I just got around to looking at Billings' tape and even though he is one of our lower regarded recruits, I have to say there are a lot of things I like about him and his resume. People get hung up on ratings and offers, but KF has mentioned numerous times that they like to find kids that remind them of players who have been successful in their system. Makes sense to me.
He is from the same school as another recruit who was lightly regarded, Anthony Hitchens. And that seems to have worked out pretty well since he is now in the NFL. I think we overlook that some recruits don't get a lot of stars and offers because teams and services aren't sure where to slot them or what to recruit them as. They didn't know if Hitchens should be a RB, a safety, or an LB. I think the same thing is true with Billings, but I think Iowa sees him being successful as a CB because he reminds them of a couple guys that have been pretty damn successful corners for Iowa.
One, he is an Ohio kid who does just about everything for his team just like another Ohio kid who did about everything for his team and was pretty much overlooked-Micah Hyde. Secondly, his size and speed and just good ol ball skills I believe reminds them of Desmond King. Both were pegged as Safeties by recruiting services and not recruited very hard as safeties. King has thrived as a cover2 corner and I believe Billings will also. I'm excited about this kid and I hope I'm right because we are THIN at corner for 2017. Billings will get a year to study under King, which should help enormously.
He is from the same school as another recruit who was lightly regarded, Anthony Hitchens. And that seems to have worked out pretty well since he is now in the NFL. I think we overlook that some recruits don't get a lot of stars and offers because teams and services aren't sure where to slot them or what to recruit them as. They didn't know if Hitchens should be a RB, a safety, or an LB. I think the same thing is true with Billings, but I think Iowa sees him being successful as a CB because he reminds them of a couple guys that have been pretty damn successful corners for Iowa.
One, he is an Ohio kid who does just about everything for his team just like another Ohio kid who did about everything for his team and was pretty much overlooked-Micah Hyde. Secondly, his size and speed and just good ol ball skills I believe reminds them of Desmond King. Both were pegged as Safeties by recruiting services and not recruited very hard as safeties. King has thrived as a cover2 corner and I believe Billings will also. I'm excited about this kid and I hope I'm right because we are THIN at corner for 2017. Billings will get a year to study under King, which should help enormously.
