BOBBY WAID: Diamond in the rough?
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 2:37 pmThe 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."
"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."