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ISU football gets Juco commit
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2009-07-02
Old school tight end play may be making a comeback at Iowa State.
Chaffey College (Calif.) coach Carl Beach describes tight end Ricky Howard, a 2010 prospect who, along with teammate Durrell Givens, a defensive end, recently committed to the Cyclones, as a throwback who is as comfortable blocking on the line as he is catching passes on the seam.
“He can do everything you would ask a tight end to do,” Beach said. “We can flex him out. He can run routes. He’s a good target. He’s also great in the blocking game.”
As the spread offense has spread, all encompassing tight ends have become a tough commodity to find. Beach believes that’s because spread offense places a higher value on wide outs than tight ends.
“So much of the spread is a trade off between the positions, and people will always choose the wide receiver,” Beach said. “That’s why people play four wide outs. Running is different now. It’s more about getting people out of the box so there are only five people to block. You can effectively run without a tight end.”
But Beach said Chaffey’s ground attack is more effective because Howard can block. He added that Howard, who is listed at 6-foot-4, 240-pounds in the team’s media guide, is a valuable piece of the Panthers’ spread attack because he is so versatile and can be worked into the running and passing game.
“Ricky allows us to run the ball out of any formation we are in,” Beach said. “He is also a very good receiver who can get separation on the perimeter or on linebackers. We can run off him when he’s on the line, and he can block a linebacker. We can line him up in the slot, and he can deliver a better crack block than our wide receivers.”
Howard, the third known member of ISU’s 2010 class, has improved tremendously in the last year, Beach said, because he’s jumped right into Chaffey’s workout program and easily grasped the differences between high school and college football.
Howard was named to the SCFA All-Central Conference Team in 2008 after hauling in 10 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Beach expects Howard’s numbers to rise this season because Chaffey’s quarterback has also improved from a year ago.
“If he continues to improve like he has, he will be able to step on campus and make an impact right away,” Beach said.
Givens intercepted four passes last season.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2009-07-02
Old school tight end play may be making a comeback at Iowa State.
Chaffey College (Calif.) coach Carl Beach describes tight end Ricky Howard, a 2010 prospect who, along with teammate Durrell Givens, a defensive end, recently committed to the Cyclones, as a throwback who is as comfortable blocking on the line as he is catching passes on the seam.
“He can do everything you would ask a tight end to do,” Beach said. “We can flex him out. He can run routes. He’s a good target. He’s also great in the blocking game.”
As the spread offense has spread, all encompassing tight ends have become a tough commodity to find. Beach believes that’s because spread offense places a higher value on wide outs than tight ends.
“So much of the spread is a trade off between the positions, and people will always choose the wide receiver,” Beach said. “That’s why people play four wide outs. Running is different now. It’s more about getting people out of the box so there are only five people to block. You can effectively run without a tight end.”
But Beach said Chaffey’s ground attack is more effective because Howard can block. He added that Howard, who is listed at 6-foot-4, 240-pounds in the team’s media guide, is a valuable piece of the Panthers’ spread attack because he is so versatile and can be worked into the running and passing game.
“Ricky allows us to run the ball out of any formation we are in,” Beach said. “He is also a very good receiver who can get separation on the perimeter or on linebackers. We can run off him when he’s on the line, and he can block a linebacker. We can line him up in the slot, and he can deliver a better crack block than our wide receivers.”
Howard, the third known member of ISU’s 2010 class, has improved tremendously in the last year, Beach said, because he’s jumped right into Chaffey’s workout program and easily grasped the differences between high school and college football.
Howard was named to the SCFA All-Central Conference Team in 2008 after hauling in 10 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Beach expects Howard’s numbers to rise this season because Chaffey’s quarterback has also improved from a year ago.
“If he continues to improve like he has, he will be able to step on campus and make an impact right away,” Beach said.
Givens intercepted four passes last season.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
| Comments |
| givengr Givens other recruiting intrest were Kanas State, University of Mississippi,University of Tennesse Vol,Arizona State, University of Nevada Reno,San Diego State, New Mexico State and Bosie State. I would like to thank coach Ash at I.S.U.for recrutiting him. 7/7/09 Nice This is great to hear a little more information about this kid, and it's sounds like a good bit of information. Excited to get him. 7/6/09 |
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