Josh Lenz - 4.35 speed

[CyValley]

I'm not saying it, his high school coach is saying it. I'm not in a position to dispute Ehlers' statement, but I'll wager some members here believe that they are. Andrew Logue story in DMR:

"He runs about a 4.35 (in the 40-yard dash)," Hempstead coach Mark Ehlers said, "and can jump out of the gym." . . .

"What (the Cyclones) see in him is he's a great competitor," Ehlers said. "He has great instincts."

 

[Mr Janny]

This would be great if true, but I won't get my hopes up til I actually see him on the field.

I remember about six or seven years ago we signed a juco db/wr named Larry Anglin (sp) The guy ran a documented 4.29, and had supposedly tore **** up in the Juco ranks, but he only saw the field on maybe 10 plays the entire time he was here.

Not saying that this is necessarily the case with Lenz. I hope he's the total package.

 

[theshadow]

Anglin was also shorter than J.J. Moses...about 5'6".

 

[Mr Janny]

Anglin was also shorter than J.J. Moses...about 5'6".

5'7 184

yeah he was small. I think Josh Lenz has more potential, but my point is that physical talents do not always translate into great play on the field.

 

[mj4cy]

I stopped caring about 40 times. I want to see him run in pads for ISU away from opposing teammates. If he outruns them, then I'll call him fast.

 

[Wesley]

I'm not saying it, his high school coach is saying it. I'm not in a position to dispute Ehlers' statement, but I'll wager some members here believe that they are. Andrew Logue story in DMR:

"He runs about a 4.35 (in the 40-yard dash)," Hempstead coach Mark Ehlers said, "and can jump out of the gym." . . .

"What (the Cyclones) see in him is he's a great competitor," Ehlers said. "He has great instincts."

Say what? Sounds like he will be a five star soon.

 

[Gordyo5]

First off I am not sure how fast "about a 4.35" is. Kind of sounds like he may be taking a little off the time. I also always find it interesting how many high school athletes can run sub 4.4s and then mysteriously in college slow down to 4.5s (which is still amazing). I am not trying to be a downer and say he can't and won't, but I am always just a little hesitant when hearing about it. Either way I hope he is as fast and good as advertised

 

[LindenCy]

Does anyone remember a running back in the early-mid 90's with the last name of Arnold? He was supposedly pretty fast, but in pads he really slowed down.

 

[bos]

Does anyone remember a running back in the early-mid 90's with the last name of Arnold? He was supposedly pretty fast, but in pads he really slowed down.

 

[CyValley]

First off I am not sure how fast "about a 4.35" is.

I don't, either. But, I thought the coach's comments interesting nevertheless. And, I thought that here's an indication why ISU's coaches like him: He's pretty fast, whatever his clocking, and he might possess the intangibles, like he's got good instincts and competitiveness.

Seems to me what we board types seldom have any clues about are the intangibles that our coaches see in recruits and place a value on. We see the tangibles and jump to conclusions, it seems to me, but we seldom have insight into a student-athlete's unmeasurable assets, imho.

(He must be a fine athlete, you would think -- isn't he a member of one of the area's fine AAU basketball teams in addition to being a fine football player? Speaking of tangibles, I wonder what is his vertical, since Ehlers said he can jump out of the gym.)

I'm a "trust the coaches" guy. So, I'm delighted to have Josh Lenz aboard; I prize him as a kid who believes in our program, and I believe in him because our coaches believe in him. Good enough for me (if not for others here).

 

[chuckd4735]

I graduated from Dubuque Hempstead, and was there for Ehlers first two years. He took a
varsity team that was a combined 1-17 during my Freshman and Sophomore years, to a team that was 10-8 during my Junior and Senior Years. He is a great coach and has made Hempstead consistently competitive during his 8 year tenure going 45-27.

Even with that, a 4.35 would shock me, especially since he has such a low star rating. There is no doubt this kid is fast, and has the potential to be a great contributor to Iowa State, but if the 4.35 is true, well then HOLY CRAP!

 

[bos]

I graduated from Dubuque Hempstead, and was there for Ehlers first two years. He took a
varsity team that was a combined 1-17 during my Freshman and Sophomore years, to a team that was 10-8 during my Junior and Senior Years. He is a great coach and has made Hempstead consistently competitive during his 8 year tenure going 45-27.

Even with that, a 4.35 would shock me, especially since he has such a low star rating. There is no doubt this kid is fast, and has the potential to be a great contributor to Iowa State, but if the 4.35 is true, well then HOLY CRAP!

Ehlers is my friends brother in law. I want to prod him for some info. My friend is pretty high on this kid. He is a hawk fan but was giving the cyclones props for picking this kid up. Hes not one to not give credit where its due.

