RB John Clay (official thread)

[Bernini]

John Clay Officially Qualifies

I hope Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes a retraction and gives John an apology. He posts on the Wisconsin Scout board, and can be a little arrogant, so I'm sure it's difficult to publically admit he was wrong.

Anyways, congrats to John, and I can't wait to see him in Badger Red! IMO, he's capable of contributing, provided he's in shape. He passed through the NCAA Clearinghouse long before anticipated, therefore he'll get a head start with practices. Speculation was that he wouldn't be cleared until early September, if he indeed qualified. I'm not enthralled with the Badgers backup RB situation, so this is definitely of some personal solace to me.

 

[Bernini]

Clay is expected to make his debut Saturday against the UNLV Runnin Rebs, aided by the recent suspension of backup RB Lance Smith. After getting a belated start in practicing, it was commented by RB Coach John Settle this week that Clay is making great strides, and "it looked as if he slept with the playbook". He will be the 3rd team back behind fellow '07 RB signee Zaccheus Brown from Florida and PJ Hill (of course).

 

[sandgk]

Does that likely mean they look to have Clay as the roadie back 2nd back-up, Smith (and or Clay) as the home back 2nd back-up?

 

[Bernini]

He's the #3 back on the road so probably 5 meaningful carries (give or take a few) and then garbage time if necessary.

PJ Hill and Lance Smith are top 2 at home. Brown is still #3 for now. Clay might be co #3 with Brown and share an occasional bone or two. Otherwise it's mostly garbage time when the Badgers annihilate teams. So he'll get plenty of action.

As I said though, he started late, so he could surpass a couple players as he catches up. He's a tremendous talent so it all is dependent upon his intensity and willingness to learn. Also I should note though, that he's a little heavier than the coaches would like. I've seen a recent picture and it wasn't the best angle, but he appeared to be high 230's or so. He had his record breaking year at Racine park when he shedded 12 pounds down the 220. I'd personally think that low 220's would be optimum. He would still maintain most of his power while regaining his shiftiness. He looked like a very straight ahead runner in the All American game, and I think that was a product of his size and the unhealthy state of his ankle.

 

[Bernini]

Clay made what was essentially his debut in front of Wisconsin fans, and he didn't disappoint. He led all rushers in yardage with 90 (19 carries), while running behind the 2nd team line against the defensive starters. Clay won't really wow you with his cutting ability in the open field, but he has the vision to initially find the hole, hits it hard with his speed, and then takes defenders for a ride with his power.

The Badgers have the deepest running back corps in the nation, being able to depend on 4 players comfortably with: PJ Hill, Zack Brown, Lance Smith, and John Clay. Considering, in addition we have a mediocre quarterback next year in Allan Evridge, we may set the NCAA record for most rushes in a season.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Did Oglesby play?

 

[OregonBuckeye]

The Badgers have the deepest running back corps in the nation, being able to depend on 4 players comfortably with: PJ Hill, Zack Brown, Lance Smith, and John Clay.

Some other schools may have something to say about that(USC, tOSU, Florida, UGA). No doubt you're up there though.

 

[Bernini]

Did Oglesby play?

Yeah, he played. His performance was a bit uneven. He did an excellent job of opening holes for John, but he was schooled by DE Louis Nzegwu against the pass. When he gets momentum going forward he can maul defenders. But lateral quickness is a legitimate concern. It's not going to prevent him from being an above average starter in college, however he may not ascend to 1st Team All Big Ten Status because of that weakness. I liked Oglesby, but he wasn't ranked as one of my personal top 5 recruits from that outstanding Badger class quality-wise.

BTW, Nzegwu (from Wisconsin) was a player at the time which I thought should have been recruited by the Buckeyes. He was the fastest player at the Schaumberg Midwest Combine, running in the 4.4's, at almost 230 pounds. IIRC, his vertical leap was over 40 inches (43?). His shuttle time was around 4 (sub?). He was an athletic freak, who is beginning to realize his potential early in his career.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Yeah, he played. His performance was a bit uneven. He did an excellent job of opening holes for John, but he was schooled by DE Louis Nzegwu against the pass. When he gets momentum going forward he can maul defenders. But lateral quickness is a legitimate concern. It's not going to prevent him from being an above average starter in college, however he may not ascend to 1st Team All Big Ten Status because of that weakness. I liked Oglesby, but he wasn't ranked as one of my personal top 5 recruits from that outstanding Badger class quality-wise.

BTW, Nzegwu (from Wisconsin) was a player at the time which I thought should have been recruited by the Buckeyes. He was the fastest player at the Schaumberg Midwest Combine, running in the 4.4's, at almost 230 pounds. IIRC, his vertical leap was over 40 inches (43?). His shuttle time was around 4 (sub?). He was an athletic freak, who is beginning to realize his potential early in his career.

Wisky is really starting to stockpile some talent...

