HWS? Check. Film? TBD.

This weekend at the NFL Draft, Brad Holmes wore a hoodie that read <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riqcTSq5B2k&ab_channel=DetroitLions">"HWS"</a> (Height, Weight, Speed) with a line crossed through it. During his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riqcTSq5B2k&ab_channel=DetroitLions">interview</a>, he made a point that HWS are the "easy" things to measure, while film evaluation is hard. The point he was trying to make was that "HWS" does not paint a good picture, but the "hard part", film evaluation, does.   Although HWS is not everything, it's a good starting point. Today, I'll be taking a look at five players with great height and weight, and seeing if their most recent highlight tape matches.    High, high ceiling for Nathan.   Much of that ceiling comes in Nathan's measurables. Of course, you can take a glance at Nathan, who is 6'5"-6'6" 210lbs, and runs a ______ 40 time and say "yeah, that's a high-ceiling guy". Classic "HWS", like the hoodie Brad Holmes wore during Day 1 of this year's draft.   Now that we've stated the obvious, let's dive into what I can find in terms of tape. The first minuite of his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18245176/673834ab8d38eae5be0cc451">Junior Highlight Tape</a> shows the versatility. First, a pick-six at safety, then a screen pass as an X receiver, then a down block as an in-line tight end. I'll say this about his junior year tape- he only played four games due to injury, but he was still one of the best players in the OAA Blue last season. He's capable of making good plays at TE, WR, or S. Though, he definitely has room to grow at every position.   That's not to say Nathan is undeserving of his Division 1 offers. If Nathan keeps working and if he commits to development, especially at the next level, the sky's the limit. I'm especially optimistic because Nathan is a two-sport athlete with Basketball, and he was a menace on the boards.     One of the most intriguing QBs to watch this offseason. Sam has only started for one season, but he led ND Prep to a dominant state championship run. I also received weekly stats from ND Prep, and Sam performed very well week by week. Plus, it helps that he's 6'4" 200- that could push him up the boards. Honestly, it pushed him up my board a litte.   I like Sam's tape. I like it quite a bit. First off, this is a pure pro-style passer. One of those QBs who can run if absolutely necessary, but most of the time, he's chilling in the pocket.   The vast majority of his highlights are quick throws to his first read. These throws can be screens, fades, crossers over the middle of the field, etc. Sam has a great variety on tape, except comebacks.   Watch the play at <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17722610/674f476637384643752fc4a3">2:11</a>. He sits in the pocket for a long 3.5 seconds, keeps his eyes on his read, and fires the ball over two defenders. Not many High Schools QBs can confidently throw the ball over the middle of the field like that. The throw was a tad behind his receiver, but still a throw I'm quite impressed by. 0:36 is another good throw. Sees the safety playing a little too shallow, and fires a perfect ball just over the safety to his receiver. Sam is one of the most accurate QBs in the class, and he's one of the best when it comes to measurables. I only have a few nitpciks- one being that he's almost always throwing to his first read, and his eyes rarely come off that read. Another is that he tends to throw slightly behind crossers. I feel that his size, insticts, ability to stand strong in the pocket, and accuracy make for a GLAIC prospect at the very least. We'll see what the college coaches think about Sam in the coming months, but I have a good feeling that he'll find success.     Comer has been on our radar since mid-2022. In June 2022, our former General Manager, Jake Lemming, featured him in a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/06/michigans-top-incoming-freshmen/">"Michigan's Top Incoming Freshmen"</a> article alongside names like [player_tooltip player_id='212356' first='Ben' last='Nichols'], [player_tooltip player_id='212358' first='Corey' last='Sadler'], and [player_tooltip player_id='284003' first='AJ' last='Marks']. Jake praises Tristan's athleticism and physicality, and even predicts he might be best suited at offensive tackle.   Throughout Tristan's High School career, I viewed him as a Tight End, and I'm pretty sure that's what he viewed himself as until recently. Long story short, I really liked him as a Tight End, but it seems like the move of Offensive Tackle is really paying off.   Same as three years ago, Tristan's Junior tape shows great physicality, while his basketball tape highlights his athletic ability. Tristian has the size, bend, and physical nature to be a great tackle at the Division 1 level. On tape, and when I saw him in person a few months ago at Legacy, it's apparent that Tristan needs to work on his footwork and hand placement. Though, he's well on his way. Keep up the work, keep developing, and Tristan will earn the attention of even more MAC programs.     Is big, plays big.   I don't know if Thomas is leaning toward playing football or basketball (or both) in college, but his tape suggests he could easily play either.   Most of his tape is from the offensive side of the ball. A few promising highlights as an X receiver. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17870676/671fce9d0813f84ee6bb9563">0:58 shows a phenomenal catch in traffic</a>- love that he caught that ball with his hands and powered through for the TD. 1:08 is the same thing- catches with his hands, beats the DB. 2:22 is a solid curl route followed by good effort after the catch. Finally, 1:17 is another great go route and high-point catch right over a good DB. Love that Thomas is a "hands catcher" (rather than a body catcher). I also like his effort after the catch. He still needs to work on his route running, especially the shorter routes. I see good upside as an X receiver.   Thomas has fewer highlights on defense, but these plays showcase his physicality a little more. 0:16 is an awesome open-field tackle where the QB makes a good attempt at a stiff-arm, but Thomas fights through it and slams him into the grass. Other than that, not much in terms of highlights, but I'm still intrigued.   I'd be surprised if Thomas doesn't earn college offers in the coming months, as long as he shows up to camps and competes. Not sure how colleges are going to view him- we'll have to wait and see.     Wadaase has the size and the mentality.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22162195/676476169228af435728afce">Fun highlight tape to watch</a>, full of aggressive, full-throttle blocks. A ton of plays mirroring the play at 0:30. During this play, Wadaase honestly looks pretty stiff, plays pretty high, but he gets his hands on a defender, throws him to the turf, and buries him again as he attempts to get up.   I don't feel like I need to say much else. Wadaase has janky mechanics, but plays like his hair is on fire. The effort and tenacity are there- he just needs to be coached up a bit more. If I'm a NAIA, D3, or even D2 program, I'm gathering information on Wadaase and considering an offer if he's truly as passionate as it seems on tape. Size and tenacity are two boxes that most OL don't check, and Wadaase checks them.

This weekend at the NFL Draft, Brad Holmes wore a hoodie that read "HWS" (Height, Weight, Speed) with a line crossed through it. During his interview, he made a point that HWS are the "easy" things to measure, while film evaluation is hard. The point he was trying to make was that "HWS" does not paint a good picture, but the "hard part", film evaluation, does.