Thoughts on Recruits (Matthews and Newell in particular)

[guyutethepig]

Matthews - like I said in the other post, he looked dominant throughout the tourney. He was super aggressive and imposed his will on his opponents a majority of the time. Really looking forward to what he can do at Pitt.

Newell - Im not sure what to think. He looked good, but his results arent great at all. After being a runner up the last two years, he dropped to 7th this year. His first loss was to a kid from my old high school (who finished 4th) JJ Wilson - he didnt look great against Wilson. Wilson is known for getting very passive at states (this is his 3rd trip - he is a junior - and first time placing) and he beat Newell 4-0. His next 2 matches went to OT (won one, lost one) and were really good matches, but I thought he should have beaten both.

Crawford - I didnt see any of his matches, but it looks like he won the 182 pound championship in Ohio, which is not an easy task. He had a 39 second pin, a 13-1 win, 12-9 in semis and 5-3 in finals. He lost 2 matches this year - the only one I could find was a 3-0 loss to the kid who placed second at states at 182 in another division in Ohio. He could provide much needed depth/talent at the upperweights moving forward.

 

[Italianpittbull]

Not to make an excuse for Novell but he had issues with weight and I think it got the best of him mentally

Also Luke kemerer went up a weigh and took third

 

[guyutethepig]

Didn’t know that about Newell

Completely forgot to post on Kemerer - I was in a hurry

 

[Italianpittbull]

Didn’t know that about Newell

Completely forgot to post on Kemerer - I was in a hurry

Well the weight issue was not common knowledge
And the pressure of getting it done this year I think with weight got to him
That is only my opinion
However Luke did well Wrestling back
Wish he would of stayed at 145 but anyway he wrestled well

 

[FriendofPittWrestling]

Crawford appears to be a very raw talent to me. He is aggressive, looks strong, and has athletic ability, but make some fundamental positioning mistakes (head down, back flat on his attacks, on his knees too much). I don't know what his coaching was so I don't know if this is a learning or personality issue, but if he is smart and listens to Gavin and Co...and maybe redshirts to buff up his understanding of the basics, he may become quite productive in a year or two. He definitely needs to be committed to the process though.

I know there are people here that would complain about the lack of 4 or 5 or what-ever stars recruits are coming in, but what I see is a very solid recruiting class with some real potential. Take a look at what Gavin or Leen or the Wilps brothers stars were coming out of high school and look what they achieved.

Gavin and Co are not your typical old school rock head mat rats. They know what they are looking for and have a pretty clear understanding of the path they are developing for these young kids. Kids (and their families) are going to be glad they had the chance to be a part of this program. Just sit back and enjoy the growth.

 

[Italianpittbull]

I do have one issue with your statement about 4-5 stars guys
Cole alone is I think #7 in the country
Two time iron man finalist
Two time Powerade champion
Took two first a second and s third in the state
Not sure how this guy is not a 4-5 star guy in your book

 

[Italianpittbull]

I do not mean it in a confrontational way
If people complain about this group then do not know Wrestling not directed to you

 

[mike412]

Crawford appears to be a very raw talent to me. He is aggressive, looks strong, and has athletic ability, but make some fundamental positioning mistakes (head down, back flat on his attacks, on his knees too much). I don't know what his coaching was so I don't know if this is a learning or personality issue, but if he is smart and listens to Gavin and Co...and maybe redshirts to buff up his understanding of the basics, he may become quite productive in a year or two. He definitely needs to be committed to the process though.

I know there are people here that would complain about the lack of 4 or 5 or what-ever stars recruits are coming in, but what I see is a very solid recruiting class with some real potential. Take a look at what Gavin or Leen or the Wilps brothers stars were coming out of high school and look what they achieved.

Gavin and Co are not your typical old school rock head mat rats. They know what they are looking for and have a pretty clear understanding of the path they are developing for these young kids. Kids (and their families) are going to be glad they had the chance to be a part of this program. Just sit back and enjoy the growth.

I think Matthews is a 4 or 5 star talent. As for Crawford, this is the third time I have seen videos of his matches, and I totally agree with you. What I most like about him is that he is aggressive and a pinner. What I least like is his lack of technique and his limited basket of takedown moves. He is a guy who I think can greatly benefit from good coaching. He is not tall for his weight, and that will put him at a disadvantage against taller opponents. I was shocked he went up 20 pounds in weight class in one year. He won last year at 162.

 

[mike412]

I would have loved to have seen Matthews wrestle against Sasso, but they were in different divisions and one weight class apart.

 

[guyutethepig]

I would have loved to have seen Matthews wrestle against Sasso, but they were in different divisions and one weight class apart.

We might see it in college at some point.

Regarding Crawford - he sort of reminds me of Bell (not in style, necessarily) - big strong kids that are a bit short for their projected weight (at least to me Bell seems a bit shorter)

 

[FriendofPittWrestling]

Stylistically, he reminds me a little bit of Harvey. Strong, but not quite in control of his body sometimes, but makes up for technical flaws with desire. Harvey and a more developed Crawford, back to back, would be entertaining. They would both be so annoying to wrestle, I would love to watch their opponents and opposing coaches reaction to that.