Gridironstuds.com Top 10 College Football Predictions
Posted by Chad Wilson in General on August 26th, 2010
A Prediction of How the Top 10 Preseason Teams Will Finish
The beginning of the college football season is right around the corner which means it’s time for college football predictions. Pundits are everywhere and I will take my dive into that arena. In looking at the AP Polls Preseason Top 10, I don’t see anyone of them running the table and going undefeated. This could mean that the door is open for some of those teams outside of the Top 10 to make a move at the BCS championship. The most interesting of those teams would be Miami, FL who seems to be poised to make some noise this season. However, I think the final two playing for the championship will come from the preseason Top 10. Here’s what I predict the records will be for the teams listed in preseason Top 10.
| Rk | Team | Predicted 2010 Record |
| 1 | Alabama | 12-1 |
| 2 | Ohio St. | 9-3 |
| 3 | Boise St. | 11-1 |
| 4 | Florida | 11-2 |
| 5 | Texas | 11-2 |
| 6 | TCU | 10-2 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 11-1 |
| 8 | Nebraska | 11-1 |
| 9 | Iowa | 7-4 |
| 10 | Virginia Tech | 10-2 |
Rumors and Wires: Week of August 16, 2010
Posted by Chad Wilson in Rumors and Wires on August 17th, 2010
August 18th
Tampa Plant H.S. (Florida) runningback / linebacker James Wilder Jr. commits to Florida St.. Wilder also considered Florida, Georgia, Miami and a host of others.
South Lake H.S. (Florida) cornerback Nick Waisome choose Florida. He also considered Florida St., Georgia, LSU and South Carolina.
August 17th
Tampa Plant H.S.(Florida) runningback / linebacker James Wilder Jr. is set to announce his decision on Wednesday. Reports are that he will choose Georgia. View James Wilder Jr.’s film, click here.
South Lake H.S. (Florida) cornerback Nick Waisome is set to make his college announcement on Wednesday. He will choose between Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU and South Carolina.
Power Up Your Run Game with the Short Back
Posted by Chad Wilson in Football strategy on August 14th, 2010
It’s football season again. Many youth football programs are in full swing, high schools have already started and college football will kick things off this weekend. For all of you youth and high school football coaches that are trying establish a run game and it’s just not happening or to you coaches that have established a run game but would like to see a little more umph, I have just the thing for you.
The short back offensive package can power up your run game and help you punch the defense in the mouth. It’s a great short yardage & goal line weapon. It can also be used at the end of the game when you have a lead and want to run the clock out. It’s also good coming out of deep in your own territory or as your primary offense if you don’t have the necessary amount of skill players to spread the field and get big plays.
Here’s what the short back formation looks like:
I short right formation
The short back is depicted as the ‘4′ back in the illustration above. He’s also know as ‘Z’ when he’s involved in pass plays. This is basically the Power I formation but we are taking the offset back and moving him up right behind the line of scrimmage. The advantage that gives the offense is allowing the back to reach the point of attack sooner and head off penetration by blitzing linebackers. It also hides the back which gives him advantages on certain blocks, runs and pass routes. There is a World of things you can do out of this formation even with as basic as it may look.
Below, I will show you a couple of basic plays you can run to start yourself off in this offensive package.
I short right 22 dive
Most defenses will see this double tight, three back formation and will play you with a 5-3 look to start. If you get a 50 front with tackles playing head up on your tackles then the dive play to the fullback can be a killer. If the other team’s middle linebacker is not a head banger then get your P.A.T. team ready. The reach block by the playside tackle is crucial to keep the running lane open. The center and playside guard, at the very least need to stall the noseguard. If they can get movement on him, all the better. Your short back comes through hole and tries to ruin the MLB’s life. The short back must be a powerful player who likes to block. Playside tightend must work hard inside to try to reach the strong side linebacker (SAM). If the Sam consistently runs away from him and can make the play then we have a remedy for that.
I short right 36 lead
Once you have begun assaulting the middle of your opponent’s defense, their adjustment may be to either (a) slant their tackles into the gap you keep hitting them in or align their tackles in a ‘3′ technique which basically means in the B gaps. Your best play to counter this is the 36 lead. Now, your short back, who is in great position in his alignment, can slide down the line and kick out the playside end. He acts as a pulling guard on a ‘G’ block. Remember that SAM backer that keeps chasing down inside? Now we take him where he wants to go with a down block by the tight end. The fullback goes through the six hole and cleans up the garbage or goes and finds the cornerback. He should win this blocking mismatch. The tailback takes an open step, then lead step to the six hole and should hit it hard. Once he passes the first line of defense, he should be gone or getting a massive chunk of yards. If not, make him aware of the start date of the next track and field season.
