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Ohio Football Recruiting Topic
Topic: 2014 RB Maleek Irons (Abbotsford, BC, Canada) - Ohio Signee
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DesertDog
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Posted: 12/10/2013 9:16 PM
LC, good comments as normal.

I really liked his ability to change direction, aka juke.  That could make him a valuable punt returner if he can use that juking ability to make the first man miss.

When I saw Canada, I thought Dahrran Diedrick.  For my Bobcat friends, he was a RB from Canada who was signed by Coach Solich and played at Nebraska.  He currently plays for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.  Similar to Irons, he did not have great speed, but ran hard and was shifty for a big guy.

As for filling out the class, I'm always in favor of taking more bigs, particularly good defensive tackles.
L.C.
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Posted: 12/10/2013 10:50 PM
At 4.49 Irons has great speed, especially for such a big guy.
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus
DesertDog
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Posted: 12/11/2013 7:48 AM
Well I will have to read more closely. Ha. I missed the 4.49. That is fast.

Looking at the tape, the thing that stood out was his ability to change direction and make defenders miss. Hopefully he can do the same in the MAC.
L.C.
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Posted: 12/11/2013 5:44 PM
The 4.49 laser time came from the second article along with a 4.22 shuttle and 32 vertical jump.  Note that ESPN shows a much slower time of 4.73. Let's hope the 4.49 is right.
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus
The Optimist
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Posted: 12/11/2013 7:14 PM
Wow, from all the way on the other coast of Canada as well. From what I could tell his school borders the state of Washington. Any crossover games? Not that I know anything about high school football in the Pacific Northwest.

As mentioned earlier in the threads, the Canadian teams I have seen play in Ohio were significantly outmatched but at the same time Ohio high school football around here is probably better than a lot of places in the United States.

No matter the level of competition, this kid is an athlete. He has the raw athletic ability to succeed once he gets adjusted to the speed of the game. That really isn't any different than every recruit coming in... D-1 FBS football is just a faster pace than ANY high school ball.

Any idea how we found this kid or how he found Ohio?

 FWIW, I don't think he will redshirt. Play him right away!

 
I've seen crazier things happen.
Last Edited: 12/11/2013 7:16:03 PM by The Optimist
L.C.
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Posted: 12/13/2013 2:07 PM
Sports, Eh? reports that Maleek has chosen Ohio, and mentions that he also had offers from Akron and Nevada, and he had one from Portland State, too. It also mentions that the last player from that high school to play football in the US is expected to be a 5-7th round draft choice this year for Oregon. The fact that he is likely to play early at Ohio was a factor in his choice. Here's another article on his choice, complete with this pic:
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus
smc22
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Posted: 12/17/2013 11:32 PM
i live in vancouver and have seen this kid play.... looks absolutely amazing physique-wise. never seen anyone look like this in person (albeit it's canadian high school, not alabama or louisiana)

surprised pac-12 teams like wsu, osu or even washington didn't offer him. they may still.... get the idea academics are an issue as they are with tons of guys

canadian high school is generally american field and rules, so 4 downs..... vancouver high school teams used to get killed in washington state but in recent years i'd say they have had big winning record in W and Oregon. maybe huge surburban canada schools vs small town usa schools but 20 years ago it would be 60-0 for the small usa school

look up jon cornish as another vancouver tailback who led the big12 in rushing. he was at kansas for that fat coach.

arguably the two top tbacks in canadian football league are canadian. up till 7 or 8 years ago tailbacks were always american. fyi cfl is 30% canadian starters and 70% american and you put them wherever you want.

invariably canadians in cfl are dominated by oline and wr. usually the 3rd safety too... ncaa teams to a large degree just recruit canada for oline. idea bring there is no shortage of 180 to 230 lb athletic guys (blackguys??) in the usa

anyway very nice pickup and bobcats are now my #1 team after washington huskies
mf279801
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Posted: 12/18/2013 1:13 AM
smc22 wrote:expand_more
look up jon cornish as another vancouver tailback who led the big12 in rushing. he was at kansas for that fat coach.





2 hours and no body has made the obvious joke?!?

