http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9159319
3* QB Mason Rudolph from SC is announcing tomorrow at noon between VT, LSU, and OK State. He visited Blacksburg this past weekend. It's also worth noting that David Cornwell and Jacob Park visited Alabama this past weekend to try and earn "commitable offers" from Nick Saban.
I believe that Mason will pick the Hokies tomorrow. Although he doesn't have the "star" power that Cornwell and Park might have, he certainly is a very good prospect - - check out his junior highlights above.
Some quick observations:
> Super quick release
> Puts the ball where he wants it
> Scans the field well
> Runs an "air raid" offense in HS, so he makes very quick decisions and can read a defense
> Pretty mobile for 6'4"- - he actually looked very fast (..or the defense might be slow) running the read option
The fact that Loefler is recruting QBs of this caliber is very encouraging, and a significant improvement from years past.
If Mason does commit to VT tomorrow, I'm not sure what that would mean to Jacob Park? Does Park look elsewhere? Or would Park still consider VT if he thinks he's the better player?
Comments
Well, I would think based on the Reavis message, that he is picking VT. Unless something else comes out of the blue. Just seems a bit of a coincidence.
If he comes in, the QB battle will be interesting in the next couple of years, as we still have Bucky, who is a 4*.
Edit: Added battle after QB...
Getting a bit ahead of myself, but I'm torn here because this is not exactly how I envisioned the chips falling. I would rather the highly rated guys (i.e. Cornwell, Park, etc.) choose first and then let others follow suit. The reason being, I don't want Park to no longer consider us because someone else committed before him. Nothing against Mason (I haven't looked at his film enough to pass judgement), I would just prefer an unadulterated process. They're kids, I get it, yadda yadda.
And its not to say Park/Cornwell would take us out of consideration based on this (competition breeds excellence, right?), but it might cause some confusion. Plus McMillen is already in the fold. #AlloftheQBs
A school can never have enough quality QBs--just ask the Hoos
I usually use the word quality when talking about good things...
Some quick observations on Rudolf based on his SOPHOMORE year film
Positives:
1) Super productive. That is a ton of touchdowns being put on the board in a high school sophomore season.
2) Terrific shoulder movement that causes linebackers and DB's to bite on stick routes, which allows the throwback post and the stick and go to get open down the field.
3) Quick decisions and puts the ball in the right place.
4) Seems to be an effective runner.
Negatives
1) He has a TON of mechanics issues. He drops the ball down almost below his hip as he scans the field. His footwork is awkward, and he looks to be guilty of a couple of pre-snap motion penalties that does not get called.
2) His arm looks terrific on go routes and down the seems, but some of those out routes make you shiver. You just wait on the pass to get picked off, but then it gets there.
3) He is in the shotgun every play.
4) We don't see him bounce off contact when running.
He looks remarkably similar to Logan Thomas as a prospect. Logan had more natural arm strength, but this kid has better instincts for the position. Both looked like they needed significant improvement on their mechanics and need to get comfortable playing under the center.
I think he has a great deal of promise, but he is a talented project. You need him to come in, redshirt, and then work for a couple of years. He is the prototype for a kid who plays as a redshirt sophomore or redshirt junior.
I want to see two quarterbacks in this class (and consider moving Motley back to safety). Cornwell is a long shot, but I'd really like to see them get Park on campus even if Rudolph signs. Quarterback depth was a huge problem since 2010 that, because Logan stayed healthy, didn't bite them in the behind. It needs to be rectified.
This is his junior year film on ESPN. If I was a betting man I think we get him tomorrow when he announces but you never know.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9159319
Bunch of morons edited that tape. "Follow the yellow arrow for the QB"
I think Motley moves to safety as well because it was his other position at Christiansburg High School. Seen the kid play once and he's similar to Leal, buy time with his feet while keeping an active scan downfield, but has a tendency to lock on the primary read. I wonder if that was more because Christiansburg runs the single-wing offense. Defensively, Motely looks to always be in a robber/cover 1 spot, but I think his run support is a bit suspect. I have to yet see Motley in action in Hokies' uniform because of his knee injury.
Having too many quarterbacks could be a problem, though. I would love for the Hokies to secure a commitment from Cornwell or Park, but I feel that folks are forgetting that we have Bucky Hodges coming in who was rated a four-stars quarterback.
Let's not also forget the roster have two other quarterbacks, Jessop and Rody, on the roster. I might be in the minority here, but I felt Rody have the most upside and could push for a back-up spot once Thomas exhausts his eligibility.
Carlis Parker, I think, is going to redshirt, and get more reps at wide reciever. I have not seen enough samples to make a judgmental call on Parker as a quarterback. Even though the coaches said they wanted to try Parker in a wildcat package, I think Parker is awfully too skinny to be running that package. A season in the weight room would do wonder for him.
It's insane how these top players fall over each other to throw at Alabama and they couldn't even commit right now if they wanted to.
Call it the Katherine Webb Effect
Hums "AJ's mom has got it going on..."
AJ can I come over after schoo-oo-oo-oo-ool? After school?
