New Commit? (Blake Muir)

[mathman]

There are some players from Down Under. One is talked about on this board.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiti ... id=5436284

[cutter]

There are some players from Down Under. One is talked about on this board.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiti ... id=5436284

thanks. I think, only Jesse Williams is the only one in that article who is an Aussie?
I did see the post that Blvd_Stang put up:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=46696

ozfan was right about Aussie NFL players only being punters/kickers, at least that's all I found in a quickie search. there was one lineman that played a season back in the 80s or 90s. but, maybe no one's ever bothered to mine Down Under for players, or maybe the game has yet to develop enough of an international outreach until now. I guess, we'll see.

[Hawkpeter]

Just to give some accurate background with this recruit, I am Blake's coach and he will be heading to SMU to visit in September.

Football in Australia is indeed of a very low standard and there is nothing about being a good player here that necessarily transfers to the US. However, in this case, the SMU coaching staff are looking at Blake as an elite level athlete who they can coach into being a high quality football player for SMU.

SMU fans are right to be skeptical of such an unusual recruiting prospect, but rest assured that as a Freshman next year Blake will be amongst the most athletic players anywhere. He is now 276lb can run in the high 4.8's in the 40, has exceptional flexibility and nervous system and won a powerlifting contest yesterday. You also wont have to worry about his size in the media guide shrinking from what is advertised.

He has contested international level sport as an elite swimmer in his youth, has already been exposed to various high level pressured sporting realms and has at least some experience in the sport.

This type of recruit will not happen very often and kudos to SMU for thinking outside the conventional box.

[cutter]

Just to give some accurate background with this recruit, I am Blake's coach and he will be heading to SMU to visit in September.

Football in Australia is indeed of a very low standard and there is nothing about being a good player here that necessarily transfers to the US. However, in this case, the SMU coaching staff are looking at Blake as an elite level athlete who they can coach into being a high quality football player for SMU.

SMU fans are right to be skeptical of such an unusual recruiting prospect, but rest assured that as a Freshman next year Blake will be amongst the most athletic players anywhere. He is now 276lb can run in the high 4.8's in the 40, has exceptional flexibility and nervous system and won a powerlifting contest yesterday. You also wont have to worry about his size in the media guide shrinking from what is advertised.

He has contested international level sport as an elite swimmer in his youth, has already been exposed to various high level pressured sporting realms and has at least some experience in the sport.

This type of recruit will not happen very often and kudos to SMU for thinking outside the conventional box.

Greetings! and, welcome.

Thanks for the helpful input. As you can see, we are reduced to idle speculation unless someone inserts quality information. It is very satisfying to gain the added info on Blake. If he is motivated, this is the ideal coaching staff to allow him to develop to his maximum potential. It would be great if that led to a growing number of non-kicker Aussies playing in the NFL. Even if that doesn't happen, the educational opportunity here will be unmatched, as well.

Anyway, not to offend you, but I am wondering if there has been any opportunity for you and your coaching colleagues to visit SMU to observe and dialogue with JJ's coaching staff, as we have been told that coaches from various other countries have done so.

Very excited to have Blake on board!

[03Mustang]

Just to give some accurate background with this recruit, I am Blake's coach and he will be heading to SMU to visit in September.

Football in Australia is indeed of a very low standard and there is nothing about being a good player here that necessarily transfers to the US. However, in this case, the SMU coaching staff are looking at Blake as an elite level athlete who they can coach into being a high quality football player for SMU.

SMU fans are right to be skeptical of such an unusual recruiting prospect, but rest assured that as a Freshman next year Blake will be amongst the most athletic players anywhere. He is now 276lb can run in the high 4.8's in the 40, has exceptional flexibility and nervous system and won a powerlifting contest yesterday. You also wont have to worry about his size in the media guide shrinking from what is advertised.

He has contested international level sport as an elite swimmer in his youth, has already been exposed to various high level pressured sporting realms and has at least some experience in the sport.

This type of recruit will not happen very often and kudos to SMU for thinking outside the conventional box.

Sounds like a possible Margus II

[Hawkpeter]

I know and have met some of the SMU coaches from their time at UH, another coach here who has been of great support for Blake has even better contact with SMU coaches than I do; neither of us however have had the chance to visit SMU in person. SMU coaches do indeed have a far reach around the globe.

