Cali DE Patrick Choudja – Underrated!
Posted on: November 20, 2013
Image from Scout.com
One of the things we like to do and want to continue to do on this site is shine whatever light we can on talented HS football players that are good students and are being overlooked. 6’4 defensive end, Patrick Choudja out of California (Joe Mixons HS) is definitely an example of that. Some coaches out there need come to their senses and offer this kid. This you man isn’t even evaluated in some of the corporate evaluation sites’ databases. He doesn’t show any BCS offers. Its unbelievable.
He is absolutely a BCS quality player and should have a lot more offers.
If you’re interested just take a look at a little bit of his senior film: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1512507/patrick-choudja
Look at the lateral quickness and burst on the big man! This young man is the definition of “underrated”.
Update: Props to https://twitter.com/SteveJohns20 for bringing Patrick to our attention.
7 Comments
He’s got a nose for the ball, and once he gets his hands on the ball carrier, he doesn’t let go. At first, I wanted to say he looks like he lacks the speed BCS schools like, but he’s patient at reading the play and doesn’t just bull rush his way past the runner over pursuing and missing the play completely.
As bad as tackling has been at the college level lately, you’d think schools would be beating down his door.
Agreed Billy. I’ll bet this kid gets some BCS offers before it’s all said and done. No way a kid that size that moves that well and does well in the classroom can be overlooked too much longer. Sure he has to work on technique but that’s 99% of the HS players out there. He has the tools.
He does well in school, too, which counts for something and tells me he has the character to prioritize. Hard to pass on those traits.
Has OU show any interest on this kid, or do they even know much about him?
No, no interest from OU. And you’re right Oklahoma has a lot of depth. Plus he looks more like a 4-3 end. Which isn’t to say he can’t be a long stand up OLB but we’ve got a lot of guys that can play that role. But still would love to see the fella get some BCS offers.
I wonder what the coaches see in Ismael Murphy-Richardson that they don’t see in Patrick; within an OLB context.
I think Patrick has enough stop and start to be a stand up OLB. But IMR has the kind of athleticism and fluidity to have a very expanded role as an LB which means he could play a lot of spots. IMR plays on his fore and in some ways moves like a safety. But if we’re talking strictly OLB (which you we’re) then I agree, Patrick could play that role fine. But the position/scheme versatility of IMR is hard to match.
The main goal for this recruiting class is to add talented depth so injuries don’t plague us. There’s no arguing this kid is talented and if there’s a chance he could commit if we offered, I don’t see why not. He’s a steal