Fredericks, Strickland and Perkins

[SWC75]

Just watched some highlight films on each, (guess what- they score a lot of touchdowns). Fredricks looks like a mostly straight ahead runner with a tremendous burst through the hole. Strickland showed more moves. Perkins had the most zig-zag to him. I love north-south runners but with our offense, having a guy who can make something out of nothing is a good thing, too. All are about the same size, (5-11 185, 6-0 180, 6-0 190). They all seem to be very quick, although we have to remember they were out-running high school kids.

I think they could all be good running backs for us. Strickland and Perkins were also shown making good plays as D-backs. I keep hearing Fredricks and Strickland's names but not much about Perkins. I thought by a small margin, he might have been the most impressive guy.

Fredricks: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1576908/jordan-fredericks

Strickland:
Perkins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3uA7pjWkM8

I think it would be absurd to give one of these guys #44 now and not the other two, (or the guys we've got on the roster now). I think it would be great if they competed to see who would wear it in their senior year.

 

[jekelish]

Probably haven't heard Perkins mentioned much because he missed his senior year with an ACL injury.

And if they wait too long to hand out 44, if they're going to at all...it might wind up on the back of a certain kid in the 2016 class (fingers crossed).

 

[OrangePA]

Awarding the number would be a great marketing move.

It would draw national attention.

I would have no problem giving it to Strickland.

 

[SWC75]

Order of preference:

1) Give out #44 to an outstanding senior, (if they want it). A proven player who has worked 3-4 years toward that goal and might have come here to see if he could do it.

2) (a very distant #2). Leave it up up in the rafters to collect dust.

3) (a very, very distant #3). Give it to a high school kid who probably doesn't know what it means and hasn't proven himself on this level while other recruits from the same and previous classes wonder why he got it and not them. And if a better guy in the next class comes along, he can't get it.

 

[jekelish]

Order of preference:

1) Give out #44 to an outstanding senior, (if they want it). A proven player who has worked 3-4 years toward that goal and might have come here to see if he could do it.

2) (a very distant #2). Leave it up up in the rafters to collect dust.

3) (a very, very distant #3). Give it to a high school kid who probably doesn't know what it means and hasn't proven himself on this level while other recruits from the same and previous classes wonder why he got it and not them. And if a better guy in the next class comes along, he can't get it.

I'm fine with #1. I'm against #2. As far as #3 goes, that's my preference, because 44 is still known to some kids. Robert Washington, the specific big time recruit I have in mind, knows very well what 44 means and has expressed interest. I'm sure that by now Strickland has a sense of what it means, too, since the coaches have talked to him about it. I think you're discounting some of these kids in terms of their knowledge, particularly since we fairly recently had a movie about Syracuse football that does a pretty solid job establishing why 44 is so important (Washington has specifically cited The Express for why he holds the number in such high regard).

 

[TheCusian]

Order of preference: 1) Give out #44 to an outstanding senior, (if they want it). A proven player who has worked 3-4 years toward that goal and might have come here to see if he could do it. 2) (a very distant #2). Leave it up up in the rafters to collect dust. 3) (a very, very distant #3). Give it to a high school kid who probably doesn't know what it means and hasn't proven himself on this level while other recruits from the same and previous classes wonder why he got it and not them. And if a better guy in the next class comes along, he can't get it.

Yeah - normally, I'd be more supportive of this list. But Washington is special on and off the field, has a deep understanding of the tradition, and actually wants to wear it. It's tailor made for him and this moment.

 

[CuseCrew08]

Is Washington such a sure fire RB that he's going to come in and start 3+ years? Everyone is saying Strickland has the ability to play at the next level, say we give Washington 44 and he sits behind Strickland for 3 years? Probably wouldn't look great for the 1st 44 in 15 years...

 

[PhatOrange]

Perkins has always been my favorite of the highlight tapes in terms of his natural ability.

 

[cuseincincy]

Is Washington such a sure fire RB that he's going to come in and start 3+ years? Everyone is saying Strickland has the ability to play at the next level, say we give Washington 44 and he sits behind Strickland for 3 years? Probably wouldn't look great for the 1st 44 in 15 years...

Terry Richardson would tell you that couldn't happen.

 

[sufandu]

Is Washington such a sure fire RB that he's going to come in and start 3+ years? Everyone is saying Strickland has the ability to play at the next level, say we give Washington 44 and he sits behind Strickland for 3 years? Probably wouldn't look great for the 1st 44 in 15 years...

