tlinc
All-American
That's a huge if! Not only that,but regardless of your star ranking, he's still playing Hsers. The talent level once he gets on a D1 playing field gets ratcheted up exponentially. There isn't a team any 5star player plays against in HS that has the size and speed of a D1 program. There's a reason Osu has had only 1 true frosh start on defense in decades. Not saying Raekwon can't do it, but odds are greatly against him. Playing special teams is much more realistic. Whenever people keep thinking Raekwon is going to tear up college football in his first year,just go back and read all of the talk in mike mitchells thread last year, look at his posts in the opening and what was said going into the season... Not saying their one in the same, but just to chill on making him a starter on a team that's #2 in the nation. Look at the top 5 ILBs from the 2013 class and see if any are starting this year.
One true frosh starter on defense in decades? Where do you get numbers like this?
Bosa is starting this year. Spence and Washington had some starts last year. Ryan Shazier started down the stretch 2 years ago. Cam Heyward started as a freshman. So did Malcolm Jenkins. Pretty sure Johnny Simon had some starts.
I disagree with your general assertion that it is super, super rare for a very talented freshman to come in and start his first season. It happens relatively often. And that is especially true when:
1. There is not a lot of experienced veteran talent at the position, and
2. The player is a truly elite 5 star guy rated very high by all the scouting services, and
3. The player has played against veRy good HS competition do the talent jump is not as extreme, and
4. The player is enrolling in January and will get to go through winter conditioning, spring practice, fall camp, etc.
5. The player already has NFL type size for his position and doesn't need to add 10-20 pounds before he can realistically see the field.
Most of the above factors applied to Joey Bosa and all 5 of the factors apply to Raekwon.
I would argue that while he is far from guaranteed a starting spot, acting like the chances he starts next year are 1% or something is ignoring the evidence. I think if Shazier leaves (which is highly likely) and Raekwon picks the Bucks he has a 50% chance of starting.
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