this is a pretty strong statement. I’m all for orange and blue glasses but tie fair, While Davis was a great Gator, he was not a first team all American linebacker - ever, Meaning no one saw him as the best MLB in college football at any time. He was voted second team all American by cbs and sporting news (though Not AP) and made second team SEC twice (never first team SEC). he was rated by nfl draft services between the 2nd-5th mlb in the draft (and was the second one selected). An awesome gator. I think the real argument the prior poster was making was that having a 5 star middle linebacker is more of a sure thing to success at Lb than finding 3 star gems. We have had several work out and okay well but they still are usually not as all around players as the 5 star dudes. Just a matter of more 5 stars having success.
I think what the OP meant was at MLB in particular the ratings don’t matter as much as getting the classic prototype. (or we could just ask @filamg8torfan what he meant rather than continuing to guess) IIRC Miller, Reese, Siler, Davis were all the solid stocky type that hit the snot out of people. Think Big Ten MLBs. Not necessarily fast for today’s game (maybe Davis was?). Often the measurables, specifically speed, drives the high rating. An interesting insight.
You can add Bostic, Morrison, Jenkins to that list. I'm not into star rating because it's subjective and influenced by other things besides football. I like the sluber knocking break your bone jarring LBs that we had in the past. Guys who aren’t afraid of contact and actually bows up and seek it. They might not have all the measurables, but have the mental toughness to play LB.
True. Maybe that was a bit of a reach. But if I could only pick one from the last decade to be my center piece of the defense today, it would be him. And it wouldn’t be close. He was a tremendous leader, great locker room guy and the ultimate alpha. And had GREAT instincts.
4.8 40 maybe better suited for DE Golden Eye Scouts | Athlete: Jack Pyburn Found this interesting site with measurables for each position. Defensive Line | Football Positional Guidelines | Go Big Recruiting
Brandon Spikes ran a 5.05 at the NFL combine. And 4.8 is pretty fast for someone at 250-260. I'm not saying you're wrong but 4.8 is plenty fast for a Mike but more import is instinct, reads and getting off blocks.
It’s good, but not at Mike linebacker in today’s game. Gotta be able to cover some of these RBs and TEs in space.
Jarrad Davis IMO was one of the best sideline to sideline backers we've had at UF in years. Dude was in on every play. And just think he was LB #4 5th lowest recruit in class. Came in with D. McMillian, A. Anzalone, and Matt Rolin all rated higher and was our most productive by far.
Ehhh it could have been. Robin never got going and took a medical hardship i believe, Anzalone was a good one but got off to a slow start due to injury. Finished his UF career good. And McMillian was highest rated of the group and never amounted to much.
Yep big, tall, fast and strong linebackers that can take on an O-lineman and track down an NFL quality tight-end don't grow on trees like DBs do.
MLB doesn’t have to nearly as much as the olb’s we have had that can’t cover shot. Lob’s are your typical coverage lb’s. Mlb’s that are great in coverage are kinda rare.