 

[yannballer]

4.35 is insanely fast! I've witnessed a 4.37 - 40 before, on a track with track spikes on. Dont get me wrong 4.3 or even 4.5 is moving but pads on and running on grass/turf slows people down a little. I am a little skeptical, but I won't hold anything against him when he shows up at camp next year. He's a Clone, thats all that matters!

 

[Clones85']

This kid is a wonderful athlete. He can do some great things at ISU. But at the ISU camp he ran in the high 4.4 which is still really good. People don't realize how fast 4.35 is. Most NFL RB's don't run that fast

 

[CLONE2THEBONE]

This kid is a wonderful athlete. He can do some great things at ISU. But at the ISU camp he ran in the high 4.4 which is still really good. People don't realize how fast 4.35 is. Most NFL RB's don't run that fast

Good news!! He's faster than all but one receiver who performed at the NFL combine:

NameTimeJackson, DeSean4.35Caldwell, Andre4.37Jackson, Dexter4.37Franklin, Will4.37Royal, Eddie4.39Devin Thomas4.40Shields, Arman4.44Limas Sweed4.46Simpson, Jerome4.47Breazell, Brandon4.47Bennett, Earl4.48Pierre Garcon4.48Harry Douglas4.49Jaymar Johnson4.49Jordy Nelson4.49Marcus Henry4.50Mario Manningham4.59


And, he's faster than all but 2 RB's:

NameTimeJohnson, Chris4.24McFadden, Darren4.33Alridge, Anthony4.36Charles, Jamaal4.38Simpson, Chad4.42Mendenhall, Rashard4.45Forte, Matt4.46Parmele, Jalen4.47Jones, Felix4.47Stewart, Jonathan4.48Dantrell Savage4.50Cory Boyd4.51Tashard Choice4.52Thomas Brown4.55Peyton Hillis4.58Xavier Omon4.59Mike Hart4.67

 

[Clones85']

Good news!! He's faster than all but one receiver who performed at the NFL combine:

NameTimeJackson, DeSean4.35Caldwell, Andre4.37Jackson, Dexter4.37Franklin, Will4.37Royal, Eddie4.39Devin Thomas4.40Shields, Arman4.44Limas Sweed4.46Simpson, Jerome4.47Breazell, Brandon4.47Bennett, Earl4.48Pierre Garcon4.48Harry Douglas4.49Jaymar Johnson4.49Jordy Nelson4.49Marcus Henry4.50Mario Manningham4.59


And, he's faster than all but 2 RB's:

NameTimeJohnson, Chris4.24McFadden, Darren4.33Alridge, Anthony4.36Charles, Jamaal4.38Simpson, Chad4.42Mendenhall, Rashard4.45Forte, Matt4.46Parmele, Jalen4.47Jones, Felix4.47Stewart, Jonathan4.48Dantrell Savage4.50Cory Boyd4.51Tashard Choice4.52Thomas Brown4.55Peyton Hillis4.58Xavier Omon4.59Mike Hart4.67

No I was saying he is more of high 4.4 speed than 4.35. As you can tell though that is still fast. Some of those guys you mentioned above were AA in college

 

[CLONE2THEBONE]

No I was saying he is more of high 4.4 speed than 4.35. As you can tell though that is still fast. Some of those guys you mentioned above were AA in college

I would guess the 4.4 is also pie in the sky, but that doesn't mean he isn't fast, but 40-times are a usually not even close to how fast they truly are.

I was constantly reminded by my Hawk buddy that Fred Russell ran a 4.28 electronically time 40 at the Michigan camp. They really did time him at this speed, but if you saw him play, you know that he was actually slow for a RB (although pretty shifty).

 

[Mr Janny]

I was constantly reminded by my Hawk buddy that Fred Russell ran a 4.28 electronically time 40 at the Michigan camp. They really did time him at this speed, but if you saw him play, you know that he was actually slow for a RB (although pretty shifty).

And he had the world's largest forehead.

 

[CyValley]

Here's the bottom line I was attempting to get at: The kid is a fine athlete, likely fast enough to play in the Big 12. Our coaches liked him well enough to extend a scholarship offer and accept his commitment at this time of year.

It doesn't appear that he's a fall back recruit by any means. While some here question this kid's suitability for our program, personally, I have no questions about him. I'm excited about having him. Our coaches have evaluated him, and they want him. Good enough for me.

Is that good enough for most of you, too?

 

[Clones85']

Here's the bottom line I was attempting to get at: The kid is a fine athlete, likely fast enough to play in the Big 12. Our coaches liked him well enough to extend a scholarship offer and accept his commitment at this time of year.

It doesn't appear that he's a fall back recruit by any means. While some here question this kid's suitability for our program, personally, I have no questions about him. I'm excited about having him. Our coaches have evaluated him, and they want him. Good enough for me.

Is that good enough for most of you, too?

Sounds good to me. Although you don't have your normal amount of question marks in your post! :wink:

I am excited about this kid. I think he can make a really good safety