Is this guy really 6'6" with 4.5 speed as it was reported by some of the recruiting websites?

I was under the impression that 4.5 speed was pretty good for a wide receiver (especially one that is so damn tall). If so, why is he projecting as a tight end by so many scouts? Seems like he could be a Stovall/Samardzija type receiver. I don't think either of them were much faster than 4.5...
NavyJoe | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 7:32 am | #

Usually it's a good idea to take all 40 times with a grain of salt. For example, if you go back and look at the recruiting profile for Stovall, he was listed as having 4.3 speed.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 9:39 am | #

I think, from what I've read so far, that he is seen as a "tweener", not fitting the prototypical expectations at given positions. He is viewed by as NOT having the speed to separate from college cornerbacks, and hence not projected as a wide receiver.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 11:25 am | #

I've seen his 40 time listed as low as 4.5 and as high as 4.7.
Steve R | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 11:42 am | #

Forty times really don't matter that much for taller receivers in my opinion. Some tall receivers may have very quick 40 times simply because they can quickly accelerate into a long stride, which allows them to cover more ground faster.

The opposite is also true. Some taller receivers may not be all that quick, but again can cover longer distances with their stride. Look at Samardzija. I don't think anyone ever really thought of him as being a 'speed' guy, but how often did we see him take a 20 yard pass 30 more yard while running away from Dbacks. He had such a long stride that he didn't have to move as 'fast' as other receivers but could cover the same amount of ground.

There are a lot of 6'5 guys in the NFL at WR right now, but among them, to my knowledge, Randy Moss (6'4) was the only guy to close in on the 4.2-4.3 speed many people covet in a WR.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 12:29 pm | #

Why did Eifert receive commit number ten?
Daniel | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 12:46 pm | #

He will most likely end up a WR.
It just really seems like he will.
Oshten The Mexican Leprechaun | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 1:07 pm | #

Because I'm a lazy writer Daniel.

I hope people never feel bad about pointing out mistakes, no matter how nit-picky. I honestly do appreciate it.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 1:12 pm | #

Pat,

I am happy to have been of assistance.

BGS is an oasis of good writing in the vast wasteland that is the internet.
Daniel | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 1:50 pm | #

Wow, Charlie loves his tight ends. And don't forget about Yeatman as well.
OC Domer | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 2:55 pm | #

I left off Yeatman since Eifert will only be a freshman when Yeatman is a senior. The other three will overlap careers with Eifert more.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 3:23 pm | #

I'm just guessin', but I bet this kid has an insane work ethic. If he doesn't make it on the field in person, his presence will probably raise the game of those that do. Then again, I've been known to have something of a bias as a former resident of fort fun.
indy | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 9:54 pm | #

SI has a feature this week on 15 young athletes to watch. The only football player is rising high school junior Seantrel Henderson, a 6'7", 303 lb lineman that Tom Lemming claims 'outruns running backs to the end zone' and who Lemming projects as the top recruit from the class of 2010. The good news is that he's from Cretin-Derham Hall, which has been feeding us well of late (SI says he has verbal offers from us, Florida, and tOSU). With this guy, our offense would be video game ready.
flannercock | Email | Homepage | 07.10.08 - 10:07 pm | #

NICCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEE WORKKKKKKKKKKKK
prenam s.l | Email | Homepage | 07.20.08 - 2:05 am | #