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Remember the name Dion Lewis (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter CrossEyed
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awesomeness
Guest
His name's LeSean McCoy. He played for Pittsburgh University the past 2 years and did quite well getting over 1500 yards both seasons. He was just drafted by the Eagles last year in the 2nd round of this past NFL draft.Quite frankly, i'm surprised you, or any Pitt fan for that matter, would forget who he was taking into account he started for the NCAA team in your area and he was quite successful.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
sjacksonfan
Footballguy
We get it. You're a Pitt fan. The kid will never play beyond this level.
Philly Hater
Footballguy
That's a pretty stupid comment. I have no clue who this kid is, and I'm definitely no Pitt fan, but to say that he has no chance to play beyond this level is absurd. He's about 6 weeks into his college career and you can make this judgement? While I agree that the odds are on your side, I think it's not too smart to say that he has no chance.
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sjacksonfan
Footballguy
OK. How about highly unlikely? Doesn't have the physical tools. There's a reason why only Tulane and Miami (OH) were looking at him.
Steelers4Life
Footballguy
He's about 5 foot 8, maybe 180 pounds. He's also a true freshman.He's got the quick feet and ability to hit the hole that it'll take to get to the NFL. Very explosive getting through the line and doesn't normally go down easily. Seems to have very good vision as well, but tends to bounce a lot of his runs outside. He's been very durable and suprisingly strong running up the middle too, but he's got plenty of time to grow and bulk up. His chances will depend on how his body develops between now and then and if he doesn't lose his speed and quickness.No matter who he was recruited by, he's been very, very good so far for Pitt. It's always unlikely for any RB to make it to the NFL, but who recruited him and didn't recruit has nothing to do with it.
Philly Hater
Footballguy
OK, "highly unlikely" is better. I'm tempted to do some research and come up with a few "barely recruited" guys that went on to be very successful at the next level...but I won't. Too tired and got better stuff to do. IMO, at this point, the fact that he wasn't heavily recruited out of high school has to be thrown out of the window. The fact is that he is playing at a high level at a D1 school, albeit in the Big East. And that pretty much puts him on a level playing field with eveybody else at this point. That's my take anyways.
The Jerk
Footballguy
Among players from just the past few years, I'd argue that these four fit the bill:Kevin SmithRay RiceSteve SlatonMichael TurnerOf course, if you want to go all-time, then consider that no traditional collegiate power offered a single scholarship to:LaDainian TomlinsonBarry SandersWalter Payton (despite being from Mississippi, no SEC school offered a scholarship -- possibly due to segregation)I realize it's ridiculous to even attempt to compare Lewis to three of the greatest running backs in NFL history, but it's also fairly ludicrous to dismiss any possibility of Lewis having a chance at the NFL. It's not like the University of Pittsburgh has a long list of running backs who have succeeded and he's just the next guy in the system, and most people who watched McCoy last year realized he got a lot of yards on his own. Pitt has not exactly played a list of defensive juggernauts this season, and the success of Lewis might be tied to an overall better offensive line and the inability of defenses to key on him. We'll obviously know a lot more by this time next season, but the kid can certainly play in college, and keep in mind that he just turned 19 a few weeks ago. The workout warrior/combine stars that don't amount to much of anything in the pros is a list nearly as long as players lightly recruited out of high school who make the pros.
Chris Johnson is another example. I don't believe he was recruited very heavily, and ended up at East Carolina.
jurb26
Footballguy
I was really hoping that Lewis would continue to fall bellow the radar this year as I am in a league that can draft college players. I guess the cat is out of the bag, thanks. 
Anyway, this guy has been on my radar since Pitt began camp and he was the rave of the team. I guess that's about all I'll say for now.
Anyway, this guy has been on my radar since Pitt began camp and he was the rave of the team. I guess that's about all I'll say for now.
jurb26
Footballguy
This is more like it.
I would certainly temper long term expectations since it's so early in his career and I admit openly that I'm a Pitt fan, but there's no reason to discount his early success. Pitt is coached by Dave Wannstedt and while most pitt fans will tell you he's probably gone this year if he doesn't bring us a bowl game he does run a pro style offense and defence. This offense has developed McCoy and Stevens-Howling who while lesser known was drafted last year and getting playing time with Arizona. The kid has 997 yards and 10 total td's through 7 games and did this with #11 rated RB recruit Ray Graham breathing down his neck the whole time. This isn't a tiny option RB, and I've actually heard media outlets mention Heisman this year ( I do not agree with this). The Shark pool prides itself on getting on these lessor known players early so whether he winds up amounting to anything or not I think there's enough here that we should know his name, and I personally would be surprised based on Pitts RB placement history (McCoy, Stevens-Howling, Goings, Polite, ect.) if this kid doesn't play in the NFL in some capacity.This is more like it.
