Player Profile:Jared Brackens

[Tre4ISU]

Here's the write up on Brackens. I am working on all of these right now and they will be coming out periodically throughout the spring and possibly summer.

http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/football/prospect-profile-jared-brackens

 

[timappelgate]

Good as always, Trevor. So who is competing for the S spot this fall? I assume Jared will RS.

 

[Tre4ISU]

Good as always, Trevor. So who is competing for the S spot this fall? I assume Jared will RS.

That's a good question. I think Givens, Brooks, Broomfield and Washington will all be fighting for it. Bennett could also make a push for some playing time there.

 

[Tre4ISU]

I apologize for the errors in that piece. Something happened in the transition from Word to the current format and it left a couple words out that were kind of important to the meaning.

-In regards to the first paragraph, it was supposed to say that 4.5 may not be out of the question as far as his speed.

 

[ljhlax]

That's a good question. I think Givens, Brooks, Broomfield and Washington will all be fighting for it. Bennett could also make a push for some playing time there.

I'm most excited to see Washington's progression. Stepping up and into the LB spot for part of the year last year shows he a pretty "heady" DB, and his knowledge of the defense will only improve with that experience. I'm anxious to see how he fills that SS role.

Broomfield and Brooks seemed ahead of Givens all fall so I'm curious which one is going to step up this Spring, but I wouldn't discount Jared next year. He's a Very good tackler, solid fundamentals and great instincts. This past year he really worked on his speed from his summer time so I wouldn't be surprised if his 40 time is pretty close. He's played Corner and Safety in HS and went from the big hit Safety to a shut down Corner this past season so I wouldn't be surprised if we see him in Nickel situations at the very least, but that is also going to be dependent on our DLine and how much spread we'll see next year.

I'm also curious about Richardson playing in the Nickel. I can't see him not playing next year on special teams. The guy blocked 6 kicks and a punt last year so he might be ready to go right out of the gate and depending on his development this summer he could be ready for the Defense too.

 

[brett108]

Like the writeup. The photo of him at his official with the other recruits suggests that he has plenty of frame on which to grow muscle. If he can keep some quickness and footspeed, he could be a force at the OLB. So is Darian Cotton locked in for a safety spot in the future? I figured that was the case, but just curious.

 

[brett108]

I'm most excited to see Washington's progression. Stepping up and into the LB spot for part of the year last year shows he a pretty "heady" DB, and his knowledge of the defense will only improve with that experience. I anxious to see how he fills that SS role.

Broomfield and Brooks seemed ahead of Givens all fall so I'm curious which one is going to step up this Spring, but I wouldn't discount Jared next year. He's a Very good tackler, solid fundamentals and great instincts. This past year he really worked on his speed from his summer time so I wouldn't be surprised if his 40 time is pretty close. He's played Corner and Safety in HS and went from the big hit Safety to a shut down Corner this past season so I wouldn't be surprised if see him in Nickel situations at the very least, but that is also going to be dependent on our DLine and how much spread we'll see next year.

I'm also curious about Richardson playing in the Nickel as well. I can't see him not playing next year on special teams. The guy blocked 6 kicks and a punt last year so he might be ready to go right out of the gate and depending on his development this summer he could be ready for the Defense too.

Really? I have a feeling the staff could get charged with involuntary manslaughter if they put him out as a true freshman. He is only about 160 pounds. He is smallish, but I think he needs the redshirt year like Jeremy Reeves to put on enough muscle to stay alive on the field. Reeves was also an all-world HS player for the best team in the nation that year(Allen), but he wasn't going to sniff the field that first season.

 

[blutarsky]

Like the writeup. The photo of him at his official with the other recruits suggests that he has plenty of frame on which to grow muscle. If he can keep some quickness and footspeed, he could be a force at the OLB. So is Darian Cotton locked in for a safety spot in the future? I figured that was the case, but just curious.

Adding speed on defense is huge for ISU. The trend is undersized yet fast LBs that wreak havoc at the line and in covereage. Taking the edge away from a running standpoint would be huge.

