Horns247 Board

Who would you choose Huhn or Collins based on overall package?

Bobby,

You make some very good points. Unless they are wanting a little more variety in their defensive play calling (zone v man), I have to go for the impression that he will end up as an outside linebacker. Assuming he makes that move, can you compare him to N. Hughes as a linebacker only?

If the coaches are convinced he has the speed to play safety, I will rely on guys like Akina and Diaz who I fully respect and that versatility would be fantastic. But I am just curious about comparing Hughes and Huhn as linebacker prospects.

(my take is that I haven't seen enough of anything on Huhn to make a judgement call either way, hence I'm just asking the question)

Nice summary Bobby....I agree with every point you made. Now, that more of the back story has come out this kid was not as "off the grid" as many originally assumed. He was a Junior Day invite, Akina has been keeping an eye on him, and he'd received some fairly impressive offers. It was more a case of no one was really talking about him as a serious target as much as anything.

The only real question out there is whether or not we needed to offer him in June knowing full well he would immediately jump on the offer and commit? My guess is the timing of this offer indicates the numbers are shaping up to not be quite as tight as originally thought and will have little impact on the other outstanding offers.

First of all, it's not a given that Nashon stays as a greyshirt. We should always keep that in mind.

I think Huhn's more physical than Hughes certainly. And I think straight-line as a blitzer he'll be better than Hughes. What Hughes has is lateral mobility and longer arms.

But Huhn is a different category. He's a guy who can line up over a tight end, have the size, speed and physicality to not be a fish out of water in coverage or against the run. So whether you're playing a 4-3 and he's an OLB or in the nickel, it's really the same sort of hybrid role he's playing.

I know Cobbs is a favorite but I don't think Huhn has that sort of athleticism. Huhn is more of a power athlete. When I think of Huhn, I think of Nebraska or TCU hybrid safeties/outside linebackers.

My thoughts exactly. What are you? Some kind of min reader.

If the coaches were blown away, then I'm good with it

Let me add a little more. I love safety play...I mean love. It's my favorite position. We tend to play 4 corner and it has worked very well for us. Griffin, huff, and Thomas all came out of the 4 corner and turned into good nfl safeties. I have always wanted that Darren Woodson or Roy Williams type safety though. Hard to find but I don't mind them looking. Plus with the blitzing Diaz likes to do, a player like this makes a lot of sense.

Violence in a S/OLB is something this team needs more of. When Vacarro signed there were some questions about how good of a take he was, but as soon as he got on the field on special teams you could tell that the violence he played with would make him a difference maker. He's developed coverage skills since then, but his suddenness and violence is what makes him special. Hopefully this kid can at least fill that role on special teams.

Both fair thoughts IMO.

As it relates to waiting too long, if you've had them in camp prior to their senior year and you've seen enough, then it comes down to whether or not you think one in hand is worth two in the bush. That's a call the coaches have to make. They obviously went with what they felt in that regard. I don't think they could have slow played Huhn for another 5-6 months and necessarily been a shoe-in for his commitment. Things have a way of changing in that regard, as it has with Patrick Morris right now.

As far as overall numbers, I don't think it's a harbinger of total numbers necessarily. It's all about the DB/defensive numbers. We've said Texas had 2 DBs slots, possibly 3, following the departures of AJ White and Eryon Barnett.

TBD

Possibly 1 each at WR, TE, OL, DE, DT and CB. And of course others as attrition/injuries call for.

Bobby, could he have possibly been taken with a "flex" scholly (meaning possibly a DB or LB scholly depending on how things work out). This concept seems to have really been embraced by the staff last year and worked out well for them instead of rigidly trying to force everyone into a specific slot. We also happen to have, at least, one more LB currently on very thin ice that could add another scholly into the mix.

I don't know enough about him to formulate a worthwhile opinion but I do know that OU and UGAs coaches absolutely LOVED this kid. Combine that with the fact this was a DA eval, and I have no issue with the take.