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| Woodbridge (VA) Woodbridge defensive end Da’Shawn Hand |
Name: Da’Shawn Hand
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 245 lbs.
Position: Defensive end
High school: Woodbridge (VA) Woodbridge
Class: 2014
Notes: Holds offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Boise State, Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, South Carolina, South Florida, Stanford, Syracuse, USC, Vanderbilt, Virginia, and West Virginia . . . Claims a 4.6 forty . . . As a junior in 2012, had 78 tackles and 16 sacks . . . As a sophomore in 2011, had 84 tackles and 21 sacks . . . Ranked the #1 overall prospect by Rivals, Scout, and 247 Sports
Strengths: Plays with a low base . . . Shows ability to use hands well to shed blockers . . . Powerful defender capable of making plays while fending off blockers . . . Quick first step . . . Excellent speed for his size . . . Changes direction well . . . Delivers a blow when he reaches ball carrier . . . Hustles to make plays from the back side
Weaknesses: Anything I put here would be totally nit-picking
Projection: Strongside defensive end. I haven’t seen another prospect in the 2014 class who is better, so his #1 ranking seems to be deserved. The guy has a good frame, moves well both forward and laterally, has good technique, and appears to be a high motor player. It will be tough to run at him, and it will be tough for opposing tackles in the passing game. Wherever he goes, he should be able to play early and turn into a dominant player at the college level.
Reminds me of: Da’Quan Bowers
Here are a few junior highlights posted on Rivals and some sophomore highlights from Hudl.
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when was the last time Michigan had a legit shot/landed a #1 recruit?
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Terrelle Pryor?
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I believe it was Drew Henson in 1998
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Is he better than clowney?
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No, I don't think he's better than Clowney. Clowney is quicker off the ball, which makes him a huge problem to deal with. But Hand is a little more powerful at this stage than Clowney was.
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We will see were he ends up. This is going all the way to NSD if it's not a verbal to VT before nsd.
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How does he compare to Nkemdiche?
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Isn't 245 lbs a little small for SDE? I guess if you're looking for things to nitpick, it doesn't seem as if his body is college-ready yet.
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He's a high school junior. Brandon Graham did just fine as a SDE, and he was about 263 lbs. or so. So no, I don't think that's a concern.
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Good stuff. Where is the index to your other 2014 scouting reports? Can't seem to find it. Thanks for the good work.
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Thanks. At the bottom of the post, if you click on the "Scouting Reports" label, it will show you each of the scouting reports I've done for the 2014 class and then going back to 2013.
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If we landed Hand and Malik McDowell would you expect Hand to play WDE so McDowell could play SDE? At 6'6" – 6'7" it wouldn't be easy for McDowell to play inside and they are both too great of players to not have on field at the same time.
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I think Hand could handle playing weakside end, but I don't think it would be his ideal position. I think McDowell would fit best at SDE, but we had a 6'6" walk-on in the form of Will Heininger playing 3-tech recently, so it's not out of the question for him to play there, too. And Carr played Pat Massey at DT back in the old days, too, so height doesn't seem to be the overall determinant.
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