Autzen Audibles

Interesting GG...I'm not sure if Loel is just throwing out that idea or if he actually really knows the measurables of DaTs hands. Following was my response to him in hopes of finding out what he really knows about DaTs hands: And shockingly I was downvoted for the post...I guess they could see my rude homerism shining through??

Loel, I'm betting you have seen this guy play in person. I also am sure you have a more thorough knowledge of his abilities on the field in regards to offense/defense. I am not gonna pretend any particular site is the end all/be all of scouting, but as a guy who can't travel around and see all these players I tend to read a few different sites to try to gather information regarding their abilities, strengths and weaknesses.

The thought from most are he has the ability to be a dynamic wide receiver/slot receiver right out of high school. Speed, elusiveness, and excellent hands.

Cornerback was his most natural position in HS...I wonder if he spent most of his time in high school wishing people wouldn't typecast him solely as a corner, but that he could be successful on offense as well. Though Kelly and co. may be giving him an opportunity to play a position that in the end will not be his ticket to the NFL, he wanted that opportunity and it was given. Personally I think he will be successful and I'm not sure how you could say his evening was not a learning experience.

He may have small hands...I've not seen them. There are a # of successful slot receivers that are smaller in stature and therefore most likely have smaller hands. There are also a # of smaller players that run the ball on a less grand scale that seem to not have too many issues with fumbling. DaT is a rare athlete/specimen as we have all heard for years. I think his hands are probably at least as large as say...Darren Sproles? Little Train James? Not built for everydown success, but the ability to make it as a running back...and what may be most important is what he LOVES to do. If he loves it that much more than CB then we've gotta give him that chance.

Another very important thing to think about...DaTs fumbles were both while he was running open. One was a reach in from behind and another was hat on the ball. He was also attempting to cut in both instances. Often times when a player is running in the open field he loses his focus of ball security. 3pts on the ball. Finger/crook of elbow/shoulder and the ball is extremely difficult to knock out. DaTs arm was away from his body with the ball in his hand. Not gonna be successful that way. There are a # of things for him to learn from his evening.

Lastly, I am also hoping for a long career for DaT...even into the NFL. Should that require a switch to CB then so be it. He is a rare enough athlete that worst come to worst I'm betting there will be NFL teams that would look at bringing him in as a player and move him to this position. He will be behind the 8 ball in this situation, but has the talent/work ethic/leadership qualities to help him succeed even in this scenario.

I appreciate your input and you may very well be right...only time will tell.

Im going to say total hater, the guys a True Freshman, plays against one of if not the best defense in the nation and he goes over 100 total yards and a TD. It's only going to get worse as he starts to torch teams. USC won't ever get over this coup of DAT.

Keep in mind DN that L Schroeder is the father of Scott (the MP/JH of the fighton247 site). Loel is likely to know a lot of information about recruits and have quite a bit of inside information. That doesn't necessarily mean he is correct here though. I'd really like to hear his answer to my question.

LP...i agree with most of what you have said, but I also think it is WAY too early to determine that RB is not his spot.

Oh, I agree, it is way to early to put the kibosh on anything in front of DaT!

He was clearly carrying the ball away from his body, size of hands wouldn't have mattered if he had tucked the ball. It's a freshman mistake and one I bet he won't forget anytime soon.

And fwiw, I've seen him dunk a basketball.

I think it's likely coach Cam works hard on how DAT carries the ball and minimizes those mistakes moving forward.

I definitely wasn't criticizing him...just was curious about what was Said over on the USC side

DAT is way too electric of a player not to have the ball in his hands on offense. The fumbles had everything to do with how he carried the ball, and that can be fixed rather quickly.

And if he's more suited for defense (as some say), why can't he play both ways??

I totally agree. You could see the second one coming. I yelled out "hold onto the ball" just before he fumbled, because it was clear that he was carrying it poorly. If I could see it given my state of mind, it was a pretty clear mistake. He'll work in it (like the RB in The Program that had to carry the rock around campus) and fix it before conference play begins (if not sooner).

If he wants to be a high draft pick he will switch to corner. But that has nothing to do with the size of his hands or his fumbles on Saturday. Either we have a dynamic playmaker on offense that I believe will learn to secure the ball, or an excellent corner. Either way, there is no concern from me about him.

You guys REALLY think the size of DAT's hands caused him to fumble the ball? SERIOUSLY? Wow...

Considering the correct way the hold a football while on the run is to cement it between the forearm and the bicep (with the hand acting, AT THE MOST, as an anchor to keep the tip in) it's hard to imagine the size of his hands has anything to do with it.

Go back and watch the tape: DAT dropped both those balls because he was running willy nilly with the ball away from his body. His inexperience at the college level kept him from realizing that not only can he be caught from behind at this level, but more experienced guys will take advantage of you if you don't have your mechanics down.

Rob Mosely tweeted that the he saw DAT drop the ball ONCE throughout all fall camp. If ball control was an issue for him, it would have been well-documented before the game. Chock it up to first-game jitters and get off the kid's back.

Sorry. Jumped the gun there. My bad.