2013 Recruiting

[BuckeyeHornetFan]

Interesting, Joe Davidson of the Bee reported that QB/WR Daniel Kniffin (Rocklin HS) was going to sign with the Hornets, however, I do not see him listed and Sperbeck has just said that signing day closed with 26 players. Rivals has Kniffin committed to Sacramento State as of yesterday. I wonder what happened.

Jihad Vercher is what happened.

How so?

Vercher committed back in December. News of Kniffin giving a verbal committment didn't come down until a few days ago.

Not only that, we don't even know whether Kniffin was recruited as a QB or a WR. After coming back from an early season injury, he played his remaining games as a WR. He was the starting QB his entire Jr. season and for the first 4 or so games his Senior season, however, he suffered an injury and his replacement (a Junior) performed so well they thought they'd benefit more by moving Kniffin to WR (he's fairly athletic).

Given that Vercher was already in the mix, I wonder what happened with Kniffin in only a matter of days?

**EDIT** .. Ok, now I'm thoroughly confused. Kniffin's name is NOT listed as signing a LOI, Sperbeck has said that the 26 players listed closed out their signees .... however, Rocklin HS has posted the following via picture Twitter: https://twitter.com/RocklinHigh/status/299201176463880192/photo/1

So it appears that he DID sign a LOI. I'm wondering why they've yet to officially list him as a member of the 2013 class?

 

[SDHornet]

Any chance he took to long to respond and lost his spot? Did he ever fax in his letter? Did he have any other offers on the table? Possible walk-on this fall?

I have no idea how this process works.

 

[iSac]

http://blogs.sacbee.com/preps/archi...-state-coach-marshall-sperbeck-elated-wi.html

Front page of SacBee.com article on LOI Day. Kniffin is mentioned in the body, but not the list of signees at the bottom.

Sacramento State coach Marshall Sperbeck elated with local haul

"Marshall Sperbeck was nearly shouting with glee on the phone. Then he composed himself.

The Sacramento State football coach had good reason to be giddy. He embraced the signatures of a good recruiting haul, including a number of players from the Sacramento region.

"It's the best class we've had since I've been here, and I'm ecstatic, fired up," said Sperbeck, preparing for his seventh season. "We got a lot of really good athletes that will help us, guys that can play different positions........................"

 

[OldGreen67]

http://blogs.sacbee.com/preps/archi...-state-coach-marshall-sperbeck-elated-wi.html

Front page of SacBee.com article on LOI Day. Kniffin is mentioned in the body, but not the list of signees at the bottom.

Sacramento State coach Marshall Sperbeck elated with local haul

"Marshall Sperbeck was nearly shouting with glee on the phone. Then he composed himself.

The Sacramento State football coach had good reason to be giddy. He embraced the signatures of a good recruiting haul, including a number of players from the Sacramento region.

"It's the best class we've had since I've been here, and I'm ecstatic, fired up," said Sperbeck, preparing for his seventh season. "We got a lot of really good athletes that will help us, guys that can play different positions........................"

Looks like he was added, but as a non scholarship player. Looks like a formal invited walk on spot. Good for him, since it's hard to get looks after being injured. Likely a redshirt year then possibly a spot if he excels.

Good luck young man....

 

[OldGreen67]

I like the class they signed, looks like a lot of partial scholorships to get that many spots...this class fills spots, adds depth and creates competition. Looks like the JC and drop downs will basically replace the spots of the SR's from this years teams. Dependent on more roster moves (I know of a couple not likely returning) I would assume that most of this years freshman class will redshirt.

Can't wait until the Spring practices start....

Go Hornets!!!

A quick glance at the recruit class and it looks like the coaches were addressing the areas they needed to. Some immediate help (hopefully) at WR and DB, depth at OL, and some good size and youth at LB. Some FBS transfers, some JC transfers, and mostly HS recruits from all over the state.

Offense

• • Quarterback: 1 (FR)
  • Offensive Line: 8 (1 JR, 1 SO, 6 FR)
  • Running Back: 1 (FR)
  • Tight End: 1 (FR)
  • Wide Receiver: 4 (3 JR, 1 FR)

Defense

• • Defensive Line: 2 (FR)
  • Linebacker: 4 (1 JR, 3 FR)
  • Defensive Back: 5 (3 JR, 2 FR)

 

[GoldenEagleHornet]

Interesting, Joe Davidson of the Bee reported that QB/WR Daniel Kniffin (Rocklin HS) was going to sign with the Hornets, however, I do not see him listed and Sperbeck has just said that signing day closed with 26 players. Rivals has Kniffin committed to Sacramento State as of yesterday. I wonder what happened.

Possibly a grey-shirt.

 

[Phantom Hornet]

Looks like another transfer...this one a big O-lineman transfer from Oregon State

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gq3QKDTenc&feature=youtu.be" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[SDHornet]

Looks like another transfer...this one a big O-lineman transfer from Oregon State

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gq3QKDTenc&feature=youtu.be" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

BTW, it looks like a short vid on some of the signees is up on the SacStateHornetsFB Youtube channel. Well done. :clap: :notworthy:

 

[superhornet]

Sac State Football posted this to FB. Our recruit Jihad took part in a National Signing Day event on the set of Let's Make a Deal. Fast forward to the 8 min mark, and jack up the volume.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj-GB22SDO8&feature=youtu.be&t=7m59s[/youtube]

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Sac State Football posted this to FB. Our recruit Jihad took part in a National Signing Day event on the set of Let's Make a Deal. Fast forward to the 8 min mark, and jack up the volume.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj-GB22SDO8&feature=youtu.be&t=7m59s[/youtube]

I am really impressed with Jihad. Very poised, mature and a cannon arm. Looking forward to seeing him play.

