this kid has any tools that make him a sure fire stud.

Based on high school film, no one is surprised that James Aldridge injured a player this year by lowering the shoulder and finishing a run. We saw it in high school. He flashed those killer instincts.

We know Jonas Gray has soft hands and he doesn't get taken down too easily. He should at worst be a useful third down back, possibly surprise us and do even more.

 

[NDsuperfan09]

RBs generally have it or they don't. Most Irish fans could tell you how excited they were to get Darius Walker to commit four years ago. They knew that although he was a 3* player, he had uncanny field vision and would be much better at finding holes than Ryan Grant. It was just so evident on film. Yet, when you look at Knox, it's not at all obvious if this kid has any tools that make him a sure fire stud.

Based on high school film, no one is surprised that James Aldridge injured a player this year by lowering the shoulder and finishing a run. We saw it in high school. He flashed those killer instincts.

We know Jonas Gray has soft hands and he doesn't get taken down too easily. He should at worst be a useful third down back, possibly surprise us and do even more.

Jonas Gray doesn't get taken down too easily? I watched him at the state finals a couple of weeks ago, and I had the privilege of sitting next to one of his best friends UM LB committ Kenny Demens uncle. He told me Jonas would be incredible if he didn't go down so easily. Marine City which is full of guys who may never play football again after HS tackled him with ease. He could be a great player, but IMO Knox is better than Gray. Knox also is playing against much better competition.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Jonas Gray doesn't get taken down too easily? I watched him at the state finals a couple of weeks ago, and I had the privilege of sitting next to one of his best friends UM LB committ Kenny Demens uncle. He told me Jonas would be incredible if he didn't go down so easily. Marine City which is full of guys who may never play football again after HS tackled him with ease. He could be a great player, but IMO Knox is better than Gray. Knox also is playing against much better competition.

He was also playing with a leg injury the last few games too.

 

[SoCalDomer]

Any word on whether Dorrell's firing has any affect on his commitment?

 

[ChicagoIrishfan]

Knox is visiting Gainsville soon to check out the gators(no offer), and I doubt they or we will offer him either. I just don't see us adding random bodies to our class.

 

[Z-Bo]

Jonas Gray doesn't get taken down too easily? I watched him at the state finals a couple of weeks ago, and I had the privilege of sitting next to one of his best friends UM LB committ Kenny Demens uncle. He told me Jonas would be incredible if he didn't go down so easily. Marine City which is full of guys who may never play football again after HS tackled him with ease. He could be a great player, but IMO Knox is better than Gray. Knox also is playing against much better competition.

On the film, he looks very elusive. He broke a lot of long runs where you'd think guys would get a hand on him, but they don't. As for his ability to break tackles, I'm not sure.

Robert Hughes and James Aldridge both tend to bounce off tacklers with strength and balance, whereas Jonas Gray seems to just slip by would-be tacklers without even getting touched. I see Gray as being extremely good at running screen passes, especially with his excellent hands. The highlight reels don't show it, but he has excellent hands and is a great receiver out of the backfield. I anticipate him contributing like a Kevin Faulk. I hope once Jonas moves up the depth chart that Charlie Weis will put in the shovel pass for Gray. I see that working really well.

Knox, on the other hand, seems to benefit a great deal from his offensive line. I don't see the same elusiveness as Gray once he gets to the second level. I also don't know what kind of receiver he is. I am guessing Gray will have a better college career than Knox.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Some Jr. year highlights.

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[Z-Bo]

Look at how the OL blows the other team's defensive line five yards off the ball and does a great job getting to the second level and picking up linebackers. Every single one of those plays the OL does a phenomenal job.

Still, this video shows me more than I've seen of him in the past. That cut he makes to dodge the tackler toward the very end of the video is impressive.

 

[SDIrishFan]

Anyone see the run against ND Sherman Oaks? The first guy he makes miss is none other than Anthony McDonald.

Watch at the -1:31 mark...

 

[Irish1587]

If Milton passes the test does ND offer him and if so would this be the end of Cyrus Gray chances with ND

 

[notredomer23]

he now has a florida offer per scout

 

[mikejND]

he's had a Florida offer for a bit now. I honestly think we will offer him before it's said and done, and he'll be another member of the 08 class.

 

[nthurman]

Do we really have room for another RB?

 

[jonesman]

In my opinion, I do not think we should take this guy. He is a good RB, but nothing special. We currently have 3 guys who will take majority of snaps the next 2-3 seasons. Jonas will be solid. I just feel that Milton will get buried in the depth chart and may end up wanting out. Most likely he will be sitting for 3 seasons.

 

[piyachi]

Well he has grown up as a ND fan so I'm not sure he would want out. That being said it makes no sense to offer him now. We may end up with both G. Robinson and D. Walker and maybe even K. Page. It's a great class but peoples eyes are larger than the scholarship stomach. We have 4 RB's already, most with a lot of eligibility left.

I doubt we offer him, and I hope he does well wherever he lands.

 

[SoCalDomer]

IMO, anyone (within reason obviously) who wants to be at ND is worth having.

1) Whatever his star rating or his HS tape shows now may have nothing to do with how he looks in the future. Tom Brady was a 40th (remember, i don't exagerate) round draft pick??; 2) for 2008, we will have 1-Jr, 2-So, 1-Fr running backs on scholarship. all four of them could go down with injury. Other schools we love to hate (USC) can manage with 8-10 rb's on scholarship. I would love it if we had that problem; 3) the system CW uses doesn't require the randy moss's or the calvin johnsons. stable guys like wes welker or david givens thrive even though they may not be the most gifted players. 4) as young as he is, i don't think what he's done under HS coaches is the limit of his ability or talent.

 

[quiksilver253]

Do we really have room for another RB?

more like do we want another one

 

[Denny]

I would take another rb in the mold of Armando Allen like Knox because we already have enough guys like Aldridge, Hughes, now Jonas Grey and we've watched Darius Walker for 3years before where for the most part the longest run will be 15 yds. If something ever happened to Allen we will have all the same type of rb's. In my opinion, we need to get more of the smaller speed type guys in here to give defenses another element to prepare for.

 

[Irish1587]

Agreed the ND coaches knew it we can handle him on scholarship we were still going after Cyrus Gray. I think he is plan B. I believe ND will take this kid in their class. Excellent point made above by Denny. We could use play makers anywhere.

 

[mikejND]

Socal Domer, I was thinking the same thing. USC has about 10 running backs, I honestly feel if we have an extra scholly he should get it. He's a good quality RB. Our depth is okay, but it's not great.

BTW... Good point denny, I'm sure the coaching staff sees it the same way.