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Let's Roll The Video!
Commentary Exclusive for Mizzou OSR
by Todd Donoho
Columbia, Mo. - By now you've seen detailed accounts on Mizzou's 2008 football recruiting class.  The OSR has provided unprecedented coverage and information regarding the Tiger recruits.  OSR subscribers have received the most information on the recruits, and received that information before anyone else besides Gary Pinkel.

I took the time to study the video of each of the recruits.  As they say in the business, certain guys jump off the screen at you.  Here are my thoughts on several recruits and their highlight videos:

--Will Ebner, 6-1, 225, LB/RB, Friendswood, Texas:  He's a middle linebacker who reads plays well -- both runs and passes.  Has good closing speed and leveled a few players in his video.  Hard hitter who can read and run.

--Michael Egnew, 6-5, 210,TE/DB, Plainview, Texas:  His video showed him on offense.  Appears to be a TE/WR combo type guy which the Tigers really like for their offense.  A possession-type receiver. He can really go up and get the ball in the endzone.

--Blaine Gabbert, 6-5, 225, QB, Ballwin, Missouri:  Big, strong, fast.  Runs very well for a big quarterback.  Is strong enough to pull away from would-be tacklers.  Has a strong arm but can also put touch on the ball for shorter throws.  Sometimes throws off his back foot.  Don't know if that's good or bad.

--Dan Hoch, 6-7, 295, OL/DL, Harlan, Iowa:  He has the most impressive video of any of the recruits in my opinion, and that's saying something considering he is an offensive lineman.  On his drive-blocking he doesn't just pancake players, he buries them.  He doesn't put them on the ground, he drives them into the ground.  On several plays he blocked two guys into the ground!  It's the most impressive video I have ever seen for an offensive lineman.  He will be a star for Mizzou. 

--Jerrell Jackson, 6-2, 180, WR/DB, Houston, Texas: If Gary Pinkel is looking for another Will Franklin, he's found him in Jerrell Jackson.

--Wes Kemp, 6-4, 225, WR/DL, St. Louis, Missouri:  Another big receiver for Mizzou.  Great body control to go up and get the ball.  Has the speed to be a deep threat as well.  If he puts on weight he could be another Martin Rucker.

--Brad Madison, 6-5, 255, OL/DL, Bethany, Missouri:  His video showed him as a linebacker in high school, so that tells you he can run and hit which will be a bonus if the Tigers decide to use him on the defensive line.  On offense, he is a driving blocker.

--Marcus Malbrough, 6-5, 225, TE/DL, Beaumont, Texas:  His video showed him on defense.  He's a pass rush specialist with closing speed to sack the quarterback.

--Gahn McGaffie, 5-11, 180, WR/DB, Galena Park, Texas:  His highlight video was the best for a back/receiver.  He was a running quarterback in high school.  Looked like a high school version of Brad Smith.  Need I say more.  He could be a game breaker in the mold of Jeremy Maclin.  Throw this guy a screen pass and watch him go.  Since he was a quarterback in high school, I can see some direct snaps to this guy in the wide open Tiger offense.

--Aldon Smith, 6-5, 235, TE/DL, Raytown, Missouri:  The Mizzou coaching staff will have a hard time deciding if Smith will play on offense or defense.  His video was great on both sides of the ball.  He can do it all from defensive end -- stuff the run and rush the quarterback.  Has great closing speed.  He also showed he can be a big play tight end.  Can he play both ways?

--Robert Steeples, 6-1, 190, WR/DB, St. Louis, Missouri:  Only question is will he play safety or cornerback.  If he plays cornerback (and that's what he played in his video) he would be a big, lockdown corner.  He's a great combination of size and speed for defensive backfield.

--Drew Temple, 5-10, 190, RB/DB, Kansas City, Missouri:  It's easy to make a comparison to his brother Tony.  Many of the similar moves.  Also caught the ball well out of the backfield, something Tony rarely did at Mizzou.

--George White, 6-2, 250, RB/LB, Flint, Michigan:  His video showed him at linebacker.  Get excited for this guy.  At 250 he would be the Tigers' biggest linebacker, and doesn't give up any speed to be a big linebacker.  Carries the weight well and hits hard.

--Rolandis Woodland, 6-5, 185, WR/DB, St. Louis, Missouri.  He's another Danario Alexander.  A tall, lanky receiver with good speed and adjusts to the ball well.  Another receiver who will be good around the goal line.