WSU Football Recruiting: Moritz Christ, OL From Germany, Joins Class of 2011
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 21, 2011 6:01 AM PDT
in 2012 WSU Football Recruiting News
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PrintI love SB Nation's photo tool. This chick is eating the "Bron Burger" which was created after LeBron James signed with Miami last year. I wonder if the Bron Burger makes you choke?
I just typed in "beef" and ~70 images popped up. What? How? Some of them involved NASCAR, which makes about as much sense as Mrs. Kyle constantly asking for a cat. NEWS FLASH, LADY: IF YOU KEEP POSTING CUTE PICTURES OF CATS PLAYING WITH TOY MICE AND RUNNING AFTER A LASER POINTER, I'LL PROBABLY EVENTUALLY LET YOU HAVE ONE.
Oh, yeah. We kinda sorta got a new recruit? I mean he's new, but he's not? He's counting towards the Class of 2011, which may not seem like a big deal for 2012, but that's just one less spot. We have 10 kids already committed (ok, nine and a half) which means we'll have something like 17ish spots left, depending on attrition.
After the jump, I promise not to evaluate the player in question because I am by no means a professional talent evaluator. I mean, I know you guys are tired of listening to me drone on and on, so I'll just start posting links to his videos and information.
Psych. I'm going to evaluate the crap out of this kid. Plus, with a name like Moritz Christ, God has to be on our side, right? NO RELIGION TALK, KYLE.
Now, the first thing you need to realize is he played almost exclusively in Germany. I made fun of the competition in Canada because it's not as good as it is in the States, but German football (not to be confused with German futebol) gets made fun of by British football, which gets made fun of by Canadian football.
So there's almost nothing we can take away from his highlight video other than "holy cow he's huge". He had a few Michael Oher in The Blind Side moments where he just kept blocking until he basically killed the guy, but watching this tape is like watching a video of me pwning Nusser on NCAA Football 2012 and saying, "Boy that Kyle sure can call plays."
There is upside, however. He's a giant human being (6'4, 300) and reportedly benches close to 400 lbs. He has quick feet for someone his size, and he looks like he has a mean streak. All of these things are positives. He's super, super raw, though. He'll 100% redshirt (might even greyshirt) just to get used to the speed of Pac 12 football. I like this pick up because, hey, who knows, right? In four or five years, maybe the kid will be nasty and make our line better.
Let's not get carried away with expectations. Depth is always a good thing (especially on the offensive line), but this kid is going to need a long time to develop.
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Interesting
It would be nice to see him take on some players with more skills. The kids he went up against weren’t exactly flying off the line of scrimmage and they only tried to beat him on the outside, just straight rush every time. You can see in a few plays how he began to just anticipate the rush going to the outside rather than sneaking through the guard/tackle gap or trying a spin move or going underneath. Pretty decent foot work. Lots of raw talent, interested to see what we can turn this guy into. btw apparently there are only 4 teams in Germany…and no fans.
Keep up the great work, here’s to a 6-6 (maybe 7-5) 2011 season.
Great Photo as well...
Nice “live for Love” t-shirt. Live for the love of slaughtering cows for Bron Burgers. Hillarious
the best thing about that video
is all the Krombacher advertisements at a high school game.
Here is his in-state Texas highlights (sort of).
I already posted this in a fanshot below, but fanshots always seem to get lost. No one scrolls down that far. The video is of Leander HS running back Rickey Harper, where Christ spent his senior year of high school in the states. This was the only way to get any film of Christ playing football in America. He shows up at the 1:40 mark which is Harper’s 2011 highlights. Christ wears #75 and is playing Left Guard.
http://youtu.be/azTpeXLTJvM
"Borrow money from a pessimist - they don't expect it back"
Awesome find!
That’s Texas 5A football, and he is doing fine on pure strength and balance with virtually no technique. It takes some time, but you can spot him on every play. Poor footwork, twice gets him bull rushed back several yards. But he has the strength and balance to recover and put the DL in turf. It actually pretty damn impressive. The rest of the time he either holds the line or pushes the defender back. I was also impressed with his ability to pull, very fluid lateral transition. He is a project, so the red shirt is a must. But damn, if he were raised in USA Football he might have been a blue chipper. Compare him to Zach Banner and you will see what I mean.
Go Cougs!
by WSUcougar05 on Jul 21, 2011 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Comparing him to Banner
he gets blown out of the water. Banner is amazing.
