Does Wadley have superstar ability?
- Thread starter Herkmeister
- Start date
Hope he commits to his body like LSD did this off season. This kid at 195 or 200 would be scary. He is skinny.
Getting a chance to see all the RBs we have this year, it sure looks like Wadley has good vision, good to great acceleration, and is able to sustain some hits and keep going. Where he seems to seperate is his ability to make guys miss. He broke a couple of guys ankles at NW. I seem to remember him doing it last yr as well.
Amazing how much football talent there is in NJ. It really hurt Iowa when Bernie Wyatt went to Wisconsin. I watch this kids moves, he can turn on a dime and be back to full speed. Reminds me of Ronnie Harmon. Yes, if he could add 10 labs and get stronger, look out. Don't under estimate Mitchell either. Fairly new at the position but that kid is a bull.
Hopefully they can sty healthy.
Hopefully they can sty healthy.
[QUOTE="Keep him in the buffet line for a year or two and we shall see.[/QUOTE]
According to this article his ideal playing weight is 190.
http://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sp...y-weight-running-back-iowa-hawkeyes/31438779/
I'm very high on Wadley but there are a couple questions that I don't think have been answered about him. (won't include ball security because it's been a known issue)
1) Can he pick up a blitz in pass protection?
2) Can he catch the ball out of the backfield?
I honestly don't remember him being A) Thrown to or B) Having to pick up a blitz.
I think how those 2 questions are answered will determine the extent of playing time he gets.
I do think he's the most gifted pure runner of the group.
1) Can he pick up a blitz in pass protection?
2) Can he catch the ball out of the backfield?
I honestly don't remember him being A) Thrown to or B) Having to pick up a blitz.
I think how those 2 questions are answered will determine the extent of playing time he gets.
I do think he's the most gifted pure runner of the group.
He is a great contrast to Mitchell and Daniels - that is part of what makes him so effective. Furthermore, he obviously has great vision and instincts.
The good news is that our OL is, overall, still quite young. While we're lucky right now that we have a great group of interior guys ... they're obviously going to graduate. However, while our interior blocking will likely dip next year - the blocking of the other 3 guys will likely see a nice step up. What's exciting is that the offensive line appears like it's only going to continue to improve. We're also finally building depth too.
Given the quality of the RBs and the quality of the OL ... I'm excited about how Wadley and Mitchell will continue to progress.
The good news is that our OL is, overall, still quite young. While we're lucky right now that we have a great group of interior guys ... they're obviously going to graduate. However, while our interior blocking will likely dip next year - the blocking of the other 3 guys will likely see a nice step up. What's exciting is that the offensive line appears like it's only going to continue to improve. We're also finally building depth too.
Given the quality of the RBs and the quality of the OL ... I'm excited about how Wadley and Mitchell will continue to progress.
We are all pretty high on him, could be the best RB ever on the best team ever.
Looks like the Mitchell/Wadley combo had Mitchell as the designated 3rd down back. Makes sense with Mitchells ability to catch the ball. It'll be interesting to see how the distribution changes with a healthy Daniels and later Canzeri.
Can't wait for those hawks to keep rolling. I'm sure there will be no let down after the bye.
The positive:
He's got really good quickness and speed. Very good vision and sets up his blockers well. Seems to have a good attitude.
The negative:
I still think he needs to work on securing the football. Saw another post with still shots from the nw game showing he was not securing the tip of the football on several of his carries. As others have stated, he needs to put on muscle and get stronger. Also, I noticed he often runs upright which will make him susceptible to taking some big hits.
I think the kid definitely is the most dynamic runner on the active roster but I wouldn't set my expectation level, for him, based on the Northwestern game. Our Oline was flat out dominating the kitties, from late second quarter on, making all of our backs look real good. That's not to say the kid isn't special, just I think he still has some growth that is needed in a few areas.
He's got really good quickness and speed. Very good vision and sets up his blockers well. Seems to have a good attitude.
