De'Von Bailey

LonghornFan68 · Post by **LonghornFan68** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:48 am

So, tell me about this kid. He's being heralded as SMu's top signee from this class. He played many positions in high school, but where is the staff going to put him? Is he going to get immediate playing time?

Post by **PonyPride** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:22 am

He's going to be a safety, (I think he's viewed as a free safety, but I'm not sure). Word is the coaches think he can get into the mix this year. He's big (6-2, supposedly a little over 200), fast and an incredibly fluid, smooth athlete. Apparently sees the field and reads the quarterback very well, and has exceptional instincts and timing, whether he's breaking to make a play on the ball or hit a guy. Very good hands, and a strong tackler who wraps up well.

At least that's the way he's been described to me by some folks who have seen him in person.

MustangKurt20 · Post by **MustangKurt20** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:12 am

We're going to need some help at safety with the loss of Sturdivant. Our secondary is a major concern to me.

mustang06 · Post by **mustang06** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:05 pm

Safety is a VERY difficult position for a freshman to step in to. A safety is in a sense the quarterback of the secondary. Even if Bailey has superior athletic ability, I would rather have a guy back there with some experience.

RGV Pony · Post by **RGV Pony** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:20 pm

mustang06 wrote:Safety is a VERY difficult position for a freshman to step in to. A safety is in a sense the quarterback of the secondary. Even if Bailey has superior athletic ability, I would rather have a guy back there with some experience.

you're right. I remember watching Roy Williams from Texas run around, confuse, and cause a lost sense of direction (i.e. 'turn around') a true freshman FS for LSU in the Cotton Bowl a few years ago. I remember saying, this kid sucks! Damn! The kid's name? LaRon Landry, who turned out to be pretty good, if NFL draft position is any indication.

LonghornFan68 · Post by **LonghornFan68** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:58 pm

RGV Pony wrote:
mustang06 wrote:Safety is a VERY difficult position for a freshman to step in to. A safety is in a sense the quarterback of the secondary. Even if Bailey has superior athletic ability, I would rather have a guy back there with some experience.

you're right. I remember watching Roy Williams from Texas run around, confuse, and cause a lost sense of direction (i.e. 'turn around') a true freshman FS for LSU in the Cotton Bowl a few years ago. I remember saying, this kid sucks! Damn! The kid's name? LaRon Landry, who turned out to be pretty good, if NFL draft position is any indication.

To be fair, Roy Williams has made a lot of experienced DB's look confused and unskilled as well. But you're point is pretty accurate.

PonyKai · Post by **PonyKai** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:27 pm

No one ever beat the lost and confused looks of Free Safety Rich Coady for the St. Louis Rams. On downfield patterns or trying to make a play, at times he just looked absolutely clueless, much to the dismay of fins. Funny tie-in I believe he worked at SMU the last year or two as an assistant trainer.

southerncomfort · Post by **southerncomfort** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:39 pm

He'd better be worth all the hype considering how he looks in his 2007 Recruits photo wearing his jersey with his stunner shades and chains on him.