[RootforRoo44]

http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum/2008-fo...e-torrence.html

LINK

27 page thread on devoe torrence from suckeye fan site. It's nice to see what everyone thought of him 2 years ago when he was first being recruited. Kind of gives you chills to see how good many people think this kid is.

[RootforRoo44]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6xPCbofYeo...orrence-24.html

LINK

Also wanted to throw in a highlight video that has some clips of him in action. Some impressive stuff. He puts on a show, watch the whole thing, he's in about 1/3 to 1/2 of the highlights.

(he is #3)

[ZachTheZip]

I really think he is a better LB than running back. If he plays that position, it would help further mask our thin secondary, while if he played RB it would just crowd our depth chart even more, possibly forcing some more position changes.

[RootforRoo44]

I really think he is a better LB than running back. If he plays that position, it would help further mask our thin secondary, while if he played RB it would just crowd our depth chart even more, possibly forcing some more position changes.

from what it sounds like he probably is a bit better at linebacker, but also, don't you always want your best at each position? With his strength, speed, and agility, it's hard to not put him at RB a little just to see if he could be that guy who can just take over a game and rush for 300 yards a game at will.

[Buckzip]

I really think he is a better LB than running back. If he plays that position, it would help further mask our thin secondary, while if he played RB it would just crowd our depth chart even more, possibly forcing some more position changes.

from what it sounds like he probably is a bit better at linebacker, but also, don't you always want your best at each position? With his strength, speed, and agility, it's hard to not put him at RB a little just to see if he could be that guy who can just take over a game and rush for 300 yards a game at will.

4.55 speed is nothing special for a running back. That is pretty good speed for a linebacker though.
UA needs more speed on defense.

[zen]

I really think he is a better LB than running back. If he plays that position, it would help further mask our thin secondary, while if he played RB it would just crowd our depth chart even more, possibly forcing some more position changes.

from what it sounds like he probably is a bit better at linebacker, but also, don't you always want your best at each position? With his strength, speed, and agility, it's hard to not put him at RB a little just to see if he could be that guy who can just take over a game and rush for 300 yards a game at will.

4.55 speed is nothing special for a running back. That is pretty good speed for a linebacker though.
UA needs more speed on defense.

citation: link

If you are a run-oriented team that wants to pound the ball, this could be your guy. However, if a team is in need for a great linebacker and has the patience to develop one, this is the kid.

[ZachTheZip]

I really think he is a better LB than running back. If he plays that position, it would help further mask our thin secondary, while if he played RB it would just crowd our depth chart even more, possibly forcing some more position changes.

from what it sounds like he probably is a bit better at linebacker, but also, don't you always want your best at each position? With his strength, speed, and agility, it's hard to not put him at RB a little just to see if he could be that guy who can just take over a game and rush for 300 yards a game at will.

4.55 speed is nothing special for a running back. That is pretty good speed for a linebacker though.
UA needs more speed on defense.

citation: link

If you are a run-oriented team that wants to pound the ball, this could be your guy. However, if a team is in need for a great linebacker and has the patience to develop one, this is the kid.

Sounds about right. We need a good running game because our QB play is suspect, but we need a great linebacking corps because our secondary is almost a complete unknown.

[MDZip]

Anyone who can salvage something of their lives from an awful situation (especially at a young age), at least deserves another chance. If you screw up again, it means you didn't learn anything and that's then on you. The Buckeye board seemed pretty lenient, most of them wished him well, and while it seems like they'd be williing to take him back, they understood why it probably wouldn't be a good idea. Several metnioned that he was coming to the Zips, but I didn't see anyone badmouthing him or the program or the school. There were even a few that had good things to say (of course that could be some of our guys in disguise ), but I just found it interesting that there was nothing disparaging thrown our way.

[gozips19]

i too was thinking lb but the depth at rb drops next year with the graduation of dk and johnson. that will leave torrence, allen, and pride. allen will be a sr. next year and could set up a potential torrence pride backfield. at lb the zips recruited pretty hard at lb.....also fleming is projected to grow into the lb spot so they are fine there.

here's a follow up question...... with the depth at rb and all that has gone on in this man's life should he red shirt?????? thoughts?

[ZachTheZip]

here's a follow up question...... with the depth at rb and all that has gone on in this man's life should he red shirt?????? thoughts?

If he has half the talent that he is supposed to, there's no way JD can afford to redshirt him at such a crucial time for the program.

He is listed as an athlete, so maybe he could play on defense this year and then make the switch to RB next year.

[RootforRoo44]

I really think he is a better LB than running back. If he plays that position, it would help further mask our thin secondary, while if he played RB it would just crowd our depth chart even more, possibly forcing some more position changes.

from what it sounds like he probably is a bit better at linebacker, but also, don't you always want your best at each position? With his strength, speed, and agility, it's hard to not put him at RB a little just to see if he could be that guy who can just take over a game and rush for 300 yards a game at will.

4.55 speed is nothing special for a running back. That is pretty good speed for a linebacker though.
UA needs more speed on defense.

citation: link

If you are a run-oriented team that wants to pound the ball, this could be your guy. However, if a team is in need for a great linebacker and has the patience to develop one, this is the kid.

Sounds about right. We need a good running game because our QB play is suspect, but we need a great linebacking corps because our secondary is almost a complete unknown.

CANT WE JUST CLONE HIM?!?! Though I guess it is good to have a tough decision like this to make.

[g-mann17]

CANT WE JUST CLONE HIM?!?! Though I guess it is good to have a tough decision like this to make.

If we could, would that take up one scholarship or two?

[scottditzen]

You said it MDZip. There is a lot of good publicity out there about how Akron has transformed the campus and changing for the better. Good things are happening.

From the Buckeye's board!!!

I've heard alot of GREAT things coming out of Akron visitors lately. I hear the campus is coming along very nice and the stadium is going to be a huge addition to the program. The campus used to just be in the thick of everything but now I guess the campus is pretty closed off from the town itself now so it feels more like a College Campus.

I can definately see Akron pulling in some talent such as Torrence or maybe those tweener between BCS/Mid Major recruits.

Anyone who can salvage something of their lives from an awful situation (especially at a young age), at least deserves another chance. If you screw up again, it means you didn't learn anything and that's then on you. The Buckeye board seemed pretty lenient, most of them wished him well, and while it seems like they'd be williing to take him back, they understood why it probably wouldn't be a good idea. Several metnioned that he was coming to the Zips, but I didn't see anyone badmouthing him or the program or the school. There were even a few that had good things to say (of course that could be some of our guys in disguise ), but I just found it interesting that there was nothing disparaging thrown our way.

[ZachTheZip]

Here are the stories I have found so far. Leave some comments to encourage future Zips coverage.

Ohio.com - Blue chip prospect joins Zips

CantonRep.com - Torrence finds spot with Akron

[RootforRoo44]

Here are the stories I have found so far. Leave some comments to encourage future Zips coverage.

Ohio.com - Blue chip prospect joins Zips

CantonRep.com - Torrence finds spot with Akron

that should be it's own thread, a thread where everyone posts zips stories so we can all comment on them and make the papers see that we want zips coverage and not can't state articles.