We're all fully aware though of SMU's benefits in terms of facilities and quality education. All in all its something that Blake will be able to see and take on in person in a few weeks time.

There wont be an avalanche of non-punter playing talent coming from Australia any time soon. But from year to year there will be a few prospects who have potential, if not at the D1a level then at smaller schools too.

[cutter]

I know and have met some of the SMU coaches from their time at UH, another coach here who has been of great support for Blake has even better contact with SMU coaches than I do; neither of us however have had the chance to visit SMU in person.

maybe you could twist JJ's arm into giving a coaches clinic (if you think it would be beneficial) somewhere in his annual trip to Samoa? just a random thought.
I'm thinking that's a whole lot closer than Dallas.

[Junior]

thanls for the insight, hawkpeter. welcome to board.

[Garret]

By the way, hawkpeter is a VERY credible source and everyone I've talked to who has met or corresponded with him has said good things about him. Another player he's familiar with is Adrian Thomas, a starting (6'6", 305-pound) OL (he's started at OT and OG) for Hawaii who is from Bangor, NSW Australia. Adrian Thomas is an example of another non-kicker from Australia...there are some LARGE, talented players there.

[DallasDiehard]

and a shotputter blocked 9 fgs?

7, but who's counting?

[Otto]

Just to give some accurate background with this recruit, I am Blake's coach and he will be heading to SMU to visit in September.

Football in Australia is indeed of a very low standard and there is nothing about being a good player here that necessarily transfers to the US. However, in this case, the SMU coaching staff are looking at Blake as an elite level athlete who they can coach into being a high quality football player for SMU.

SMU fans are right to be skeptical of such an unusual recruiting prospect, but rest assured that as a Freshman next year Blake will be amongst the most athletic players anywhere. He is now 276lb can run in the high 4.8's in the 40, has exceptional flexibility and nervous system and won a powerlifting contest yesterday. You also wont have to worry about his size in the media guide shrinking from what is advertised.

He has contested international level sport as an elite swimmer in his youth, has already been exposed to various high level pressured sporting realms and has at least some experience in the sport.

This type of recruit will not happen very often and kudos to SMU for thinking outside the conventional box.

Welcome to PonyFans.com, Hawkpeter! (Pass the word to Blake and his friends and family — best SMU site anywhere, and it's not even close.) Glad to read your endorsement of Blake.

Question for you: I did a Google search on Blake and came across on a Hawaii messageboard when it was believed he might be headed to UH. Some fan over there suggested he might grow into an offensive tackle. Have you or Blake had any conversations with the SMU coaches that suggest that might be a possibility here? Or is he going to show up as a big, badass defensive end?

Thanks for sharing with us!

[Hawkpeter]

SMU has only indicated that they are interested in Blake as a DE in their 3-4 scheme. I think he is evenly gifted for either a 3-4 DE or OT at the college level.

[gostangs]

I think they are thinking DE for sure. Not OL

[SMU 86]

Just to give some accurate background with this recruit, I am Blake's coach and he will be heading to SMU to visit in September.

Football in Australia is indeed of a very low standard and there is nothing about being a good player here that necessarily transfers to the US. However, in this case, the SMU coaching staff are looking at Blake as an elite level athlete who they can coach into being a high quality football player for SMU.

SMU fans are right to be skeptical of such an unusual recruiting prospect, but rest assured that as a Freshman next year Blake will be amongst the most athletic players anywhere. He is now 276lb can run in the high 4.8's in the 40, has exceptional flexibility and nervous system and won a powerlifting contest yesterday. You also wont have to worry about his size in the media guide shrinking from what is advertised.

He has contested international level sport as an elite swimmer in his youth, has already been exposed to various high level pressured sporting realms and has at least some experience in the sport.

This type of recruit will not happen very often and kudos to SMU for thinking outside the conventional box.

Thanks for the info Hawkpeter.

[Casey]

Heard Muir visited this weekend.
I know we lost, but there's no way a prospective student-athlete could see that Boulevard and feel that game atmosphere and question his commitment. Except for the score, it was a fantastic day/evening at Ford Stadium!