Just back from the game and great game to see in person.
Crash Eckler was in attendance dressed head-to-toe in NU sweats and when he saw me and a fellow EMAWer with our purple on came over and talked to us. I asked if he was there to see Lavonte David and he said he was and also told us he was there to see #50 OT Jemarcus Hardwick and #97 DT Byron Jerideau of FSCC, who he said already visited NU (probably for the KSU game??). I asked "isn't Hardwick already committed to LSU?" and he grinned and said "yes." Nice guy and I told him "we'd love to see you back on our sidelines at K-State" to which he grinned.
Onto the players. Despite not having a great game stats-wise for him (1 Int, 1 fumble, probably 100-150 yards passing), I came away thinking Newton is an absolute talent, even moreso than before. Newton is a physical presence, alot like Freeman was, tall, thick build that I'd place at about 6'5'' 240 Ibs. if I had to guess.
Newton didn't have a great first half throwing, but did well the second half. Was impressed by his arm strength, would easily have the strongest arm on our roster if he committed, had no problems throwing the 10-15 yard out from the far hash. He threw the short-out and 5 to 10 yard in-cut/slant with great ball placement. Also got the ball off at least twice while being hit and still managed to get it 20+ yards downfield. He doesn't have superb vision (coaches would have to work on that) and at times would stare down his WRs, but IMO if we got him, I'm willing to go out on a limb and say he'd be the most physically gifted QB Snyder has ever coached at KSU(bold statement, I know).
Despite his size, Newton runs like a gazelle and he has a deceptively quick cutback, much like Vince Young. He has the field vision of a natural runner, doesn't have the escapability or the straighline speed of Vince, but was still fast enough to outrun several of FSCC's LBs. On the second to last Blinn drive, he converted a 3rd and 13 and 3rd and 10 with his legs. Impressive.
#5 RB Mike Hayes of BCC is a player I would be totally content with offering even if it wasn't as a package deal with Cam. He reminds me a lot of David Allen, particularly in the way he changed field and then hit the hole on his returns. Fast legs, not as fast as Allen, but nice vision and surprising strength despite his size (carried a pile or 4 or 5 guys at one point).
#15 LB Lavonte David of FSCC was without question the best defender on the field. Laterally the guy moves sideline-to-sideline as well as any LB in the Big XII. His frame and style are very similar to Larry Asante of Nebraska, moves quick to the ball, finds the gap to get into the backfield, rustles past the blocker to the ball. If David played heads-up against an OG or FB, he would not be able to shed the block, but, again, right now he's likely playing at 6'2'' 215-200 Ibs. or so.
#8 WR Dexter Ransom of BCC did not play (possibly insured?), but I did watch #1 DE Anthony Gonzales of BCC and came away very happy we did not go hard after this guy on the recruiting trail. He is very soft, got pancaked at least twice I saw, had a tendency to get drug inside, below average strength for what you'd expect for a Div-IA defensive lineman and smaller than expected. His speed off the edge is why Div-IA teams are attracted to him, but it's not enough for him to be good at the next level IMO.
#90 DT Jonathan Mathis of BCC was also less than impressive. He didn't have the strength or motor I'd expected of him coming into the game. Got into the backfield on a few plays, but nothing that would warrant his four-star rating.
#9 DE Frank Bryant of FSCC is a freshman, but a name you'll hear next year with Div-IA offers. The guys was constantly in Newton's face, quick off the edge, batted down balls, decent strength for his size.
#50 OT Jemarcus Hardwick of FSCC, committed to LSU, is a big, physical OL that moves well and really stood out to me. He pancaked Gonzales on one play I was watching. FSCC typically ran to his side with #25 RB Hopkins and it was obvious why.
Overall a great game and a lot of talent on the field. Dana Dimel, Del Miller, and Vic Koenning were all in attendance. I spoke to them briefly after the game and said they were there to see Cam and Hayes, and when I asked if we would get Newton, Dana said "we're right there in it" and that a lot of times you won't know til the end where the kid's going. Also, if Vic's leaving, he had me fooled. I also saw Josh Heupel of OU and some other OU assistant with him.
