The National Signing Day Thread

BMF

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Taylor Jacob’s disagrees.

I said "two of the best"...so Taylor would be in that category. And did those two move to DB? I recall both starting and finishing as WR's....although the Zook era (along w/ the last 8 years) was/is a blur for me (so much mediocrity).
 

Mr2Bits

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I still don't like the Mullen hire. Even if he wins a NC, he won't get an A+ from me because I don't like his offense.

All the same, this transition class is a good one and we addressed most needs. Comparing this class head to head (forgetting about transition) with others, it's a good class. 4th in the SEC behind the leghumpers (6 five stars??? wtf), Bamma and Auburn. (247)
I really enjoyed the offense we had 06-09......we actually scored TD's unlike the last 5 years
 

alcoholica

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Thanks for doing the research.

Law keeps saying to move "FAILED WR's" to DB. Haden doesn't fit in this category at all. He was never a failed WR.

His whole premise is BS. The bottom line: Go F'ing sign 4 and 5 star DBs out of HS!!!
Haden was worse than a failure, he was a never was at WR. Just quit, gave up. :loser: Jk

I get Law’s premise and you’re both right. If you can get Elite CBs, grab them, but don’t reach. If your front 7 is Elite, you can get by with average CB play. A WR that fails might be a decent or even good CB, but a failed CB will never be a good WR. I see both sides. Let a WR have a shot on defense before you process him out. But i’d Never advocate taking a WR over an Elite CB because you may be able to move him if he doesn’t work out.
 

lizardbreath

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There are enough instances of any phenomena to argue almost any point from almost any direction. However, if I understand the donkey's argument, I pretty much agree with the idea that shuffling players around, after they stink it up at their original position, does not usually succeed in turning a bum into a hero. Another perspective, is that a really gifted player, like Watkins, as well as some others mentioned earlier, can be plugged in successfully in whatever position best suits the overall team need. But to really muddy the waters, it is also true that, in the instance before us now, depriving a struggling offense of an uber-talented weapon like Watkins is a bad idea no matter what our needs on defense. I'm dying for some damn offense - so I'm choosing the unknown quantity behind door #3.
 

CGgater

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Thanks for answering. Law is so full of himself, remembers one WR in 25 years moving to DB and thinks it's just something that's easy to do.

Lewis was mediocre at best...and started due to being the last man standing.

Ratliff was always a DB from what I remember (same w/ Haden).....but most HS kids that are WR's are also HS DB's, unless they play at an IMG type school that is a football factory.

Making the transition from WR to DB isn't difficult, but that doesn't mean they'll be an SEC caliber DB. He's more likely to be a mediocre DB vs. being SEC caliber.

Yes, Dunbar....the old fall back. Hindsight is always 20/20.

Personally, I'd rather our coaches and recruiting staff do what they are paid to do: evaluate HS recruits talent and determine "This kid has NFL DB talent....let's sign him to play DB" vs. "move all of our failed WR's to DB". Seems pretty simple. We should be able to sign top quality DBs vs moving the WR's we mis-evaluated over to DB.

From what I recall, Ratliff arrived as a WR who many believed would shift to DB. He arrived at a time when UF had enough WRs (2 1st-2nd rounders , I think) ahead of him that the move to DB made even more sense. I don’t think “failed WR” accurately describes his situation, but could be part of the puzzle.
 

Since65

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Another perspective, is that a really gifted player, like Watkins, as well as some others mentioned earlier, can be plugged in successfully in whatever position best suits the overall team need.

Was there not a running back who moved over the linebacker during the SOS years....Elijah Williams maybe? Or vice versa, linebacker to running back? Seem to recall he wanted to get on the field and we had enough running backs? Successful position switches can happen but it seems to be rare.
 

