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| Su'a Cravens |
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Class: 2013
Position: Safety
School: Murrieta (CA) Vista Murrieta
Notes: Holds offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Boise State, Cal, Clemson, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin . . . Rivals 5-star safety, #5 overall . . . Scout 5-star safety . . . 247 Sports 5-star, 98 grade, #1 safety, #9 overall . . . ESPN 4-star safety . . . As a junior in 2011, he had 100 tackles, 11 tackles, and 3 interceptions; also had 673 rushing yards for 15 touchdowns and 339 receiving yards for 4 touchdowns
Strengths: Solidly built . . . Looks like a college safety already . . . Not afraid of contact, both as a defender and runner . . . Reads plays well . . . Doesn't get himself out of position . . . Keeps shoulders square when taking on kick-out blocks . . . Wraps up ballcarriers rather than going for kill shots . . . Strong tackler . . . Good top-end speed . . . Versatility to play multiple positions . . . Gets upfield quickly as a runner . . . High effort player who won't settle for going down on first contact . . . Runs with great body lean
Weaknesses: A bit raw as a runner . . . Carries ball too loosely away from body . . . Good but not great speed for a defensive back . . . Makes some nice plays with ball in air, but also looks slightly uncomfortable catching ball at times
Projection: Running back, strong safety, or weakside linebacker. I don't usually hedge on projections, but he could play any of those three positions at the next level. I'm afraid he might outgrow the safety position, but he would be perfect for Michigan at strong safety. I feel that's his best position if he doesn't grow too much. Michigan is reportedly recruiting him as a running back (EDIT: Cravens has stated that Michigan wants him primarily as a safety), and that's his second best position. Despite looking a little uncomfortable catching the ball, he's a punishing runner who can get into the open field by breaking tackles, outrunning some linebackers, and overpowering defensive backs. I could easily see him playing at about 220-225 lbs. as a college runner.
Reminds me of: Willis McGahee
Have you thought of providing TTB ratings for the other players you scout, whether or not they commit? Seems like you're doing all the work already.
ReplyDeleteI have thought about it, but because I base the ratings partly on the depth chart and the rest of the recruiting class, I can't give accurate ratings unless kids commit. Recruit X might look like a decent starter down the road, but if Recruit Y and Recruit Z commit to Michigan, then Recruit X suddenly looks like a career backup.
DeleteWould be an interesting pick-up....multi-dimensional which is always a plus
ReplyDeleteIt seems like he's going to end up on the defensive side of the ball in college. I watched his sophomore highlights some time ago and was very impressed. When your "defensive wish list" post came out I expected his name to pop up at Safety or LB, but it didn't. I was wondering if that was because you projected us taking only one safety and we already have Dymonte, who is also a stud, or if there is some other reason. Did you consider him when drafting the LB position wish list?
ReplyDeleteI didn't really consider Cravens as a LB when making the wish list. He probably would have been my #2 choice at safety, behind Thomas.
DeleteHow does he compare to Thomas at strong safety and our other running back targets? Do you feel we have any serious chance of landing him?
ReplyDeleteUltimately, I think Cravens will stay in California. I would put Thomas slightly ahead of Cravens at safety, and I would definitely take Cravens as a running back. I'm not really sold on Michigan's running back options at this point. Isaac has a lot of potential, but also has a chance to flop. Deveon Smith is a pretty solid option and more polished than Cravens as a runner, I think, but Smith is a little more limited athletically.
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