'09 FL S Vladimir Emilien (Michigan Verbal)

[wadc45]

Scout $

8/11

From the OSU site...cut his list to North Carolina, Wake Forest, Tennessee, South Florida, Ohio State and Florida. Coaxch Fickell still wants him to attend a game this season.

[TheFresher]

Rivals $

Vlad says Wisconsin is recruiting him the hardest and he feels that Wisconsin is a great football family.

Charlie Partridge is his recruiter and he went to the same HS as Emilien. Vlad also says he really likes coach Partridge.

-I honestly thought this guy was a lost cause, but now he's looking very promising after reading that article.

[OnWisconsin07]

Agreed. I thought we would certainly be done hearing about him. Some of the quotes in this story are great. And the fact that we are 1 of only 2 of his scheduled offical visits.....Penn State on October 10th.

It would be a nice grab to get him. We could really use help at safety, which is obviously one of the allures of coming to Wisconsin to him. He even admits that the staff has emphasized that he has a real chance of playing as a true freshman. Normally I don't like to hear coaches tell recruits this kind of stuff, but lets face it, in this case it is probably true.....and why not sell it then?

[Bernini]

I thought he was a lost cause too. I honestly didn't bother to post a Palmetto Sports article about Emilien because he had stopped mentioning Wisconsin. We have to temper our enthusiasm a bit because of the propensity for prospects to appease the fan base the interviewer is catering to. But it's not like he'd visit Madison in order to appease Paul Day, so the article justifiably should induce some positivity. He's visiting on a favorable weekend for us. It should be a great atmosphere if we win. Same with the Ohio State game. The outcome of those games will be pivotal to our recruiting success this cycle.

I wonder who the staff is implying is dis satisfactory among our current two starting safeties next year. Both return next year of course and would block Emilien unless they're disappointing. Emilien appears to possess both coverage and run defense capabilities. Valai took a ton of flack following Saturday's game, but in my opinion Carter struggled more. His strength is supposed to be his coverage but he reacts to the receiver's break about two steps too late. He also doesn't aggressively challenge the ball in the air. It'd be nice for a change to score a true safety, not one who is converted from wideout (Carter, Maragos) or cornerback (Valai, Royston).

[TroyD92]

Originally Posted by Bernini

I thought he was a lost cause too. I honestly didn't bother to post a Palmetto Sports article about Emilien because he had stopped mentioning Wisconsin. We have to temper our enthusiasm a bit because of the propensity for prospects to appease the fan base the interviewer is catering to. But it's not like he'd visit Madison in order to appease Paul Day, so the article justifiably should induce some positivity. He's visiting on a favorable weekend for us. It should be a great atmosphere if we win. Same with the Ohio State game. The outcome of those games will be pivotal to our recruiting success this cycle.

I wonder who the staff is implying is dis satisfactory among our current two starting safeties next year. Both return next year of course and would block Emilien unless they're disappointing. Emilien appears to possess both coverage and run defense capabilities. Valai took a ton of flack following Saturday's game, but in my opinion Carter struggled more. His strength is supposed to be his coverage but he reacts to the receiver's break about two steps too late. He also doesn't aggressively challenge the ball in the air. It'd be nice for a change to score a true safety, not one who is converted from wideout (Carter, Maragos) or cornerback (Valai, Royston).

after watching the game today Valai maybe the one he could replace. Shane Carter has looked much better minus the ball that went right through his hands aganst Akron. Valai has not impressed me one bit too this point. Vlad should be top priority right now our safetys after Rod and Joe have not been the shinning examples of consistency.

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by TroyD92

after watching the game today Valai maybe the one he could replace. Shane Carter has looked much better minus the ball that went right through his hands aganst Akron. Valai has not impressed me one bit too this point. Vlad should be top priority right now our safetys after Rod and Joe have not been the shinning examples of consistency.

There was also an incident where Carter was partaking in double teaming a receiver and he still got about 10 yards of separation. Inexcusable. The interception was one of the best plays as a Badger because he actually showed the ability to anticipate, reading the QB's eyes. I'm going to have to watch some of the replay to discern how significant of an overall improvement he's really made. As of right now that position is still a concern, because like you acknowledged he has very inconsistent.

Valai appeared very Pleasant-esque on Saturday. We have a negative tendency to unnecessarily bulk up our safeties at the expense of their quickness. Valai was much leaner and always in vicinity of the ball against Tennessee, but now 8 months later he's stumpy and slowish.

