Tope Imade/Bowie Spring game

[Mike Roach]

Out here at the Bowie spring game and just saw Imade. For a kid that plays north of 300 pounds he sure carries it well. Broad shoulders and long legs with room to put on more. Just a guess but I'd say he could be a 330+ guard prospect. Won't be many updates as the head coach has told me this will be a watered down affair but I'll post some notes of interest and thoughts afterward.

 

[Mike Roach]

Current Horn and former Bowie player Edwin Freeman is in attendance. Very big kid. Said offseason went well and you can tell.

 

[java]

Freeman must have good things to say about Texas - that counts.  In the end, it is probably what matters the most, of course winning helps, too.  In small to mid-size Texas towns word spreads like wildfire.  In cities it takes longer, but as we saw last year, the community of Division I top level recruits is relatively small and tight-knit, word travels quickly there, as well.

Strong is a player's coach.  Word's out. 

Hook 'em!

 

[Aaron Carrara]

You've been scouting Imade way before he came on the scene.  Great work - keep us updated on any new developments with the latest Texas commit.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

 

[Mike Roach]

A few thoughts on Imade in action.  

1) I saw what I thought I'd see.  A big raw kid who will get beat due to technical mistakes, but a giant ball of athleticism and versatility.  That was Imade tonight, there were times that he made things look so good.  Also it's a spring game and was very watered down as the Bowie head coach told me it would be.

2) Imade's footwork in his pass drop has gotten remarkably better since his film from last year and even his performance at The Opening regional camp

3) He struggles with consistency a bit, such as when he tried to lay a shoulder into a kid instead of using his hands.  The smaller defender was able to go right under him with that.  He also has a tell when he's going to pull that I picked up on the 2nd play from scrimmage.  He lines up with his feet closer together and raises his butt up slightly higher to "cheat" and get out of his stance faster on the pull.  These are minor details that will be straightened out with coaching.

4) He also struggles a bit feeling the defender on his help side.  When offensive linemen are pass blocking a rush of 4 they often have responsibilities to one side or the other depending on the slide protection called.  Imade had some trouble feeling his backside help and getting over there.

5) other than these coaching details he has some things about him that stand out on the positive side.  Once he locks on, you are going for a ride until the whistle.  This kid is a finisher who puts people on their backs.  He also flashes some great flexibility and athleticism, and really shines when he gets into space or works to the second level.  Many linemen lack the agility and balance to engage a moving target in the second and third levels of the defense.  Imade shows great skills in the open and quick change of direction skills to get his body in a good position.

6) Personally Imade is a fantastic kid.  He seems to be very well liked by his teammates and loved by his coaches.  He's a quiet kid with a big smile and infectious attitude.  

7) He's got some growing to do both physically and technically, but there sure is a lot to like with him.

 

[Mike Roach]

Yes, the best and most confusing part of the game was when a quarterback was hit late out of bounds.  Said QB got up and threw the ball at the kid who hit him and as he was being yelled at by coaches for drawing a personal foul two other coaches blew Vuvuzela's in his ears.

 

[Aaron Carrara]

Okay I couldn't help myself.