Duffy Daugherty Forum

France was a DE who grew into a DT who was then moved to OT. That's a definite exception to the rule.

It's very rare to see a 6'3 OT, just as it's rare to see a 6'6 OG. OT's favor guys with long arms; think of the OT's body being the center of a circle with the circumference being his arm-length. The idea is that the DE has to go all the way around the OT's arms; longer the arms, the farther the DE has to go. Ideally by the time the DE gets past the OT, the QB already has thrown his pass.

OGs, OTOH, need to be low to the ground to try and get under the pad levels of the DTs (who are also coached to get low). It's a lot easier for a 6'2 - 6'4 guy to get down as compared to a 6'6- 6'8 guy, especially when DTs are in the 6'0 - 6'5 range.

These are all prototypes; I think Bama started a 6'3 OT last year . What matters most is their hand technique, particularly on the interior and lateral movement (OTs). For run-blocking, it's all about lower body strength as well as lateral movement, especially for zone-blocking plays (think of Edwin Baker's long TD vs. ND in 2010, or Bell vs. UM in 2010). State's had good success with pulling OGs; McDonald was a track athlete who ran a 4.6 at 6'5 265 in HS and is now over 300 pounds. No way for scouts to project that he'd be able to keep that athleticism with 35 more pounds on his frame, which is why recruiting services whiff on OL quite often (See Badgers, Wisconsin, Hawkeyes, Iowa).

The issue this year boils down to scholarship #s. Reports are that this class will be 12-14. State wants to take as many plan A guys as possible; there isn't room for 5 OL in this class, as much as I'd love to see it. Dillard is plan B at OG right now to Kuglar.

That was a fantastic analysis. The Don Bosco transfer from Vandy is also going to play OG isn't he? Keep that in mind. I think he was a DE/DT there but played as a true freshman at OG/C in three or four games.

The coaches most likely want him at DT.. at least that's what he was quoted as saying when he got here.

3-tech DT (Worthy's position). He did play OG/C at Vandy as a true FR. He was an Under-Armor All American, which is kind of cool.

In any event, his arrival does not impact the OL recruiting directly, but it DOES concern the # of scholarships available. I do not believe he was on scholarship last year.

At any rate. My apologies for taking Dillard's thread off topic. I remembered reading that he played OL/C at Vandy and wondered if he'd drift that direction regardless of what he played in high school. Thought we were forgetting about him and that it played into this but I was definitely off.
That being said, I've got my fingers crossed we see the light and hope it's not too late but with 12-14 schollies it'll be a weird year.

MSU is not going to sign an OC for 2013. They will take only one interior OL and that will be an OG.
The exception will be if they can get Patrick Kugler and the staff thinks Kugler can play OG/OC/OT. Then they would also offer Dillard.
The staff is hoping to sign 3 OT's for 2013 and an absolute minimum of 2 OT's.
There are several players on the Roster already who can play OC; Travis Jackson, Jack Allen, Blake Treadwell, Ethan Ruhland, Nate Klatt, Connor Kruse, and Kyle Lints.

Of those, 2 are RS JRs (Treadwell and Klatt), 2 ar walk-ons (Kruse and Lints) and 1 is a RS (Ruhland).

They have to take a C in '14.

I think Dillard will receive an offer this weekend but at this time, I don't have any firm info on that.

3 OTs was what I was thinking as well, CBD. I'm assuming that 1 is Norman, who projects to a RT. Is there anyone on the board who projects to a LT?

Pocic would be fantastic to get but seems like a longshot imo.

Allen's little brother is a '14 C seems like almost a lock the staff is waiting for him to be the next center they take

Dillard is blowing up. His offer sheet is growing by the day and is very impressive. 247 has him as a 88 and the #8 player in Michigan. He has almost 20 offers including Fla, Oregon, Va Tech, Missouri and both Arizona teams. He is certain to be a 4 star soon by 247 and Rivals. Norman is the #3 player in state per 247 but has very few offers. I dont doubt Norman is a very good player and a likely commit but Dillard is soaring I say we need to make that offer to Dillard, he is too good to pass up and he is an in state kid which is very important. Norman, Dillard and Kugler would be a great OL class. I think Dillard might be the one I would want the most. UM might move on Dillard soon as well. They are still looking for a C recruit and Dillard could fit that bill. Another reason to move fast on Dillard.

It's not a certainty that Dillard will receive an MSU offer this weekend.
MSU will take only one interior OL for 2013.
Patrick Kugler is still the # 1 priority @ OG on MSU's recruiting board.
A lot will depend on how much interest Kugler will show for MSU when the coaching staff talks with him one-on-one tomorrow.
It's very possible that MSU won't offer Dillard this weekend. If Dillard doesn't get an offer this weekend, he will probably stop visiting MSU in the future.