If Emilien is as good as advertised he could overtake Carter or Valai - whoever progresses the least.

[TroyD92]

Originally Posted by Bernini

There was also an incident where Carter was partaking in double teaming a receiver and he still got about 10 yards of separation. Inexcusable. The interception was one of the best plays as a Badger because he actually showed the ability to anticipate, reading the QB's eyes. I'm going to have to watch some of the replay to discern how significant of an overall improvement he's really made. As of right now that position is still a concern, because like you acknowledged he has very inconsistent.

Valai appeared very Pleasant-esque on Saturday. We have a negative tendency to unnecessarily bulk up our safeties at the expense of their quickness. Valai was much leaner and always in vicinity of the ball against Tennessee, but now 8 months later he's stumpy and slowish.

If Emilien is as good as advertised he could overtake Carter or Valai - whoever progresses the least.

The biggest thing with carter last year was that he could not tackle my grandma and I feel he has really improved in atleast that aspect.

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by TroyD92

The biggest thing with carter last year was that he could not tackle my grandma and I feel he has really improved in atleast that aspect.

We don't know if he's improved much tackling-wise or not. He hasn't had a chance to be much of a liability in that area because RB's + QB's haven't been getting into the secondary near as much this season. 70 yards rushing for Akron and 75 for Marshall.

[Bernini]

Troy, I think we got reminded how much we could use a tackler of Emilien's caliber in the secondary, after Carter got exposed again trying to tackle down field. The only difference between the first two games and last season for Carter were ballcarriers actually weren't making it into the secondary. Credit our improvement in the front seven for that change. They still did a pretty good job against FSU, but the few times they were penetrated, or thrown over on crossing routes, Carter over-persued, kept his pad level too high, and just flat out wasn't strong enough.

On a related note, I'm really looking forward to Henry returning. Brinkley was in position on a long bomb by FSU, but barely put up any resistance on the ball in the air. Henry has a bit more size, athleticism, (still after the ACL I hope) and competitiveness. Long term I'm not too concerned about having to replace Brinkley. The answers are within.

[TheFresher]

Originally Posted by Bernini

Troy, I think we got reminded how much we could use a tackler of Emilien's caliber in the secondary, after Carter got exposed again trying to tackle down field. The only difference between the first two games and last season for Carter were ballcarriers actually weren't making it into the secondary. Credit our improvement in the front seven for that change. They still did a pretty good job against FSU, but the few times they were penetrated, or thrown over on crossing routes, Carter over-persued, kept his pad level too high, and just flat out wasn't strong enough.

On a related note, I'm really looking forward to Henry returning. Brinkley was in position on a long bomb by FSU, but barely put up any resistance on the ball in the air. Henry has a bit more size, athleticism, (still after the ACL I hope) and competitiveness. Long term I'm not too concerned about having to replace Brinkley. The answers are within.

is Henry going to be back for the Michigan game?

[TroyD92]

Originally Posted by Bernini

Troy, I think we got reminded how much we could use a tackler of Emilien's caliber in the secondary, after Carter got exposed again trying to tackle down field. The only difference between the first two games and last season for Carter were ballcarriers actually weren't making it into the secondary. Credit our improvement in the front seven for that change. They still did a pretty good job against FSU, but the few times they were penetrated, or thrown over on crossing routes, Carter over-persued, kept his pad level too high, and just flat out wasn't strong enough.

On a related note, I'm really looking forward to Henry returning. Brinkley was in position on a long bomb by FSU, but barely put up any resistance on the ball in the air. Henry has a bit more size, athleticism, (still after the ACL I hope) and competitiveness. Long term I'm not too concerned about having to replace Brinkley. The answers are within.

your not kidding about Henry I think Brinkley is a good Nickel but he doesnt have the coordination to play receivers on the outside. Does it seem too anyone else that a lot of fans that don't remember what AH can do he as a true freshmen completly outplayed Langford (for whatever reason) and may not be the fastest but he has good enough speed to play one on one. Carter pissed me off the one time he could have made a play he totally wiffed.

[TroyD92]

Originally Posted by TheFresher

is Henry going to be back for the Michigan game?

I would say 80% chance. especially with the Bye and the extra week of practice.

[marley26]

i would love to see AH back on the field...he had an awesome frosh year...if he can play like he did then that will be a huge lift for us