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 22, 2011 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Another link courtesy of SoCalCoug
on the other thread:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s0D4ctUDTo&feature=youtu.be
A few things about this link:
1) They have most of the same type of German highlights
2) At the beginning it says he benches 390 and squats 500
3) Also shows some agility drills and shows his 40 time (5.32)
4) Some really positive comments from his coach in the youtube comments section:
“First let me say it was an honor coaching this young man. Second He has very good grades and outstanding work ethics. Third he looks better in person than on film. Moritz is very DEDICATED to the game of football and will be a great asset to a college team. In my 25 years of coaching he is one of the best I’ve coached for having learned the game in only one year. As his coach I will do every thing in my power to my make his dream come true.” Coach Bryant
by All Cougar all the time on Jul 21, 2011 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions
By the way
I really want Rickey Harper.
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 21, 2011 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Fine with me.
I was wondering if Wulff would be sniffing around any other players at Leander HS. When trying to find film on Christ I ran across this video of Martel Summers. Seems like a kid who could play safety or special teams for us. He reminds me of Max Gama. He has played against good competition in Texas. He is NR and only holds a offer from NorthWestern, but we also lost RB recruit Adonis Smith to NW and he got some good PT with them last year.
http://youtu.be/43NuJm3K-_E
"Borrow money from a pessimist - they don't expect it back"
So if it is a "Bron Burger"
does that mean you don’t finish the last quarter of the burger?
"Borrow money from a pessimist - they don't expect it back"
by SoCalCoug on Jul 21, 2011 7:49 AM PDT reply actions 6 recs
Beautiful
"Ignorance is the parent of fear." ~Melville
by johnnycougar on Jul 21, 2011 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Researched it.
It is a 3/4lb burger made with Kobi beef and it comes with fries, not rings.
"Borrow money from a pessimist - they don't expect it back"
by SoCalCoug on Jul 21, 2011 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
Gamethreads are going to be overrun with images of German pancakes every time he makes a good block.
by Mark Sandritter on Jul 21, 2011 10:22 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
I would prefer Christ images
You know … Jesus?
I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. Ugh
Here he is on the lead block
I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. Ugh
by HitKing69 on Jul 21, 2011 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
Soccer in German
is fussball, not futebol.
And I said this in the fanshot, but I feel like his foot work is a little slow and he relies on his upperbody strength a little too much. Nothing he can’t work on though and I’d rather have the strength over the opposite.
by tclaus on Jul 21, 2011 10:59 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah but fussball doesn't work with the lame football/futebol pun jokes that I was going for
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 21, 2011 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions
Du sprichst Duetsch?
Wie gehts?
Attractive, Intelligent, Smart A**
by Neil Vincent Roberts on Jul 23, 2011 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions
I 100% stole the God joke from BigWood.
So to make amends for the thievery, here’s a cat with a watermelon. This should please both BigWood and Mrs. Kyle.
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 21, 2011 11:00 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
it was an easy take, no thievery took place.
Now if you want to get into the origins of Alex Brink Space Pajamas, that’s when I get angry….
Almost as cute as the turtle with a wheel for a leg
Pants off for WSU Vet Med!
Two in the cake, one in the puddin'! -Kevin Calabro, Twitter: MichaelPreston3
by Michael The Coug on Jul 21, 2011 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions
The addition is a push, numbers wise
This kid joins, Tim Hodgdon leaves and we’re back at the same number.
When did Hodgdon leave?
Did I just completely miss this? Or is it somewhat new news?
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 21, 2011 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Not sure if it was mentioned in the comments or not, but since Tim Hogdon is no longer with the program, these two cancel each other out. We should still have 18 avail scholies for this class. Would imagine there is a bit of attrition after the season, so probably close to 20 when signing day rolls around.
For future reference
please use the Subject Line.
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 21, 2011 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions
You should change your avatar
Forum etiquette sheriff.
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Jul 21, 2011 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions
The kid's already enrolled, apparently
so definitely no grayshirt. Can pretty much guarantee a redshirt, though. I’d bet my pants on it.
In MY day, we had to go on a COMPUTER to read blogs... these damn kids and their go-go-gadget phones!
why are you wearing pants
when the Cougs signed a 6’5" 320 kid w/ 5 to play 4??