I short right 36 lead pass
Now that you have them off balancem the next step for the defense is to either blitz or line up in some type of 6 man or goal line front. Whether it’s a goal line / 6-2 front of they are blitzing, it’s all the same. They are committing 8 men to the line of scrimmage to stop you from pounding them into a flat steak. Now that they are leaning forward, we have to make them fall flat on their face. That’s where the 36 lead pass comes in. Everything looks like the 36 lead. However, now the TE on the playside is releasing on a 10 yard corner route, passing all of those defenders with their eyes in the backfield screaming forward to stop the run play. The short back is now coming down the line and instead of kicking out the END, turns up through hole and releases into the flat. Your fullback makes a hard charge at the line of scrimmage and picks up the end while the tailback picks up any rusher who may appear outside of the DEFENSIVE END. Your quarterback must carry out a solid fake, set up behind the tailback, set his feet and read the corner route back down to the flat route. It is important that your backside TE handle the defensive end from the QB’s blind side. If you are a high school coach with an experienced line, you can consider releasing the backside TE on a crossing route and slide your protection to the left. On the goal line, inside the 5 yard line, this play is going to be open more than 90% of the time.
That is just a handful of many plays that you can use in this offensive package. I will touch on more in a future post and I am also working on a playbook with the entire package of plays. If you would be interested in A Short Back Offense playbook, please send me an email at: cwilson@gridironstuds.com
Nick O’Leary TE c/o 2011
Posted by Hurricane Sports Nation in Hurricane Sports Nation on August 4th, 2010
Nick O’Leary caught the attention of a lot of Canes fans this past summer with his showcase of amazing skills at a few 7ON7 camps in Florida. Nick, is known for a few things, him being the nephew of golf legend Jack Nicklaus, and having some of the best hands in the state of Florida. Growing up a Georgia fan Nick quckly grew inot a 6′4 230 LB physical specimen, and an all around a great football player for Dwyer High School. He has all the tools to become an elite college Tight End and a great in-line blocker. What sets his apart from other tight ends is his receiving ability and ability to create mismatches on any level of the offense.
At the next Level he will be able to lineup wide, at tight end, or even in the backfield. He is a solid blocker but what really stands out when watching Nick is his explosiveness in and out of cuts and his incredible leaping ability. His
hands rival some of the best Wide Receivers in all of Florida and perhaps the nation. I’ve seen him, on several occasions out-jump several linebackers and defensive backs and pluck the football right out of the air.
Look for Nick to decide where he wants attend College close to the end of the year, his top two at the moment are the Miami Hurricanes and Florida State. It is well known that Nick is enamored with FSU, but why I think it goes down to the wire and he ultimately attends Miami is because 
Mark Whipple s use of the Tight End and UM’s tradition for putting star Tight Ends into the NFL. Nick has also stated that academics are a big factor in his College decision and Miami is no slouch when it comes to that having some academic All-Americans in the past few years will help. This Would be a nice pick up for the Miami Hurricanes.
Catching up with Latwan Anderson: The other Cleveland star heading to Miami
Posted by Hurricane Sports Nation in Hurricane Sports Nation on August 4th, 2010
Lebron James won’t be the only star player from Cleveland coming to Miami this year. Latwan Anderson the 5 star athlete out of Glenville, Ohio will be starting camp with the rest of the incoming freshmen next month at Miami. Latwan signed on late with the Hurricanes and was a huge boost to the 2010 recruiting class. Many critics say that Latwan has some character issues, but after spending some time with the talented star we learned these comments couldn’t be any further from the truth. It won’t surprise anyone if Latwan comes in and gets a chance to play immediately at the ” U.”
HSN caught up with Latwan to ask him a couple of questions.
HSN: Once you see the field for football your track scholarship will turn into a football scholarship. Are you still going to run track in the Spring?
Latwan Anderson: As of right now the plan is still to run track because running track helped me turn my life around.
HSN: How does Track help you with football?
