The Third Wiseman has got a great pulse on the OSU receiving corps---and he chimed in with an indepth report of the "state of the position" and what he sees as players' strengths and weaknesses....
here goes...
"well I've been watching this group closely all fall---and there are some great things going on, and some things that need to be developed---so here are my opinions(accepting the fact that you know throughout my career I've always leaned towards the productive receivers)
Jalin Marshall: Work ethic and hunger are what make him stand out. Has very sure hands and takes pride in his route running skills. He is probably the most confident guy on the team. Can make people miss in space and also take the top off of the defense with his speed. High IQ guy. Total package.
Michael Thomas: He is the veteran in zone 6 and has all the skills needed to be a top WR. Runs great routes and has the best hands of the group. As we have all seen, he has amazing body control and always knows where he is on the field. He will be a great possession receiver at the next level. Does not have the speed or moves to be totally electric, but then again, plenty of greats were not 4.3 guys.
Corey Smith: Corey has had flashes of greatness but I'm not totally sold on his ability. He is definitely good but can he be great? He is definitely going to see the field a lot this year. A lot of people dont know but he has good speed and good agility to make people miss. If he gets it together off the field, and can go without the diva attitude, he could see enough time to be drafted this year.
Johnnie Dixon: I think JD will have a break out season this year. Fully recovered from his knee injury a year ago. JD does everything right. Sure hands, decent speed and great knowledge of the game. Love his work ethic and attitude. Pure stud.
Dontre Wilson: What can I say...Dontre has been up and down since he got here. A converted RB that just has not yet fully converted. One of his major issues is understanding and learning plays. Routes have gotten better but still doesnt have sure hands. As we have seen in the past, he may surprise us with a big catch here and there.
James Clark: I'm afraid with Mr. Clark, we just have a guy that contributes to the team's GPA. Even before his injury, they were not totally impressed with what he brought to the table. Not sure what it is, but something just isn't there. He has speed and good hands, just kind of lacks that IT. Not a bad player, just too many dogs coming up that will challenge him
. Terry McLaurin: Terry has grown a ton over the past year. He has gone from a really really fast football player to a OSU receiver. I have seen Terry make some good plays this fall. Has a ton of speed but is still developing.
Parris Campbell: Just like Dontre, you can tell he is not a natural receiver. Still getting over the hump from moving positions. The only plays ive seen him break have been on screens or touch passes. He is not a big down field threat just yet. He definitely has the speed and moves to be dangerous, still has to develop the hands.
K.J. Hill: He has been noticed and praised because of his hard work. Not sure if they told him that he’d have a chance to play this year or not, but it doesn’t seem like he is accepting anything else. He came in with a lot of expectation and has lived up to and exceeded that. His hands have been pretty solid but he still makes sure he gets extra reps in when he can. Even before fall camp he was a hard worker. Not sure of how much time he will see but I don’t think he will red shirt.
Curtis Samuel: Probably the most successful from the RB to WR role. The thing that has made it easy for Curtis is his hands and understanding of his role. He knows his routes and assignments very well. Combine that with freakish athleticism and hard work and you have in my opinion the #2 H-back. He is a guy that has to see the field somehow. He can catch well enough to run deep routes and runs well enough to make people miss and even go through them. Best blocker of the wide receiver group, as he just loves to hit people
Torrance Gibson: He is gonna be a stud! Totally reminds me of Randy Moss, the way he runs. I have not seen him run too many routes, but just like Devin Smith. If he is a one trick pony, it is one hell of a trick. With his speed and leaping ability, it is gonna be hard to defend him down the field....extremely. The kid is a competitor and wants to play. And he will do just that, play! If he develops well as a route runner, he may not even want to switch back to QB.
Braxton Miller: A great player. But not a great wide receiver ---yet. Still struggling to gain separation from the longer defensive backs--so they've been stacking him outside to give him a free release. Magic with the ball in his hands--pure magic. But like so many converted QB's he is still stuck on the nuance of the position and doesn't look totally instinctive out there yet. Looks like a fantastic athlete--learning a new position. Which is exactly what he is. Not sure he is durable enough to run inside---but OSU is trying to get him the ball outside---and when they do...watch out..."
here goes...
