TideFans 2009 Crown Jewel Countdown - #29 - OT Darius McKeller .

[LCN]

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Note - This is by far one of our briefer evaluations . Most players who follow will have more detailed notations , opinions , statistics , etc. . Also , we again apologize for our late start and promise to be at least up to full speed , if not ahead of the game , as a staff for the 2010 signing class .

Let the countdown begin .....

Ratings system - http://www.tidefans.com/forums/recru...countdown.html

#29 OT Darius McKeller 6' 5" 280
Jonesboro , GA
Coached by Clint Satterfield at Jonesboro HS .

TideFans consensus rating - 1.0
LCN - 2.5
CS - 1
RTO - 1
BET - 1

Recruited by Kirby Smart and Nick Saban .
Darius is the son of former Buffalo Bills tight end Keith McKeller .
30th ranked OT by ESPNU
58th ranked OT by Rivals.com
43rd OG by Scout.com
Georgia 2008 4A All-State selection .

McKeller is a long-armed OT prospect with adequate quickness and footwork who experienced some issues with injuries in high school prior to bulking up for what was by all accounts a vastly improved senior season . While Darius has added weight , he has the frame to add even more . Our evaluation of McKeller is that he is at least two years away from seeing any significant playing time . TideFans feels he will eventually become a 6-6 300 pounder who could become a factor at OT later in his career rather than sooner . If Darius is indeed the "sleeper" we deem him to be , a good comparison would be to the Tide's 2008 starter at RT , Drew Davis . We're forecasting a similar path to playing time for McKeller . Darius chose the Tide over Auburn , Clemson , Georgia , GaTech and MissSt. .

[derek4tide]

Good size, good genes, and solid performerin high school. He may end up surprising everyone and breakout after one year on campus. Overall, he's a solid recruit.

[CraigD]

I watched his dad play basketball at JSU when I was in high school. They had some really good, fun-to-watch teams back then. Keith McKeller was a hoss on the court, and then also on the football field once he decided to play. Let's hope the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

[wastedmason]

LCN, do you think he would probably start in a year or so for about half the SEC schools? He will have a bigger uphill battle for playing time at Bama I would think than say Kentucky or especially Vandy and Miss. St.

But he will help in ways that most folks don't even realize for this team as either a back up or scout player. We need him and He is ours! At least for now!

[LCN]

	Quote:	wastedmason
	LCN, do you think he would probably start in a year or so for about half the SEC schools? He will have a bigger uphill battle for playing time at Bama I would think than say Kentucky or especially Vandy and Miss. St. But he will help in ways that most folks don't even realize for this team as either a back up or scout player. We need him and He is ours! At least for now!

Well , is this when I answer ..... Vandy I'm kidding .

I think some staffers may feel that could be a possibility and I'm sure others will offer up their thoughts or opinions but , I do not . I rated Darius as a 2.5 which points to special teams time and some spot rotation . I'm expecting something more along the lines of what we've seen to this point from David Ross . While David has a start or two under his belt , he's mainly played as a blocker in the kicking game along with some spot rotation .

[BamaArrived2006]

On the personal side he is very soft spoken but truly a nice guy. He spends a lot of time with his mother who is a very sweet lady. His grandfather actually was an Auburn fan and is converting to support him, his education, and football career. All around a great little family and I really think he has the ability to surprise people.

[buzzincuzzin]

If Darius is the bottom of the stack,,,,,,,, That's pretty strong.

[Bamaball2001]

	Quote:	buzzincuzzin
	If Darius is the bottom of the stack,,,,,,,, That's pretty strong.

Lol! Coach Saban is building big time depth on the O and D lines, especially this year. Darius had a good rep as a player here in GA and he is a focused competitor. I think the Drew Davis comparison is spot on, by LCN. I can see him doing well at RT.

I don't think I would tell Darius that he is a the "bottom of the stack", soft spoken or not...

RTR!

[buzzincuzzin]

I didn't tell him,,, LCN did!!!!!!!! It's just supperizing how good this class really is. I'll bet ranking #29 is a LOT HARDER than #1.

[LCN]

BC , you're correct . As deep as this class is , across the board , it made for some very tough decisions on a few guys at both the top and bottom end .



We'll probably post #28 late this afternoon . If not , it will be up on the board by tomorrow morning

[buzzincuzzin]

You could win some games playing this class as a team.

[Airborne Tider]

	Quote:	LCN
	Well , is this when I answer ..... Vandy I'm kidding . I think some staffers may feel that could be a possibility and I'm sure others will offer up their thoughts or opinions but , I do not . I rated Darius as a 2.5 which points to special teams time and some spot rotation . I'm expecting something more along the lines of what we've seen to this point from David Ross . While David has a start or two under his belt , he's mainly played as a blocker in the kicking game along with some spot rotation .

But it is worth mentioning that Ross was a pretty highly thought of 4-star coming out of high school. I remember some on this board, back before I ever signed up, saying he might be more likely to play early than Andre. Maybe the exact opposite will happen with Darius. But in all reality I will pretty much say I expect him to be solid depth (which we need) and if we NEED him to start in 3 or 4 years he will be a solid performer for us.

	Quote:	buzzincuzzin
	If Darius is the bottom of the stack,,,,,,,, That's pretty strong.

Truer words were never spoken.

[LCN]

	Quote:	Airborne Tider
	But it is worth mentioning that Ross was a pretty highly thought of 4-star coming out of high school. I remember some on this board, back before I ever signed up, saying he might be more likely to play early than Andre. Maybe the exact opposite will happen with Darius. But in all reality I will pretty much say I expect him to be solid depth (which we need) and if we NEED him to start in 3 or 4 years he will be a solid performer for us. Truer words were never spoken.

I was not one of them A lot of the hype over David was started by a retired former coach who thought the world of him . I felt Ross was probably a little better than what has been shown to this point but , nothing like what some others were pushing . Just for the sake of being honest and fair , I felt Taylor Pharr was a good bit better than what we've seen . He's had a good bit of trouble bulking up . Hit one miss one ....