I think I had pigeonholed a "Kelly" back as a small, shifty type like UC's Pead, which on our roster would be Allen, Riddick and perhaps Wood. I just assumed that players like Hughes, Gray and Roberson would have limited roles or switch positions. There was even speculation that Kelly would try to encourage Roberson to sign elsewhere. Instead, he practically gushed over his talent and his fit in the offense.

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"You can see him coming off the edge here"

[video of Kendall running by stationary lineman to sack quarterback]

"It's always better when you're not blocked."

I reacquainted myself with his offer sheet.

Notre Dame
Boston College
Cincinnati
Duke
Florida
Kentucky
Louisville
North Carolina
North Carolina State
Ohio State
Penn State
Stanford
Tennessee
Vanderbilt
Wisconsin

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He rushes the quarterback like a wild man, but he gets there punctually, too.

Mike Frank had a really nice point about Cameron-he's one of those backs that Oregon gets-not overly fast, not overly strong, but when you look up at the end of the year, he's an All-American.

Signing Day is a football holiday of promise, potential and optimism. One can either fight off such weak thoughts with cynicism and self-flaggelation, or enjoy it for a day or two.

Anyways, here's 10 things I learned yesterday that make me ever so slightly more hopeful about this class:

10. Kelly has a physical done on every recruit. This makes sense to me. How come I've never heard of it before?

9. Tai-ler Jones has already added 10 pounds since last August or so. His skinny frame was one of the few concerns I had about him contributing early.

8. Daniel Smith looks like he is maturing and filling out. He was pretty skinny in earlier pictures. Kelly even called him a "big skill" guy.

7. Kendall Moore, physically, looks like a big kid. He might even have room to grown and to mature further. Nice prospect.

6. Matt James. Highlight of the day.

5. Cameron Roberson's highlights. I admit I pegged him as an average athlete when we I thought we were recruiting him as a FB. On seeing his highlight tapes, he has reasonable speed and athleticism. He's not an elite RB prospect, but he might be able to contribute there. Reminds me of James Aldridge.

4. Diaco and Martin both seem like they have chips on their shoulders. Good for them.

3. Tate Nichols is checking in at 6'7, 292 these days.

2. Spencer Boyd ran a perfectly respectable 4.56 40 at the National Junior Combine in San Antonio last year. For comparision, Collinsworth ran a 4.70, Toney Hurd ran a 4.73 and Dietrich Riley ran a 4.75

1. Kona Schwenke is Samoan/Maori, thereby eclipsing Tai-ler Jones, the Golic brothers, Collinsworth, and everyone else on the team for "best bloodlines."