The negative:
I still think he needs to work on securing the football. Saw another post with still shots from the nw game showing he was not securing the tip of the football on several of his carries. As others have stated, he needs to put on muscle and get stronger. Also, I noticed he often runs upright which will make him susceptible to taking some big hits.
I think the kid definitely is the most dynamic runner on the active roster but I wouldn't set my expectation level, for him, based on the Northwestern game. Our Oline was flat out dominating the kitties, from late second quarter on, making all of our backs look real good. That's not to say the kid isn't special, just I think he still has some growth that is needed in a few areas.
He definitely has skills, but so does Canzeri and Canzeri does the other things well, blocking and receiving. Time will tell.
I hope he stays healthy and continues to perform.
I hope he stays healthy and continues to perform.
If Daniels is healthy and playing well - then we'll likely see Daniels and Wadley rotate. Daniels is the obvious choice as the short-distance back - so that's another role he'd take over. If defenses are soft against the run - then Wadley is likely the bigger threat. Consequently, the coaches will likely ride the hot hand. However, if a defense is tough against the run ... then a big back often offers a little bit more consistency in terms of gains on 1st down. The coaches will obviously want to keep us "on schedule" offensively. Then, after the bigger-back "softens-up" the D ... then they'll mix in Wadley more.
As for Mitchell, just as you indicated, he's at least carved himself out the "niche" position as the 3rd down back. Also, if we get caught behind schedule in terms of down-and-distance ... if Beathard is in shot-gun, then Mitchell would likely be in the line-up with him (again, due to the pass-option). Of course, as Wadley develops, he could start playing that role too. He's pretty exciting to think about him catching a screen-pass in space.
I agree...when Canzeri comes back I'm not real sure how it'll shake out. I think JC is the best all around back but he may be trumped by Daniels--short yardage and Wadley--straight up running ability. I wonder if JC would slide back into his 3rd down back role from the beginning of the season.....
It'd be a great problem to have if all 4 are healthy and I really think all 4 bring some good things to the table.
Block for what? Nothing but love for these hawks. Possibly, no probably the best team in CFB history, but darn it we don't look at history as hawk fans, so at minimum best this year for sure. Can we find a loop hole for that whole "no looking at history" thing?
The question with Canzeri will be whether he's playing like himself or not. If he is - then he'll be back contending for the top spot. However, that still likely won't happen until AT LEAST the Purdue game. So Wadley has the opportunity to make it a VERY hard decision for the coaches to make. That's what you want ... you want guys preparing the right way. You want them to be both supporting each other AND pushing each other.
At the very least, even if Canzeri returns to form ... if Wadley continues to build trust and continues to prepare great ... then we'll no longer be seeing Canzeri getting 40+ carries. Instead, we'll be seeing him get more like 20 carries. Then it will be up to Wadley and Daniels to pick up the rest.
At the very least, even if Canzeri returns to form ... if Wadley continues to build trust and continues to prepare great ... then we'll no longer be seeing Canzeri getting 40+ carries. Instead, we'll be seeing him get more like 20 carries. Then it will be up to Wadley and Daniels to pick up the rest.
I'm no nutrition expert, I don't think LSD is going to help him too much...
Don't sell yourself short.I'm no nutrition expert, I don't think LSD is going to help him too much...
This year and next are obviously locks, he'll probably head to the NFL after that. Probably deserves last years as well, it's not his fault KF is too stupid and stubborn to play the best players.
Truly special, special player. I heard he is one and two on Heisman list. Honest question, how long before they change the name from Heisman to Kinnick?
Check out J Johnson at the 6 minute mark. NW lineman was not thrilled to be placed on his back.
Frankly, no. The best running-backs in the NFL are all bruising every-down backs. The one dimensional shifty, quick guys don't last very long at the top of the depth chart. Look at Melvin Gordon. He was one of the best running backs in college football the last decade and he's absolutely FAILING in the NFL right now.
If he can develop into a between-the-tackles runner (haven't seen that yet from him), we'll see. So far, no.
If he can develop into a between-the-tackles runner (haven't seen that yet from him), we'll see. So far, no.
