DB Eugene Clifford - transfer to Tenn. St. (official thread)

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Honor&Glory

who told you that???? Gene is the most naturally gifted player I have seen from SWO since I saw Mike Towsend (Cincinnati Northwest High School-3 year starter at scUM) and Ken Griffey Junior (Cincinnati Moeller) grace the area's athletic fields.
I think I made the comment that Tyler Moeller didn't have the hips to play safety, but Eugene could come in and play whatever position the coaches ask him to and the only prep time he would need is the time it takes to roll out of bed and get dressed.

Congrats to Gene! The Colerain community is proud of you and I can't wait for Buckeye fans to see you in person.

I should clarify that I heard he's better suited at safety right now. Not that he didn't have the potential to grow into a corner.

[NFBuck]

Welcome Mr. Clifford!

[akronbuck]

Originally Posted by OregonBuckeye

It surprises me because I thought people said he didn't have the hips to be a corner and was more suited for safety.

ya , it got me to but, they see him as a woodson type player. So, I guess his first try will be at corner and thats what Tressel even said.

I was lost at the beginning with all that recruiting for so many secondary/wr spots and Still don't get the #'s.

[osugrad21]

Cincy

Clifford considers UC, commits to OSU
Ex-coach Coombs' presence with Bearcats doesn't sway Colerain DB
BY TOM GROESCHEN | TGROESCHEN@ENQUIRER.COM


Eugene Clifford made an oral commitment to the Ohio State football program back in September. Rumors that he might switch to the University of Cincinnati proved to be strictly rumors.
Clifford, a Parade All-America safety and Enquirer Division I player of the year this past season, signed with Ohio State Wednesday, the first day of the national letter of intent signing period.
Clifford gave a firm verbal commitment to OSU Sept. 21, and he helped lead Colerain to a 13-1 season and state semifinals berth. But when Colerain coach Kerry Coombs left Dec. 17 to become University of Cincinnati defensive backs coach, speculation ran wild that Coombs would lure Clifford to UC.
"He left it up to me," Clifford said of Coombs. "I had a thought about it, but I had my mind set on Ohio State."
Clifford considered a recruiting visit to UC one weekend last month, but the trip never happened. Word was that Ohio State sent a coach to "babysit" Clifford that weekend, but Clifford will not discuss what did or did not happen.

[Honor&Glory]

Tonight at Colerain's Stag, coach Tressel hinted that Gene might play both ways and contribute right away in the return game....

I got to meet coach Tressel tonight. He signed some autographs, posed for some pictures and even talked on my cell phone to my friend who couldn't attend because of his ailing wife...
what a gracious gentleman and ambassador of The Ohio State University....Urban Meyer's father was in attendance and coach made it a point to ask the elder Meyer to stand up and be recognized for his work as a h.s. coach in Ohio and congratulated his son on a great win....that's class folks...sorry, I'm gushing. I was just blown away by the confidence and professionalism that JT exudes when he walks into a room.

[NFBuck]

Originally Posted by Honor&Glory

Tonight at Colerain's Stag, coach Tressel hinted that Gene might play both ways and contribute right away in the return game....

Could we have another Chris Gamble on our hands?

[Honor&Glory]

Originally Posted by NFBuck

Could we have another Chris Gamble on our hands?

JT used Chris Gamble and his maturation process while discussing Clifford.

[OhioState49]

That would be pretty cool NFBuck. I hope he will play both ways.

[Cornerback6]

I think Gene could be a more explosive version of Gamble. Even though CG came up HUGE on so many occasions, he never had the burst that I think Gene possesses. We'll see! I personally think you have to get your true, ready stud frosh on the field asap. Looking forward to seeing Gene on both sides.

[BGriffBuckeye]

The class, from top to bottom, is oozing with potential athletes. I for cannot wait to see Clifford used like Gamble, in every phase of the game!! How exciting!!

[crazybuckfan40]

It might be hard for Clifford to make an impact on both sides of the ball as a frosh b/c he will have to learn both offense and defense, but I could see him making an early impact on Kick returns...

I could see pt on either O or D moreso towards the middle of the season, much like Ginn his freshmen season, he was out there early, but wasnt acclamated to the game into about midseason...

[schwab]

http://cfn.scout.com/2/618492.html

Gene is The player you might care about this year

[wadc45]

From yesterday:

Cincy Enquirer

Colerain 68, Fairfield 59: Senior Eugene Clifford had 20 points to lead the host Cardinals (4-14, 1-12 Greater Miami Conference).

[dozerbuck]

Its a good thing they are good at football

[Honor&Glory]

Originally Posted by dozerbuck

Its a good thing they are good at football

we could be good at Basketball, too, if the powers that be hired a coach who used the strengths of the talent pool. Taking a front line that averages 6-3 and forcing them to play a half-court game against front lines that average 6-8 or better is suicide...yet that last two clowns they have had running the program refuse to change from a slow-down, half-court game. Colerain is loaded with 6-3 players that can run all day and jump out of the damn gym...they could come at the opposition in waves (they could easily play a 10 man rotation with this style) and force the tempo...They may not win a GMC title with that play, let alone a state title, but the overall record would be closer to .500 (if not over) and the support for the program would build from there...
it angers me and it frustrates me...


sorry to be off topic.

Gene is a fine athlete...he can do whatever the team needs him to do and do it well.