Latwan Anderson: It helps me stay limber. It is also a good way to stay injury free, and in better shape. It helps
me a lot outside of football because track teaches me life lessons. It’s just me out there running the relays. It pushes me to stand up on my own two feet and do something for myself.
HSN: When you committed to West Virgina many fans thought you were as good as gone. What changed your mind? Who changed your mind?
Latwan Anderson: Really what changed my mind was that a lot of schools came back into the picture once I committed to West Virginia. I guess they felt like since I didn’t commit to my hometown team (Ohio St.) they could still sway me. I sat down and talked to some people who were close to me and we just felt that I needed to weigh my options. Everyone had an equal say but I think my parent swayed my decision the most. They explained to me what my future would be like at the University of Miami. They just made me think about what was best for me.
HSN: What position will you be playing for the University of Miami?
Latwan Anderson: I don’t know yet. I could play corner, safety, wide receiver, or running back. I know for sure that I will get a chance to return kicks and punts.
HSN: What made you interested in football? Who got you into it?
Latwan Anderson: I was about 10 years old playing street football in a gym one time and my uncle asked me if I wanted to play organized football. I told him yeah sure, the next day he took me to an optimist football league and got me signed up.
HSN: Will you be fully qualified to gain academic acceptance? Are all your test scores where they need to be? Why weren’t you in summer school with a lot of the other incoming recruits?
Latwan Anderson: Yes. Everything is fine. I am on a track scholarship therefore I can’t come down until August 4th. That is the reason I couldn’t come onto campus with the majority of my football recruiting class. All my grades and test scores are good. I just have to wait till the 4th of August.
HSN: You’re a 5 star Recruit. Will that add pressure for you to perform based on your ranking?
Latwan Anderson: No not really, I have been doing this since I was 11 years old. I really won’t change. I have been the same person doing the same things. The only issue now is that I have to work harder.
HSN: When I hear the name Latwan Anderson, I think speed. What do you want people to think about when they hear your name? What do you want to be remembered for?
Latwan Anderson: I don’t want people to think about football when they hear my name. I really just want people to think about positive things. I grew up doing things that I shouldn’t have been doing, but now all that is gone and I have grown up and matured. I just want people to say he changed his life a lot.
HSN: What is your favorite quote?
Latwan Anderson: In the beginning of last summer before I transferred to Glenville, I met some players that played in the 80’s for The U. One of those players stood out to me. His name was Lamar Thomas . I was at a 7 on 7 in Orlando. I don’t talk to people that I don’t know so I wasn’t very talkative. Lamar Thomas looked at me an said “have fun I guarantee you will play much better.” I took his advice and made sure I had fun laughing and smiling. I ended up winning Defensive MVP. Lamar’s advice really stuck to me.
HSN: Do you like to use Facebook or Twitter better? For your status updates?
Latwan Anderson: Twitter
HSN: According to Map quest you will be 1254.59 miles from Glenville. Will that affect you at all? Will you get home sick?
Latwan Anderson: I’ll probably be home sick when I leave for the first couple of months. Everyone is homesick when they leave for college no matter how far they go. After a while it won’t even bother me because I’m the type of person who likes being out of the house. I have always wanted to travel anyway.
HSN: Do you have anything special planned before stepping foot on campus on august 4th?
Latwan Anderson: Not really, I’m just ready to get to school and get classes and practice started. I’m just ready for the Season to begin.
HSN: If there was a young football player reading this what advice would you have for them?
Latwan Anderson: I always get the questions “How did I get where I am today” I tell kids that confidence is the key. You must have determination and have faith in the abilities that god gave you. You can accomplish everything I’ve accomplished if you just have confidence. Anything is possible!
HSN: If I were to go to East Cleveland, Ohio where are the best places to eat and hang out?
Latwan Anderson: Best place to eat I would have to say is Bone Yard. They sell pizza chicken wings all sorts of stuff. They even have an arcade on the lower level. I have a lot of fun at the bowling alleys. There has been a lot of parties there which have been a lot of fun. I would go to Beach Wood Mall for shopping. They have any store you can possibly imagine.
HSN: Latwan, Thanks for sitting down with us. HSN hope you have a great career at the University of Miami.
Latwan Anderson: Thanks Kyle
While you are here please visit our forum: http://hurricanesportsnation.com/forums/
Rumors and Wires: Week of July 26, 2010
Posted by Chad Wilson in Rumors and Wires on July 28th, 2010
Columbus H.S. (FL) Tacoi Sumler has committed to the Oregon Ducks. Sumler also had offers from Stanford, South Carolina, Wake Forest and Cincinnati among others. Click here to view Tacoi Sumler’s highlight video.