I'll say it: You've got to be more specific: do you mean Charlie Weis or Mark Mangino?
smc22
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Posted: 12/18/2013 10:50 AM
mf279801 wrote:expand_more
look up jon cornish as another vancouver tailback who led the big12 in rushing. he was at kansas for that fat coach.





2 hours and no body has made the obvious joke?!?

I'll say it: You've got to be more specific: do you mean Charlie Weis or Mark Mangino?


i thought of that when i posted it :)
mf279801
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Posted: 12/18/2013 11:53 AM
smc22 wrote:expand_more
look up jon cornish as another vancouver tailback who led the big12 in rushing. he was at kansas for that fat coach.





2 hours and no body has made the obvious joke?!?

I'll say it: You've got to be more specific: do you mean Charlie Weis or Mark Mangino?


i thought of that when i posted it :)



Ha! nice

 
smc22
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Posted: 12/19/2013 11:53 AM
one thing people may not have seen... irons went 15 carries for 500 yards one gam

no matter what they say i say that none of the recruiting services rate canadian players... only remember one canadian player in the last 20 years with an elite rating (kerry carter was #2 tailback by prepstars in 1996 or so). so i don't think they are making any effort in canada)
Cats-22
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Posted: 1/12/2014 7:56 AM
smc22 wrote:expand_more
one thing people may not have seen... irons went 15 carries for 500 yards one gam

no matter what they say i say that none of the recruiting services rate canadian players... only remember one canadian player in the last 20 years with an elite rating (kerry carter was #2 tailback by prepstars in 1996 or so). so i don't think they are making any effort in canada)

15 carries for 500 yards is insane.  Per-carry average is 1/3.  A third of the field per carry.

For what it's worth the last recruit LC was this effusive about was Lavon Brazill.  I remember DWIGHT BOBCAT being skeptical and saying if Brazill ended up a 5* caliber player, he'd remember who said it.  After Brazill's Ohio career and then last night a couple TDs in an NFL playoff game, 5* sounds about right.
Doc Bobcat
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Posted: 1/12/2014 8:51 AM
My son and I were talking about Irons last night. Like myself and others he's amazed st the ability shown on the vid. He's an OSU fan but still can't believe what he's seeing and he's watched it more than once....wonder why?

Either MI is the real deal or Canadian defenses in this part of the country are equal to USA junior high D's.
Bcat2
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Posted: 1/12/2014 9:32 AM
Doc Bobcat wrote:expand_more
My son and I were talking about Irons last night. Like myself and others he's amazed st the ability shown on the vid. He's an OSU fan but still can't believe what he's seeing and he's watched it more than once....wonder why?

Either MI is the real deal or Canadian defenses in this part of the country are equal to USA junior high D's.
Could be a little of both.
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK
MonroeClassmate
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Posted: 1/12/2014 11:18 AM
[QUOTE=Doc Bobcat] My son. He's an OSU fan....wonder why?
/QUOTE]

Yes, I do?  

How's that for editing a hundred words down to 8?

 
Last Edited: 1/12/2014 11:20:49 AM by MonroeClassmate
L.C.
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Posted: 1/12/2014 11:52 AM
catatonic wrote:expand_more
For what it's worth the last recruit LC was this effusive about was Lavon Brazill.  I remember DWIGHT BOBCAT being skeptical and saying if Brazill ended up a 5* caliber player, he'd remember who said it.  After Brazill's Ohio career and then last night a couple TDs in an NFL playoff game, 5* sounds about right.
You have a good memory. Yes, Lavon is the only other Ohio recruit that I have ever called a 5-star. I may have called Carrie a 4-star, though. His injury may cut his viability in the draft, unfortunately.

I don't claim to be a master at evaluating HS talent, though. Maybe I'll get lucky and be right again on Maleek.
 
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus
Doc Bobcat
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Posted: 1/12/2014 12:41 PM
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
[QUOTE=Doc Bobcat] My son. He's an OSU fan....wonder why?
/QUOTE]

Yes, I do?

How's that for editing a hundred words down to 8?

