Well, throwing it high over the middle of the field is risky, most quick slants aren’t thrown high. If he’s in position, he should be OK. I guess we’ll see.
I hope Barnes, Davis and others play alot tonite. We need another LB or two to step up.
It’ll be interesting to see who sits and watches, vs who plays today. It could be very telling because most of the starters aren’t playing for either team.
The beauty is he went against Indy’s giant TE Jelani Woods for four years in practice (he graduated from OSU then spent his final year as a grad transfer at Virginia). He’s used to battling against giants.
They never threw the ball to Woods though, so I doubt he got used to very much vs Woods. 31 receptions in 33 games before he got 44 in one season at Virginia.
He absolutely reminds me of Bob Sanders who was 5’8.3" and had 30.75" arms. Sanders had a 41.5" vertical and ran a 4.4 forty, so more speed but I think instincts are great and that arm size, like with Sanders, isn’t going to be a deal breaker.
In four years of practice I’m sure they went up against each other plenty, especially in the one-on-one drills. You’re right they didn’t throw it to him in games (he actually arrived in Stillwater as a QB recruit before they converted him to TE), but at the very least Rodriguez would have covered him plenty. He regularly covered tight ends. Had a great game against Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer in the bowl game, and most people have him as the #1 TE in the 2023 draft.
I see the Sanders comp, they have the same strengths… leadership, toughness, instincts, explosiveness. Kind of quieter dudes overall. Hopefully Rodriguez is able to hold up a little better.