'09 AL RB Andre Shields (Official Offer)

[GoRU]

'09 AL RB Andre Shields



All-purpose back
Hoover (AL) Hoover

Ht: 5-foot-9
Wt: 175 lbs
Class: 2009 (High School)

ESPN

Shields is a well-rounded, productive runner at the high school level who could develop into an effective change-of-pace back in college. He lacks great overall size but is well-built and pound-for-pound a strong runner. Hits the hole patiently with good vision and has a feel for the cutback and small run creases. Can make the first defender miss through the hole with good foot-quickness and loose hips. Runs with a low center of gravity and good balance making him very slippery to wrap up. Displays some in-line toughness for a 175-pound back breaking through and spinning off initial arm-tackles. Shows above average lower-body strength; can take a hit and keep coming. While he possesses the lateral foot-speed and quickness to bounce it outside, he lacks great burst and a second gear when he turns the corner. Has above average top-end speed but is marginal for his size when projecting for the next level. We like his deceptive strength between-the-tackles but his current YAC should greatly diminish when competing against bigger college defenders. Bottom line, Shields lacks the great speed and elusiveness you look for in D-I scat-back and the size/power to transfer his current slashing, downhill production to college. Does show good receiving skills out of the backfield and the versatility to fit into a variety of offenses.

LOCAL FOOTBALL RECRUITING NOTEBOOK- al.com

Bucs' Shields gets Clemson offer:


Hoover running back Andre Shields has picked up an offer from Clemson. The 5-foot-9, 180-pounder is seen as a change-of-pace back or as a slot receiver at the college level.

"He's just an overall great athlete with great change of direction ability," Hoover coach Josh Niblett said. "But he can do a lot of things besides run - like block and catch the football. The other thing I like about Andre is the mental part of his game. You tell him something one time and it's all you ever have to do. He has to be told once what he needs to correct and then he's good to go."

Shields also bench-pressed 185 pounds 20 times at a strength meet this summer.

"The kid is also just ripped to shreds," Niblett said. "If (you) see him in the weight room there's no body fat at all on that kid."