Is Keenan Allen leaning harder toward Bama? - Page 2

BigEasyTider · July 6th, 2009, 12:31 AM

	Quote:	runtheoption22
	Problem is, if we want him at DB, is there room with Williams and Perry at S, already.

Here's what I want to know... does our staff think he can play corner?

Obviously we have pretty much passed on Garry Peters, but with that in mind it looks like we will only take three cornerbacks. Keep in mind, again, that we passed on Peters, and I think Peters is probably higher on our board at cornerback than all of these other guys, sans Fulton. If we passed on Peters, I don't think we're bringing in any of those other corners, so that limits the class to three. That said, my thinking is this... could the staff think Allen can play corner, and if so they may be bringing in four corners nevertheless (Milliner, Fulton, Belue, and Allen) even without Peters and company?

I'll be honest, I think it's going to be tough for Allen to make it as a safety. We signed two safeties in the 2008 class (not counting Neighbors), Woodson qualified last year, and we have two dang good safety commitments already this year. It's hard to see the need for adding another safety at this point, even for a kid as good as Allen. I'm not saying it's impossible for him to get a spot there, mind you, but I do think it's going to be tough.

If he doesn't come in at corner, I think he'll probably have to make this class at wide receiver. I do think we have several guys on our board ahead of him there, but we're probably going to swing and miss on most of them (Prater, Ambles, Dunkley, Cobbs, etc.). We might get Cobb, but the rest would be a big surprise, IMO, so he may be looking very good at wide receiver right now.

BAMAMICH · July 6th, 2009, 12:52 AM

	Quote:	BigEasyTider
	Here's what I want to know... does our staff think he can play corner? Obviously we have pretty much passed on Garry Peters, but with that in mind it looks like we will only take three cornerbacks. Keep in mind, again, that we passed on Peters, and I think Peters is probably higher on our board at cornerback than all of these other guys, sans Fulton. If we passed on Peters, I don't think we're bringing in any of those other corners, so that limits the class to three. That said, my thinking is this... could the staff think Allen can play corner, and if so they may be bringing in four corners nevertheless (Milliner, Fulton, Belue, and Allen) even without Peters and company? I'll be honest, I think it's going to be tough for Allen to make it as a safety. We signed two safeties in the 2008 class (not counting Neighbors), Woodson qualified last year, and we have two dang good safety commitments already this year. It's hard to see the need for adding another safety at this point, even for a kid as good as Allen. I'm not saying it's impossible for him to get a spot there, mind you, but I do think it's going to be tough. If he doesn't come in at corner, I think he'll probably have to make this class at wide receiver. I do think we have several guys on our board ahead of him there, but we're probably going to swing and miss on most of them (Prater, Ambles, Dunkley, Cobbs, etc.). We might get Cobb, but the rest would be a big surprise, IMO, so he may be looking very good at wide receiver right now.

That would be a great haul if we got both Cobbs and Allen. Both of those guys are great talent. We already have a great talent in Malone and Carswell to boot. Those four guys help make a solid WR corps for the future

Tide Warrior · July 6th, 2009, 01:12 AM

The other thing to remember is that Phelon Jones(transfer from LSU) will be a part of the 2010 class. Has to sit this year because of transfer. A nother solid DB to add.

One question though is a quote from this article.
http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2009/04/..._transfer.html
"Phelon wanted to come back home and play," the elder Jones said. "In talking to (Auburn head coach Gene) Chizik, he's not making it happen. The NCAA said he would count in the 2010 scholarship class and Chizik just doesn't have enough scholarships."

If this is true along with the possible additions of Lewis and Bolton that would put us at 19 commitments already. Assuming that the later two would also count towards the 2010 class. Again not sure how all that works. If it so than that would only leave 9 to commit and I think we have a few more than that leaning towards us. So maybe Allen doesn't come here who knows.

bonehouse81 · July 6th, 2009, 01:43 AM

	Quote:	BigEasyTider
	Here's what I want to know... does our staff think he can play corner? ... I'll be honest, I think it's going to be tough for Allen to make it as a safety.

Interesting question -- and one that's not perfectly clear from his highlight tape.

My best guess is that Allen's ideal position is safety.

