OL Alex Boone (official thread)

ashlandbuck · #1 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 08:49 PM

Anyone knpw this kid or seen him play? I've heard that although he's just a junior he may be the best offensive lineman in the country. I heard he commited to OSU already. Is it a firm verbal?
Being a 6'8" and 310lb JR. makes me wonder if this kid will end up being a 6'10" 350 freak by the time he's 21. WOW!

Buckskin86 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 09:03 PM

Yes he has committed to tOSU already- Chris Pool the Insiders Midwest guru is calling him the No. 1 Junior OL prospect in the Midwest- I think his verbal is very solid- he loves the Bucks and has dreamed of playing for them.

BuckNutty · #3 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 09:03 PM

It is a firm verbal. He's had great things to say about Ohio State and has always wanted to be a Buckeye.

Jeremy Crabtree, a writer on Rivals, says he is on of the best lineman in the country this year and is even better than Gallimore. I have not seen him but if the coaches have already offered and guys like Crabtree and Duane are high on him he must be a special athlete. Gary from Bucknuts is the only person I have not heard rave reviews from on Boone. Boone is a good one and we need lineman. He should get nothing but better and he's already a Buckeye. Pretty sweet!

Buckskin86 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-29-2003, 03:43 PM

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plai...2092181320.xml

good article on Boone in today's Plain Dealer

Quote:

Alex Boone was born big.

"Two feet tall and 11 pounds," he said. "Growing up, I was always the biggest kid in my classes. About the third grade, I was the biggest kid in my school [St. Mark's].

"By the eighth grade, I was 6-6, 275."

As it turned out, Boone, now a 6-8, 300-pound junior All-Ohio offensive tackle for St. Edward, was destined to do big things.

Along the way, the future Ohio State Buckeye has kept his parents on their toes. If he wasn't skirmishing with his older brother, former Eagles all-state linebacker J.J. Boone, Alex was up to some other backyard adventures such as jumping off the garage roof.

Boone was asked if there were any good childhood stories about him and his older brother. "Just a lot of pushing each other around," he said, "jumping off garages and breaking both of my feet."

Those feet healed just fine and now help support Boone's large and athletic frame. In fact, it is his footwork that has impressed the major-college recruiters.

"Great footwork," said St. Edward offensive line coach Mike Corte. "I think that's why Ohio State fell in love with him so soon."

Although he cannot sign with a college until February 2005, Boone was coveted by the Buckeyes after his sophomore season and gave Ohio State a verbal commitment this past summer.

Boone dislocated his left elbow during the mid-point of the season. The injury forced Boone to sit out the Eagles' game at Massillon during Week 7, but he returned in Week 8 against St. Ignatius.

"He's been playing real well since he came back from the injury," said Corte. "We asked him to switch sides, which is often difficult for a tackle, moving from the left side to the right side. He had to learn all new steps late in the season. It took him a little bit to get used to it, but as the season went on, he progressed."

Things got a little easier for Boone when, after he injured his elbow playing defense, the decision was made to play him strictly on offense, at least until next season.

With the physical attributes being obvious - size, strength and agility - both Corte and St. Edward head coach John Gibbons were looking for something else out of Boone this fall.

"He's turned into a leader on the field," Corte said. "We had an inexperienced group on the O-line this year. So he accepted the role, and I'm pretty sure he knows he has to be our leader for next year."

While Boone's potential appears limitless, there are areas of his game that need some tinkering. Corte wants his big tackle to continue to work on his strength, so he can become even more dominant next year, and to build in some resistance to injuries. Then there are what Corte referred to as "some of the little things."

" Sweat the small stuff,' as we call it," Corte said. "The little steps, hand placement and not getting called for that blatant holding call.

"At 6-8, we want Alex to stay a bit lower on all of his blocks. That way he goes to that next level where, instead of just pushing a guy 2 yards, he puts that guy on his back 5 yards down field."

Buckskin86 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-15-2004, 12:31 PM

http://scout.theinsiders.com/a.z?s=1...c=1&nid=795625

Quote:

Biography:
He is an athletic big man who looks like a much older player right now. Played OT, but will play DE and OT this season. He is physical and can run. He is athletic, a knee bender, has long arms, and is in good shape. Boone also does a lot of agility work.

Update: He will camp at tOSU one day and scUM one day this summer.

MyDixieWrecked · #6 (**permalink**) 03-15-2004, 03:32 PM

What I have heard is that he blows everyone away at camps and with his speed, footwork and size, but has not shown it on tape yet. Maybe a little raw, but if JT offered so early he will likely be a good/great one.

BIATCHabutuka · #7 (**permalink**) 03-15-2004, 04:34 PM

figures with my luck i saw st eds last season against massillon. oh well. i did see him on tv against ursuline last year too and he looked as advertised.

buckiprof · #8 (**permalink**) 03-15-2004, 05:59 PM

I saw him play in a playoff game last year. A very imposing figure (obviously) but his feet were very impressive. My take is that his coach is right on that he needs to work on staying a little lower. If he does that this year and hits some weights, I would not be surprised one bit to hear comparisons to Orlando Pace and the potentiality of him starting as a Frosh.

Buckskin86 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-15-2004, 08:10 PM

hits some weights

He dislocated his elbow at the mid point of last season so his weight training has suffered. Getting stronger seems to be a key goal for him this year.
After that, watch out!