Big Blue Huddle

I've finally gotten the chance to do extensive tape on both Hunter and Johnson and this is my opinion.

Hunter: Despite playing corner in college with Deion as his coach he is still really raw as a prospect. He's ELITE IQ and athleticism really show. His 91.1 PFF cover grade was tops in the FBS, with a 42.0 passer rating allowed which was 9th. Has obviously elite ball skills.

Immediate concerns: seems significantly better in zone than press. Had the 4th lowest reps in man in the CFB. 185 out 378 coverage snaps. Has a really lean frame, he's listed at 6'1 185lbs but from what I heard it's closer to 6'0 178lbs right now.

Comps:
Wr- Think Devonta Smith with Marvin Harrisons IQ but doesn't run routes as well as Smith.

CB- Champ Bailey lite

Will Johnson He's the best Corner I've seen in years. 6'2 202lb physical corner that can play man or zone, inside or outside. His eyes and reactionary ability are unmatched out of college. Elite ball skills and IQ were he baits qbs and even though he hardly got thrown at he still had 9 ints in 3 years. Came in as a freshman and was elite immediately as a freshman. I watched his tape vs Marvin Harrison Jr and Jermiah Smith and came away even more impressed.

Comp: Sauce Gardners physical style and IQ with Surtains coverage ability. Johnson may be the perfect built in a lab modern corner.

Fast fact Johnson was a 2 way player through high school and wanted to continue being one in college but Harbaugh wasn't having it knowing his potential at corner.

Quote from: Jclayton92 on January 14, 2025, 02:01:15 PMI've finally gotten the chance to do extensive tape on both Hunter and Johnson and this is my opinion.

Hunter: Despite playing corner in college with Deion as his coach he is still really raw as a prospect. He's ELITE IQ and athleticism really show. His 91.1 PFF cover grade was tops in the FBS, with a 42.0 passer rating allowed which was 9th. Has obviously elite ball skills.

Immediate concerns: seems significantly better in zone than press. Had the 4th lowest reps in man in the CFB. 185 out 378 coverage snaps. Has a really lean frame, he's listed at 6'1 185lbs but from what I heard it's closer to 6'0 178lbs right now.

Comps:
Wr- Think Devonta Smith with Marvin Harrisons IQ but doesn't run routes as well as Smith.

CB- Champ Bailey lite

Will Johnson He's the best Corner I've seen in years. 6'2 202lb physical corner that can play man or zone, inside or outside. His eyes and reactionary ability are unmatched out of college. Elite ball skills and IQ were he baits qbs and even though he hardly got thrown at he still had 9 ints in 3 years. Came in as a freshman and was elite immediately as a freshman. I watched his tape vs Marvin Harrison Jr and Jermiah Smith and came away even more impressed.

Comp: Sauce Gardners physical style and IQ with Surtains coverage ability. Johnson may be the perfect built in a lab modern corner.

Fast fact Johnson was a 2 way player through high school and wanted to continue being one in college but Harbaugh wasn't having it knowing his potential at corner.

Thanks for this, Jess.


When scouting, it matters the quality of the competition a prospect faces.   You have to think that Johnson faced better WRs than Hunter.

Guys - I've been saying saying this for 2 months on Will Johnson.  I have not watched tape.  I've watched all his games.  He was a 5 star at of high school who has continued to develop.  He's got already an NFL body at 6'2" 202.  Watch him run up to tackle RBs or WRs at LOS.  Fearless and great technical tackler.  Two years ago it was MH Jr and Jaxson Smith Njiba.  Last year it was MH Jr and Eguba.  This tear it was Jeremiah Smith.  QBs did not throw yet he still had 9 INTs and of those 9 he ran back 3 INTs for TDs. He's the best CB since Sauce Gardner.  He blankets and runs step for step in MTM.  In Zone, he sits and reads a QB.  He has like 6 INTs from Zine and 3 in MTM.  Folks who have said Hunter or Trey Amos will be better are crazy IMHO.  He even played hurt for much of 2024.

Quote from: Philosophers on January 14, 2025, 02:15:17 PMGuys - I've been saying saying this for 2 months on Will Johnson.  I have not watched tape.  I've watched all his games.  He was a 5 star at of high school who has continued to develop.  He's got already an NFL body at 6'2" 202.  Watch him run up to tackle RBs or WRs at LOS.  Fearless and great technical tackler.  Two years ago it was MH Jr and Jaxson Smith Njiba.  Last year it was MH Jr and Eguba.  This tear it was Jeremiah Smith.  QBs did not throw yet he still had 9 INTs and of those 9 he ran back 3 INTs for TDs. He's the best CB since Sauce Gardner.  Folks who have said Hunter or Trey Amos will be better are crazy IMHO.  He even played hurt for much of 2024.

I agree with you, I just said basically what you did above. He is the best corner I've seen in years, and while I think Amos will be elite also, I was simply stating for the value because you could get him in the 2nd vs having to get Johnson at 3 which would allow you to go Graham or Carter in the 1st. Johnson is my number 1 prospect right now followed by Carter, Hunter, then Graham.

