In full disclosure, it's been a really long time since I "played" (read: "splinter-picker") high school football (tackle).  And even then, I only played my Freshman and Sophomore years.

     It's clear from watching DAT's highlights (in case you've been under a rock for the past week) that he's got skills.   I was interested in how his running/playing style compared with LMJ's, so I did a little goofing off during my lunch break.

     In comparing DAT to this video of LMJ's 2010 highlights, I was rather taken aback.  For the most part, he runs in a straight line (though, that is the fastest way to take it to the house).  Is this just a matter of the level of play (i.e. Oregon's line is better than Crenshaw HS at creating holes; HS players are more likely to blow their assignments; HS plays are more likely to break down, necessitating running all over the place, etc.)? 

     To get a better perspective, I thought it would be more accurate compare DAT's HS highlight video it to LMJ's HS highlight video.  LMJ, like DAT, runs all over the place to get TDs.  Their running styles look very different, though.  LMJ seems to keep his body low and his feet tight in both his highschool highlight and 2010 highlight videos, often stopping to make defenders miss tackles.

     DAT appears to run with a very high center of gravity and throws his legs and feet wide (hello, open field tackle targets!) when cutting to avoid defenders.  I'm greatful he's going to be in Eugene, but he will only be there because Hello Kiffin wanted him to play D and, perhaps, to get away from Crenshaw (side note: I can 't wait until DAT sees what the Visor thinks of people trying to be "ballers.").  Anything else is conjecture by talking heads trying to fill airtime.

     Mostly, I'm just wondering if there are reasons other than someone famous gave him a nickname and he was an early commit to the University of Spoiled Children that he was the #1 Athlete, when Lyerla in the #2 position, seems to be able to do everything but throw the ball deep (at least, not on this tape).  What are your thoughts?