If you can't Go Cougs... don't go.
by hollyweirdcoug on Jul 22, 2011 1:19 AM PDT up reply actions
In Cougfan's article about him, they say 6'5" 320.
That’s probably where he got it from.
CougCenter In Reid We Trust, Twitter!
by Craig Powers on Jul 22, 2011 4:51 AM PDT up reply actions
He does not need to sue.
His appearance would be enough to get NFL to change the eligibility.
by well you win some and lose others on Jul 22, 2011 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
His Scout.com profile has him listed at 6'4, 300
and the article and roster on CougFan has him at 6’5, 320. I quit.
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 22, 2011 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Get the ruler and the scale
I really want to know his true weight and height.
by well you win some and lose others on Jul 22, 2011 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions
He did come from Germany.
Damn Metric System!!!!
"Borrow money from a pessimist - they don't expect it back"
Another good redshirt
WSU has been locating players who have a lot of talent from small school leagues under Wulff. LG John Fullington came from a small school and has excelled as well. This kid isn’t going to start as a true-frosh like Fullington did last year, but he’s got a full year to work out in the weight room and get really strong and learn.
It’s interesting and great to see WSU bring in some “fringe” O lineman based on academics or some other issue which caused teams not to pursue them, but WSU came in at the right moment and landed some talent when things were taken care of and players were being good. I’m hoping at least one if not two of these 3 O lineman signed start before the season’s up based on obvious talent. But obviously I expect them to redshirt Moritz unless he comes into camp and surprises everyone.
Well he certainly has some potential.
Big and strong probably destined to play G/C doesn’t look athletic enough to play outside. He also needs a lot of work on his technique, particularly pad level. He practically stands up on every play after about two steps, that may work in Germany but he’ll get runover by WAC backups if he does that in college ball.
"If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep in."
He also worked in Texas as well.
by well you win some and lose others on Jul 22, 2011 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
He played for one year in Texas and went back to Germany.
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 22, 2011 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions
At least it is experience...
It is like if someone worked for a sports center for a year before going to another.
by well you win some and lose others on Jul 22, 2011 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Just because he played in Texas
doesn’t mean he played well
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 22, 2011 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions
When does experience mean how a person plays?
A different feel and jumping into unfamiliar territory as well as a different team is considered a challenge and if not prepared becomes a cultural shock.
by well you win some and lose others on Jul 22, 2011 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Well the original comment by kelly20120 was that he played against guys in Germany
and that what he did there wouldn’t work here. You responded with
He also worked in Texas as well.
He played in Texas, but he didn’t exactly light the world on fire. He also went back to Germany. So your point of “at least he has experience so he doesn’t get culture shock” or whatever has nothing to do with the original comment of ‘what he did in Germany won’t work here’.
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 22, 2011 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions
When in Texas he was recruited by Arkansas, Texas, and UCLA
He could have been a preferred walk-on at the big schools, but Wulff or a position coach was able to land him with a scholarship.
If he was just another player those teams wouldn’t have even have sent him a letter or called him. I’m not saying he’s going to be a monster for the Cougars, but when other teams are looking at him at least there’s some measure of his ability and potential.
None of those schools offered him a scholarship.
So the term “recruited” is super vague and not a good indicator of a player’s skill level. Because every coach should be recruiting every player. It’s like kicking the tires on UFA in the NFL. Just because you took a look doesn’t mean you were going to sign them. It’s due diligence.
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 23, 2011 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Christ is the posterchild for the type of recruits WSU should go after
Potential is off the charts, but so are the odds that he ends up giving little contribution. The big time schools wanted him to walk on because they don’t have scholarships to waste on a guy who probably won’t work out. Boom and bust needs to be the strategy in Pullman and when the boom does happen hopefully that will lead to a more sustainable future.
One benefit to a guy like this I haven’t seen mentioned is that if he does blossom into something great it will be a feather in the cap of the coaching staff and give them a shining example to future recruits of the development abilities of the staff. (whether it ends up being this staff or the next one doesn’t matter right now.)
I understand what you mean
but I don’t strictly want to go after boom-or-bust type guys. Because they’re boom-or-bust for a reason, and more often than not, they bust. My whole problem with the recruiting strategy this year is, they can’t all be a diamond in the rough. I agree they need a handful of under the radar type guys each year.
by Kyle Rancourt on Jul 23, 2011 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions
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