Our Honor Defend

There’s no justifiable reason I should be at work this early, and already be on my fourth hour, but here I am.  I thought I’d try something I haven’t done on this blog in the year and a half that I’ve had it: a write-up of strengths and weaknesses of a recruit that’s not connected to a Better Know A Buckeye feature.

I decided to start with the one recruit in this class that I know embarrassingly little about: David Durham of Austin, Texas.  I was surprised David committed to Ohio State when he did.  It was the first time that I’ve had this blog that an out-of-state recruit that I was actually familiar with committed to Ohio State, but it was still a surprise.  I’ve read about David before, seen a play or too, but I always read his name in connection with ACC recruiting.  Typically, I saw his name connected with Georgia Tech and Virginia and thought a school like that is where he would end up.  I don’t think very highly of the ACC, and I’m grateful that they’re taking some of the heat off Ohio State (and the Big Ten in general) for the interim.  However, after reviewing a more thorough film of David, I remind myself that I don’t do this for a living and that retrospective evaluations are probably best for me.

Simply put, David is an Ohio State-caliber athlete and a legit ESPNU 150 prospect.  Versatility is a plus, though I misread his frame initially.  I first thought he’d be a strongside linebacker, before reading that Ohio State offered him with Gholston/Williams roles in mind.  I had only seen him play linebacker before.  After watching a more comprehensive film, it’s clear that end is definitely in his future.  He’s so much more explosive off the line of scrimmage than he is coming from the second level.  He’s an excellent pass rusher, much like Nathan Williams was in his first year at Ohio State¹.  The power on his pass rush comes strictly through his lower body as he propels his blocker up and away, allowing Durham clearance into the backfield.  At that point, carnage ensues.  David’s wrestling credentials can be inferred from how he uses his upper body.  The best wrestlers and best basketball players make the best football players.  The former sport instills a sense of balance and leverage.  In David’s case, he sheds players that have almost 100 pounds on him with relative ease.  I believe being blocked is a state of mind.  It only happens because you allow it to happen.  David does not allow it to happen.

It also inspires confidence that he plays where he does.  Texas is obviously a great state for HS football talent and the Austin area is no backwater.

A few things things came to mind that David should be mindful of moving forward.  First, he gradually creeps up the longer the play continues.  Playing too high invites pancakes.  It doesn’t seem he gets punished for it enough at the high school level, but he certainly will at the college level if it happens.  He thrives in the one-on-one matchups on the perimeter, but may get lost in traffic when he’s attacking the interior of the line.  I saw what looked like some confusion or hesitation when he was playing linebacker.  On a related note, I don’t think I saw a single inside move from David.  He goes to the outside every single time, using straight-line speed and active hands to get past his man.  He’ll want to develop some kind of inside move, spin move or otherwise.

Film can be seen here.  I’m reticent to embed the video because I fear Bucknuts will yell at me.  It’s a shame, because you get to see David abuse some big names.  There’s a tackle on Garrett Gilbert where I thought David almost killed him.

Other than that, I’m glad to have David on board as an early commitment to Ohio State.  He’s already saying the right things too, noting at the Spring Game that he looks forward to beating Penn State and Michigan.  That’s always good to read.

:beer:

1. I won’t jinx David, though. [↩]