COUG COMMIT: WR Bobby Ratliff

by Jeff Nusser on Sep 22, 2009 8:38 PM PDT

We're going to try something new around here: Pass on the commitments of recruits when Cougfan.com reports them so that we have a chance to provide some brief analysis and also give you a place to talk about it.

We've generally stayed away from recruiting up until now because we like to talk about stuff we can see. Well, with all the video floating around out there, we usually can see at least something of these guys, so it makes sense to bring some recruiting into the fold after a guy commits. (You still won't see us talk about guys who haven't committed, unless it's clear the Cougs are in on a high-profile guy. Too much rumor and innuendo for us.)

The latest WSU football commit is Bobby Ratliff, a 3-star wide receiver from California. He's listed at 6-1/180, and there's are a pair of nice YouTube videos embedded below. The first is from his junior year. The second is from what looks like a UCLA camp. My initial thoughts from the videos below:

In looking at his junior year video, he doesn't seem fit the profile of adding speed to the team. There are a number of times on the video where he lacks the explosiveness to pull away from defenders, and is even caught from behind.
However, in the UCLA video, that doesn't prevent him from getting open in one-on-one matchups -- he runs excellent routes with sharp, decisive cuts that allow him to generate space, even without great speed.
That shiftiness that leads to the good routes also allows him to be elusive in space.
He seems to be an excellent pass catcher. Even though these are recruiting videos and they're not going to show any drops, he seems to have very good technique in catching the ball with his hands.
The lack of breakaway speed but good hands seems to suggest that he would project to some kind of possession receiver -- if they keep him at wideout, which would seem likely.

Sound like anyone you know?

This looks like a guy who could contribute right away, but he might not, depending on how things shake out with Kevin Norrell, which might create too much depth for him to crack as a freshman. He's the 12th known commit to WSU, according to Cougfan.com.

Video after the jump.

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I like him

The UCLA video sold me on him. He may not have breakaway speed, like you said, but man the kid can run routes. He was getting in and out of his breaks well and running really crisp routes. His hands were also solid. Seems like he can go up and make some tough grabs. When you can do that, you’re going to be successful.

The move he puts on the kid at about 2:45 in the video is just plain nasty. Good example of his route running

by Brian Floyd on Sep 22, 2009 9:40 PM PDT reply actions

Move is at 2:37

The poor kid got school on a slant and go. I keep watching it over and over

by Brian Floyd on Sep 22, 2009 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions

He made some of those kids look downright silly

Tough to know what kind of competition it was, but his routes were killing those guys.

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Sep 22, 2009 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions

None of the CB prospects would be getting schollies off that video

Fo Sho.

What I loved is that he seemed unfazed by anything. Grabbing his shirt, molesting him downfield, whatever’s going on, he’s coming down with the ball. Might not be fast, but the guy’s quick and keeps his feet under him. It’s crazy how fast he’s in and out of his cuts.

by TiltingRight on Sep 22, 2009 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Like I said, reminds me of Bumpus

He’s a little bigger, though. And certainly, it’s not a fair comparison. But one can see the similarities.

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Sep 22, 2009 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm not overly worried about his footspeed.

He’s not a burner, by what I can tell, and I don’t think his QB had the armstrength to throw long, so I can only guess based on what he does underneath, but the few times when he gets behind the defenders, he does well. If he’s worried about dodging anyone he slows down enough to where others catch up to him.

What I particularly love is his ankle-breaking cuts AFTER he gets the ball. An ability to make the first guy miss. Also, the size (and willingness) to lower his shoulder and lay it on the defender if he doesn’t think he can get around them. I think he could be a playmaker for us.

Hopefully, someone puts out some video from his senior year as well.

by TiltingRight on Sep 22, 2009 11:05 PM PDT reply actions