Taking a Closer Look at ISFL Prospects (Topic 2):
This year’s Draft class is shaping up to be a strong one. A good class all around, but this may be one of the strongest defensive classes in the history of the DSFL. A few offensive talents pepper the likely first round picks, but defense will steal the show. Headlined by a Purdue safety duo in Romulus and Remus Roman, and some pro-ready linebacker prospects in Gritt Gurdur and Xavier Walls.
Something about this class just feels different. These players join the ISFL ranks with a different level of intensity and passion… it forces one to wonder, are we witnessing the drafting of future ISFL Hall of Famers? It may be too early to tell, but here’s to hoping this injection of talent brings new life to this league.
The fearsome trio of the Roman brothers and star linebacker Gritt Gurdur dominated the FBS with an average of 16.1 points per game, leading the Boilermakers to the championship game against Alabama’s Crimson Tide. In game it’s tough to tell who the leader of this defense is, and who is most deserving of the first overall pick is, but you have to take a look at the raw talent and leadership ability of Remus Roman. Remus, the three time defensive captain and 2039 Jim Thorpe Award Finalist, really stands out as the most logical first pick. He is a complete package that excels in strong zone schemes like Purdue’s but could likely pick up more man to man oriented defenses that are popular around the league. He is truly a physical specimen too – we will see if it’s true in the coming Prospect Bowl matches, but rumor is he has 4.3 speed.
Moving from the elite Purdue defense, Wisconsin’s Xavier Walls has really stepped up his candidacy for a high pick – his strength in the run game and his ability to rush the passer could really contribute to the success of any team at the DSFL level. In his first Prospect Bowl games he even flashed some playmaking skills in coverage as well, almost pulling down an interception and batting down four passes covering some tight ends. Wall’s ability to diagnose the play incredibly quickly has made him successful at the college level. The real test will be seeing if he is able to think as quickly when the game is faster, and the offenses can properly disguise the next play. Wall’s infamous play against the Ohio State Buckeyes where he recognized a play from film, called it out to his teammates, and forced the Buckeyes to take their final timeout in a close game is only one instance of his mental aptitude.
Gritt Gurdur also shows a lot of promise – he is raw, but my god is this kid talented. In all honesty, he seems to have a strong temper and at times lets the game get in his head. He was ejected in one game in 2039 and was penalized 3 separate times this most recent season for Unsportsmanlike conduct. With the right coach and in the right situation, it probably won’t be a problem. Gurdur is strong and deceptively quick. He can move laterally and make a tackle on the sidelines, or he can fill the A gap on a goal to go fullback run. He has the natural ability; it is just a matter of honing the mental side of the game.
Finally, Romulus Roman. The truest comparison to my predicted first overall pick is Romulus. While they are identical, they could not play the safety position any more different. Romulus gets down and dirty in the run game, preferring to interrupt at the line of scrimmage and make a big play over pass defense. Where Remus is stronger at Zone, Romulus excels against physical receivers (and even Tight Ends). He led the FBS in forced fumbles last year and lead all safeties in tackles for loss. The Boilermaker defense ran Zone Blitz more often than any team in the FBS, employing Romulus in the Rush, and having the elite pass defense of Remus in the secondary. If any team is lucky enough to draft both Roman brothers you will truly have the flexibility to play any defense, in any situation.
The offensive class is middling, so those teams desperate and looking for their future franchise quarterback will probably need to wait for one more year to find what they are looking for. Those that are targeting some strong, key defensive pieces to make a championship run, however, are smiling at this strong defensive group of prospects.
I compare this defensive class to the legendary offensive classes of 1986, 2001, and 2027… Truly magnificent players that we are bringing in this year and we can only hope that they live up to the expectation. People may think that I’m crazy, but I’ll bet that at least five of this freshman class will be inducted into the ISFL Hall of Fame. (830 Words)
This year’s Draft class is shaping up to be a strong one. A good class all around, but this may be one of the strongest defensive classes in the history of the DSFL. A few offensive talents pepper the likely first round picks, but defense will steal the show. Headlined by a Purdue safety duo in Romulus and Remus Roman, and some pro-ready linebacker prospects in Gritt Gurdur and Xavier Walls.
Something about this class just feels different. These players join the ISFL ranks with a different level of intensity and passion… it forces one to wonder, are we witnessing the drafting of future ISFL Hall of Famers? It may be too early to tell, but here’s to hoping this injection of talent brings new life to this league.
The fearsome trio of the Roman brothers and star linebacker Gritt Gurdur dominated the FBS with an average of 16.1 points per game, leading the Boilermakers to the championship game against Alabama’s Crimson Tide. In game it’s tough to tell who the leader of this defense is, and who is most deserving of the first overall pick is, but you have to take a look at the raw talent and leadership ability of Remus Roman. Remus, the three time defensive captain and 2039 Jim Thorpe Award Finalist, really stands out as the most logical first pick. He is a complete package that excels in strong zone schemes like Purdue’s but could likely pick up more man to man oriented defenses that are popular around the league. He is truly a physical specimen too – we will see if it’s true in the coming Prospect Bowl matches, but rumor is he has 4.3 speed.
Moving from the elite Purdue defense, Wisconsin’s Xavier Walls has really stepped up his candidacy for a high pick – his strength in the run game and his ability to rush the passer could really contribute to the success of any team at the DSFL level. In his first Prospect Bowl games he even flashed some playmaking skills in coverage as well, almost pulling down an interception and batting down four passes covering some tight ends. Wall’s ability to diagnose the play incredibly quickly has made him successful at the college level. The real test will be seeing if he is able to think as quickly when the game is faster, and the offenses can properly disguise the next play. Wall’s infamous play against the Ohio State Buckeyes where he recognized a play from film, called it out to his teammates, and forced the Buckeyes to take their final timeout in a close game is only one instance of his mental aptitude.
Gritt Gurdur also shows a lot of promise – he is raw, but my god is this kid talented. In all honesty, he seems to have a strong temper and at times lets the game get in his head. He was ejected in one game in 2039 and was penalized 3 separate times this most recent season for Unsportsmanlike conduct. With the right coach and in the right situation, it probably won’t be a problem. Gurdur is strong and deceptively quick. He can move laterally and make a tackle on the sidelines, or he can fill the A gap on a goal to go fullback run. He has the natural ability; it is just a matter of honing the mental side of the game.
Finally, Romulus Roman. The truest comparison to my predicted first overall pick is Romulus. While they are identical, they could not play the safety position any more different. Romulus gets down and dirty in the run game, preferring to interrupt at the line of scrimmage and make a big play over pass defense. Where Remus is stronger at Zone, Romulus excels against physical receivers (and even Tight Ends). He led the FBS in forced fumbles last year and lead all safeties in tackles for loss. The Boilermaker defense ran Zone Blitz more often than any team in the FBS, employing Romulus in the Rush, and having the elite pass defense of Remus in the secondary. If any team is lucky enough to draft both Roman brothers you will truly have the flexibility to play any defense, in any situation.
The offensive class is middling, so those teams desperate and looking for their future franchise quarterback will probably need to wait for one more year to find what they are looking for. Those that are targeting some strong, key defensive pieces to make a championship run, however, are smiling at this strong defensive group of prospects.
I compare this defensive class to the legendary offensive classes of 1986, 2001, and 2027… Truly magnificent players that we are bringing in this year and we can only hope that they live up to the expectation. People may think that I’m crazy, but I’ll bet that at least five of this freshman class will be inducted into the ISFL Hall of Fame. (830 Words)