 

[rocketman]

Some other schools may have something to say about that(USC, tOSU, Florida, UGA). No doubt you're up there though.

Hill, Brown, and Smith made some serious contributions to Wisconsin's offense last year. I'd put their RB corp very close to the top just on the basis of experience.

 

[Bernini]

Wisky is really starting to stockpile some talent...

"Skill" positions under Bielema- check (except safety, I don't know if that constitutes a skill position)

Offensive Line- check as usual

Overall Defensive Line (mostly DT's)- very suspect.

We could have a disaster season if a defensive line that was under-recruited in the first place, doesn't regain health from an avalanche of injuries. Matt Shaughnessy just broke his leg. Jason Chapman is still out from the Buckeye game with a torn ACL. Projected rotation DE/DT Dan Moore (JUCO who wadc likened to Quinn Pitcock) is out for a few months with a torn ligament in his knee. Starting DT Mike Newkirk has a separated shoulder. Promising DT Brandon Hoey suffered a likely career ending back injury. Rotation DE O'Brien Schofield broke his hand. Just about every rotation D-Lineman has a significant injury of some sort. The defense starts with your defensive line. Teams will have all day to throw and run up the middle against UW, if they don't get healthy.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Hill, Brown, and Smith made some serious contributions to Wisconsin's offense last year. I'd put their RB corp very close to the top just on the basis of experience.

I know and that's why they're certainly in the discussion.

 

[Bernini]

I know and that's why they're certainly in the discussion.

I think it's fair to throw other units in the discussion besides Wisconsin. The Badgers don't recruit on the elite level like some other schools in the nation. Therefore a program like USC could be just as loaded talent wise at running back. However, 3/4's of Wisconsin's talent is proven in game action. I'd take proven college backs over potential college backs. And the only Wisconsin back who isn't proven, was a national recruit who this thread primarily pertains to. Maybe I should re-phrase my initial statement. Wisconsin is as deep, or deeper, at running back, than any program in the country currently.

On a side note, following up on the stockpiling talent comment that cb40 made, arguably the most impressive young player at the spring game yesterday was '08 QB signee Curt Phillips. During his recruitment, you'd rarely find an article about Phillips that didn't compare him to Tim Tebow. Now, I think the chances that Phillips is the Heisman Trophy winner his sophomore year, or ever in his career, are slim. However, like Tebow he graduated early and has a maturation level well beyond his years. He was throwing darts on the money in a pro style offense, after playing in a spread a few months earlier in high school. And he runs a 4.6 40 at almost 220 pounds. Like Tebow, he's a bowling ball on the field. We stole him from Tennessee. He was a sleeper before exploding his senior year. If you're curious, you can check him out in the video I made of the Badger recruiting class. His segment begins at around the 6:05 mark: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBtm1KuilEw"]Phillips/Wisconsin Recruiting Video[/ame]

 

[matcar]

"Skill" positions under Bielema- check (except safety, I don't know if that constitutes a skill position)

Offensive Line- check as usual

Overall Defensive Line (mostly DT's)- very suspect.

We could have a disaster season if a defensive line that was under-recruited in the first place, doesn't regain health from an avalanche of injuries. Matt Shaughnessy just broke his leg. Jason Chapman is still out from the Buckeye game with a torn ACL. Projected rotation DE/DT Dan Moore (JUCO who wadc likened to Quinn Pitcock) is out for a few months with a torn ligament in his knee. Starting DT Mike Newkirk has a separated shoulder. Promising DT Brandon Hoey suffered a likely career ending back injury. Rotation DE O'Brien Schofield broke his hand. Just about every rotation D-Lineman has a significant injury of some sort. The defense starts with your defensive line. Teams will have all day to throw and run up the middle against UW, if they don't get healthy.

Yikes, geez that IS a bad situation. Hopefully Bucky will get that DT spot sorted out...soon!

And yeah, considering that Bucky's running back position is talented AND proven, I'd give them the nod over just about anybody in terms of depth. Certainly more depth than we have this year. As for USC, well they always have amazing depth and top tier talent, but not much has seen the field so they will be a bit green (but they'll probably still tear it up...)

 

[Bernini]

John Clay is like a bowling ball when he starts an adequate distance from the line of scrimmage and in I-Form. Very good at making subtle singular cuts around the line of scrimmage and beyond and then carries defenders with him like some of the classic star backs. The Badgers have run him some as the lone back, out of basically fullback position, and with modest results in that situation. He can't get his momentum going to run over players nor is he elusive enough to avoid penetration. If they're more realistic about the situations in which they use him, he'll be a stud at Wisconsin in the Brandon Jacobs mold.

v. Akron- 12 carries, 71 yds, 1 TD
v. Marshall- 11 carries, 54 yds, 2 TD's

Both games included a few nasty runs which would make your jaw drop. Pretty much as good as advertised.