Sounds like he could be option #2 for those critical 3rd-and-short downs that CRod has been so good at picking up. Seems like he might be just a hair faster, too. Think the RB room is very full with guys whose strengths complement each other. If we find a couple who are really solid catching the ball, Coach S will have some fun scheming with this group.
Lavell Wright at 217 lbs?
- Thread starter gamecockcat
- Start date
Yea if he's 217 and keeps his speed then we may have found our starter for next year. I've never been sold on McClain. I know he's listed at 5-9 200 but he looks like he's about 170 and doesn't seem to have the speed or wiggle someone at that size needs to succeed in the SEC.
#1 rule, hold onto the ball.
Had our problems last season at times.
Had our problems last season at times.
We had very little to go on last year, but I liked what I saw when he did get on the field. I have high hopes for him.
He mostly played in garbage time last year (NMSU) but when he was in there he did well. He’ll likely be #3 or maybe #2 RB this season, but I could see him challenging for #1 next year.
Not sure just how physical a runner he will be, but transfer Ramon Jefferson isn't tiny, either, as he's list at 5'10, 215 lbs.
It's to have multiple backs with the size to at least "potentially" run powerfully/break tackles in addition to C-Rod
It's to have multiple backs with the size to at least "potentially" run powerfully/break tackles in addition to C-Rod
Wright looked good in minimal reps vs second and third teams. I definitely think he's in the mix just don't think this season there are many carries for him. McClain is much better especially in this offense and the transfer is probably in line for carries too.
Can't believe smoke didn't transfer. Hate it for him but he is passed up. He's probably staring at 4th right now and sliding.
Jmo but I think wright needs to get to 225.
Can't believe smoke didn't transfer. Hate it for him but he is passed up. He's probably staring at 4th right now and sliding.
Jmo but I think wright needs to get to 225.
Smoke has been cited for his pass catching ability in years past. I wonder if he'll be the guy on 3rd down. What happened to Drennan? Haven't heard much at all about him lately. Is he still a RB or back at slot? Both positions seem pretty full at the moment.
Tend to agree with you on McClain. He's one guy the staff seems high on yet I scratch my head and wonder what I'm missing. He's got lots of potential but so far seems to be a guy that gets the ball with some space but never seems to be able to make the hard cut or athletic play to finish.
I’ve just never been impressed with smaller backs in the SEC unless they have Boom Williams kinda juice. I don’t see it with McClain. He’s better than Sihiem King but not by much, at least so far.
Drennan played well in the Spring game.
I think they like McClain because he can execute the wide zone runs that is the key to the McVey/Shanahan system better than CRod or Smoke.
Smoke's a good vet presence.
Too many good backs, not enough balls to go around. Good problem to have.
I think they like McClain because he can execute the wide zone runs that is the key to the McVey/Shanahan system better than CRod or Smoke.
Smoke's a good vet presence.
Too many good backs, not enough balls to go around. Good problem to have.
I tend to agree here....they just go down at first contact in this league.
I find it interesting that Coen liked to mix up smaller guys and wanted to run stretch zone...but could not 100% due to CRod skillset.
But Scangerello is here...and we go out and recruit 2 big backs in this class with Moorman and Keith out of Alabama. So are we going back to bruising back model under Scangerello?
Look at Wrights legs and biceps, obvious how hard he has worked and shouldn't be that easy to tackle just looking at his build.
I don't watch much NFL but my impression of the 49ers offense was they were a power running team. But I could be completely off.
Yep, Wright is chiseled. Has above average speed and added muscle so you figure he's going to be more stout and powerful this year. I think he has the potential to be the next elite running back here following Rodriguez.
Drennon looked great in the spring game, like his press clippings led us to believe he was our next great running back, also a very good receiver.
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The article I read said he'd gained 10 lbs over the offseason.
There is serious depth and versatility in this backfield. I am very excited to see how they are going to be used. I have great expectations for Wright. GO CATS!!
McLain ran a laser timed 4.09 20 yard shuttle in HS. That’s excellent and shows the type of agility that can excel in a wide zone scheme. I don’t know if he has great long speed yet but he’s gotten very few Carries up to this point. The staff has him as Crods 1B so they see something in him that’s for sure. I think he’s more short than little. Any way you slice it we have a ton of options in the RB room so if a guy not getting it done he won’t play much.
I don't know but he could have got rid of ten pounds of fat and replaced it with ten pounds of muscle. It happens when players need it enough, or even if they think it might mean a contract worth millions in the future.
Or hell, Thug U might offer him millions to transfer, I have played football since I was a kid in the forties, still playing in high class flag leagues into my forties and officiated until I was 65 but with way the things are going I might give up on it in the near future. This year might be the last year UK has a great team the way things are going.
Money talks.,
We have seen a lot of CRod and obviously he is one of the most impressive backs in the country. We have seen a lot of Smoke and he runs well, but not with the power and vision of CRod. We have seen a fair amount of McClain, who impresses me more than he impresses some of you. McClain is a talented all purpose back who can do everything. Probably the best pass receiver in our RB room. That he is not as good as CRod just puts him in a large group. We have seen very little of Wright. But what we have seen of Wright was impressive. Power and speed. Sometime this season, Wright will probably win a game for us.
I know one thing…with all the depth and versatility the RBs (CRod included) better hang on to the ball.
One fumble could put you at the back of a VERY long line.
One fumble could put you at the back of a VERY long line.
I really thought Wright would be the leading candidate to replace C-Rod. I know his playing time was against inferior competition last year, but he passed the eye test. Stuff I saw him do, screamed future STAR to my eye. Ramon Jefferson must be popping off the field to the coaches to have come in and passed Wright up.
Smoke has never impressed me and neither has McClain, but Wright, stood out to me the same way C-Rod did when backing up Benny.
Smoke has never impressed me and neither has McClain, but Wright, stood out to me the same way C-Rod did when backing up Benny.
I've seen where some discredited Wright because he played against UL & NMSt 2/3 team scrubs after those games were well in hand. And while he did play after those games were well in hand, I don't know whether those opponents had scrubs in or not, but even if so, he undoubtedly ran behind 2/3 teamers on UK's o-line & receiving corps and still had results that were very favorably comparable to C-Rod. He only had 9 carries combined, but had 2 long runs among those 9 carries which skewed the ypa average. But then, long runs skew all rb's average ypa. With the very limited amount of opportunities, he was very impressive. I would like to see more from him. It speaks volumes if RJ has clearly passed him on the depth chart.
I may have missed it, but I have not seen anyone mention one factor in particular. John Settle is one of the top RB coaches in the country. The man can develop young backs. He must be the most taken for granted member of our staff. We have a lot of backs. Whichever backs are available to play, Settle will have them ready. If Rodriguez is out for a couple weeks, I expect someone else to play well in his place, no matter the opponent.
Think Wright may have been in a 'no hit' jersey at practice the other day. If so, we could be down two RB's.
