BOBBY WAID: Diamond in the rough?

[PonyPride]

The football team at Cinco Ranch High School in Katy, Texas, ran all over most of its opponents in 2010, figuratively and literally. The Cougars cruised through its schedule to a 10-2 record, thanks in large part to the running of SMU signee K.C. Nlemchi and fellow CRHS running back Jamel James, who Nlemchi said carried the ball on more than 90 percent of the Cougars' offensive plays.

"It was like a rivalry with Katy High School," Nlemchi said, "not just to win the game, but to see who had the better running game."

But one of Nlemchi's Cinco Ranch teammates joined him this summer at SMU. Wide receiver Bobby Waid caught just 15 passes as a senior for 270 yards (18.0 yards per catch) and three touchdowns, but Nlemchi said his best friend over the last four years will prove to be a steal for the Ponies.

"His hands are like glue," Nlemchi said. "He runs great routes, and most of the time, if he can reach it, he'll catch it."

Waid should have an advantage reaching the ball against just about any defensive back, thanks to his 6-foot-4 frame and long arms.

More unexpected is Waid's speed. During the Mustangs' optional conditioning workouts this summer, Waid regularaly is among the leaders when the receivers go through their sprints, shuttles and runs up and down the hill at the south end of the stadium. He said the last two times he ran a 40-yard dash, he was clocked at 4.45 and 4.47.

"I guess I don't look like I'm fast, so early in the game, I usually didn't get much of a cushion," he said. "That usually changed by the second half.

"We didn't need to throw the ball a lot, but I usually got the other team's No. 1 corner on me."

An honor student Cinco Ranch, Wade was recruited by SMU, Northwestern, Rice and TCU, but didn't receive a scholarship offer, presumably because so few passes were thrown his way. SMU receivers coach Jeff Reinebold, who recruited Nlemchi to SMU, also recruited Waid.

"Coach Reinebold told me I'm pretty much guaranteed to redshirt my first year," Waid said. "He told me to try to put on some weight (Waid said he weighs 175 pounds) and to catch balls until I'm sick of it."

Waid could have walked on elsewhere, but chose SMU in large part because of the chance to play with Nlemchi.

"It's always better when you can go to school with someone you know," Nlemchi said. "We have been best friends since our freshman year — our swag just connected."

"We have been friends a long time, and we talked about it a lot," Waid said. "He definitely had an impact on my choice."

[Stallion]

great news about his demonstrated speed in workouts. 6-4 kids that can run are very rare and their times are usually padded significantly.

[No Quarter]

Maybe SMU has the next Jerry Rice?

[SMU89]

Glad he is a mustang

[reddevil]

Intriguing prospect.

[ponyscott]

As always, I just love walk-ons....this kid has something to prove and we all had no idea he was this fast. With added weight and speed drills, he will get faster as he is a late maturing athlete.
Good hand eye coordination and sticky fingers can't be taught either...

[Hal]

Even in an offense that runs the ball all the time, the fact that we get a guy as promising as this as a walk-on speaks volumes about where the program is compared to where it has been.

[S....M....U]

the word swag(ger) is everywhere these days

[Cadillac]

It's hard to fathom that a 6'4 WR with 4.4 speed would have no offers, regardless of how few passes he caught. I mean, RICE didn't even offer the kid, who has no apparent academic question marks. Are they so stacked at WR?

I think K.C. may have a future as a PR rep, because he's really selling Bobby lol.

I'm glad to hear that he's showing speed out on the field, and with a redshirt year behind him, he could really make an impact on a team that should be known for impact WRs.

This is exactly what you hope for in your walk ons.

-CoS

[westexSMU]

A year in the weight room, gaining about 30 lbs., and not loosing any speed will help make him a college player. At 6' 4" 200-210 and 4.4 speed...then we will see if he can play here. With our coaches, he may make it happen.