Even if he's not, and a lot of people seem to think he is, he seems to have a bunch of other high level recruits that want to follow him. If giving him 44 is what seals the deal and he brings a bunch of friends along, it's worth it. Having someone underachieve won't diminish the number as much as having someone flourish with it would strengthen it with the current generation.

 

[SWC75]

I'm fine with #1. I'm against #2. As far as #3 goes, that's my preference, because 44 is still known to some kids. Robert Washington, the specific big time recruit I have in mind, knows very well what 44 means and has expressed interest. I'm sure that by now Strickland has a sense of what it means, too, since the coaches have talked to him about it. I think you're discounting some of these kids in terms of their knowledge, particularly since we fairly recently had a movie about Syracuse football that does a pretty solid job establishing why 44 is so important (Washington has specifically cited The Express for why he holds the number in such high regard).

He can still shoot for it as a senior. And I don't believe we'll get other recruits in the same class just because he's wearing it. We'll get more recruits if they know that they, themselves, might have a chance of wearing it.

 

[jekelish]

He can still shoot for it as a senior. And I don't believe we'll get other recruits in the same class just because he's wearing it. We'll get more recruits if they know that they, themselves, might have a chance of wearing it.

No, we won't get the other recruits because he's wearing it. We might get them because he's here, and 44 might help get him here.

Off the top of my head, highly regarded recruits Washington would give us an advantage in getting because they are friends, and have talked about playing together in college:

QB Dwayne Haskins, the #2 ranked QB in the country by ESPN in 2016
RB Moe Neal, an ESPN top 300 prospect in 2016
CB Aapri Washington, class of 2017, already has numerous Power 5 offers and is Washington's cousin

And that's just the ones off the very top of my head, that I know with 100% certainty have talked to Washington about playing together in college.

 

[SWC75]

No, we won't get the other recruits because he's wearing it. We might get them because he's here, and 44 might help get him here.

Off the top of my head, highly regarded recruits Washington would give us an advantage in getting because they are friends, and have talked about playing together in college:

QB Dwayne Haskins, the #2 ranked QB in the country by ESPN in 2016
RB Moe Neal, an ESPN top 300 prospect in 2016
CB Aapri Washington, class of 2017, already has numerous Power 5 offers and is Washington's cousin

And that's just the ones off the very top of my head, that I know with 100% certainty have talked to Washington about playing together in college.

But if he really wants to wear it, he could come here and earn it rather than being handed it. And if here's here to accept that challenge, we'll have the same chance you describe of getting the other guys you mention.

 

[jekelish]

But if he really wants to wear it, he could come here and earn it rather than being handed it. And if here's here to accept that challenge, we'll have the same chance you describe of getting the other guys you mention.

And this is true. And there's no guarantee that it's a make or break thing for him, but I know for a fact that wearing 44 is a big part of the draw for him. He loves the legacy of Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, and Floyd Little, and a big part of the appeal for him is helping return that legacy to SU football - and that includes having another great RB wearing 44. He wants to be that great RB.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Perkins has always been my favorite of the highlight tapes in terms of his natural ability.

You could argue any of the 3 have the most impressive highlight reel... and that's a great thing since all 3 very much look the part.

 

[SWC75]

I looked at Washington's highlights:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1627878...ww.hudl.com/athlete/1627878/robert-washington

He looks good, a little different than the others. More of a bowling-ball type but he can catch passes, (the others didn't have many pss plays in their highlights). I'm sure Washington, who is 5-11 215, has more power but he doesn't appear to be as fast, (listed speed 4.47). His highlight film doesn't scream "This guy's got to be #44" while the other guys don't deserve a shot at it.

 

[BlazeOrange]

Ideally, I'd unretire 44 and give it to a senior that's earned it. Then give it to the top RB recruit the following season. Allows us to immediately re-establish the number, then make it a challenge to be lived up to by future wearers.

The trick is that you need worthy seniors in both college and high school during the same year to pull it off and it looks like we only have 50% of the equation right now (fingers crossed). Having to choose between the two, I'd say to award (not just give) it to an incoming player going forward.

 

[Upstate]

The one thing that sold me on Washington is that a poster here said he had the biggest legs of anyone he'd ever seen (or recruit, rather). Probably the most important part of the body to be strong with as a runner.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Terry Richardson would tell you that couldn't happen.

And Owens platooned with Drummond until his senior year.