Bishop McDevitt H.S. running back Jameel Poteat has committed to Pittsburgh. Poteat was also juggling offers from Rutgers, Iowa, Cincinnati and USC. Click here to view Jameel Poteat’s highlight video.
QB Talent in Abundance at Mastrole Football Camp Event
Posted by Chad Wilson in General on July 28th, 2010
By: Ken Mastrole - Mastrole Passing Academy
Boca Raton, Florida
The Air Raid 11 passing camp held by quarterback coach Ken Mastrole at St. Andrews Prep School brought some of the top quarterbacks around south Florida to compete. The camp featured former Pitt Panther QB great and Mastrole Passing quarterback coach John Congemi, along with Ken Mastrole at the three day event. Quarterbacks and receivers received fundamental training, video analysis through state of the art Dartfish, chalk talks, core strength training, and competition during Friday Nigh Lights. Mastrole Passing Academy also brought in Athlete’s Edge for speed and agility training. Quarterbacks Jake Rudock (St. Thomas Aquinas & Iowa commit), Rafi Montalvo (La Salle), Alex Prakas (West Boca), Troy Cook (Palmetto), Max Lescano (St. Thomas Aquinas), and Georgia transfer Chase Bender all looked like the top guns during the camp. Rafi Montalvo and Max Lescano came out on top during the event winning the Friday Night Lights competition. Sophomore quarterback Troy Cook looked very impressive winning the overall accuracy challenge. The acccuracy challeng featured moving and long target throws. The camp not only taught fundamentals and technique but it also provided athletes a stage to compete in the 20 yd shuttle, vertical, arm strength, accuracy, and movement. In the Future Stars group, Dominic DiCaprio, looked sharp displaying a strong and accurate arm. Dicaprio, only going into the 8th grade, threw the ball 55 yards and displayed excellent footwork and mechanics. Dicaprio who has been working with coach Ken Mastrole the past year showed why he will be one of the top signal callers high school coaches are hoping to have in their backfield.
Look for the these following quarterbacks to make an impact next year:
1. Jake Rudock: Led St. Thomas Aquinas with a 35 TD / 5 int. Committed to the University of Iowa the 2011 signal caller has improved ever part of his game the last two years. Excellent footwork, strong arm, and a consistent throwing motion has allowed Rudock to succeed in the Raider offense. Charachter and work ethic are no question two of the strongest qualities of this quarterback.
2. Rafi Montalvo: The La Salle quarterback took home all county honors last year. Currently being recruited by several big east schools, Montalvo is a dual threat quarterback that can beat you through the air and on the ground. A sub 4 sec shuttle performance combined with mid 4.5′s in the 40 this 2011 quarterback has the mechanics and tools to make an impact this season. Montalvo has a fluid 3 and 5 step drop and does an excellent job of releasing the football early. Excellent work ethic and leadership traits, Montalvo has the ability to play at the next level.
3. Chase Bender: 2012 transfer from Georgia. At 6′-2″, Bender showed a strong arm and excellent movement in the agility testing. Has the frame to add solid muscle over the next year. Delivers a very accurate and strong ball from short to intermediate. Best suited for a pro style type offense. Watch for this 2012 signal caller to make a name for him self in the sunshine state of this season
4. Troy Cook: A sophomore to be, Cook does an excellent job locating targets and placing the ball in those windows. Untested at the Varsity level but has the tools to make an impact as a 2nd year player.
5. Alex Prakas: West Boca senior stand 6′-5″ and throws well in the pocket and on the run. Has the frame to add muscle and may be what colleges are looking for this quarterback. Prakas showed off a strong arm and touch through out the camp. Prakas will be looking to continue where he left off from last season leading the bulls to a playoff appearance.
6. Abe Coleman: Now at Jackson high school, this quarterback had an excellent freshman campaign in 2008. The junior quarterback has the intangibles to play at the next level and has to continued to improve since last season. Strong arm, accurate, and excellent footwork describes this qb.