I asked him about that and he mumbled something about allegiance to the university he attended....strange concept huh.
Monroe Slavin
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Posted: 1/12/2014 5:44 PM
Bad parenting.   (just kidding)
Where's the band?!
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Doc Bobcat
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Posted: 1/12/2014 6:10 PM
Monroe Slavin wrote:expand_more
Bad parenting.   (just kidding)


He still roots for the Cats and attends games....just roots for OSU.....unlike some of OUr alumni and students who wear OSU gear 24/7 and even at Cat games.....he does wear Ohio gear.
LoganElm_grad09
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Posted: 1/15/2014 11:53 PM
The only times I remember actually seeing Canadian/American games were when a Canadian team would play at Amanda Clearcreek.  To put it as polite as possible, even a school as small as AC (DV at the time) played at an entirely different level.

However, after watching the video posted, I have to agree with others that the kid has all of the intangibles there.  He also seems to have athleticism and size, which are not coachable things.  It's just going to be a matter of him getting up to par with ball at the highest level in college (as do all other incoming frosh.)  Getting this kid was a great add and it nearly perfectly rounds out this class.  It'll be very interesting to see him in Green and White.
Beastmode
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Posted: 1/16/2014 11:31 AM
GoCats105
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Posted: 1/16/2014 12:18 PM
LoganElm_grad09 wrote:expand_more
The only times I remember actually seeing Canadian/American games were when a Canadian team would play at Amanda Clearcreek.  To put it as polite as possible, even a school as small as AC (DV at the time) played at an entirely different level.


Is Amanda Clearcreek still dominating folks? My high school played them in D5 Playoffs back in 1999 and lost in the first round. We were happy we lost to an eventual state champ with D1 college talent on it. We also kept the score the closest than anyone else they played in the playoffs.
PalmerFest
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Posted: 1/16/2014 12:29 PM
Beastmode wrote:expand_more


This dude runs angry.  Love it
OUs LONG Driver
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Posted: 1/16/2014 6:32 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
The only times I remember actually seeing Canadian/American games were when a Canadian team would play at Amanda Clearcreek. To put it as polite as possible, even a school as small as AC (DV at the time) played at an entirely different level.


Is Amanda Clearcreek still dominating folks? My high school played them in D5 Playoffs back in 1999 and lost in the first round. We were happy we lost to an eventual state champ with D1 college talent on it. We also kept the score the closest than anyone else they played in the playoffs.
I'm a 2000 AC Grad. Although I was Basketball/Golf/Baseball.

Football program declined big time when Ron Hinton left and went to coach Chillicothe. I remember hearing that AC won more games in the 90's (maybe it was some other 10 year period in about that era)than any other school in the state at any level. From what I hear now, they are pretty average. My good friend and College roommate, Scott Hinton, was the QB for the 2001 State Championship team and nephew of Ron. He's the Varsity girl's basketball coach at Alexander now. Doing good things there.

For the Canadian team they played in 2000 (think the other was in 99), they were atrocious. I think it was 80+ to 0. The Canadian football team actually came down early and went to school with us that Friday. It was really strange.

I've always believed the advantage AC had at the time was the youth program which was in place before anyone else and was ran from the top. They ran the same plays with the same calls from grade school through HS. Now the other programs in the MSL have caught up and passed AC since those programs are all much bigger in size and now have the same youth programs. Also, open enrollment didn't hurt as a couple players from other schools transferred strictly to play football.

Also, the only D1 talent from the state championship years was Dan Davis who committed to EMU and I think washed out before his Freshman season even started. He wasn't exactly college material.
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Posted: 1/17/2014 5:17 PM
Article that talks about the recruiting of Maleek.
abbynews wrote:expand_more
Months ago, coaches from the Ohio University Bobcats football team told W.J. Mouat Hawks coach Denis Kelly that Maleek Irons, his star senior running back, was their No. 1 recruiting priority.

It might be easy to dismiss such lofty talk as simply part of the sales pitch, but the NCAA Div. 1 program backed it up in a big way. Three times this fall, the Bobcats sent a member of their coaching staff on a cross-continent flight to watch Irons play and chat with the 17-year-old....



And, for fun, here's Maleek at 14, doing a little cooking

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus
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