OG Hugh Thornton ~ Illinois Fighting Illini
6033/320
6033/320
Regarding Offensive Guards
I place enormous importance on Offensive Guards, in my joyfully twisted World View of FootBall: Right up there with QuarterBacks, Defensive Tackles, and Centers in their potential Impact on This Great Game.
My Notion of a great Offensive Guard is one who commands exceptional:
Core Strength ~ to thwart the onslaught of marauding Defensive Tackles in the Passing Game
Drive Power ~ to attack same Defensive Tackles and drive them back ~ or aside ~ in the Running Game
Launch Velocity ~ out'f'is Stance, off the Snap
Fluidity ~ to Redirect Quickly & Effectively
Range ~ Short Speed ~ to drive across the Flank on Pulls & Traps or UpField to the Second Level
Lateral Agility ~ to Stay Square as he Mirrors his man
Combat ~ As in Hand to Hand: Dexterity, Technique, Ferocity & Stamina!!
Core Strength, Core Power, and Fludity are most prominent in my view, when studying Offensive Guards. Launch Velocity and Lateral Agility are very important, too...But above all, my notion of a Dream Guard would be on who combines all these traits with exceptional Burst ~ a truly Athletic Offensive Guard who can run Power Sweeps all day long, as Jerry Kramer and Fuzzy Thurston did with Vince Lombardi's Packers, on their way to 5 Championships in 7 glorious years!!
My Notion of a great Offensive Guard is one who commands exceptional:
Core Strength ~ to thwart the onslaught of marauding Defensive Tackles in the Passing Game
Drive Power ~ to attack same Defensive Tackles and drive them back ~ or aside ~ in the Running Game
Launch Velocity ~ out'f'is Stance, off the Snap
Fluidity ~ to Redirect Quickly & Effectively
Range ~ Short Speed ~ to drive across the Flank on Pulls & Traps or UpField to the Second Level
Lateral Agility ~ to Stay Square as he Mirrors his man
Combat ~ As in Hand to Hand: Dexterity, Technique, Ferocity & Stamina!!
Core Strength, Core Power, and Fludity are most prominent in my view, when studying Offensive Guards. Launch Velocity and Lateral Agility are very important, too...But above all, my notion of a Dream Guard would be on who combines all these traits with exceptional Burst ~ a truly Athletic Offensive Guard who can run Power Sweeps all day long, as Jerry Kramer and Fuzzy Thurston did with Vince Lombardi's Packers, on their way to 5 Championships in 7 glorious years!!
Hugh Thornton Scouting Report
Run Blocking ~ Raw but flashes Greatness. Outstanding Fluidity, Lateral Agility, & Range. Exceptional Drive Power.
Pass Blocking ~ A relentless, mauling Scrapper. Strong Mechanics. Excellent Core Strength. Awesome Athleticism.
Pass Blocking ~ A relentless, mauling Scrapper. Strong Mechanics. Excellent Core Strength. Awesome Athleticism.
Prospectus
I'm really intrigued by Hugh Thornton as an Offensive Guard Convertible.
He got messed up by Datone Jones at the Senior Bowl ~ who didn't?? ~ but in my opinion this was as a result of him being aligned at his most recent Position ~ Offensive Tackle ~ which I don't believe to be his best Position.
When he was actually playing FootBall, this Year, he displayed an absolutely outstanding fusion of Core Power, Core Strength, Fluidity, and phenomenal Lateral Agility. In short, he looked like a very complete Offensive Guard!!
Thornton's Lateral Agility is so remarkable that, combined with'is other commendable Traits, he could probably make a very serviceable Offensive Tackle at the next level...But with'is length, I side with the majority and suggest that he should move inside, where I believe he will develop into an outstanding Offensive Guard.
He got messed up by Datone Jones at the Senior Bowl ~ who didn't?? ~ but in my opinion this was as a result of him being aligned at his most recent Position ~ Offensive Tackle ~ which I don't believe to be his best Position.
When he was actually playing FootBall, this Year, he displayed an absolutely outstanding fusion of Core Power, Core Strength, Fluidity, and phenomenal Lateral Agility. In short, he looked like a very complete Offensive Guard!!
Thornton's Lateral Agility is so remarkable that, combined with'is other commendable Traits, he could probably make a very serviceable Offensive Tackle at the next level...But with'is length, I side with the majority and suggest that he should move inside, where I believe he will develop into an outstanding Offensive Guard.
Yank Rank: Potential SuperBeast
Sleeper!!
Sleeper!!
| Consensus Market Value 4th/5th Round | Yankee Grade 1st/2nd Round |
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