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| Jaron Dukes (right, with Khalid Hill and Jake Butt) |
Name: Jaron Dukes
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 197 lbs.
High school: Columbus (OH) Marion-Franklin
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #83
Last year: Dukes was a senior in high school. I gave him a TTB Rating of 59.
Dukes committed to Michigan in February 2012 after a pretty solid junior year. Never an upper echelon prospect, he had a mediocre senior year due to some iffy quarterback play. Michigan fans did get a little excitement when Dukes had a good game against future Ohio State cornerback Cam Burrows, from Trotwood-Madison, but overall it was a pretty anticlimactic senior year.
Dukes enters college with a long frame and plenty of room to add weight, a kid that could easily reach 220-225 pounds. The knock on him is somewhat limited athleticism and speed. He could be the first receiver from the 2013 class to hit the field due to his size, because freshman receivers sometimes get in the game just due to how they might help in the running game; last year the coaches kept the slight Jehu Chesson on the bench while the physically developed Amara Darboh saw the field in limited action. However, even if he does see playing time, I doubt Dukes will be an integral part of the offense this season.
Prediction: Redshirt
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Assuming Jake B. is close to his listed height of 6'6", it appears that Dukes is no shorter than 6'4". Do you think J.D. could play H-back at 6'4" and 220/225?
Also, Khalid Hill looks like a TV/movie character, but I can't remember which one.
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I don't see Dukes as an H-back type.
Khalid Hill looks like T.C. from "Magnum P.I."
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Carl Winslow?
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Chris Rock with cheeks.
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This is exactly why I've been a strong advocate of bringing in several better receivers. I don't think any of the three from the last class are going to produce for us. Harris is a good start, but we need more talent.
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I think Da'Mario Jones is going to be pretty good.
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Khalid Hill looks like he's 35.
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Yes, I think Carl Winslow (http://idiotsonmyfloor.com/images/winslowtop.jpg) is the guy, though I can get to the idea of Chris Rock (http://slackershack.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/chris-rock1.jpg?w=279&h=221) with cheeks.
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(Not sure my post went through …)
Yes, Carl Winslow (http://idiotsonmyfloor.com/images/winslowtop.jpg) is the name I was trying to remember, though I can get to Chris Rock (http://slackershack.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/chris-rock1.jpg?w=279&h=221) with cheeks.
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Additional comment: It seems that the number one requirement for a wide receiver in this offense is the ability to flatten a CB or safety on a sweep. If you're 6'4" and well over two bills I suppose that will be easier than if you're a slot ninja (Gallon, who packs a good punch for a short guy, excepted).
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Never forget the blocking of Martavious Odoms, one of the great downfield blockers of all time ….. any team, any level.
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Excellent point (Odoms). Toss Vincent Smith in there, too. Tough little Floridians …
My main point, though, is that big generally beats small. Picture a 6'4" Odoms.
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Brett Perriman was one of the best-blocking WRs I ever saw.
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Agreed, Perryman was under appreciated in general running with Herman Moore and Barry.
Blocking is a lot more fun when it's Barry Sanders you're working to get free, probably a little easier too as Barry would set up a block for you.
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Walter Smith was a ferocious downfield blocker..one of the reasons our '92 offense was so good.
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How is his leaping ability? At 6'5" and in the neighborhood of 200 lbs, he seems like he could be a good redzone target (provided he has a little bit of Junior Hemingway in him). Dukes, Funchess, and Darboh would be an intimidating line-up near the goal line.
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I have not been impressed by his athleticism, including his leaping ability. And he's not as good of a runner after the catch as Junior Hemingway, who was fairly elusive/strong despite not being blazing fast. Dukes is a bit like Jeremy Jackson, in my opinion.
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So…like Hemingway but faster?
I kid, I kid. In all seriousness, I haven't seen any of his highlights. Wasn't sure if a lack of athleticism extended to leaping ability. Sounds like a role player whose name won't pop up too much. Someone, say, who got a TTB rating of 59.
Thanks, by the way, for the countdown posts. They're one of my favorite run-ups to the season.
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You're welcome. They're pretty fun to write.
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Thunder, it would be interesting to see your ranking of just the wide receivers comparing them now to when the rest of them get here in the fall and confirm what they've got in practices to see if things change.
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Jaron Dukes looks like Mos Def
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