 

[SDHornet]

Sperbeck discussing the incoming class:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZF731XSFmM[/youtube]

 

[BuckeyeHornetFan]

Sperbeck compared Jihad Vercher to Vernon Adams and Darius McGhee, but I think he looks a bit like Russell Wilson. Similar size, cannon arm and very, very fast.

 

[SloStang]

On the Cal Poly Board there is some discussion about Dano Graves leaving Air Force to be closer to home.
If this was to happen we should have a good shot at him since he was verbaled to Sac State before signing with Air Force at the last minute.

Dano is enrolled at Cal Poly and on the 2013 roster.

Link: http://gopoly.com/sports/fball/2013-14/bios/graves_dano_iev1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[SDHornet]

On the Cal Poly Board there is some discussion about Dano Graves leaving Air Force to be closer to home.
If this was to happen we should have a good shot at him since he was verbaled to Sac State before signing with Air Force at the last minute.

Dano is enrolled at Cal Poly and on the 2013 roster.

Link: http://gopoly.com/sports/fball/2013-14/bios/graves_dano_iev1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good add. He could thrive in that triple option attack. He wouldn’t fit well into our current spread offense scheme but he made sense when we had the great idea of installing a pistol in 2011. Oh the days of the pistol and going for 4th and 2 inside the redzone because we didn’t have a kicker. Can’t say I miss those days at all. :evil:

 

[superhornet]

I actually agree with you there. I'm having a constant battle with the Sirens OC (yes, I'm about to lose some cred here) because he just LOVES going for it on fourth down, even within FG range. Not too long ago, the Sirens actually had a kicker with a decent enough leg (she hit from 40 at the end of the first half one game, and it would have been good from 50), but he STILL had it ingrained in his head that you run toss sweep on even 4th and 29. The jacked up thing about it was that more often than not, the Sirens would convert. Frustrated the heck out of me. That kicker has since left the team to become a cop, and we're back to the automatic go-for-it. (The new kicker is a VERY nice girl, but I haven't seen her hit anything beyond PAT range yet.) The Sirens staff was chosen to coach the Law Enforcement team in the Pig Bowl the year our good kicker was in the Sac Sherriff's Academy, and she was selected to be the kicker. He STILL chose to go for it on 4th and goal on the 12 (WELL within her range, even with the larger ball), but a MUCH different result: the quarterback got choke slammed straight out of WWE.

So, yes, while I lose a lot of cred for referring to women's football, I agree with you, SD, about getting good personnel at ALL positions.

 

[BuckeyeHornetFan]

He wouldn’t fit well into our current spread offense scheme but he made sense when we had the great idea of installing a pistol in 2011.

I'm curious why you believe that? You realize that Dano ran and completely mastered the no-huddle, but not hurry-up spread offense while at Folsom? The offense the Hornets are running now is right in his wheelhouse.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with with the Hornets have in Garrett Safron and what they potentially have in Jihad Vercher. That said, after watching the offense Dano orchestrated for several years in HS and seeing what the Hornets are doing offensively under Peterson, I don't understand how anybody could believe it wouldn't have been a good fit.

In regards to some of the pistol elements they used incorporate into the offense, Dano has never run that offense before. And he never ran the triple option until going to Air Force. However, he's been running the 5-wide, no-huddle spread since his Jr. Bulldog days.

 

[SDHornet]

I guess I was mistaken then. I recall the hype about him was his ability to create with his legs which would have been in line with the pistol that was implemented that following season. Regardless he had an opportunity to be a Hornet but didn't take it and unfortunately Air Force didn't work out so he had to look elsewhere.

 

[BuckeyeHornetFan]

I guess I was mistaken then. I recall the hype about him was his ability to create with his legs which would have been in line with the pistol that was implemented that following season. Regardless he had an opportunity to be a Hornet but didn't take it and unfortunately Air Force didn't work out so he had to look elsewhere.

No worries, SD. I'm really not trying to break balls or anything. I know you're quite a knowledgeable guy and was just wondering how you came to your opinion. Thanks for clarifying.

Yes, you are correct in the fact that, in addition to his passing prowess, Dano's legs were a big part of his game. He rushed for nearly 1K yards and 23 TD's out of Folsom's spread. Because of his elusiveness and speed, they simply altered their rush attack and used him as their primary ball carrier by designing direct snap rushing plays ala the "Wildcat" offense.

Today, Folsom's offense is still the same, but they have a protypical 6'2" pocket passing QB that doesn't have the same running abilities. Think of a HS version of Tom Brady. Because of that, they've gone back to the traditional set of lining up the RB next to the QB in the shotgun rather than an empty backfield. Outside of that, it's the same exact spread offense as when Dano Graves and Tanner Trosin played there.

 

[SDHornet]

No worries BHF, unlike our Congress I have no problem with checks and balances. I pay no attention to HS sports so there is plenty that I have no clue about.

 

[ChiCity]

Rivals is showing Crespi 2 star WR JB Blackwell as signing with Hornets on May 7th.