 

[ljhlax]

Really? I have a feeling the staff could get charged with involuntary manslaughter if they put him out as a true freshman. He is only about 160 pounds. He is smallish, but I think he needs the redshirt year like Jeremy Reeves to put on enough muscle to stay alive on the field. Reeves was also an all-world HS player for the best team in the nation that year(Allen), but he wasn't going to sniff the field that first season.

He's not seeing the field on Defense if he doesn't do any developing this Summer(which is why I said he needs to develop), but would you want to sit a kid on special teams that blocked 6 kicks and a punt in one of the better conferences in Texas?

 

[Tre4ISU]

Like the writeup. The photo of him at his official with the other recruits suggests that he has plenty of frame on which to grow muscle. If he can keep some quickness and footspeed, he could be a force at the OLB. So is Darian Cotton locked in for a safety spot in the future? I figured that was the case, but just curious.

Honestly, I think you have it right. To me, Brackens looked like he was a strong 6'2 and 240 shouldn't be out of the question. I just think that is too much potential not to use. I could see Mattison moving to the safety spot and Brackens then going to LBer. To be honest, I never understood the Mattison to Lber deal.

Really? I have a feeling the staff could get charged with involuntary manslaughter if they put him out as a true freshman. He is only about 160 pounds. He is smallish, but I think he needs the redshirt year like Jeremy Reeves to put on enough muscle to stay alive on the field. Reeves was also an all-world HS player for the best team in the nation that year(Allen), but he wasn't going to sniff the field that first season.

Reeves didn't redshirt and he did see the field.

 

[Tre4ISU]

He's not seeing the field on Defense if he doesn't do any developing this Summer(which is why I said he needs to develop), but would you want to sit a kid on special teams that blocked 6 kicks and a punt in one of the better conferences in Texas?

Here's the thing. Normally I would agree but next year lose our of our 4 best corners and then lose the other the next year. I think we have some decent corners but if you can stretch out the depth, I think you do it. IMO, unless they are needed, you redshirt every DB in this class because right now we have the depth. In a couple years, we may not. That is of course considering none of them are beating out other players at the CB or S position. At his size, he isn't going to be that kick blocking threat like he was.

 

[Yes13]

Really? I have a feeling the staff could get charged with involuntary manslaughter if they put him out as a true freshman. He is only about 160 pounds. He is smallish, but I think he needs the redshirt year like Jeremy Reeves to put on enough muscle to stay alive on the field. Reeves was also an all-world HS player for the best team in the nation that year(Allen), but he wasn't going to sniff the field that first season.

He's pretty thick right now. I'd say Richardson is around 170, Reeves was listed at 168 last year. With that being said he'll likely redshirt. Rhoads seemed pretty impressed by Matthew Thomas. We also have quite a few S/LB types to put on special teams this year that we don't need Richardson unless he proves to be a killer return man.

In the coach review of the recruits on cyclones.com, Rhoads made it sound like Cotton and Brackens were the future at Saftey. Brackens is probably 6-2 200. Bennett is 6-1 214 and Givens is 5-11 218. Its safe to say we are looking for some big safties. What's funny is Bennett is bigger than Mattison, George, and Morgan (all LBs).

 

[tazclone]

I'm most excited to see Washington's progression. Stepping up and into the LB spot for part of the year last year shows he a pretty "heady" DB, and his knowledge of the defense will only improve with that experience. I'm anxious to see how he fills that SS role.

Broomfield and Brooks seemed ahead of Givens all fall so I'm curious which one is going to step up this Spring, but I wouldn't discount Jared next year. He's a Very good tackler, solid fundamentals and great instincts. This past year he really worked on his speed from his summer time so I wouldn't be surprised if his 40 time is pretty close. He's played Corner and Safety in HS and went from the big hit Safety to a shut down Corner this past season so I wouldn't be surprised if we see him in Nickel situations at the very least, but that is also going to be dependent on our DLine and how much spread we'll see next year.

I'm also curious about Richardson playing in the Nickel. I can't see him not playing next year on special teams. The guy blocked 6 kicks and a punt last year so he might be ready to go right out of the gate and depending on his development this summer he could be ready for the Defense too.