He's got outstanding change-of-direction skills for a guy 6-3, but I'd be surprised if his 40 time was much below a 4.6 (of course, you could probably say Arenas is about the same speed, though). There isn't really any film of him mirroring a receiver, breaking out of a backpedal, etc., so it's hard to say if he's got CB type of skills.

It would be hard to imagine turning away a guy like this, and I hope we don't. Even though we're sitting on at least three safeties now in the '09 and '10 classes, I think Allen may have the tools to be the best of the bunch.

Bama Bard · July 6th, 2009, 10:11 AM

Keenan is coming to camp in late July. I would wait until after he visits to say where he is leaning or what our coaches think about him. The one positive for Keenan being in Crimson is that Saban loves players that have two qualities--versatility and size. Keenan has both.

Like BET said, it looks like we are going to whiff on most of the recievers highest on our board so I fully expect our coaches to work him at reciever at our next camp. Saban and Co. are not going to hold this kid off and wait for Ambles, Prater and Dunkley to slow play us. I look for him to commit to us either during his camp or shortly there after.

It will also be interesting to see how he and Cobbs get along at said camp, both on the field and off. Hopefully, the can see themselves making a difference in Tuscaloosa.

LCN · July 6th, 2009, 11:50 AM

	Quote:	Bama Bard
	Keenan is coming to camp in late July. I would wait until after he visits to say where he is leaning or what our coaches think about him. The one positive for Keenan being in Crimson is that Saban loves players that have two qualities--versatility and size. Keenan has both. Like BET said, it looks like we are going to whiff on most of the recievers highest on our board so I fully expect our coaches to work him at reciever at our next camp. Saban and Co. are not going to hold this kid off and wait for Ambles, Prater and Dunkley to slow play us. I look for him to commit to us either during his camp or shortly there after. It will also be interesting to see how he and Cobbs get along at said camp, both on the field and off. Hopefully, the can see themselves making a difference in Tuscaloosa.

IMO it's way too early for such pessimism . The pecking order @ WR will shift a few times between now and the evaluation period at the end of December and will include some receivers who aren't even on the board yet .

Airborne Tider · July 6th, 2009, 12:27 PM

They way I see it, Keenan Allen is an elite athlete. Just judging off of the people on our board right now, if Allen wants to come to UA we will get him in the class somehow. I don't know exactly what the hold up is but I fully expect will we get Allen into this class.

Crimson Surfer · July 6th, 2009, 02:41 PM

I have thought all along that Allen is an ATH prospect that could play either WR or DB equally well. I do think he will end up as a WR if he chooses Bama which I expect to happen either while he camps at Bama this month or shortly thereafter.

M2J · July 6th, 2009, 03:40 PM

I agree, you take Allen if you can get him. Truth be told, he's probably the prospect left on our board that I want the most. I think we NEED him more as a WR prospect, but if he's taken as a S he'd be welcomed. I think he'd be one of the best safety prospects we've taken since Saban got here.

BigEasyTider · July 6th, 2009, 06:52 PM

	Quote:	bonehouse81
	He's got outstanding change-of-direction skills for a guy 6-3, but I'd be surprised if his 40 time was much below a 4.6...

I agree with you, but you can definitely play corner in this league while running a 4.6. Just look at what Chevis Jackson did down at LSU...

bonehouse81 · July 6th, 2009, 07:05 PM

	Quote:	BigEasyTider
	I agree with you, but you can definitely play corner in this league while running a 4.6. Just look at what Chevis Jackson did down at LSU...

Oh, no doubt — like I said, Javy probably runs not much better than a 4.6 and is doing very well at only about 5-foot-8. My hunch, though, is that safety would be Allen's best position.

liquidvengeance · July 6th, 2009, 07:46 PM

	Quote:	LCN
	IMO it's way too early for such pessimism . The pecking order @ WR will shift a few times between now and the evaluation period at the end of December and will include some receivers who aren't even on the board yet .

Are there any 5 star Julion type receivers that CNS is looking at this year that are looking at all the major schools? Thats what I hope commits to us the most.

Airborne Tider · July 6th, 2009, 10:40 PM

	Quote:	liquidvengeance
	Are there any 5 star Julion type receivers that CNS is looking at this year that are looking at all the major schools? Thats what I hope commits to us the most.

Kyle Prater. Slim shot we get him but he is as good as they come as a receiver in this class.