Graham v. Higdon

big10er

big10er

Well-Known Member
I haven't watched the tapes, but I've read that Graham has some skills. He's just not ready as a freshman (which doesn't matter at Iowa). Hopefully this thread can be bumped from time to time over the next four years w Graham's numbers bettering Higdon's.
 
Here's some tweets by Hawkeyegamefilm, a very good talent evaluator on Graham.....

Hawkeye Gamefilm @hawkeyegamefilm · 18h18 hours ago

Assuming he's actually 5'8+ 190+, I'd say Graham is around 5.4-5.5(high 2*-low 3*) on Rivals scale; has some potential but looks raw
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Hawkeye Gamefilm @hawkeyegamefilm · 18h18 hours ago

Graham doesn't look maxed out yet tho; should continue to grow into frame. Very good speed on a rail,effortless leg turnover; D1 athleticism
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Hawkeye Gamefilm @hawkeyegamefilm · 18h18 hours ago

Biggest diff on Graham vs Higdon, think Higdon more NCAA ready frame, think Graham will struggle w/functional str at D1 level right away
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Hawkeye Gamefilm @hawkeyegamefilm · 18h18 hours ago

For a fallback RB recruit, Graham's highlights are surprisingly good:http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1817687/highlights/208649378 … VG burst, smooth accelerator, single cut quicks




 
He doesn't have to be ready strength wise to take a pounding yet. He won't be asked to have 15 touches a game for quite awhile. He'll have time to get Doylaized. As far as his acceleration and cutting ability it looked pretty darn good in those highlights to me. Plus he can catch the ball out of the backfield. Is he ready to be a star and carry the mail day 1? No but he doesn't have to be. I don't think Higdon was either or would have been used right away either. Unless AIRBHG were to show up again anyway...
 
Looking at the numbers he seems like he is built in a Fred Russell mode. Hopefully, he has a thick lower body or can develop one and get the footwork down to get chunk yardage in a one-cut zone blocking scheme.
 
Looks blazing fast, for sure. But it's a little hard to evaluate because those are such tiny schools he's playing.
 
When it comes to evaluating RBs I don't think level of competition is as big of a deal as it is for other positions. For Rbs it's just the speed quickness and cutting ability. Vision is also huge. But as far as better competition goes the holes are smaller don't last as long and they tackle better. So the main things you can evaluate would be breaking/avoiding tacklers. Which is a big thing don't get me wrong. But for a lot of rbs either you have that or you don't...
 
What kind of tackle-breaking ability would you say that Wisconsin running back had? I say his greatest attributes were speed, cutting, and vision.
 
Well, I personally think Grahams shows he has more than Parker and Wadley. Don't know about Hilliard, but I'd put Graham as #3 and rotate LD, JC and EG. My gut would be to try and get EG as the lead by mid season. He looks like a home run hitter. Maybe Wadley and Hilliard can spark, but EG is bigger, already by 10 to 15 lbs.
 
big10er said:
I haven't watched the tapes, but I've read that Graham has some skills. He's just not ready as a freshman (which doesn't matter at Iowa). Hopefully this thread can be bumped from time to time over the next four years w Graham's numbers bettering Higdon's.
Click to expand...

For some reason this has aDJK sort of feel to me. This kids tape shows way more burst than Higdon if Higdon ran a 4.4 then EG runs a 3.9. His ability to go from 0 to 100 is special. I'm not sure he is 200 but if he actually is then RB is the only postion he will play, and no real danger of the standard KF switch to defense. Some are comparing him to Canzeri, but this kid looks quite a bit more physical. I have no idea how this kid was so overlooked. I am not one to overlook the dumpster fire that has been going on either. This kid may end up being the best recruit in this class as far as skill players go. I am just hoping there isn't another shoe to drop somewhere. Sucks to lose Higdon, but after watching his tapes if he ran anything fastter than a 4.8 I would be surprised.
 
I like what the game tape shows of this kid making plays.

Don't think Heisman thing Heismans.

Diamond in the rough. good get. can't wait to see him in black and gold.

I sent Jim Harbaugh a letter saying he stole the wrong Hawkeye running back recruit at the last minute.
 
He looks like a little slower version of Tavian Banks. If I'm anywhere close to being correct, I'll take it.
 
HomerChampless said:
What kind of tackle-breaking ability would you say that Wisconsin running back had? I say his greatest attributes were speed, cutting, and vision.
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I can't remember having seen his HS highlights but I'll bet it's safe to say your dead on the money. There are different levels of those 3 things and he was pretty darn good at it all. He wasn't the most physical of a back as far as running between the tackles. (although he's a pretty ripped and jacked up kid) He'd do it but his home run hitting ability is what set him apart for sure.
 
trj said:
Looking at the numbers he seems like he is built in a Fred Russell mode. Hopefully, he has a thick lower body or can develop one and get the footwork down to get chunk yardage in a one-cut zone blocking scheme.
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You nailed it. That's the same thing I was thinking. Watching his film sure reminds me of Fred Russel
 
Our luck with RB is horrible under KF. We lucked out with SG coming back and dominating. Name another RB since then that's dominated?

I am unsure of this recruit only because NO ONE recruited him. Hope he makes it, passes his classes, and can provide some value to our running game. Amazing with the scheme KF runs we have probably the worst RB class in the Big10.
 
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