Anyone Notice the Quality of 2014 Recruits?

byucougar1 wrote:
Returning LBs:



Starters/Receiving Playing Time:



Alani Fua OLB 6-5 215 JR*

Jherremya Leuta-Douyere OLB 6-0 236 SO

Manoa Pikula ILB 6-1 235 SO*

Toloa'i Ho Ching ILB 6-0 225 FR

Sae Tautu ILB 6-3 245 FR* (also playing DE)



Backups/Scout Team:



Trajan Pili LB 6-2 225 FR

Rylee Gautavai LB 6-0 219 FR

Kai Nacua LB 6-1 205 FR

Joey Owens LB 6-3 215 FR

So we have Hinds coming back off his mission but any other big time contributors that could be coming back at LB??



What we could see:



Starters:

OLB: Hinds/Fua/JLD

ILB: Ho Ching/Pikula



LB's are kind of a question mark next year and Fua must gain more weight, hopefully 15-20lbs, in the off-season to take over for KVN

Both of the two freshmen: Tyler Cook and Fred Warner are studs (very similar to KVN coming out of HS), and could see some spot duty (special teams or push for LB backups). What I notice the most about the LBs is speed/athleticism/intelligence. All good traits for mastering Bronco's D assignments.

Craig, Hinds is more "physically talented" than KVN? Can you expand on that? I still believe that KVN is more of a finesse player and maybe that is what you mean.



Robertson Daniel. Is he really physical enough to play safety? I like he is in on tackles, but he is also more finesse. Lacks size? Physicality?

Troy Hinds is taller/bigger/faster than KVN coming out of H.S. He is listed as 6'4"/235 lbs and runs a 4.65/40 (also on track team).



Robertson Daniel - 6'1"/198. He is a physical DB not finese player although fast, he hits very hard. As a former safety, he is used to coming up to make tackles at the line - several of the games he has beenone of the leading tacklers. However, he is quick enough to stay with WR. Perhaps you are confusing Jordan Johnson with the finese assessment.

byucougar1 wrote:
Troy Hinds is taller/bigger/faster than KVN coming out of H.S. He is listed as 6'4"/235 lbs and runs a 4.65/40 (also on track team).



Robertson Daniel - 6'1"/198. He is a physical DB not finese player although fast, he hits very hard. As a former safety, he is used to coming up to make tackles at the line - several of the games he has beenone of the leading tacklers. However, he is quick enough to stay with WR. Perhaps you are confusing Jordan Johnson with the finese assessment.

Daniel still calls himself a safety. he wants to play safety. My guess is the only thing stopping him would be that he will have one year at corner under his belt and he has done a good job. the coaches may want to keep him there.

Tackling doesn't necessarily equate to hitting. Not taking anything away from him. Trilled that we had him. In fact, seems to me that PoVey is more of a hitter than a tackler.

One thing is for sure, Bronco/Howell have done a very good job with the DBs/Safeties given all the injuries that occurred prior to season start. This was supposed to be a weak area that teams could exploit. I don't think they are truly the achilles heel that was projected.