'16 RB Tyus Flakes (Alabama)

[BillySee58]

5'10" 195 lb running back from Auburn High School in Auburn, Al. Rushed for 1165 yards and 8 touchdowns as a junior and 1411 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore. We have offered. He also holds an offer from Arkansas State.

Highlights:

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2669360/tyus-flakes

http://sports.yahoo.com/michiganstate/football/recruiting/player-Tyus-Flakes-169507

http://247sports.com/Player/Tyus-Flakes-77934

http://recruiting.scout.com/player/7336520n-tyus-flakes

Edited February 23, 2015 by BillySee58

[Aldo]

Great change of direction, nice balance, good size. I just think he'd make a really great slot receiver here. Needs to work on between-the-tackles/following the play. Hope he focuses on that GPA too.

[UNTLifer]

Why would you want to move him from RB?

[Aldo]

The way he attacks the LOS is not the way I'd expect a kid that is already at 195lbs and 5'11". He's not following his tacklers - either overrunning, or just running around the corner. Rather than pounding the ball through, he's not reacting to creases and just trying to beat everyone around the line. That makes me think the way he sees the field is a little suspect, or he doesn't know the playbook.

But once he gets in open field he's got great agility, balance, quickness, and strength. And he's got some great hands. And Harris is a senior.

Not saying he won't make it as a rb, he's got a lot of natural ability, but he needs some work on reading the line, running the play, and reacting to a developing play.

[Aldo]

imo if he had Jeffery Wilson's vision, he'd be pushing 4 stars.

[BillySee58]

I disagree with Aldo on this one. He's a running back all the way and I'd be very surprised to see a school recruit him anywhere else. Also, he is pushing 4 stars, as he has a rating of 87 on 247, just 3 points shy of a 4-star rating. I expect this kid will have a good offer list by the summer, but I could see him falling just shy of SEC schools. Maybe we could have a shot here, but I would be surprised if he didn't pick up a few P5 offers before all is said and done.

Also, a couple things worth noting:

1. I could see us signing two running backs this class, after getting zero last year. Although we have 4 scholarship sophomores heading into this year, so we may just get one this class.

2. With UAB now dissolved, maybe we try to benefit over there. South Alabama (a Sun Belt school) is the only G5 in-state school in Alabama now. Maybe that opens a door for us. Not a great chance, but worth a shot for our coaches IMO.

[UNTLifer]

I also disagree with Aldo. A number of the plays in the video where options, so they naturally took him to the outside. The few plays they did run up the middle, he reacted and ran to the holes. Solid looking player. I don't know how big of a chance we have of landing him. but maybe the early offer will help.

[Aldo]

Oh for sure I don't think he gets any offers as anything other than a rb (he's got all that natural rb ability), but I think in our own system where the slot receiver has recently been our best offensive playmakers he'd make a good fit. He has those additional skills that warrant a look there.

[UNTLifer]

Now, I can agree with that, but considering how close he is to being rated a 4-star as a RB, I would be hesitant to move him.

[BillySee58]

Picked up a Southern Miss and Georgia Southern offer.

[GrayEagle]

I disagree with Aldo on this one. He's a running back all the way and I'd be very surprised to see a school recruit him anywhere else. Also, he is pushing 4 stars, as he has a rating of 87 on 247, just 3 points shy of a 4-star rating. I expect this kid will have a good offer list by the summer, but I could see him falling just shy of SEC schools. Maybe we could have a shot here, but I would be surprised if he didn't pick up a few P5 offers before all is said and done.

Also, a couple things worth noting:

1. I could see us signing two running backs this class, after getting zero last year. Although we have 4 scholarship sophomores heading into this year, so we may just get one this class.

2. With UAB now dissolved, maybe we try to benefit over there. South Alabama (a Sun Belt school) is the only G5 in-state school in Alabama now. Maybe that opens a door for us. Not a great chance, but worth a shot for our coaches IMO.

Troy is also a G5 school in Alabama. I don't know how much of a factor they might be with their new coach.

[greenminer]

How often have we reached out to 'bama HS kids?

[BillySee58]

Picked up offers from Army and South Alabama

[BillySee58]

Committed to Indiana.

[UNTLifer]

INDIANA!  Stick Coach Perry on him until February and flip him.

Edited June 16, 2015 by UNTLifer