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The Jerk
Footballguy
Kevan Barlow also belongs on this recent history list.
jurb26
Footballguy
Well, personally I pride myself more on getting guys like this on my roster. But what you said is fine as well. I'm assuming that the hype for Lewis will be in full force after this season is over and all next year. So, stealing him late was probably just wishful thinking on my part anyway.I would certainly temper long term expectations since it's so early in his career and I admit openly that I'm a Pitt fan, but there's no reason to discount his early success. Pitt is coached by Dave Wannstedt and while most pitt fans will tell you he's probably gone this year if he doesn't bring us a bowl game he does run a pro style offense and defence. This offense has developed McCoy and Stevens-Howling who while lesser known was drafted last year and getting playing time with Arizona. The kid has 997 yards and 10 total td's through 7 games and did this with #11 rated RB recruit Ray Graham breathing down his neck the whole time. This isn't a tiny option RB, and I've actually heard media outlets mention Heisman this year ( I do not agree with this). The Shark pool prides itself on getting on these lessor known players early so whether he winds up amounting to anything or not I think there's enough here that we should know his name, and I personally would be surprised based on Pitts RB placement history (McCoy, Stevens-Howling, Goings, Polite, ect.) if this kid doesn't play in the NFL in some capacity.This is more like it.
DoubleG
Footballguy
Ouch. You were on roll there for a while - but this one aint helping you case.
I was mostly just trying to make the point that the "this kid won't ever play past this level" idea is off base when looking at Pitts history with placement. They're not USC or Miami when it comes to RB's but they've had enough success placing even marginally successful college players in the NFL that when a player come's along and shows real success (like Barlow or McCoy) it justifies some interest. He may never fill out to an NFL frame but the cutting ability and vision that he's shown so far and the opportunities he's going to have during his career makes me feel like he's going to be on someones team when he leaves college. Whether he can translate that opportunity to fantasy success is going to take more then 7 games to figure out but he's looked excellent so far.Ouch. You were on roll there for a while - but this one aint helping you case.
super sleeper
Footballguy
Well, from where I sit at Rutgers Stadium this kid looks like the real deal to me. I've seen Rice (of course), Donald Brown, LeSean McCoy, Brian Leonard, Steve Slaton, etc.. over the past couple of years from my front row seat and he looks better at this point in his collegiate career than all of them. He single-handledly beat us last night.
As an aside, Lewis is from Blairstown, NJ and Rutgers didn't recruit him, instead focusing on D'Antwan Williams, a more highly regarded recruit from Virginia. Supposedly Lewis wanted to come to Rutgers so badly that he personally drove his game tapes to Piscataway, to no avail. Now who's to say Williams won't become a star down the road, but right now, the decision looks bad for us, to the benefit of one of our main rivals.
As an aside, Lewis is from Blairstown, NJ and Rutgers didn't recruit him, instead focusing on D'Antwan Williams, a more highly regarded recruit from Virginia. Supposedly Lewis wanted to come to Rutgers so badly that he personally drove his game tapes to Piscataway, to no avail. Now who's to say Williams won't become a star down the road, but right now, the decision looks bad for us, to the benefit of one of our main rivals.
Traders2001
Footballguy
The kid looks really good ..
Nice 58 yard Td run vs Rutgers ...
Nice 58 yard Td run vs Rutgers ...
CrossEyed
Footballguy
Why do people do this? Yeah, I'm a Pitt fan. That's why I'm aware of Lewis. Been watching the kid all season, and for a true freshman, he looks great. He's short, but he's not small, and he'll certainly get bigger as his body matures. He's run well inside as well as outside. He's worth putting on your radar. 900+ yards and 10 TDs in 7 games are impressive numbers.
B Maverick
Footballguy
at 5'8 180-190 i would be concerned. I know there are some players that have bucked the size trend, but it is still a concern. If he was closer to 5'11 or so the weight could be added. Its a small size change, but its still makes a difference.
Ray Rice listed at 5'8 but 210
Chris Johnsom 5'11 200
MJD 5'7 208
I am not saying he cant do it in college, but the size is a concern, at leat these guys are over 200.
Ray Rice listed at 5'8 but 210
Chris Johnsom 5'11 200
MJD 5'7 208
I am not saying he cant do it in college, but the size is a concern, at leat these guys are over 200.
Steelers4Life
Footballguy
Lewis is a freshman. He very easily could bulk up to 200+ by then.I wouldn't consider him anything like a sure-thing, but I sure wouldn't write him off, either.
thatguy
Footballguy
And if he can't add some thickness he could always become another Sproles type RB, or even better, another Warrick Dunn.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
Even if he grows a couple of inches he'd be 5'10", certainly not too small. And he's already 195 lbs as a 19 year old true freshman. No reason to think he won't put on another 10-15 lbs during college. I just don't see size being a major factor for this kid. And it's not like he's doing all of his running off the corners. He's running between the tackles just fine.
beavers
Footballguy
Curtis Martin.
