2014 Spring Football Preview| Faces of Tomorrow | Part Three
Posted on: March 4, 2014
Image via Sooner Sports
There is a lot of young talent on this Oklahoma team, but I wanted to countdown five (or so) players that I will be watching closely as we head into spring practice and then into fall camp.
2. Devante Bond
When it comes to a first step and turning the corner, Bond is second to none. Watching his film, I clocked him on a couple of his sacks under 1.9 seconds to get to the quarterback.
That is unreal.
His first two steps are quick and longer than one would expect, however where Bond separates himself is when he plants his foot and seamlessly transitions his hips to the QB. He also does a good job of clubbing both his hands down in anticipation of a forced fumble. The tools that Bond possesses are incredible. At 6’3″ and 240 pounds, he looks like a guy that could run between 4.58 and 4.62. He is the best JUCO player I have seen since we signed Mike Reed back in 2007. Granted, Reed never did pan out due to circumstances that were unforeseen by all recruiters and personal issues, but his talent was undeniable.
Bond has one counter move right now in his arsenal. Which is a one-step up the field, with a double hand swipe where his inside foot plants and turns inside.
The goal here being to get the OT too far up-field where he (Bond) can then counter and go inside. I like this move and it’s been one that has been around for awhile, but I also firmly believe Bond should continue to try and develop his pass rushing arsenal over the spring and into fall.
Paul Pasqualoni once told me that, “even at the NFL level, all you really need is two pass rushing moves and then a great first step where you can bend the corner.” He emphasized that you must perfect those two moves and should counter each other, but the even for a lot of the NFL greats, that is all you’ll need.
JUCO players usually have plenty to work on with technique, but every tool for Bond to be special is there.
47 Comments
Can’t wait to see how he does against the run as well..Weren’t there rumblings of him moving inside also?
Yes u r all over it shifty, think it was Kish that said it and it leads me to think that maybe Obo is really looking good for them to move a pass rushing OLB like bond to the inside. This is y I love spring so much, we get to see if one of our favorite recruits is progressing like we hope and also who might find a new home at a different position
Bond and Striker on 3rd down is a scary thought for opposing QB’s
With Grissom and tapper. Unreal.
AND Phillips !
It’s still a big step up to div 1 football. I believe Russell and St John were JC All American players. They didn’t do anything last year in their 1st Div 1 play. Bond’s first step is an asset that will get him some playing time for sure. Still, Bond won’t find it’s so easy in 2014. Not only are the OL’s in div 1 more talented, they concentrate on inside moves from defenders because they won’t play if they give that move up very often. Striker’s speed outside and around the OL is harder to stop for an OT.
Love the film I’ve seen on Bond, he should be holy terror. Thanks Ace!
I feel like the kid who opened his Christmas gift early! Now I have to wait till Christmas to get it. The anticipation of this season is about to kill me.
Bonds film is just plum crazy good, its almost unfair to his defensive teamates…id love to see the teams breakdown of tackles…he just beats everyone to the ball…wowzer
Pasqualoni screwed UCONN! lol. If you have two moves, the OT is never totally sure which one you’ll use. I can see only needing two as long as you are great at everything else. Speed kills for a reason.
This
2015 Norman North QB
https://twitter.com/john_kolar7/status/440857548254502912
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1581795/highlights/101557382?autoplay=1
Offer soon? Or waiting on the bigger names to decide? He doesn’t look as fast as Hansen on film but I like that he makes a decision quick and picks up first downs with his feet.
I’d have to think they hold off, at least for now. Already have several offers out there and I don’t believe they’re in any kind of a hurry to lock of a QB this early into the process.
He seems to be quick on his feet, athletic qb. Has an OSU offer. FYI: He’s listed as 6-4/185, took over after Cornwell went down. In a little over half a season threw for 1675 yards,15 td’s, 2 int’s, around 65% passing. I believe Norman North is in 6A class.
I was going to ask what his actual height was. Rivals says 6’4 and 247 says 6’1
I got mine from his profile after the Hudl film. Sort of like some of the listings from the latest heights and weights on the OU football roster.
It’s funny I know they do it a lot in basketball. Michael Beasley was listed at 6’10 out of high school and at ksu and was more like 6’7 entering the nba
Jordan, I read somewhere that he was a pro-style qb. That’s where I get confused as to a pro-style, dual, or whatever. Can you help me?
I see him listed as pro-style as well. Which only adds to my theory of an offer unlikely to come as he’s not really in-line w/ the style of QBs they’ve offered thus far.
Would it be worth having one QB in your stable that doesn’t match your typical style? For scout team purposes (to be a pro-style opponent) or just in case you ever need a change of pace?
It’s a valid point (and thank you for following here, btw!), but would you really want to use a scholarship on that type of player? I mean there is some value in that, but if he doesn’t really fit your system and the likelihood is he never plays I’d have a hard time seeing them use a scholly for that.
Yeah they need ALL there Scholly’s for Long Snappers and such!!! jk LOL! I couldn’t resist. I think that kid will probably start for 4 years and we will hardly ever hear his name again and that is how you know he is great cause they only talk about LS if they mess up!
Jordan on another thought. Who in your humble opinion would backup Striker and Bond?
In my mind, you’d use guys like Onuoha and/or Obo. But it’s yet to be seen if they play that type of role or if Monty wants them at DE.
I know everybody loves Bolton, and for good reason, but I just think he could really benefit from a redshirt.
2015 Norman North QB
https://twitter.com/john_kolar7
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1581795/highlights/101557382?autoplay=1
absolutely sir Jordan, that clip was perfect for what ace was saying.
Yes, like it and thank you
yep, keep using it. I understand better when I can see it.
Yes, keep using it. What do they say ” a picture is worth a thousand words”.
Bring it on big guy, we can handle whatever you throw at us!
YESSSIIRRRR! Anything that adds to the discussion!
Keep adding them!
I love gifs…like Gary said, “picture is worth a thousand words”…A gif has to be worth a few more thousand since it’s a small reel of vid
me likey
Honestly, Im a little worried that Bond and Striker might hurt themselves colliding into each other in the opposing teams backfield. Although…I am glad that the QB will be there to cushion the blow.
That or they’re going to break a QB in half this year. I mean just think back to what Striker did to Case last year, on his own.
http://barstoolu.barstoolsports.com/files/2013/10/case2.gif
I can watch the Case clothes line all day long.
That had concussion written all over it-Ouch-
bogus flag
Beyond bogus
My understanding is this flag would be pulled if the targeting rule is adjusted like they are talking about doing…didn’t they try to get Striker for targeting? or was it hands to the face of qb? Either way it shouldn’t have been called and really helped UT..that would have been some nice momentum for our D early in the game
I do believe that’s called putting the pimp hand on someone.
Finally Ace has come back to us! I was looking for this post all day yesterday! Started developing a twitch about 3 pm because of withdrawls but thank goodness I got enough of a fix from the Open Post to get me to today. Great Job Ace thanks again! BOND IS JUST CRAZY GOOD! OPPOSING TEAMS SHOULD BE SICK!
Yeah, sorry about that. With the Junior Day being held this past weekend, we wanted to keep the focus primarily on that.
But, as you can clearly see, the countdown has now resumed.
I love Bond’s size. Any word from your sources on whether he’s good where he is or is expected to gain/lose in our program?
All defensive guys so far. Will you be going offense for number one?