"well I've been watching this group closely all fall---and there are some great things going on, and some things that need to be developed---so here are my opinions(accepting the fact that you know throughout my career I've always leaned towards the productive receivers)
Jalin Marshall: Work ethic and hunger are what make him stand out. Has very sure hands and takes pride in his route running skills. He is probably the most confident guy on the team. Can make people miss in space and also take the top off of the defense with his speed. High IQ guy. Total package.
Michael Thomas: He is the veteran in zone 6 and has all the skills needed to be a top WR. Runs great routes and has the best hands of the group. As we have all seen, he has amazing body control and always knows where he is on the field. He will be a great possession receiver at the next level. Does not have the speed or moves to be totally electric, but then again, plenty of greats were not 4.3 guys.
Corey Smith: Corey has had flashes of greatness but I'm not totally sold on his ability. He is definitely good but can he be great? He is definitely going to see the field a lot this year. A lot of people dont know but he has good speed and good agility to make people miss. If he gets it together off the field, and can go without the diva attitude, he could see enough time to be drafted this year.
Johnnie Dixon: I think JD will have a break out season this year. Fully recovered from his knee injury a year ago. JD does everything right. Sure hands, decent speed and great knowledge of the game. Love his work ethic and attitude. Pure stud.
Dontre Wilson: What can I say...Dontre has been up and down since he got here. A converted RB that just has not yet fully converted. One of his major issues is understanding and learning plays. Routes have gotten better but still doesnt have sure hands. As we have seen in the past, he may surprise us with a big catch here and there.
James Clark: I'm afraid with Mr. Clark, we just have a guy that contributes to the team's GPA. Even before his injury, they were not totally impressed with what he brought to the table. Not sure what it is, but something just isn't there. He has speed and good hands, just kind of lacks that IT. Not a bad player, just too many dogs coming up that will challenge him
. Terry McLaurin: Terry has grown a ton over the past year. He has gone from a really really fast football player to a OSU receiver. I have seen Terry make some good plays this fall. Has a ton of speed but is still developing.
Parris Campbell: Just like Dontre, you can tell he is not a natural receiver. Still getting over the hump from moving positions. The only plays ive seen him break have been on screens or touch passes. He is not a big down field threat just yet. He definitely has the speed and moves to be dangerous, still has to develop the hands.
K.J. Hill: He has been noticed and praised because of his hard work. Not sure if they told him that he’d have a chance to play this year or not, but it doesn’t seem like he is accepting anything else. He came in with a lot of expectation and has lived up to and exceeded that. His hands have been pretty solid but he still makes sure he gets extra reps in when he can. Even before fall camp he was a hard worker. Not sure of how much time he will see but I don’t think he will red shirt.
Curtis Samuel: Probably the most successful from the RB to WR role. The thing that has made it easy for Curtis is his hands and understanding of his role. He knows his routes and assignments very well. Combine that with freakish athleticism and hard work and you have in my opinion the #2 H-back. He is a guy that has to see the field somehow. He can catch well enough to run deep routes and runs well enough to make people miss and even go through them. Best blocker of the wide receiver group, as he just loves to hit people
Torrance Gibson: He is gonna be a stud! Totally reminds me of Randy Moss, the way he runs. I have not seen him run too many routes, but just like Devin Smith. If he is a one trick pony, it is one hell of a trick. With his speed and leaping ability, it is gonna be hard to defend him down the field....extremely. The kid is a competitor and wants to play. And he will do just that, play! If he develops well as a route runner, he may not even want to switch back to QB.
Braxton Miller: A great player. But not a great wide receiver ---yet. Still struggling to gain separation from the longer defensive backs--so they've been stacking him outside to give him a free release. Magic with the ball in his hands--pure magic. But like so many converted QB's he is still stuck on the nuance of the position and doesn't look totally instinctive out there yet. Looks like a fantastic athlete--learning a new position. Which is exactly what he is. Not sure he is durable enough to run inside---but OSU is trying to get him the ball outside---and when they do...watch out..."
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