Markel Smith LOI has been received

[racerhawk]

Hebrew Hammer 2.0! This guy is EXACTLY like Weisman.

 

[bigjim]

From what videos I have seen on him he could be a diamond in the rough. A lot of sites seem to think he was under rated

 

[AreWeThereYet]

so all who were expected to sign have signed.

Always something of a positive when you can land all your recruits. No surprise hits to team depth from day one.

 

[22hawkeyes]

From what videos I have seen on him he could be a diamond in the rough. A lot of sites seem to think he was under rated

A 4 star RB with many major offers under rated? Do you have to be recruited by Alabama to be validated? KF is recruiting RB's in the mold of Shonn Greene. This kid gets it. He said it was an easy choice to go to Iowa. He likes how we use and prepare our backs. We have great O-lines, and Markel seems to be very good for his age at following blockers. Should be a good combination.

 

[Hawk1960]

Not sure if you were serious, but this highlight should cause you to re-think your statement. By now, I think we all realize MW isn't a tailback, including the coaching staff. But this kid is nothing like MW.

Markel Smith - YouTube

This kid is going to be a stud. Over 4900 yards and 63 TDs his junior and senior year combined. Looking at that highlight video he has the whole package; size, quickness, vision. For a high school kid he really does a nice job of following his blocks and letting the play develop … perfect for our zone blocking … and damn, those stiff arms are brutal. That play at the 8:35 mark where he hits the whole and kicks in the extra gear was very impressive.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

If that's the worst he ends up as...we did pretty dang good...I don't understand this board's hate of Mark Weisman...the kid does the best he can...and no...he's not a burner...but I LOVE watching him finish those runs when he bowls over a DB or LB'er...like at Nebby. If Iowa football were a tailback...it would be Mark Weisman. (now...yes...I wish Mark had a bit more speed) His career average is 4.6 yards per carry...that's pretty dang good...if you go to Kirk and say we can guarantee almost 5 yards if you rush the ball from now until forever...Iowa would never pass again. (that is hypothetical I understand)

SoS...MW is a very good straigh ahead runner. But the KF/GD offense features zone blocking and; therefore, the need to have tailbacks with the ability to run laterally, make quick cuts and then accelarate into a hole. MW lacks this ability, so playing him at tailback doesn't match our offensive format. His lack of top end speed is one thing (he isn't the only Iowa back that lacks it) but his limitations of moving laterally and then making a quick cut and change of direction limits our offense. He should not be a feature tailback. Give him the goal line and short yardage carries, sure. Not 20 carries at tailback every game.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

This kid is going to be a stud. Over 4900 yards and 63 TDs his junior and senior year combined. Looking at that highlight video he has the whole package; size, quickness, vision. For a high school kid he really does a nice job of following his blocks and letting the play develop … perfect for our zone blocking … and damn, those stiff arms are brutal. That play at the 8:35 mark where he hits the whole and kicks in the extra gear was very impressive.

Ummm....please do not sit this kid until he learns ALL of the blizt blocking schemes. Let this kid and LD carry us next season.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

Ummm....please do not sit this kid until he learns ALL of the blizt blocking schemes. Let this kid and LD carry us next season.

Unless he's a phenom I would say ride MW, Canzeri, Daniels, with a sprinkle of Bullock and Redshirt him. Barring injury of course.

 

[Hawk1960]

Unless he's a phenom I would say ride MW, Canzeri, Daniels, with a sprinkle of Bullock and Redshirt him. Barring injury of course.

I agree, hopefully everyone stays healthy and he can redshirt. Bulk him up to 220 - 225 and keep that 4.4 speed and he has a great chance to really have an impact in 2015 - 2018.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

I agree, hopefully everyone stays healthy and he can redshirt. Bulk him up to 220 - 225 and keep that 4.4 speed and he has a great chance to really have an impact in 2015 - 2018.

I can understand the point of view you both share. But, to me, play the kid and let's upgrade our backfield next season. Let's start showing that a top flight tailback can come to Iowa and play as a FR. Let's get to a point where we can match Wisky and MSUx in getting multiple top flight tailbacks each recruiting season. Redshirting this could would seem, to me, short sighted. That's my opinion.