This kid is the real deal. Obviously he has the size and speed but a friend of mine who attended many of his HS games at Rock Island told me he NEVER saw him drop a pass in three years. He also has a great nose for where the ball is going to be along with excellent footwork on the sideline routes. He's going to fun to watch mature.
Is Willies the X factor?
- Thread starter ChosenChildren
- Start date
ArvadaHawk
Well-Known Member
Yes on Powell. His was one of the names I couldn't remember.
I don't doubt your friends observation of Willies or Willies talent, however, he only played @Rock Island for one year. He played his first three years in Burlington, IA including leading the MAC in receiving his junior year.
hawkeyebob62
Well-Known Member
I have no doubt that, physically, Alston is the equal of Morris. And he has enough time in the system. What he MAY lack, in comparison, is "field awareness". But even that, for Morris, was due as much to his fellow LBs.
Skill-wise, I would guess our LB group is as physically gifted as the three who have moved on. Experience, unfortunately, plays a huge role in the level to which our LBs can excel. What we have, though, to help them out is what appears to be a bordreline-great DL. That will help them immeasurably (I hope).
Correct ... he did transfer to Rock Island. This guy used to ref some MAC games and I'm sure saw Willies when Burlington played the Davenport and Bettendorf schools as he is based out of the Quad Cities and is a football fanatic. Anyway the kid has a great future.
I was going to include that it would have been easy to to watch him at both RI and Btown since half his games while at Burlington were most likely played on the QC but I didn't. But I agree, he could have a great future. Let's hope so.
JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
He really looks the part physically and I think Iowa may go from a question mark at this position to the most talent at one point in time that they have had...combining the TE's, I think you have quite a group
HawkinGoferLand
Well-Known Member
yes please!
tm3308
Well-Known Member
I think this is a very important distinction. We all know that a great defensive line didn't help the linebackers that much in 2010 (although injuries did play a role) or in 2006 (that line was more good than great, though). But in both cases, there was a pretty significant drop off in the physical skills possessed by the linebackers. Nothing against Klinkenborg and Humpal, but they weren't Hodge and Greenway. Same goes for Troy Johnson and Morris (as a freshman); they weren't Angerer and Edds. This time around, the only thing lacking will be the experience; but this group should possess the physical skills and have help up front to be able to learn on the fly better than the aforementioned units did.
imported_ankle23
Well-Known Member
so that made him...what - 5'11"? He definitely doesn't fit the mold of a 'tall' receiver.
SonofaSailor
Well-Known Member
I'm pumped up, he sure looks impressive...why does everyone hate on Weisman?
I, for one, would love to see us pound the rock with Mark (Read run vs Nebraska last year)...and once the team is physically worn out and tired...boom...spread the field...we're going five wide.
I, for one, would love to see us pound the rock with Mark (Read run vs Nebraska last year)...and once the team is physically worn out and tired...boom...spread the field...we're going five wide.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
He was definitely at least 6'0". Still, not 6'3"+.
Eda
Well-Known Member
My bad. I thought he was listed at 6'2"
Eda
Well-Known Member
I think you could argue the line in 2010 changed the way they operated to help the young LBs. Instead of turning the line loose (much like in 2009), and having Angerer and Edds clean up; 2010's d-line was much more contain and stop the run. The 2010 LB crew got burned A LOT in pass coverage; which was due to inexperience and lack of developed talent.
cmhawks99
Well-Known Member
To be fair in 2006 that line was really green still wasn't it? Also Klinkenborg was another one of those much-maligned Hawkeyes that was better than he was given credit for and the criticism by the fans of Humpal was totally unwarranted. He was drafted by the Steelers and injuries cut him short. He ran a 4.68 at his Pro day which is better than many if not most of the linebackers that will be drafted this year with better-than-average agility and shuttle times. In 2010 I think we played 10, 11 and maybe even 12 different linebackers, so it's not necessarily the best example either.
With all that said experience is the X factor! Fans hate to hear that for some reason or another but it's true nonetheless. The good news there is Alston and Spearman both played a lot in that raider package and that helps. Perry Has also seen some action and if it ends up being Josie Jewel or Kenney there will obviously be growing pains and on down the line. But I do believe we have plenty of talent and yes their athleticism is well above average and the same goes with the defense of backs.
With all that said experience is the X factor! Fans hate to hear that for some reason or another but it's true nonetheless. The good news there is Alston and Spearman both played a lot in that raider package and that helps. Perry Has also seen some action and if it ends up being Josie Jewel or Kenney there will obviously be growing pains and on down the line. But I do believe we have plenty of talent and yes their athleticism is well above average and the same goes with the defense of backs.
Last edited:
DP5555
Well-Known Member
Look, I'm going to make a disclaimer first because I'm afraid people are going to jump all over my post if I don't... Iowa will find it very hard to have another player similar to Chad Greenway.
I'm only saying this for comparison purposes, but I went back and watched Josey Jewell's high school highlight tape after I heard Phil Parker rave about him making so many plays in practice and his play style reminded me a lot of Greenway. Obviously, on a high school tape he was the best player on the field. Much like Greenway was in a Hawkeye uniform, but on tape Jewell is a missile who has a knack for finding the ball carrier. I remember seeing Greenway's 40 time and thinking to myself "Man I swear he's faster than that" because of the way he plays on the field. That's what Jewell reminded me of. He thinks quickly on his feet and flies to the ball. I think he's going to be a special player. I don't know if that will start this year or not, but when he gets his chance he's going to make a big impact.
Here's Jewell's highlight tape for those of you who haven't seen it, or would like a refresher:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPaqM0Ln59s
Here's an interview of him worth watching... He's got that farm boy attitude we love in our Hawks!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujiW5G5B3zI
Last edited:
NEIChawk
Well-Known Member
I love the Jewell kid, he wreaks of tenacity and ball-hawking just watching those highlights....has a knack for the ball, and comes from one of the best high school coaches in the state, so he's a smart kid and well coached, reacts well to the play...if he's gaining the accolades from his LB coach, then I say get him on the field and see how he does...
DP5555
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Just put him on the field and turn him loose.
Some of his best plays on that highlight tape aren't even the ones that stand out the most in my opinion. It looks flashy when he's flying through the line of scrimmage and gets the guys down in the backfield. However, the impressive plays to me are the ones where he flows across the field, stays in his lane, plays through blocks, and then cleans up the tackle. He's not going to be able to consistently tear through the line of scrimmage at this level. He'll need to be aggressive while remaining disciplined, and his technique in his high school tape is pretty damn good.
Last edited:
