'04 FL DE Willie Young (N.C. State signee, via Hargrave)

slickman · #1 (**permalink**) 01-17-2004, 05:37 PM

Tonight I'm going to the Florida HS Outback something or other over at Royal Palm HS on Okeechobee Rd just to get a look at some good FL players. I'm pretty sure that we're high on Willie Young's list so he and Albert Dukes are a couple of guys I'm going to check out.

Here are a couple of links on Willie Young... he was this area's Defensive Player of the year: Willie Young: Defensive Player of the Year

Young Uses Silent Motivation

There are a bunch of guys who I've seen who are trying to get noticed. Atlantic HS (Delray Beach) has an all-purpose QB who I saw a few times, McKinson Souverain, that was like lightning when he found a seem and an accurate deep passer (receivers just couldn't catch) who would look real nice in Golden Flashes gear (I graduated from KSU)... here's a link on that...All about Exposure

Anyway, I'll post what I thought about whoever if there is anything postworthy. I had no idea about this game until 2 days ago I was driving past Santaluces HS and there were a bunch of guys in pads out there practicing and I thought... this is a little early for FL springball and then I noticed an array of helmets so I sort of figured it out.

BuckNutty · #2 (**permalink**) 01-17-2004, 06:08 PM

Looking forward to the report.

ArtesiaBuckDog · #3 (**permalink**) 01-17-2004, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckNutty

Looking forward to the report.

Hey, watch it there, underoath.

BuckNutty · #4 (**permalink**) 01-18-2004, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtesiaBuckDog

Hey, watch it there, underoath.

What can I say, I'm easily influenced!

slickman · #5 (**permalink**) 01-18-2004, 03:16 AM

Okay.... I'm back.... and these are my preliminary thoughts...

1. Willie Young is huge... compared to the other Palm Beach County All-Stars... just a beast.... skinny... tall... extremely, extremely fast for his size... keep in mind he was playing against other extremely, extremely fast players.
1a. The opposing team was smart and ran AWAY from his side all night long.
1b. He did miss some wide open sacks and tackles... but he was playing against all running QBs who are really scat-back/DBs in diguise.

2. Albert Dukes is a completely sick wide-out... the likes of which I've never seen in person. I know this sounds a bit much but let's take into account a couple of factors (take this all with a grain or two- he was only going up against Palm Beach All-Stars this evening)...
2a. I don't think I've really, honestly seen great wideouts on the HS level- in person (although a couple years ago a guy named SANTONIO was the MVP of this game).
2b. Okay... first things first... I was late getting into the game as it was more than sold out.. so I missed the opening series... and Dukes was on offense while Young was on Defense... so I missed the first series while Dukes' team scored on their opening possession and I know that Dukes did not score the first TD... but...
2c. As we got into a spot to watch the game... I looked at the program and I said to my buddy... okay... number 71 for the blue team is Willie Young and look at him and number 81 is the guy for the white team that we have to look out for and no more than 10 seconds elapsed before a bomb went up along our side of the field and Dukes went up in traffic and with extremely soft hands came down with the ball (I have it on crappy film) about 45 yds down field.
2d. Next play... on the other side of the field they threw a bubble screen from about the 30... to the left... and Dukes grabbed it... shook a couple of tackles and breezed in... all I was thinking was... SANTONIO... you have a twin??? from your same school???

TIMEOUT... at this point... I'm thinking... I like this Albert guy and I just walked through the gates....

That's all I can provide for now... because I have to go over the game tomorrow because it's being broadcast locally and I had to leave in the middle of the 3rd qtr because I knew it would be broadcasted and I saw Albert and he looked very fluid and tall and Willie just looked like an animal on the other side of the ball-- skinny--- but fast-fast-fast.... my buddy was getting torn up by mosquitos and it was apparent that they(the white shirted lads) were really trying to feature everybody and it was getting really boring. They threw a couple more times at Albert but it became obvious that the QBs just didn't have the accuracy to hit him on the hooks and slides and it became an INT fest. Let's suffice it to say... right now in my very, very HO that Albert looks like a stud who could be worthy of a star or two extra had he a QB who knew how to deliver... his QB (from Glades) was in the game and was a very nice TB in drag... very nice... I'll get more on this later.

To say the least... this game was a very refreshing time for me and it definitely helped me think about things other than FD! Dukes was sweet and tomorrow I'll have the whole game on tape. Seeing them in person gave me a better idea and Dukes looks pretty big. Tall and with some huge calves (of course the standard Florida Dreads)... Young looks like he can be an outstanding speed rusher if he adds some serious weight... but Dukes impressed me BIG TIME.

I'll get more later... Bear in mind that I'm a former QB and offense is my thing. This is just a little disclosure. Kind of like "past perfomance is not an indication of future results".

MililaniBuckeye · #6 (**permalink**) 01-18-2004, 03:27 AM

slickman: Thanks for the very informative post, and I look forward to more from you.