This is a very interesting commitment for the Hokies. Stroman was considered a strong UVA lean, so I didn't devote any time to evaluating him. Today's announcement stunned me, as I expected the Hokies to only take one more defensive back and heard rumors that it would be Lamont Simmons from Florida.
In the end, Coach Gray won over Stroman and his father.
"Talking to Torian Gray, he was kind of a key point to that, knowing he's such a great DB coach and knowing what he's able to teach," Greg Sr. said. "I really wanted Greg to be under him, going out from under my wing and going to someone I trusted, so when he does get on the field, I feel confident he'll be prepared."
I turned on the film of Stroman, and let me tell you that was as entertaining a 15 minute-ish film clip of high school football that you will watch.
The film features Stroman playing as a spread/read option quarterback. It is difficult to say how well his athleticism translates to defensive back, but if I was a high school defensive coordinator, he would scare the hell out of me.
Stroman is a wizard on the read option. He buries the ball into the mesh point of the running back and keeps it there until the defensive lineman commits to the back, and then pulls it and explodes upfield. He changes gears with ease, and has terrific top end speed with short quick strides. Even though he is only 6-1 and 170 pounds, he finishes runs and doesn't shy away from contact.
In passing situations, he was forced to make plays behind one of the most abysmal offensive lines I have watched. On many plays, defenders were in his face before he planted his back foot to throw. While his cuts are not quite Tyrod-esqe, his straight-line speed is even better when he explodes out of a cut. He is getting no help and making plays.
The Hokies have had success taking athletic QB's and making them contributors at other positions, but the transition will take time. Stroman, like David Prince, has terrific athleticism and plays with a tough edge. I imagine that he can contribute as a kick returner and on kick coverage immediately as he learns the nuance of playing defensive back. Without being able to see how he tackles, it is difficult to project where he may be best suited, but with his frame and ability to change direction and speed quickly, I would expect that he would be a boundary corner when he starts practicing, but he may get looks and field corner and free safety as well. Either way, I may have to take a Friday drive down to Manassas to see the kid play this fall.
Comments
Its funny that nobody is saying that how this will effect the recruitment of tim settle who is absolutely a game changer like we have not seen!!!!
2015 5-star defensive tackle Tim Settle tweeted this shortly after Stroman's announcement.
I think we're still a longshot to land Settle, but things are definitely looking up. By the way, Settle is a beast on the field.
Does he mean he wants to visit or that he has already visited?
I think that means, "I'm impressed at how the Hokies swayed my boy who was a 100% UVA lean - I really need to make it down there and see what these guys are about for myself!"
No mention of Settle because Stroman stands on his own as a college prospect. But Settle is a tremendous player and I would be thrilled if he chose the Hokies. Between Stroman on O and Settle on D, Stonewall Jackson will be a fun team to watch this year. Hopefully Ryan Williams puts in a good word.
Another one for the good guys.
Not that rankings matter, but any idea why he is rated so low? I know it's highlights, but he seems to pass by the other players without even trying. 247sports rankings for him seem conservative and Rivals has him as a 2 star.
If Stroman is a 2 star, then I guess that everyone else on the field should be zero stars......
Now you understand why it doesn't make sense to get too worked up about recruiting rankings.
some at 247 believe it is because he may have been evaluated as a DT QB. he should be a DB for us.
Offensively he reminds me of motley 3* ath we got out of christiansburg a couple years ago. There was a lot of talk that he would move to safety but he seems to be sticking at qb. I'm interested to see how that plays out
Kid can absolutely fly! Give him a year in the weight room/studying film and we might have another 2* QB to NFL stud DBlike Kam Chancellor
No kidding. Kid most definitely has a burst. Needs to add about 20 pounds, but once he does I think he could be a great CB for us.
I prefer we take all the athletes in Va instead of UVa. God forbid they luck into one who needs only minimal development. Those idiots might stumble into an All ACC player.
Once they find something theyre good at they'll just move them ala vic hall. "Oh you're a good cb? Lets move you to qb/wr your senior year!"
I'd rather we just deny uva all of the Commonwealth's recruits, period.
I like that joke you made about loluva developing a player
#dbu
I wonder if Greg is related Abe Stroman, and if so, if Abe would cater a tailgate sometime?
(Either gotta like the classics or be old to understand this comment)
*Froman. Abe Froman. The Sausage King of Chicago
abe froman reference