'11 PA RB Jameel Poteat (Cincy Verbal)

[Irish.Ca]

I don't know why, but I'm always shocked when a kid chooses to play at Pitt. Maybe its just the sound of it, its as fun to say as Delaware. Has anyone actually been to Delaware to prove that it exists? I'm been to Pitt and the waterfront is a nice walk. You can see the Steelers or Sid the kid play. Their ballpark looks nice from the outside (the season had ended when I was there). Its not where I'd want to be as a teenager for sure. Has anyone ever bragged about a Pitt education?(I am ignorant on this point)

 

[BGIF]

Per Bill Hodge's On The Trail

7/28

Four-star tailback Jameel Poteat of Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, Pa.) has announced his Class of 2011 choice for the Big East Panthers.
Considered No. 18 among running backs nationally by ESPNU, his finalists were Pittsburgh, Iowa, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Connecticut and the USC Trojans.
Among his other offers were Notre Dame, Florida, Temple, Tennessee, Illinois and Minnesota.
As a junior, Poteat (5-foot-10, 195-pounds) carried 269 times for 1,664 yards (6.2 average) and 24 touchdowns while also catching 25 passes for 252 yards (10.1 average) and four more scores.
Pittsburgh now has 11 commitments

 

[JDAtlanta]

You have to admit

You have to admit

They are putting together a pretty good string of tailbacks.

 

[Irish.Ca]

Are they keeping up their OT recruitment which will allow it to continue?

Including this year and last, they have

4 - 3* OL

1 - 2* OL

None are better than 5.5 per Rivals

 

[BGIF]

... his finalists were Pittsburgh, Iowa, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Connecticut and the USC Trojans. Among his other offers were Notre Dame, Florida, Temple, Tennessee, Illinois and Minnesota.

Pitt is no suprise, they've been the favorite I believe since he started. I do find the the Finalists a curious collection and especially that neither ND, UF, or UTN made that cut.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I don't know how this recruiting business works, but if coaches assess their rosters and situations as slots fill up, and then retract certain offers, i would not be surprised if someplace like Florida did this with this particular back. i also wouldn't be stunned to find that ND cooled in this particular case. Our current roster indicates that even when Allen and Hughes graduate at the end of this year, our remaining RBs [Wood, Gray, Roberson, and even the "shiftable" Riddick] could be classed as loaded with talent. Wood is eligibility-wise a freshman. Roberson might be a red-shirt: "next year's RB". The coaches could be in a position of waiting for someone they feel is superb [Huggins?] or being satisfied this time with no one--not utterly unlike the QB situation. ------------- and on another point mentioned above [not by BGIF as he is 5* smart], Pitt has VERY good academic programs in its arsenal, particularly in medicine and health--that's one area that we can't use against them. But we are more attractive in a lot of others so OK.

 

[PANDFAN]

according to espn...he has decommited from PITT

i am only about 45mins away from this kid's school...he can play!!!

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Any interest in us still?

 

[jonesman]

If I am Kelly, I would be jumping all over this kid. We are definitely NOT feeling the love from Savon and we need an additional RB in this class.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Would love to see us go after this kid. I think we need another RB whether it is Savon, Amir or someone like this one.

 

[PANDFAN]

Any interest in us still?

not sure but i do know we were in top 5 i believe

 

[IrishLax]

Would love to see us go after this kid. I think we need another RB whether it is Savon, Amir or someone like this one.

Disagree. We have Gray, Wood and Roberson next year. Roberson was projected right around as good as this kid. Plus, we added Cam McDaniel. I see no immediate need at running back at all unless it is for an elite recruit like Huggins or a versatile speedster like Carlisle.

 

[Irish Man3]

not sure but i do know we were in top 5 i believe

I don't remember making his top 5. According to ESPN his current top 5 include:

Rutgers
Iowa
Cinci
Connecticut
USC

I would love for him to choose Rutgers and push Savon Huggins to us.

Side note: Pittsburgh recruiting is quickly catching up with Miami. In the last two weeks or so they have lost:

RB Jameel Poteat
QB Don Bosco
ATH Bill Belton
DE Desimon Green
OLB Ben Kline

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Disagree. We have Gray, Wood and Roberson next year. Roberson was projected right around as good as this kid. Plus, we added Cam McDaniel. I see no immediate need at running back at all unless it is for an elite recruit like Huggins or a versatile speedster like Carlisle.

I disagree with you. Gray is a senior. So if we don't land any RB this class all we will have in 2012 is Wood, Roberson, McDaniel and whatever freshman we could sign in 2012. That isn't much depth and I would go after Poteat if he is interested.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Not sure if his offer is still even actionable. He was not interested in the spread offense.

 

[IrishLax]

I disagree with you. Gray is a senior. So if we don't land any RB this class all we will have in 2012 is Wood, Roberson, McDaniel and whatever freshman we could sign in 2012. That isn't much depth and I would go after Poteat if he is interested.

So you're projecting two years down the road and 3 players + at least one Frosh, potentially more... and that wouldn't be enough depth?