The Results of the competition
20 Yd Shuttle:
1. Max Lescano (St. Thomas) 4.09 sec
2. Rafi Montlavo (La Salle) 4.19 sec
3. Chase Bender (Cardinal Gibbons) 4.26
Vertical
1. Max Lescano ( St. Thomas) 34.7″
2. Robert Kubond (Charlotte) 30.8″
3. Rafi Montalvo (La Salle) 30.7″
Long Throw
1. Rafi Montalvo (La Salle) 61 yds
2. Gardner Knight (Palm Bay) 56 yds
3. Max Lescano (St. Thomas) & Dominic DiCaprio (Tamarac Cougars) 55 yds
Accuracy
1. Troy Cook (Palmetto) 18 pts
2. Rafi Montalvo (La Salle) 17pts
3. Charlie Cannaday (Gulf Coast) 15 pts
Red Raiders Rope In Gridiron Stud Ronnie Daniels
Posted by Chad Wilson in High School Football on July 21st, 2010
He may be in New Mexico but his running style is all Texas. La Cueva High School tailback Ronnie Daniels will be headed back to the Lone Star State when he heads to college next Fall.
On Monday, Daniels made his college choice and it was for Texas Tech and new coach Tommy Tubberville.
“I’m really excited and confident about my decision,” Daniels said. “I feel Tech is the best fit for me.”
Daniels is originally from Longview, Texas and emigrated to New Mexico at the age of five. He has been ripping up the varsity football gridiron since he was a freshman at La Cueva High School in Albuquergue and attracting attention from all over the country. Daniels was holding offers from Arizona, East Carolina, Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, New Mexico St., San Diego St. and Tulsa before committing to the Red Raiders.
Watching Daniels’ highlight video, it’s easy to see why he has drawn comparisons to another native Texan, Adrian Peterson. “I hear that a lot,” Daniels said. “along with Eric Dickerson and Jim Brown.”
Despite Texas Tech being close to home, Daniels found other reasons to make Tech his choice.
“The conference they play in is very competitive and they play in a great atmosphere every game,” explained Daniels. “I built a close relationship with the coaches.”
Daniels’ rugged, downhill style is a fit for any style of offense but he’s happy with the system that Texas Tech is running. Their spread attack gives him more room to work and abuse defenders one one one. Tech fans will certainly have a lot to feast their eyes on when Daniels shows up on campus ready to take the Red Raiders to new heights.
U School’s Gaulden Commits to Auburn Tigers
Posted by Chad Wilson in High School Football on July 21st, 2010
The summer recruiting season is heating up and with each day comes new commitments. One of the latest D-I BCS recruiting commitments comes from University School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Cornerback Devin Gaulden was starting to turn heads and rack up offers when he received an offer from the Auburn Tigers. That was all Gaulden needed to put an end to the process.
“I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity Auburn was offering,” said Gaulden
Things happened fast but fate also had them fall in place. Gaulden and his family were headed to Alabama last weekend for a family reunion and it just so happened to be the same weekend that Auburn was having their camp.
“Coach Thigpen and I spoke on the phone and he wanted me to come to the camp,” Gaulden explained. “So I went and I killed it. The entire staff loved me and everything went from there.”
Late Monday night Gaulden felt like an offer from Auburn was coming and indeed it did on Tuesday. After a conversation with the staff, Gaulden made the commitment to Auburn.
“What really got me was the coaching staff” said Gaulden. “Coach Thigpen and Lolley, they are the secondary coaches and they can help take my game to the next level. Plus I love the atmosphere around campus.”
Gaulden played sparingly in his first year as a varsity player due to injury in 2009 but his potential is apparent any time you watch him. He has been a standout at every camp he has attended and received Defensive Back MVP honors at the Schuan’s National Underclassman combine in Orlando. Gaulden is the second Division-I commitment from University School this offseason after Roger Harriot’s squad had six Division-I signees for the 2010 class.
Gaulden is looking forward to becoming a complete cornerback and to majoring in either sports management or sports medicine at Auburn.
Rumors and Wires: Week of July 19, 2010
Posted by Chad Wilson in Rumors and Wires on July 20th, 2010
University School (Florida) defensive back Devin Gaulden has committed to Auburn. Gaulden was also being recruited by Wisconsin, Duke, Western Michigan, Marshall, Buffalo and New Mexico among others.
La Cueva High School RB Ronnie Daniels has committed to Texas Tech. Daniels was also being recruited by Arizona, Minnesota, New Mexico, New Mexico St. and Illinois. Click here to view Ronnie Daniels’ highlight video.
