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The Cougars picked up a couple of intriguing sleeper prospects to play the defensive end/edge rusher position this year. Let’s see how they shake out.
Willie Rodgers III was nice pick-up by linebackers coach Roy Manning after he moved from Saginaw MI to Colorado for his senior year of high school. This may have had him fly under the radar in recruiting circles. Dallas Hobbs was recommended to WSU by new receivers coach Derek Sage who had been recruiting him while at Toledo. The Cougars were able to flip him from UCONN.
Measurables
Rodgers: 6-4 235
Hobbs: 6-5 240
Edge: Hobbs
Competition
Hobbs spent the past year at the most prestigious prep school programs in New England. Deerfield Academy is located in western Massachusetts. Rodgers spent his senior year at Valor Christian high school in Highlands Ranch, CO. Valor Christian was the Colorado 5A state champions and was named one of the top high school programs in the country for the past decade.
Edge: Rodgers
Stats
Rogers: 41 tackles, 11 sacks, and 15.5 TFLs
Hobbs: Unavailable
Edge: Rodgers
Rankings
Rodgers: No. 66 Defensive End in the nation and 8th best player in the state of Colorado.
Hobbs: No. 110 Defensive End in the nation and 10th best player in the state of Iowa as a high school senior.
Edge: Rodgers
Offers
Rodgers: Michigan State, Arizona, Wyoming
Hobbs: UConn, Army, Toledo
The Film
Rodgers: He shows excellent pass rush ability from a stand up position. Looks to have a nose for the quarterback. My guess is he will end up at the “Buck” position in Alex Grinch’s defense. Didn’t look like he was asked to drop into pass coverage much though, so maybe he end up playing with his hand down.
Hobbs: Film is not spectacular, but looks like your typical solid stay-at-home defensive end who makes the plays he needs to make and doesn’t overpursue.
Edge: Rodgers
Overall: As much as i love Hobbs frame and basketball player background, Rodgers is the easy winner here. Rodgers explosiveness and pedigree give him the edge in my book. It will be interesting to see how these two develop over the next few years.
Football
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