What About Kobena at WR?

[OrangeinBoston]

The guy clearly has speed. Any of the board cognoscenti have the inside story? (I know, if we had a pay board and I subscribed, I would have known 6 months ago...)

 

[RF2044]

Personally speaking, I am a fan of Kobena's--I like his speed / athleticism, and think that in a season or two he could be a real impact player at wideout. I just don't think he is at the stage of his developmental curve where he is running good enough routes, he needs to do a better job catching the ball [evident on ST], etc. but in two years I can see him being a dynamic threat in the vertical passing game with his tools.

Overall, I'm excited about the young talent we have in the pipeline at WR--Hale, Kobena, Foster this year, Cornelieus / Lewis [who I think might end up being a very good safety prospect] next year. It will be nice now that we're at the point where we will start to see more year-over-year stability at certain positions, so that incoming frosh can be redshirted for developmental purposes.

Given the roster today, a kid like Kobena is rushed onto the field these days due to roster shortcomings, to help on ST.

 

[Dnyr85]

The guy clearly has speed. Any of the board cognoscenti have the inside story? (I know, if we had a pay board and I subscribed, I would have known 6 months ago...)

I have heard that he isn't sure handed (struggles to hold onto the ball), but this was at the end of summer camp. Things could have changed since then. He did look fast against Tulane, but not that fast against Toledo, USC and Rutgers, at least to me on the TV.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I think he needs to get a long stronger in the lower body as well, but I love his athleticism. He is your typical NYC kid that we will recruit, really good athlete, needs to get stronger and needs more time around the game, coaching, etc etc, wouldn't be surprised to see him as a starting wr in two years

 

[Jersey Orange]

The guy clearly has speed. Any of the board cognoscenti have the inside story? (I know, if we had a pay board and I subscribed, I would have known 6 months ago...)

Kobena is still learning the position and working on catching the ball on a consistent basis. Would love to seem him progress to the point where he can make the rotation. Kobena is one of just two players on offense that I view as a potential top-flight BCS-level playmaker (reserving judgment on the reserve QBs). Of course, he may soon become one of four playmakers on offense depending on how Marrone's recruiting visits play out.

You have a better chance of teaching a 4.27 guy to catch the ball and run routes than to significanly improve the speed of a 4.60 guy.

 

[Upstate]

I have heard that he isn't sure handed (struggles to hold onto the ball), but this was at the end of summer camp. Things could have changed since then. He did look fast against Tulane, but not that fast against Toledo, USC and Rutgers, at least to me on the TV.

I'm pretty sure he was the one that dropped the pass on Syracuse All Access and someone was yelling at him

 

[SUFan44]

Kobena is still learning the position and working on catching the ball on a consistent basis. Would love to seem him progress to the point where he can make the rotation. Kobena is one of just two players on offense that I view as a potential top-flight BCS-level playmaker (reserving judgment on the reserve QBs). Of course, he may soon become one of four playmakers on offense depending on how Marrone's recruiting visits play out.

You have a better chance of teaching a 4.27 guy to catch the ball and run routes than to significanly improve the speed of a 4.60 guy.

JO -- Thanks for the comments and for returning. Would love to hear your thoughts on the progression of the team, the status of its recruiting, and the state of the program in general (ACC, etc.).

 

[BlackKnight76]

Didn't Marrone say somewhere that Kobena had a nagging injury and they were limiting him to Kick Return because of it?

 

[rrlbees]

Of course, he may soon become one of four playmakers on offense depending on how Marrone's recruiting visits play out.

Not too well today at one NJ HS although we still offered a couple of their kids.

 

[orangepassion]

We have had very little success recruiting NJ for a while.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

The only way to recruit new jersey is to hire new jersey guys on your staff, until then it will be a real uphill battle.

 

[bothsocksup]

Its amazing how much of a stronghold Rutgers has on NJ right now...

 

[Dnyr85]

I'm pretty sure he was the one that dropped the pass on Syracuse All Access and someone was yelling at him

Yep, that was him. I re-watched the show last night. But in it, he also had a nice grab in there, so I have no idea what the reasoning is behind his lack of PT at the WR spot. The other boy's (Flemming, West) should be playing though for real.