Himey

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Having lived here most of my life I've always taken joy in knowing several times I've fcked a jawja fans girlfriend. Even more times I was fcking a jawja fans future wife, but every time I bagged a south ga skank, it was a jawja fans daughter.

that-is-some-good-clean-family-fun-right-there-cotton.jpg
 

Swamp Donkey

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Ratliff was always a DB from what I remember (same w/ Haden).
No, Ratliff was a WR and Haden was going to be the next Percy, until we needed a CB more.

Making the transition from WR to DB isn't difficult, but that doesn't mean they'll be an SEC caliber DB. He's more likely to be a mediocre DB vs. being SEC caliber.
Agreed. Although Eli Williams and Ratliff were all SEC.

But they guys I'm proposing not taking, the McWilliamsonses, will never be SEC caliber either. Just dump the fluff.

Mullinz gets it. It's ok if you dont. We could have easily taken a half dozen 3 star DBs and did not.
 

BMF

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Was there not a running back who moved over the linebacker during the SOS years....Elijah Williams maybe? Or vice versa, linebacker to running back? Seem to recall he wanted to get on the field and we had enough running backs? Successful position switches can happen but it seems to be rare.

Eli Williams moved from RB to DB, and had a 6 year NFL career. He was not a "failed RB" though. Also, Eugene McCaslin moved from RB to LB.
 

Swamp Donkey

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Eli Williams moved from RB to DB, and had a 6 year NFL career. He was not a "failed RB" though.
True. I should say "extra" DBs or small RBs.

Eli is one of my favorite players ever and he and TJ damn sure didn't give Fred Taylor playing time for free. It probably helped Fred's career. He really had to work.
 

Theologator

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Nope. Every failed WR is a DB... errrr... "athlete" who is moving to the other side of the ball.

Sometimes that works - just depends if they have the “hips” and other skills. Eli Williams too.

Other failed WRs become special teams players or members of other teams.
 

BMF

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No, Ratliff was a WR and Haden was going to be the next Percy, until we needed a CB more.

Agreed. Although Eli Williams and Ratliff were all SEC.

But they guys I'm proposing not taking, the McWilliamsonses, will never be SEC caliber either. Just dump the fluff.

Mullinz gets it. It's ok if you dont. We could have easily taken a half dozen 3 star DBs and did not.

Law, I don't want to argue w/ you about it. I agree w/ the premise of it: IF they fail at WR move them to DB. That's great and a good idea. But the way you argue it is that it's just something you can do w/ any "failed WR" and have success. My point is I think we should go after the 5-star and better 4-star DBs. I agree, taking low level 3-stars is a bad idea.

As far as Haden, Ratliff, and Williams....neither of them meet the definition of "failed WR" (or RB). Williams was a solid, contributing RB (you need 3 RB's in this league)....but once Fred Taylor emerged Williams was better suited for DB....and he only played 1 year there. Ratliff and Haden, I don't recall, ever played a down on offense for UF.

As far as this class goes, I would have gladly taken Boykin who was a lower ranked 4-star (ranked in the mid-300's overall, I think). But low level 3-stars (like Bethel, who signed w/ Miami), no thanks!
 

Swamp Donkey

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Put down the morning sauce....we were ranked 10 in 06 and 3 in 09 offensively!
I don't care about scoring 80 vs Eastern South Arkansas Tech, I mean struggling to score in most SEC games (sans UK and Vandy).
 

alcoholica

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No, Ratliff was a WR and Haden was going to be the next Percy, until we needed a CB more.

Agreed. Although Eli Williams and Ratliff were all SEC.

But they guys I'm proposing not taking, the McWilliamsonses, will never be SEC caliber either. Just dump the fluff.

Mullinz gets it. It's ok if you dont. We could have easily taken a half dozen 3 star DBs and did not.
I thought Ratliff started off as a WR too. I was at UF when he was recruited, but no one really cared at the time. I looked him up and 247 has him as a S recruit. He did play WR in HS also and it was SOS, so I can’t dispute the claim.

Already provided proof that Haden was recruited as a WR.
 

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