RB John Clay (official thread)

[Buck Kid 66]

Clay played well saturday. I think he should get more carries.

 

[matcar]

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.

I've only seen Clay the one time against the Bucks, so take this with only that grain of salt...but from what I saw, I'd say P.J. WHO? And get Clay in the game. As the commentators said, Clay just plain hits the hole faster than Hill. Granted, identifying and picking the hole is perhaps a talent that Hill understands better and perhaps that's why he's taking his time getting to the hole, but what I saw from Clay was just a guy with more burst and shiftiness, despite also being a BIG guy. Play Clay more and PJ less.

 

[Buckskin86]

Ohio State Buckeyes know success against Wisconsin's John Clay will determine shape of game
Friday, October 09, 2009
Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus

- At some point Saturday, 248-pound Wis consin running back John Clay is going to barrel through a hole and an Ohio State linebacker like Austin Spitler (14 pounds lighter than Clay), Ross Homan (19 pounds lighter) or Brian Rolle (27 pounds lighter) is going to be waiting for him. The collision will match the Big Ten's best rushing offense against the Big Ten's best rushing defense.

Or maybe collision isn't the right word. Once the nation's fifth-leading rusher gets through the line, the best plan might be to go low and get help.

"I don't know if you want to take his knees out or take him up high," Spitler said. "I'm sure some guys want to take his knees out, because that's a big boy coming through the hole."

Ohio State Buckeyes know success against Wisconsin's John Clay will determine shape of game - Cleveland.com

 

[wadc45]

Wisconsin Badgers RB John Clay sidelined for spring practices - ESPN

By Adam Rittenberg
ESPN.com
Archive

Wisconsin junior running back John Clay will miss all of spring practice as he recovers from surgery to relieve pain in his ankles.

Clay, who has had chronic ankle issues at Wisconsin, had been expected to miss the first part of spring practice, which begins Saturday in Madison. But head coach Bret Bielema said Wednesday that the 2009 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year will be shut down for the spring and return in time for summer conditioning in June.

"I think [the surgeries will] give him relief, allow him to become a better football player," Bielema said.

Clay led the Big Ten and ranked eighth nationally in rushing average with 1,517 yards.

 

[FrancisSoyer]

Wisconsin Badgers RB John Clay sidelined for spring practices - ESPN

I've always thought that he should lose 15 - 20 lbs. I know that Wisconsin likes the RB's to be huge but I think Clay is too big. I even thought Beanie was a little too big. The extra weight has to take a toll on joints, ligaments, etc. I think he would be just as good at, say, 230 lbs as 250 lbs.

 

[matcar]

Hard to believe this guy declared for the NFL. What round does this guy project to?

 

[IronBuckI]

Hard to believe this guy declared for the NFL. What round does this guy project to?

I'm not seeing a lot of info about him, but what little I've seen puts him somewhere in the 3rd to 5th rounds. I did read that he took the fact that he just turned 23 into account.

IMO, his stock would likely have fallen next year with White and Ball taking more and more of his carries.

 

[jlb1705]

I'm not seeing a lot of info about him, but what little I've seen puts him somewhere in the 3rd to 5th rounds. I did read that he took the fact that he just turned 23 into account.

IMO, his stock would likely have fallen next year with Bielema calling a bunch of stupid pass plays.

FIFY.