Kenneth Mann Visiting For Louisiana Tech Game | Film Thoughts

Image via Kenneth Mann Twitter account (@kennx11)

Mann Visiting

OU picked up a couple of 4i tech defensive ends in back July. Our newest contributor out of The Boot, Dashone, wrote about one of those commits and fellow Louisiana native, Tyrell Jacobs. I wanted to look at a few plays and offer some broad thoughts on OU commit, Kenneth Mann out of Texas.

Kenneth will be taking his official visit to Oklahoma this coming weekend for the Louisiana Tech game.

Film Notes

0:04
Excellent leverage with even more incredible explosiveness from the hips. Just based off this, I imagine he could hang clean the house. He is extremely explosive in the hips, which makes him such a power tackler. Jack Del Rio once told me that, hands down, the most important lift is hang clean. It’s a good indicator towards the explosiveness in the hips, which is one of the most essential traits for any of the front seven players. Mann has it.

0:42 and 1:52
The first step for any defensive linemen is usually the most critical. Mann shows off a great initial step. Hips and a good first step create the tools to have, at least, an above average pass rusher. His first step will give OU the flexibility to use him in a variety of stunts. Mann, at this point in time, seems to rely more on raw ability, but you can tell he has tools to be a three down player. Mann really excels at making plays from the backside as well, which again demonstrates his athletic ability as he covers ground with ease while his immense lower body strength allows him to plow back tackles.

2:46
The bull rush is one of my favorites to watch and when Mann does it here, he’s being an absolute man (no pun intended). Pause at 2:50… excellent leverage right here by Mann with his anchor leg not out too far and also excellent knee bend to allow him to explode with his hips. I love his hands right at this point as well. He uses a double swipe move not allowing the tackle to get into him. I went to a Bengals practice once, and the d-line coach would make his guys stab with the inside arm for about 10 minutes just so they could finish. His philosophy is you can’t reach with two hands when a guy plays with good leverage with one arm.

Overall

Mann has a lot of potential as a 4i defensive end. He also has the potential to be a possible situational inside pass rusher. He is extremely strong against the run, so look for him to lineup on a TE side because of how well he can anchor. His lateral quickness will limit zone blocking schemes because of how hard it is to reach him and when you do, you’re not moving this guy. OU fans should be excited to watch a guy that plays with this type of moxie. He wants to punish you and plays with absolute reckless abandon.

35 Comments

  • Zack says:

    Great write up. I’m ready to see Jacobs and Mann on the edges for a few years together. I expect them to become beasts.

  • Brian says:

    Glad we’re going to have some visitors for the LA Tech game! It seems like they’re all coming for the Tennessee one…

    • hOUligan says:

      Yeah. They may not be exactly rolling out the red carpet like they will for all of the recruits visiting for UTenn, but Mann is going to get a load of personal, 1 on 1 attention.

  • Ed Cotter says:

    Not sure if something is wrong with my computer, but can’t access the video. It’s just a picture.

    • hOUligan says:

      Same problem but Ace’s writing paints a picture of one strong hs dlineman. Sounds like he has a chance to be productive, at least, at OU. #LookingforthenextTap

  • John Garner says:

    Love these write ups! Thanx. Again I am convinced that our coaches know what they’re doing and “recruiting experts” don’t.

  • Super K says:

    Still amazed at how big and muscular Kenneth already is at only 17 yrs old.

    • Gary Robbins says:

      So right. He was pictured with Tapper (above-I think) and not much difference in their size.

  • Boom says:

    Bobby Evans will be at Tennessee game too.

    • SoonerKevin says:

      He still has a Basketball body, once he gets to college and under Schmitty and Monte’s care, he will be our 5 star.

  • Brian says:

    Kenneth, if you’re reading this…We’re glad you’re a part of the Sooner Nation/Sooner Family. You have a bright future ahead of you and OU/Coach Monty will mold you into a STAR!!!

  • jmac45 says:

    To me this kid kinda came out of nowhere. First I heard of him was his commitment. Film just looks tremendous, can’t believe a talent like that wasn’t being pimped all over the internet. Course, Burleson is not exactly a hot bed for talent, maybe that’s why. I dunno? Anybody know this kids story and what kind of character he has?

    • Super K says:

      Seems like a really good kid. Comes from a very humble background. Family doesn’t even have a car. His coach was nice enough to bring him up to Norman. He plays ball and works.

  • rocketman says:

    Man his backside pursuit is impresive!

    • jmac45 says:

      Noticed that too. Kid makes about as many plays when they run away from him as he does when ran at him.

  • Josh says:

    3 Days Till Football Time In Oklahoma!!! Boomer Sooner!! Think these pics speak for themselves!

    • Stats says:

      On a side note, who’s the guy 2 foot up in the air that looks like he’s getting an elbow to the groin from the ref?

    • EasTex says:

      Derrick Shepherd was one of my favorites on a team loaded with other great Sooners. It’s uncanny how much Sterling looks just like his Dad.
      It saddens me he isn’t here with us and watching his son become an all-time great Sooner in his own right, he would be bursting with pride.

      • Boom says:

        Josh & EasTex, thanks, brings a smile. Love the video as it brought back a lot of memories.

        • EasTex says:

          Thanks bruh.
          This has been a lot of fun reliving the tradition of OU football greatness in preparation for this season.
          So many wonderful memories in my life and I still love oatmeal because Coach told me.

          • Stats says:

            LOL – “those little kids average 190 lbs and 6 ft tall.”

          • EasTex says:

            LOL!
            If you weren’t around in 1959, that was a big man back then.
            My high school football team in 1966 had two guys that weighed over 200 and one was on a diet. Our coaches preached agile/hostile/mobile. The hardest hitting guy on our team, and believe me it hurt to get hit by this guy, was a 5’10” 160lb. LB.
            We once played a Catholic team out of Houston that had won 3 straight Catholic League state championships. They outweighed us by about 40lbs. on the line and we whipped those big ol’boys.

          • Baron Boomer says:

            Funny how that little boys name was ” Bobby” , seems Stoops was in there early getting coached up!!!

      • Sooner Ray says:

        Loved watching Shepard. His pass to Jackson was a thing of beauty.

  • Defend Colfax says:

    Kid just seems like he will fit great with what we are trying to do. Boomer Sooner! Rumble young man.