2012 RB Warren Ball commits to Ohio State
by Tyler T. on Sep 1, 2010 10:49 PM EDT
in 2012 Ohio State Football Commitments
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Columbus St. Francis DeSale junior running back Warren Ball has committed to play for Jim Tressel and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ball is possibly the top player in the entire state for 2012, and is a huge commitment as the Bucks move forward with the 2012 class. At 6''2 and 205 pounds, Ball's combination of speed and size makes him a superior athlete at the high school level. Almost assuredly a 5 star prospect on all high school recruiting services, Ball's early commit provides some flash to the prenatal 2012 class. His electric speed and overall athleticism place him on the pedestal of such high school stars as Reggie Bush, Joe McKnight, and Percy Harvin.
Bill Greene broke the news over at Scout.com:
The Ohio State recruiting machine continues to roll on, and Wednesday the Buckeyes accepted the commitment of Columbus DeSales star junior tailback Warren Ball. Ball is the second commit to Ohio State for the class of 2012, following Olentangy's Josh Perry, and is considered one of Ohio's top juniors.
Ball's commitment is not shocking, as today is the first day that college coaches can officially offer junior prospects and Ball has long been seen as a Buckeye lean. But it's great news for the coaching staff and fans as they prepare for the 2010 season.
Video of Ball's Sophomore Season
Warren Ball's running skills are obvious, and they become even more so when placed in the context of the offense that he plays in. DeSale runs a Wing-T system that places Ball as a wingback, making many of his runs tosses and sweep along the perimeter. Ball infrequently receives carries running downhill, but makes the most of it when he does.
Our View: Ball's quickness is superb, and his track speed is more than enough for a star running back to need. He's been a household name on the recruiting scene since his freshman year, and it's clear that he's developed well over those years. He's added bulk without losing quickness, and his cuts are sharper than ever. Those who have seen him in a camp setting have had positive things to say about his receiving ability, which is astonishing considering the limited opportunities he receives to showcase them in the DeSales offense. Ball is a future collegiate star in the making, and we would not be surprised one bit if he was one day holding up the Heisman Trophy in New York City.
Player he'll remind you of: Reggie Bush, without the scandal.
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I can understand your enthusiasm for what is a fine prospect
but Reggie Bush or Percy Harvin? I think y’all are laying it on thick with the hyperbole.
Bell looks like a helluva back, but he reminds me more of the power/speed combo of Beanie Wells than he does the pure speed and acceleration of Harvin or Bush.
He’s not built like Beanie Wells at all. High-cut across the hips; overall, he’s a little bit more of an explosive/ satellite guy. Definitely thicker than Bush, with less explosive, but the “remind you of” category is not designed to be a 1:1 ratio.
And I expect there to be outside doubters about ability, but this kid is excellent. His offense is so constrictive to personal highlights, yet he shows out every game. As with any prospect, we shall see how he develops throughout his collegiate years.
in going over the video again
I noticed that he lacks true breakaway speed. Either he is playing against some of the greatest defenses ever assembled, or he simply isn’t that fast. I’d be shocked if he runs anything faster than a 4.5, and even that is stretching it. He is a short-strider for a big guy.
Even in a wing-t, you can make some big plays, and he has plenty of opportunities, but the fact that he is always getting caught from behind is telling.
I am not willing to go along with the Bush/Harvin comparison yet, but watch the tape. It is easy for anyone to get caught from behind when they are trying to weave through the trash in front of them.
This kid has moves, power, burst, and he’s changing defenders’ angles like you’d expect from a big time prospect in HS.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
for a big man like him
damn, he sure has the speed and quickness to get around blockers.
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Tyler, you’re probably a lot more tuned into this than I am, but young Mr. Ball reminded me a bit of Archie. Not blazing speed, but ‘good enough’ speed; nice, sharp cuts going through the line; and does a nice job of being patient and following and cutting off his blockers. I rewatched the video, then it struck me that these are from his sophomore year, all the more impressive. Hoo boy, what a commit!
Granted, I don't know what down it is..
Yeah
I could see where you get the Archie comparison.
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