They didn't bring him in for LT. Though I think it was Rowland said they planned on him moving to LT next year after Cox left. If it clicks Buford could win that spot but it hasn't happened this spring so far. I actually hope it does, would love to see Buford kill it
Courtland Ford commits to Kentucky
- Thread starter StubbornPenny
- Start date
You have this right. We can already see people overhyping Courtland Ford before they know anything about him.
Simple truth is Flax was a higher rated prospect than Ford. Not saying Flax will beat Ford out, but there will be an August competition. I expect Ford to win the competition, but I have put in time to study both players. In some ways, they are opposites.
Flax in a sound run blocker but couldn't block my grandmother if she was rushing Kentucky's quarterback on the edge. For Flax to see more playing time on the edge, his footwork and football IQ must get better.
Ford is a good pass blocker who has had trouble blocking in the running game. He looks to have a strong build, but that does not translate to his performance in the run game because he makes mistakes in technique and does not use his hands right. This is why Lincoln Riley recruited over him. Generally your right tackle is one of your best run blockers, but Ford will have to adjust to that job. Ford should have the advantage over Flax in August because Coen's top concern is protecting Leary in the pocket. But Ford must refine his run blocking technique. On paper, this should be more doable than improving Flax's pass blocking.
Almost all of Ford's experience at SC was at left tackle, where his pass blocking skills play up. The main reason for taking Ford now is to give him a year in the system before he will be asked to start at left tackle in 2024. If he can handle right tackle in 2023, that is optimal. But he is not a finished product by any honest analysis. Good test for Yenser.
I was wondering that too. Know some of them but would like to see a left to right listing.
Left to right are Coen. Davis, White, Leary, Marrow. Ford, Yenser, Cox, not sure maybe kattus, Key. And a dude with man boobs. Lol best I got
Edit: I don't think that is kattus but he tweeted the pic
I'm not real good at this but isn't the one you identify as White actually Woodward?
So we're down to the 2 on either side of Key, correct?
Yes I seen the beard and thought of white. I couldn't see his face good and didn't think of woody
Another friendly reminder, some of y'all talking Buford, Buford, Buford as the competition for Ford at RT.......when all media reports in Spring were Flax taking virtually every 1st string RT snaps.
If Buford beat out Flax we probably are not talking about Ford's commitment. But, he didn't, and Flax still wasn't good enough, so we have a new option.
If Buford beat out Flax we probably are not talking about Ford's commitment. But, he didn't, and Flax still wasn't good enough, so we have a new option.
Good pickup. Stoops seems to have a knack for getting good value in the portal.
Yes, Stoops knows how to account for his scholarships and get what he needs out of the portal. Part of this is because he targets players who want to play for him. He has always had a great eye for young football talent and he communicates well with players. Coen, White, and Marrow are a big part of it.
I believe, if you dig into the evals, you'll find what an upgrade we just made. I will bet big money Ford starts over Flax. Flax scored a 51 PFF combined run/pass grade. That means his pass grade was in the 40s. Ford's combined PFF grade is 64 with a 67/58 split, so his low run blocking score was about the same as Flax's "high number" pass grade. He also grades out higher than Landon Young and Drake Jackson did, even getting a listing on NFLDraftBuzz.com as a 72 which puts him a bit below Dare Rosenthal who was a 78. Granted, he's never played RT, but he did play Guard as a freshman and is plus athletic, so I'm pretty sure RT is his to lose and I suspect he will be given the opportunity to win LT job after Cox leaves, as he has 3 years of eligibility left.
Stoops went into portal after spring again.....for a reason. Flax ain't winning RT job unless Ford is a complete mess (but given we've had 2 years of college film....he's a known quantity). Flax rating 3 years ago means zilch....he's had 3 years at UK and hasn't shown much.
1. Flax is a proverbial mess in pass protection.
2. Flax is a better run blocker but he's not some amazing road grater over there. I mean did we ever run the ball worth a flip w/o CRod vs. MAC teams?
- Miami 26 rushes for 50 yards (take out Levis it was 19 rushes for 68 yards)
- Youngstown St 36 rushes for 103 yards (take out Levis it was 28 rushes for 100 yards)
- N Illinois 35 rushes for 103 yards ( take out Levis it was 26 rushes for 93 yards)
I get it's an Oline as a unit....but we could not run behind him either. So, I'd take with a grain of salt Flax was a good run blocker with Manning on his side to the right side.
3. Flax is also good for 1-2 penalties a game
Now he could clean some stuff up but for the staff to go back to portal after spring....tells me not happy a bit at that side and Ford is going to be the man.
Thanks to all who have commented on Ford/Flax ability to run block. A couple of questions. Do you think Ford will be more successful with a wide zone blocking scheme that in the blocking used under Eddie Gran? And second how would you describe Gran's scheme? Inside zone, power gap, combination of the two?
I get the broader point you are making, but why cite a metric that in hindsight overrated Rosenthal to make your point?
To me this is the question of the year....
Can UK run wide zone as Coen wants to....but we had to ditch in 2021 and go back to inside zone.
I have no idea....have to see it.
JRow just interviewed a RB prospect. The guy told him he went over the scheme with Coen and it was all inside zone. With the current personnel and such it seems oen is sticking with the inside zone
Just to add to your comments, Flax' main problem as I see it is he's just not quick enough to be outstanding at RT. He'd get lost on stunts, plain get run around with fast Edge guys and hardly get a hat on the defender too many times to count. I totally agree that players develop and get better (I'd put Stoops and staff as one of the best developers of players in the country). I don't see how Flax can 'develop' better quickness/speed. Just don't think he's got it. If he moved to OG, perhaps it wouldn't be so visible. But, Levis took a bunch of hits last year from Flax' responsibility and I don't perceive it as lack of strength but lack of foot speed/quickness. As you pointed out, it wasn't like we ran behind him and Manning when we needed short yardage consistently as that side was as much a coin flip as the left. With Ford transferring in, it may be a moot point but I just can't believe that Buford didn't take that RT job this spring. Certainly looked to me that he was consistently better than Flax last year. If he can't remember the playbook, then maybe that's a deal killer. But, dang, I saw Buford play some pretty solid football last year without whiffing, letting guys run straight into the backfield, not being able to get outside quick enough to push the edge away from the QB, etc.
BY whose standard are you saying he was overrated? According to their metric he was rated as an undrafted free agent, which was spot on, and that is what they have Ford as of now.
Just surprised you’d use that metric that scores him lower than Rosenthal is all. I thought you’d say it scored him higher but you zagged when I thought you were zigging.
I understand. I'm not trying to pump sunshine, just provide context. Ford is rated much, much better than Flax, but a bit lower than Rosenthall. IMO opinion we don't necessarily need an all SEC RT to have an adequate to plus Oline and with some decent development he may wind up playing himself into a 3rd day NFL draftee. He has the athleticism.
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