The Jerk
Footballguy
Pretty clearly the second best RB in Pitt history as a pro, but I left him out as too old for recent Pitt RB history. He was drafted in 1995, while the others listed above all played at Pitt in the 2000s. There's essentially the same gap between Martin and the 2000s RBs above as there is between Martin and Craig "Ironhead" Heyward. If you want to go way back, Tony Dorsett (drafted in 1977) and Randy McMillan (drafted in 1981) join Heyward (drafted in 1988) as the only first-round RBs in recent Pitt history, and probably all-time, unless I'm mistaken.
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Steelers4Life
Footballguy
For what it's worth, Lewis is now a semi-finalist for the Doak Walker Award - the only true freshman in the field.
He had a nice 21-151-1 line tonight against Notre Dame.
He had a nice 21-151-1 line tonight against Notre Dame.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
Remember, you heard it here first.
The TD run was impressive. But even more impressive to me was a play very early in the game. Stull threw a little swing pass to Lewis and the ND player came up and slammed into Lewis. And Dion just bounced off of him and proceeded to pick up 8 yards. Pretty nice for a guy whose biggest knock right now is his size.
The TD run was impressive. But even more impressive to me was a play very early in the game. Stull threw a little swing pass to Lewis and the ND player came up and slammed into Lewis. And Dion just bounced off of him and proceeded to pick up 8 yards. Pretty nice for a guy whose biggest knock right now is his size.
EBF
Footballguy
That sort of thing is actually pretty common. Most high school prospects are evaluated during their junior years, when they are only 16-17 years old. Late bloomers who don't peak until 18-20 can go completely unnoticed.Likewise, there's a lot of the same visibility bias that exists in NFL scouting. Players who play at small programs don't get the attention or respect that players at the big traditional powerhouses do.
jurb26
Footballguy
That's the most impressive thing about Lewis, his strength. Despite being small this guy has a powerful lower body and is built like a mini tank... like MJD.
BigTex
Don't mess with Texas
Wake Forest, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Tulane, Miami of Ohio and Temple all were interested as well. He felt more comfortable with the coaching staff of Pitt and the rest is history.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
On Pitt's first 15 plays of the de facto BigE championship, Lewis had 14 carries, 1 reception and 1 TD. He's agile and a workhorse, as a freshman. I'm definitely on board. We'll have a lot more tape of him before he comes to the NFL, but he's got to be on everyone's radar now.
joffer
Footballguy
okBaldwin looks like player too
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Lewis has 23 carries with 7:00 to go in the 2nd quarter for 100 yards. :wow:
BigTex
Don't mess with Texas
He's got natural moves I haven't seen in many years.
Northbound Train
Footballguy
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Really?
He was basically 4 yards and down all day today. Consistent but not spectacular.
Chaos Commish
Footballguy
Yep. 50+ touches and the longest play is 15 yards. This is not a good sign. He is not very dynamic. I think this kid will fizzle over the next couple years. Tyrell Sutton (also a very productive Frosh) part 2. I like Sutton to this day, but he never lived up to his freshman season. We'll see, but I'm not as impressed as many others with Lewis He takes what's there and can take it to the house when given a clean lane, but he doesn't do much on his own. He'll need better size, strength and speed to measure up to NFL standards, imo. I also remember some gushing over a Maroney 50 touch performance that was equally unimpressive to me. At least Maroney had a complete physical package. I watched Lewis today with my favorite RB scrutinizer and he was mostly critical, certainly not impressed. Watching Ingram now. Now this kid (a Soph) has NFL juice and looks far superior to what I just observed in Lewis.Really?He was basically 4 yards and down all day today. Consistent but not spectacular.
MCguidance
Footballguy
PITT uses Lewis like Rutgers used to use Rice. Not comparing the two skills wise, but in terms of use, they lean on these kids pretty hard.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Totally disagree. He lost some yards on a bunch of plays, as Cincy was well aware that every play was calling his number.He was making a ton of moves in the first half, and then obviously was wearing down later in the game. But he's got NFL-like agility for sure. His moves aren't a question, IMO, just his size. He was running on the grass, on a very cold day against a good defense, not running in a dome against some WAC defense, otherwise his numbers would have been much more impressive.Really?
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BigTex
Don't mess with Texas
Totally disagree. He lost some yards on a bunch of plays, as Cincy was well aware that every play was calling his number.He was making a ton of moves in the first half, and then obviously was wearing down later in the game. But he's got NFL-like agility for sure. His moves aren't a question, IMO, just his size. He was running on the grass, on a very cold day against a good defense, not running in a dome against some WAC defense, otherwise his numbers would have been much more impressive.Really?
Not to mention the field was bad and wet.