I just don't see the need to go after a "meh" RB when spots are potentially at a premium right now. If the Scarletts, Ishaqs and Carlisles of the world were all off the board... well then I'd feel a bit differently. Half the problem with USC right now is they have a bajillion 4* and 5* RBs/WRs on scholarship and not enough talent in the trenches where you really need the depth because it's so hard to project who will develop into a good lineman at the next level.

 

[phillyirish]

I just don't see the need to go after a "meh" RB when spots are potentially at a premium right now. level.

As it looks right now, Notre Dame would be lucky to get 3 more commits. I say take what you can get, and who would turn down any four star?

 

[IrishLax]

As it looks right now, Notre Dame would be lucky to get 3 more commits. I say take what you can get, and who would turn down any four star?

I would in favor of 3* players in positions of need 10 out of 10 times. We all saw how awesome taking tons of 4*/5* worked out for Charlie while ignoring depth in the trenches. And that's the same problem plaguing USC right now. They have four 4*/5* RBs, a bajillion 4*/5* WRs and two 5* QBs... yet they suck because they don't have depth in the trenches or in secondary on defense.

And I bet my left nut ND ends up with 3 more commitments before the year closes.

 

[Irishcop]

I would in favor of 3* players in positions of need 10 out of 10 times. We all saw how awesome taking tons of 4*/5* worked out for Charlie while ignoring depth in the trenches. And that's the same problem plaguing USC right now. They have four 4*/5* RBs, a bajillion 4*/5* WRs and two 5* QBs... yet they suck because they don't have depth in the trenches or in secondary on defense.

And I bet my left nut ND ends up with 3 more commitments before the year closes.

Well said I totally agree.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I would in favor of 3* players in positions of need 10 out of 10 times. We all saw how awesome taking tons of 4*/5* worked out for Charlie while ignoring depth in the trenches. And that's the same problem plaguing USC right now. They have four 4*/5* RBs, a bajillion 4*/5* WRs and two 5* QBs... yet they suck because they don't have depth in the trenches or in secondary on defense.

And I bet my left nut ND ends up with 3 more commitments before the year closes.

Ok so when Gray and Wood go down with an injury, which could happen considering Allen and Gray were both injured the same time this year, we have Roberson and Cam as our RB's. That gets me excited...Personally I'd take Poteat talents over Cam.

 

[phillyirish]

I would in favor of 3* players in positions of need 10 out of 10 times. We all saw how awesome taking tons of 4*/5* worked out for Charlie while ignoring depth in the trenches. And that's the same problem plaguing USC right now. They have four 4*/5* RBs, a bajillion 4*/5* WRs and two 5* QBs... yet they suck because they don't have depth in the trenches or in secondary on defense.

And I bet my left nut ND ends up with 3 more commitments before the year closes.

I'm not saying take this RB over a position of need like a offensive/defensive linemen. I'm saying take him over nothing, people shouldn't be taking uncommitted recruits for granted saying "I don't mind this guy only if another guys decides to go somewhere else". I just get annoyed with people predicting Notre Dame will get 5 more commits, I mean what are we targeting like 8 guys left on our board? Pulling 5 of those 8 guys in would be ridiculous and ignorant to believe in. All this is a "moo" point anyway cause Jameel Poteat probably has like 0 interest in ND.

 

[IrishLax]

Ok so when Gray and Wood go down with an injury, which could happen considering Allen and Gray were both injured the same time this year, we have Roberson and Cam as our RB's. That gets me excited...Personally I'd take Poteat talents over Cam.

Is that any different from any other position? What if two DEs get hurt? Or two DTs? or two CBs? Those positions are much thinner. If Gray and Wood both got hurt, we'd have a 4* and a solid 3*.

Serious question, can you name one position besides LB and QB where we are deeper than RB? This doomsday scenario is fun in theory to say "we need more RBs!" but in all reality it no worse (and in many cases better) than other positions we have.

 

[InKellyITrust]

I saw poteat play earlier this season and he didn't look that impressive. Maybe they were stacking the box, but I highly doubt that he's a top 10 rb in the nation.

I wouldn't be surprised if he is rated so high since he went to the same high school as Ricky Watters and Lesean McCoy.

I'd much rather Kelly go after offensive and defensive line recruits instead.

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

I like Huggins better !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[OCIrish]

Is that any different from any other position? What if two DEs get hurt? Or two DTs? or two CBs? Those positions are much thinner. If Gray and Wood both got hurt, we'd have a 4* and a solid 3*.

Serious question, can you name one position besides LB and QB where we are deeper than RB? This doomsday scenario is fun in theory to say "we need more RBs!" but in all reality it no worse (and in many cases better) than other positions we have.

Don't forget TE and WR.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Is that any different from any other position? What if two DEs get hurt? Or two DTs? or two CBs? Those positions are much thinner. If Gray and Wood both got hurt, we'd have a 4* and a solid 3*.

Serious question, can you name one position besides LB and QB where we are deeper than RB? This doomsday scenario is fun in theory to say "we need more RBs!" but in all reality it no worse (and in many cases better) than other positions we have.

I agree with OCirish we are also pretty deep at WR. If Rudolph and Ragone stay at TE we are very deep there. We also go at least two deep on every position on the Oline. Even with the loss of Ian Williams we are deep at DT: Cwyner, Stockton, Newman, Nix.

