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+---- Thread: *Up & Coming prospect preview: Richard D'Attoria V (/showthread.php?tid=12468)
*Up & Coming prospect preview: Richard D'Attoria V - 124715 - 03-09-2019
This is a transcript of a segment of the 3/3 edition of Up and Coming: a DSFL Podcast. You can find the audio version here.
James Jameson (M): Another fascinating prospect in the DSFL draft is Northwestern SS Richard D’Attoria V.
Jane Janeson (N): Well actually James, even just calling him a SS is an insult to his versatility.
M: That’s true! D’Attoria played all over the field at Northwestern. He was actually recruited as a linebacker out of high school, and that’s where he started to get playing time in college.
N: Exactly. And he was a little underwhelming there, too! A low 4-star recruit out of high school, many expected big things from him. Sadly, it didn't look like he would be able to follow through. He failed to win the starting job and he only played 34 defensive snaps.
M: Right. His final stat line: 1 tackle. Very underwhelming. But do you know that special teams may have saved his career?
N: It's a fascinating story for sure, Jim! Since he was quick and athletic, the coaches gave him a shot on special teams. Nobody's gonna pretend like he was fantastic - there was one play where he got absolutely stood up by a WR.
M: But he got the chance to flash his skills in pursuit and lateral quickness. So the coach did something almost unprecedented: they moved their 4* recruit to safety based exclusively on his special teams play.
N: It was crazy!
M: Absolutely wild! But it was the right move. As he learned the position, D'Attoria V redshirted the following year.
N: But he was ready to go the year after that! He forced his way into the starting spot and notched a respectable 19 tackles. He was awarded the starting spot for his Junior year.
M: Let's talk about his public perception at the time.
N: Yeah, it's fascinating. Many had hope for him, seeing as he'd improved as the year went on, but others labeled him a bust and were chomping at the bit to find his replacement.
M: Both sides had a point: he whiffed on a lot of tackles and sometimes failed to make plays on off-target balls.
N: After his sophomore season, Northwestern fired their defensive coordinator, Krill Belicheck.
M: There was actually a lot of change going on in the program over this time, so it's really hard to point to one thing as the cause for his breakout season.
N: But man, what a breakout season it was!
M: And it came so suddenly, as well. He started the year playing awfully, tallying a miserable 7 tackles.
N: 7. In three games. Seven.
M: Yup. As you can imagine, the calls for his head intensified. He whiffed on a potentially game-saving tackle in week 3, and almost everyone wanted to start backup SS Oyler T'Les, or try to move FS Terry Pucker into the slot. But the coaches wisely stuck with D'Attoria V, just before he broke out in Week 4.
N: 11 tackles with THREE TFLs! He was everywhere!
M: He pretty much kept up that pace for the rest of the year with 74 tackles and 8 sacks. He was projected to go in the 4th to 6th round of the DSFL draft.
N: But he returned to school, and it's a good thing he did. He won the Bednarik award in his senior year.
M: This was huge. He single-handedly turned NU's defense around. He was electric.
N: He played like he'd forgotten to set the difficulty to hard. Video game numbers.
M: 121 tackles, 14 picks. He was unbelievable.
N: The upside is so present that you can reach out and touch it. But there are negatives, of course. James, what are a few?
M: Strength. If he wants to keep playing the box safety role he played in college, he needs to bulk up! He had a bit of trouble getting off blocks, especially in the run game. Also, he still hasn't fixed his tackling 100%. He whiffs left and right. Jane, what are his positives?
N: Oh man, I'm not gonna have time to list them all! His versatility is #1 for me. He played everywhere from OLB to CB on a regular basis.
M: He played those positions *well*, mind you.
N: Also, his speed is top-notch. His range is elite and he spent every passing down in his senior year in single-high. Those in the know say he'll run under a 4.4.
M: So where would you play him? Any parting thoughts?
N: I think he projects best as a FS in a cover 1 or 3 defense where he can lock down the deep third. He's an elite prospect with great speed and ball skills.
M: He's going to make a DSFL team very, very happy.
This has been Up and Coming: a DSFL draft podcast. Thank you for listening. 868 words.