Since first seeing his recruiting video, I have been a fan of Broomfield. He is smaller, but the kid had good instincts and was a GREAT tackler. Watching recruiting video is troubling sometimes as kids show big hits instead of solid tackling technique. It is refreshing to see kids that tackle well. Reminded me of watching Klein's recruiting video. Always in the right spot, always drove through the ball carrier, always wrapped up, and always made the tackle.

 

[Yes13]

Iince first seeing his recruiting video, I have been a fan of Broomfield. He is smaller, but the kid had good instincts and was a GREAT tackler. Watchig recruiting vidoe is troubling sometimes as kids show big hits instead of soloid tackling technique. It is refreshing to see kids that tackle well. Reminded me of watching Kleins recruiting video. Always in the right spot, always drove through the ball carrier, always wrapped up, and always made the tackle.

I agree. I think Broomfield is going to be a stud. He was also in on most of the tackles on special teams this year, a lot like Knott and Klein were the year before.

I think the safties will be Washington at SS and Broomfield at FS with Givens coming in on certain downs and get playing time like Sandvig got. Bennett will probably be on special teams, until he proves himself.

 

[CyDude16]

6'1 200 lbs is not big for safety.

 

[brett108]

Honestly, I think you have it right. To me, Brackens looked like he was a strong 6'2 and 240 shouldn't be out of the question. I just think that is too much potential not to use. I could see Mattison moving to the safety spot and Brackens then going to LBer. To be honest, I never understood the Mattison to Lber deal.



Reeves didn't redshirt and he did see the field.[/QUOTE]

Your right. i thought sure I saw a RS next to his name on the roster. I don't remember seeing him at all, as Kennard Banks and Leonard Johnson pretty much held down those positions, and Benton came in at the end of the season.

 

[Yes13]

6'1 200 lbs is not big for safety.

I found the picture. Brackens is about the size of our TE(DE) signee.

back row is Jevohn Miller, Steele, Donald Smith. Front: Lemke, Richardson, Standard, Brackens

 

[CyValley]

Like the writeup. The photo of him at his official with the other recruits suggests that he has plenty of frame on which to grow muscle. If he can keep some quickness and footspeed, he could be a force at the OLB. So is Darian Cotton locked in for a safety spot in the future? I figured that was the case, but just curious.

Anyone watch Cotton's highlights video? To me, he seemed cat quick. I was startled by how quick he appeared.

In a recruiting day interview, Bob Elliott said they got four DBs in the class, covering all positions: two corners (Richardson, Lynn) and two safeties (Cotton, Brackens). Can't help but think the staff would like to keep Brackens at safety, but, then, over time, things can change. . . .

Right now, looking at depth, isn't Brackens needed at safety more than he would be a OLB?

 

[Tre4ISU]

Anyone watch Cotton's highlights video? To me, he seemed cat quick. I was startled by how quick he appeared.

In a recruiting day interview, Bob Elliott said they got four DBs in the class, covering all positions: two corners (Richardson, Lynn) and two safeties (Cotton, Brackens). Can't help but think the staff would like to keep Brackens at safety, but, then, over time, things can change. . . .

Right now, looking at depth, isn't Brackens needed at safety more than he would be a OLB?

Yes, maybe. It depends on Bennett. I thought he was listed as a LBer but he isn't. He's still a safety. I just have a feeling Brackens is going to grow out of safety. He's a lot bigger kid than I thought he was. Like I said, I would prefer Mattison move to safety and Brackens to LBer.

 

[CyValley]

. . . I just have a feeling Brackens is going to grow out of safety. He's a lot bigger kid than I thought he was. Like I said, I would prefer Mattison move to safety and Brackens to LBer.

I believe I understand your thinking here. F. Mattison is a thin guy, perhaps he'll have a problem adding weight to get to linebacker size. But, IIRC, he's got outstanding speed. I can see how a Brackens-Mattison positions switch looks possible.

Either might be well-suited to play the hybrid nickel-back role, too, wouldn't you say? Say, isn't this position similar to the Monster back defense that Michigan State's great teams of 1965-66 ran (George Webster?) If so, what goes around comes around, I guess.