I do think you are correct in that we are thin at DB and DE though. So in conclusion it is different from most other positions.

 

[IrishLax]

I agree with OCirish we are also pretty deep at WR. If Rudolph and Ragone stay at TE we are very deep there. We also go at least two deep on every position on the Oline. Even with the loss of Ian Williams we are deep at DT: Cwyner, Stockton, Newman, Nix.

I do think you are correct in that we are thin at DB and DE though. So in conclusion it is different from most other positions.

I bolded the one part because we're not talking 2 deep. We're talking 3/4 deep per your scenario. Being 2 deep would mean if two LTs went down we would have no one behind them... that is considerably worse than RB. And before you say we could plug that gap with another lineman, if you're assuming straight probability of injury per snap played the OL position has 5 times the chances of the RB of getting hurt... so the doomsday scenario is like 10 OLs getting knocked out.

I think we're kinda beating a dead horse now, but the point stands that besides WR, TE, LB and QB there is no situation better than RB. People say we're "deep" at WR but we saw this year how that is fairly untrue and it has the same problem as the OL where you're talking about multiple players on the field not just one.

Lastly, DT has a 4* (Louis Nix) a 4* tweener (Stockton) and two good 3*s (Sean and Hafis) that play very well. RB has three 4*s and one good-fit 3*. Each position uses a rotation and puts one guy on the field at a time. I fail to see how RB is in worse shape than the DT position.

Anyways, comparing apples to apples, my premise is that I would rather take more 3* talent for depth in the trenches than a low 4* for depth at RB. Your premise is that you would rather take a low 4* RB because depth at RB is needed looking forward. I agree with you more than I am making it sound, I just also feel we need depth more at other positions and can address the RB need through next year's class better especially since RBs can come in and play well as freshman whereas lineman take more time to develop.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I
Anyways, comparing apples to apples, my premise is that I would rather take more 3* talent for depth in the trenches than a low 4* for depth at RB. Your premise is that you would rather take a low 4* RB because depth at RB is needed looking forward. I agree with you more than I am making it sound, I just also feel we need depth more at other positions and can address the RB need through next year's class better especially since RBs can come in and play well as freshman whereas lineman take more time to develop.

I do agree we need more depth at other positions, our biggest need is DE. What my point was intended to be is that Poteat is a solid player at a position where we can take one more player, we aren't getting Huggins. I would love to have a couple more DEs and OLs, but there just aren't many on the board avaliable. I'm just saying if Poteat is interested in ND I don't see why we wouldn't target him.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

I agree that we need depth in the trenches. I also agree that our running back depth is not the greatest. As of now, the defensive line depth is solid in this class, but I also see a few of those "DE's" moving to LB and OL. If I were a betting man I'd say Springmann does not graduate as a defensive player. I have seen him play here in fort wayne and he is a much better tackle than he is a D-Lineman.
I could see one of Springmann or Carrico moving to OL while the other remains at DE. This gives us 3 OL in the class, and i say if we can get another, lets do that.

The problem I see is, do you pass on a 4 star RB just to fill in with a player on the OL? what if next year we dont land a solid RB at all? If you have the chance to grab a 4 star RB or a 3-2 star olineman who is being recruited as solely a "filler" why pass on the potential of that RB?

I know we are still in for a few OL players, and I 100% believe we still need one. I just have a problem with offering a guy a scholarship to Notre Dame just because we are thin and need someone to fill a spot in this class.

I don't really know how to argue this one because no one is talking about a specific offensive lineman. If we're talking Richardson, Walker, Niklas (who might be playing DE), or Clear, of course i'd say grab them over Poteat. But if we're saying Austin Heter, Brian Moran, or Brandon Jackson...I'd say take the chance and go with Poteat and his potential.
But honestly, I just wish it were Carlisle and not Poteat that we were talking about anyway...

 

[Old Man Mike]

Sorry folks but I'm butting in again with "contrarian" opinions. The view has been presented in favor of another RB in this class, defended by an argument of what if two of our four backs get hurt? [Wood & Gray in the example].

#1]. I believe that this wouldn't shake Kelly up much, in accordance with his next man in philosophy.

#2]. I believe that Kelly has good reason not to be shaken should this occur, because the two backs he'd have left are terrific talents, and Kelly's spread allows a good back to shine without being a workhorse. If Roberson and McDaniel can pick up the blitz, we'd be fine. This is also no excess workload as neither of them must carry the return duties, since we have plenty of other people who can do that.

#3]. Imagine yourself as Kelly in practice the week after the second back goes down. You're standing there looking at TJ and Goodman holding down one receiver slot, Floyd and Daniels holding down another, and Riddick, AIII, AND Toma holding down the slot---with Smith, Collingsworth, and Bennett itching for some time---ALL good to great talents. Hmmmm, you think, I wonder if AIII would like to tear it up a little from RB??? Betcha he would.

The point is of course that Kelly is building a roster of flexible talents and a staff who can use them. In the injury scenario, how many teams would be suicidally depressed about having to go with someone like little ol' AIII as a THIRD back???