Travis just retweeted this about mason.
https://mobile.twitter.com/RHHerald_Preps
Just had some texts back and forth with a good friend who lives in the area. He commented that Justin Worley, who is expected to start at Tennessee this season, played at the same high school. He also commented that their system results in big numbers. He used the term "system QB" for Worley and Rudolph several times. My eyes tell me that he has potential, but he has to improve footwork and how he holds the football in the pocket before he will have an opportunity to contribute. And, most importantly, he must become comfortable playing under center.
For what it is worth, he things the kid will commit to LSU. But, he said that has been the buzz for weeks so something may have changed.
We will only take one QB, apparently Loeffler likes all three equal and let it be known he will take the first one. Both Parks and Cornwell are waiting on Bama, who is waiting on the #1 dual threat QB (Harris) to pick between LSU and Bama. If Harris picks LSU, Bama will take Cornwell. If Bama doesn't take Cornwell, he will go to UT. Parks is gambling on a Bama offer that is most likely not coming and will likely lose his spot at VT. We told him that three months ago, but he rolled the dice. He may end up at Auburn.
I think Rudolph commits to VT tomorrow. Definitely a high-upside guy, but you hate losing out on a guy like Cornwell when the mutual interest is definitely there. A commit from Cornwell would also make major waves in the regional recruiting circles and cause other players to take notice.
I went to Northwestern HS (I don't live in the area any more) and this area breeds football players. The Rock Hill area has produced numerous NFL and D1 football players in the last 10-15 years. I graduated with Ben Watson who went on to have a nice career with the Patriots, Browns and now with the Saints. In the draft this past year there were 3 guys taken from Rock Hill (1 from each high school- Northwestern, Rock Hill, and South Pointe) and one of them was a first rounder (Cordarrelle Patterson of Tennessee). This is also the area that produced Jadaveon Clowney (#1 draft pick next year). He graduated high school the same year that Justin Worley did. I guess what I am getting at is this kid has been coached by people that have a pretty good track record of developing kids that turn out well. With that said, Northwestern does run an "Air Raid" offense that is in shotgun almost all of the time. Not sure how well that translates to our new OC and how he likes to run his offense. Obviously I am sort of biased to the kid, but if he chooses VT I hope the best for him. I hope we can get a couple QB's with this class as well, depth would be outstanding.
By my experience, the kids get great coaching in that area. I have no doubt the kid should be able to be a contributor. He also is new to the position (my understanding is he has been a QB for two years after playing tight end.)
He is a project, but I have no problem with that. There should be 3 scholarship QB's who you think can win a game in your conference as a senior on the roster at all times. I can tell you, the Hokies have not had that situation since 2010. Fortunately, Logan has stayed healthy.
Tight end to qb?! He's our guy!
For anyone else who didn't have any idea who Mason Rudolph is:
Mason Rudolph on Rivals
Mason Rudolph on 247
His Rivals page lists him as a Dec. graduate. That will be big since it sounds like he needs to make some mechanical changes.
Listen Live to his decision here. He will announce in a few minutes at Noon.
http://www.wrhi.com/2013/06/northwesterns-mason-rudolph-to-committ-tomor...
Scratch that; his coach just said it's between LSU and Okie State.
If so, I wonder how his commitment would affect Brandon Harris who is between LSU and Bama. Should Harris go to Bama, then where will Cornwell go? I love/hate dominoes...
As long as we get Park or Cornwell...
OK State
Oh well, I'm sure we'll get Park or Cornwell even though I liked this guy better than them
Well, shoot. I wasn't particularly high on the guy, but I was hoping he'd at least go to LSU and possibly cause some dominoes to fall in our direction. Bummer, but best of luck to the dude.
He mentioned the fact they they do not have a freshman QB coming in at OSU. We have Two in Bucky and Parker. Says that it will be a good opportunity for him there. Can't blame him for doing what he thinks is best for him. Sounded like a good kid
In a somewhat surprising turn of events, he committed to Oklahoma State.
He is a much better fit for their system best of luck Mason! Time to get Park onboard which has been the plan all along. I don't think we get Cornwell seeing as he has never stepped foot on the campus.
He'll be lucky if Mike Gundy is still there when he finally enrolls. Gundy is a man, he's 40, and he shops himself every year when SEC programs are looking for a head coach. Regardless, hopefully we land Park or Cornwell. Still hoping Bucky can and will be the QB of the future though.
I wouldn't say no to a little QB competition between Bucky and Park/Cornwell (not optimistic about Cornwell, but ya never know). Just so long as we don't get into a 2-QB type deal.
Agreed. Marcus/Randall and Glennon/Tyrod weren't executed great.
i've always felt like tysean glenrod was done about as well as a situation like that could hope to be.
And even then, the result wasn't spectacular.
Weren't they all 10 win seasons?
Not too bummed about this, we still have Bucky, and I'm fairly confident about Park. Both are better QB's
Also there is that kid Travon McMillian he wants to play QB too...
Time for the coaching staff to go on a full-court press for Parks and Cornwell. Additionally, if Tech can pick up Brown, that may tilt some things in the Hokies' favor.