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| Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep tight end Naseir Upshur with former Michigan tight ends coach Dan Ferrigno in June 2014 (image via GBMWolverine) |
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Name: Naseir Upshur
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 233 lbs.
High school: Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep
Position: Tight end
Class: 2016
Notes: Holds offers from Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Boston College, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Florida, Florida State, Illinois, Iowa, LSU, Maryland, Massachusetts, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, South Carolina, Syracuse, Temple, Tennessee, UCF, UCLA, USC, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Western Michigan, Wisconsin. . . 22 catches, 640 yards, 11 touchdowns; 20 tackles, 6 sacks as a junior in 2014 . . . Claims 4.7 forty . . . 4.47 shuttle . . . 26.7" vertical . . . Rivals 4-star, #3 TE, #61 overall . . . Scout 4-star, #10 TE, #212 overall . . . 247 Sports 4-star, #7 TE, #208 overall
Strengths: Thick, powerful lower body . . . Adept and potent blocker . . . Drives feet after contact . . . Blocks through the whistle . . . Impressive straight line speed . . . Tough to bring down for defensive backs . . . Good agility . . . Solid route runner . . . Understands how to threaten and beat coverages
Weaknesses: Rather short for tight end . . . Does not possess ideal length . . . Limited catching radius . . . Body catcher . . . Does not extend hands well
Projection: Tight end/H-back. Upshur has the tenacity to become an inline tight end and blocker, but he lacks ideal size for the position and might top out around 240 lbs. He probably projects best as a complementary tight end or an H-back type who can go in motion, line up as a wing, work out of the slot, etc. He is not a mismatch in the passing game because he lacks the explosiveness and catching radius to beat well trained pass defenders. However, he could be effective on seam routes, an occasional bubble screen, bootlegs, etc. He will also be a strong point in the running game, where he can latch onto and overpower second-level defenders. If offense doesn't work out, Upshur could also play defensive end, where he has some explosiveness and a nose for the ball.
Reminds me of: Khalid Hill. Upshur's size is similar to that of Vernon Davis, but he lacks the same kind of speed. Hill is a similar type of player in regard to pass catching and overall physical profile, but Upshur is more explosive and a stronger blocker.
Likelihood of committing to Michigan: Steve Lorenz recently predicted that Upshur would end up committing to Michigan. Jay Harbaugh is his recruiter and has been coming after him hard. He essentially has his choice of schools, and there has been some talk about him playing with Maryland quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who is bound for somewhere other than Ann Arbor. Overall, Michigan is one of his top few schools right now and at least has a strong chance to secure his commitment.
Highlights:
Hudl highlights.
I just love this kid. I'd rather watch him block than catch passes. He's be playing defense for me, but I'm certain that Harbaugh has already dreamed up all kinds of schemes for pounding the snot out of other people's linebackers and defensive backs with this kid.
ReplyDeleteHere's the better vid that I think Thunder already posted once back when ..... more blocking on it.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2256738/highlights/85496377/v2
yeah hed be a great pick up - versatile type athlete harbaugh (and all coaches should for that matter) loves. he could play D or he could be pretty darn good on O. and youre right, hes def more explosive than khalid hill - his lack of length hurts his upside a bit but hopefully he learns to catch with his hands and grab the ball. the kids still quick enough to do some damage in the pass game. just a good all around prospect at this stage.
ReplyDeletei think he and the other TE from PA theyre recruiting (you posted his highlights a while ago, hes like 6'7" - 6'8") are 2 of the better options available and theyd both be excellent signings although the taller kid has more upside as pure pass catcher and nfl type TE mismatch
You're probably thinking of Cary Angeline.
Delete