Asa "Mercer" Turner (the Trevor Lawrence of WC DBs), 4* 2019 S, Carlsbad (HS), CA (Committed)

whatshouldicareabout said:

1to392831weretaken said:

GreenRiverGatorz said:

1to392831weretaken said:

I'm running low on WTFs, so hard hat on, going in:

This whole AIDS outbreak hasn't been a big deal for me, as I haven't really cared one way or another since official measurements were published. When he first committed, I was like, "Well, I don't see it in the film, but at 6'4" and 220 pounds, I understand the freak potential."

Now that it turns out he's pretty much average size for a safety, I just don't get it. Had to go back to the film, and I still don't get it. It's been a while since watching Taylor Rapp's film, but I remember him basically ending two players' lives in like the first three clips. It's a defensive player's highlight reel: you want to see people getting blown the fuck up. Turner gives me the impression of a player who just really doesn't want any part of it. Big kid for a high school safety, but big kid who'd rather be playing 7-on-7 with one of those wrestling helmets on. He makes tackles, but they're all of the "wrap the legs and roll" variety, even against much smaller backs and receivers. There's nothing wrong with fundamentals, and he's usually making these tackles in the open field, which is a big plus to see, but I wonder if he isn't going to move up to D-1, get the shit beaten out of him, and lose interest.

I got through five of his senior season game highlights looking for one--just one--hard, physical hit. Gave up at five games. At 6'4" and born-again-Death-Row-hard, I can see this. At 6'2", 195? Give me Ainius Smith, who at least has elite speed and, well, go to :40 in his hudl.

Summary: We're like 130 pages of AIDS into a guy who intercepts a pass and then pitches it to a teammate before getting tackled.

This is a terrible take for several reasons. In addition to what @LaMichael_Corleone said:

1) You seem really surprised that Asa is about 1.5 inches shorter, and 15 pounds lighter than his listed measurables. That shit is par for the course in recruiting, I’m surprised you’re surprised. You should never have evaluated him at his listed measurables.

2) You’re comparing him to Rapp, who is arguably our greatest safety ever. Not to mention Rapp played in a 2A league in Whatcom fucking County - he was playing against kids who were too slow for the cross country team. No shit he doesn’t look as dominant in his HS film as Rapp, he has actual competition and will likely never be the player Rapp is.

1.) Not surprised at all. But it still puts things into perspective. At his originally listed measurables, the "project" made sense. With actual measurables, this is just an average sized strong safety who lacks aggression.

2.) Forget Rapp. Insert the name of ANY national level DB recruit in the country. Every single highlight reel I've watched from a UW-offered defensive back has at least one (usually many) clips of the guy blowing up a receiver or running back--all the way from Bellingham 2A to Trinity League. I brought up Ainius Smith for a reason: Smaller, 3-star corner/safety who murders a guy in just his second defensive highlight. It was terrible fundamentals (would have been targeting in college), but it displayed the kind of hunger for contact required to succeed on the defensive side of the ball in college. Hell, in Josh Calvert's film, he lays dudes out while playing quarterback. That I can't find such a play for Turner is troubling. Football--unless you're in the Big-12--is a physical game. 4-star college defenders should be animals against any kind of high school competition. What's he going to do when Eno Benjamin is barrelling down at him? That's all I'm getting at.

Lastly, 116 pages of AIDS is an awful lot of hype for a player that needs to be justified by "projection, projection, projection." If we have to triple project to imagine this guy being good, we should have just used the scholarship on a project that really wants to be here like McMillan or someone. All of the angst has been really disproportional. For 116 pages, I want to bring up the kid's film and feel like I'm watching a Godzilla movie.

Have you called up Jimmy Lake to tell him you think he sucks and that he doesn't know how to recruit DBs?

StrongArmCobra said:

DoogCourics said:

risinofthemoon said:

Any chance this is a numbers thing and we just don’t have any room for him?

Loy:

No. ND wants him. They’re not freaking out over the situation like the fans are (surprisingly) because ... A) They want guys that want to be at ND and aren’t on the fence about it. They want him as a linebacker/rover and believe his heart is more set on being a safety. C) They understand they landed some really nice pieces this cycle and last.

Ha "we only want guys that want to be here!"

Peterman said:

Meek said:

Motown said:

Peterman said:

Jokes on him. Chests are not what the husky turds beat when tbs'ing

I believe that's what's known as a Cleveland Steamer....could have a South Bend version, though.

CuntWaffle said:

insinceredawg said:

Biggins says Asa notified the coaches last night of his decision. An announcement could come today.

doogitup.gif

We are covering this in the chat. Could be hearing some big news today, also a chance we won't hear anything. Stay tuned, should be exciting.