Quote from: MightyGiants on January 14, 2025, 02:05:44 PMThanks for this, Jess.


When scouting, it matters the quality of the competition a prospect faces.   You have to think that Johnson faced better WRs than Hunter.

I agree completely, which is a concern because Hunter despite being the number 1 prospect out of high school faced very little elite talent at Jackson St and Colorado which I believe hampered his growth significantly. Yes he looks elite vs them but he never really got to show it vs talent.

Quote from: Jclayton92 on January 14, 2025, 02:20:24 PMI agree with you, I just said basically what you did above. He is the best corner I've seen in years, and while I think Amos will be elite also, I was simply stating for the value because you could get him in the 2nd vs having to get Johnson at 3 which would allow you to go Graham or Carter in the 1st. Johnson is my number 1 prospect right now followed by Carter, Hunter, then Graham.

J: That's my only reservation about taking Hunter... quality of competition. All things considered, I'd go for Graham. IMO, putting him next to Dexter would be a nightmare for any OL. Bob

Hunter is an exceptional athlete who will be a CB1 in the NFL, the position at which he practices 90% of the time. He also is a well-above average WR who, if he was to be drafted by Our Heroes, would see action there not a lot more than situationally in an effort to force opponents to stop double-covering Nabers in certain more critical circumstances.

He would be one among three non-QBs whom I would be satisfied to see them take at 3 if they also make it their business to get Jaxon Dart with their next pick and who initially would then sit behind vet FA bridge QB.

Cheers!

Quote from: Jclayton92 on January 14, 2025, 02:20:24 PMI agree with you, I just said basically what you did above. He is the best corner I've seen in years, and while I think Amos will be elite also, I was simply stating for the value because you could get him in the 2nd vs having to get Johnson at 3 which would allow you to go Graham or Carter in the 1st. Johnson is my number 1 prospect right now followed by Carter, Hunter, then Graham.

Quote from: Jclayton92 on January 14, 2025, 02:20:24 PMI agree with you, I just said basically what you did above. He is the best corner I've seen in years, and while I think Amos will be elite also, I was simply stating for the value because you could get him in the 2nd vs having to get Johnson at 3 which would allow you to go Graham or Carter in the 1st. Johnson is my number 1 prospect right now followed by Carter, Hunter, then Graham.

Jess - I know you see it now same as I have as you have dug more into him.  I've watched him since his freshmen year and even then he looked very good.

Quote from: Painter on January 14, 2025, 03:06:40 PMHunter is an exceptional athlete who will be a CB1 in the NFL, the position at which he practices 90% of the time. He also is a well-above average WR who, if he was to be drafted by Our Heroes, would see action there not a lot more than situationally in an effort to force opponents to stop double-covering Nabers in certain more critical circumstances.

He would be one among three non-QBs whom I would be satisfied to see them take at 3 if they also make it their business to get Jaxon Dart with their next pick and who initially would then sit behind vet FA bridge QB.

Larry: I forgot who the other 2 1st-round players you would be ok with are (slow burn on the memory). Bob

I stumbled across this database.  It's how 2024 DBs did against PFF WRs in the top 300.  It includes Hunter and Johnson


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LhBtZyDnL75F3kaVafEPcrLPQUUo6mbZ3rFre1tAkaA/edit?gid=989464940#gid=989464940

I think Will Johnson is all around better than Carter and Graham plays with a non stop motor and relentless tenacity and pursuit ala Aiden Hutchinson.  Abdul Carter has wonderful physical attributes but when I have seen him play, he slows down or gives up in pursuits.  I dont see the tenacity that Graham has.

Quote from: MightyGiants on January 14, 2025, 03:46:21 PMI stumbled across this database.  It's how 2024 DBs did against PFF WRs in the top 300.  It includes Hunter and Johnson


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LhBtZyDnL75F3kaVafEPcrLPQUUo6mbZ3rFre1tAkaA/edit?gid=989464940#gid=989464940

Look at the competition.

Quote from: Bob In PA on January 14, 2025, 03:40:08 PMLarry: I forgot who the other 2 1st-round players you would be ok with are (slow burn on the memory). Bob

Mason Graham alongside Dex would be a joy to behold. Or Will Johnson unless they haven't given up on Banks. I am also aware of the support garnered by Abdul Carter.

Cheers!, Bob

Quote from: MightyGiants on January 14, 2025, 03:46:21 PMI stumbled across this database.  It's how 2024 DBs did against PFF WRs in the top 300.  It includes Hunter and Johnson


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LhBtZyDnL75F3kaVafEPcrLPQUUo6mbZ3rFre1tAkaA/edit?gid=989464940#gid=989464940

In the CFP Final, Will Johnson took Rome Odunze completely out of the game.

Quote from: Painter on January 14, 2025, 05:07:54 PMMason Graham alongside Dex would be a joy to behold. Or Will Johnson unless they haven't given up on Banks. I am also aware of the support garnered by Abdul Carter.

Cheers!, Bob

Indeed, Larry; we might finally be able to control those pesky A and B gaps.  We've been a bottom run-stopping team for far too long.