Nicolopalus Commits

[03alum]

Does anyone have the scoop on this guy?

[xlcock86]

As first reported by Tiger Illustrated, the Clemson Tigers have gained their second verbal commit of the 2010 recruiting class in Anderson - TL Hanna linebacker Jake Nicolopulos. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder, who attended Clemson's Junior Day event over the weekend, verbally committed to the Tigers this evening after getting the offer he had been waiting for.

[Hopefultiger]

Yep, He will probably be a midrange 3-star next year although he could most definatly pick up the 4th star by having a good senior campaign. Word is that he's a real mean one. Loves contact and brings the house when he comes. Is pretty good in coverage for a guy his size (6'2'' and 220, so project him as a RS and he plays at 240+). He has sound fundamentals, super polite and is very coachable. Doesn't have the highest ceiling, but has good work ethic and has virtually no chance of being a bust at the BCS level. His lateral movement is not the best and neither is his sideline to sideline play. This is not surprising in a MLB. He also needs to work on shedding blockers, but that's a common problem for highschool LBs. It was also noted on the insider boards that our new DC (Steele) is one of the best LB coaches around as well as a great recruiter and evaluator of talent. He personally reviewed this kid's tape and OK'd extending an early offer when we are only taking ONE inside LB in the 2010 class. That slot is now closed and this kid hasn't played a snap or practiced a down for his Senior Season. That speaks loads right there.

[Zantetsuken]

Thanks to Hopeful there. He pretty much nailed it...not much that I am at liberty to add.

[Tiger80]

My gosh, you are talking about a guy that is almost a year away from being able to sign a national letter of intent. Remind me about him in October or November when he is playing his senior season.

[Hopefultiger]

You are dead on there brother. No body knows what this kid is going to do next year. I'm really looking forward to Clemson's spring ball to see how our RS LBs are working out. I REALLY want to see Willard and Rollins on the field. Remember that Rollins was a three star going into his senior year and was hurt in the 2nd game and was out for the season. He was thrown out of the 1st game in the 1st half for knocking a player unconsious. The officials thought it was helmet to helment contact but after reviewing the film later the officials admitted it was clean.

[xlcock86]

I will say this again!!! WHO????????

[TigerTheory]

Our defense will take time to get it together again this season, but should not be as far off as last season. Our LBs are taking form into some beasts, young and inexperienced so far but our depth is thicker and by mid-late 2010 we will see some superstars emerge from Steeles coaching and their own playing experience.

Its safe to say that I feel more confident in our defenses abilities than our offenses. Has anyone been to the open practices to see these kids?

[Hopefultiger]

I've been reading a bunch about the open practices. Wednesday was the 1st day in full pads. Word is that they really got after it, doing the Oklahoma drill. (for those of you who don't know, that's 3 OL vs 3 DL (or LBs). A RB gets the ball behind them (16ft wide running lane) and has 4 shots to get 10 yards. It's freaking brutal and will kick your ass even at the HS level, but by God it will make you a man or put you on the sideline hurt (maybe both)).
Swinney is emphazing up tempo practices and is working toward up tempo games where speed and toughness are the new mottos.

[Tiger80]

Mickey Plyler said it was closer to the pace that Rodriguez used in his practices. I like the sense of urgency. Work hard and get the job done in less overall practice time. Korn said he liked it because there was not a lot of standing around. The bottom line is that it more closely mimics a game. After practices like that, when you finally play a game you are not shell-shocked!

[CURES]

The more intense and realistic the "training", the more one will react correctly in a real "under fire" situation. If possible, Practice needs to be more intense than the game. That way, the game itself becomes something to look forward to so as to escape practice. Make practice intense and tough, and demand the same intensity in each game, and we will be in every game we play.

Bear bryant believed in practicing being intense. So did Vince Lombardi.

[xlcock86]

The more intense and realistic the "training", the more one will react correctly in a real "under fire" situation. If possible, Practice needs to be more intense than the game. That way, the game itself becomes something to look forward to so as to escape practice. Make practice intense and tough, and demand the same intensity in each game, and we will be in every game we play.

Bear bryant believed in practicing being intense. So did Vince Lombardi.
Well said man...:D

[Tiger80]

Hmmmm? Didn't I say that in the previous post?

Under Bowden, we looked liked we were shocked when the other team actually blocked and tackled as if they wanted to win. We were seldom very tough. Hopefully, the new approach to practice will pay dividends in the regular season.