In his two seasons at Texas, Charlie Strong gained a reputation for being a “flipperâ€. Strong has been able to get in front of committed prospects and talk them into switching their commitments to Texas. The flipper struck again today when Manor (TX) linebacker Erick Fowler announced he would sign with the Longhorns. The former LSU commit picked the Longhorns over offers from Alabama, Baylor, Michigan, Oklahoma, TCU, and UCLA among others.
Fowler was named to the U.S. Army All-American game this season where he played very well. The eighth ranked player on the 2016 HornSports top 50 is a human chess piece that can be moved around to create havoc from several different positions. Fowler’s hometown is located close to Austin, but he grew up an LSU fan. Texas persisted in recruiting him hard throughout the season along with help from several of their committed prospects. In the end, proximity and a belief in Charlie Strong won out for Fowler and Texas.
Film Analysis:
Fowler has a stout build at 6’3 235 lbs., which profiles him as an inside linebacker or rush end from the fox position. He is explosive off the ball and uses his hands well to shed opposing blockers. As a pass rusher, Fowler is a menace from the blind side often too quickly for tackles to block. He has great ability to turn the corner, and once he locks onto the quarterback, he activates an explosive closing gear. He is athletic in pursuit with the ability to turn his hips and run with the ball, which also makes him a great candidate as a sideline-to-sideline inside backer. His violent hands and aggressive nature allow him to be strong at the point of attack. When he’s playing inside, he sorts through traffic easily to knife his way into the correct gap and make a play. He’s not often called upon to drop into coverage, but he does have the coordination to do so. Fowler is a strong tackler who hits with a purpose while wrapping up to ensure he doesn’t lose his man. He is looked at as a team leader and carries himself on the field as an alpha male with his body language.
Final Verdict:
This was a huge flip for Strong, because Texas did not have a dynamic pass rusher in the class. Fowler can figure in immediately as a weapon on defense with the ability to bring pressure from several different positions. It’s unclear what his long-term position is, but his athletic ceiling is through the roof. Fowler’s potential could be that of an All-American level player and high draft pick.
