Troy Pride has been on the Freaks List for the past couple years as arguably the fastest CFB player. But... Has ND ever showcased that speed... Nope. Instead... Hes playing 30yds off the WR waiting and watching. Completely out of the flow once the WR reaches him and looks lost. Now.. Because he's an elite athlete who wants to compete, sometimes that overtakes his coaching and he makes a play. And he's made a lot of them. But not nearly to his ability.
Now...you put him in man, tight, and let him be an athlete and evidently he looks legit....per this article reporting from Senior Bowl.
If He goes and runs a 4.29-4.35 next month, he's a 2nd RD pick... But what will keep him from going higher is lack of tape of him pressing and being that athlete. Who's fault is that? Now I would say, maybe he isn't good at. Welp, one week of coaching at the Senior bowl and looks like that's not the case.
So I asked... Why recruit these kinds of guys then coach??
Next DB coach needs to (be allowed to) teach these guy how to compete and be athletes. Not playing “not to lose"... cause it's not worked. Julian Love made plays on his own and you could see it. Shaun Crawford pre his injuries... Same thing... Natural ball skills with loose hips and feet. Craziest one... Donte Vaughn as a frosh looked like the part and declined every year. Hmmm the more he was taught away from his ability the more he struggled??? Maybe... Then hes the victim of the most amazing catches, on him routinely... Confidence was shot.
Now Bracy looks decent, glad to hear Crawford is back for one more...and between all this speed coming in early there should be a couple CBs to mold. PLEASE... let em compete. Press and run. You have talent at Safety... Lean on it. This helps the pass rush immensely. You play 142yds of the WR. That's easy completions for days. You recruit SEC athleticism like Pride and LAND IT... But coach em like a Patriot League athlete???? (no disrespect to any Patriot grads/ lovers).. Just doesn't make sense.
Link: https://fightingirishwire.usatoday.com/2020/01/23/troy-pride-jr-impressing-at-senior-bowl/