Minnesota Football Recruiting: Almonzo Brown Commits

I keep talking about Kill's Recruiting BBQ because recruits give me a reason to bring it up. That food must have been quite tasty, despite it being a cookout instead of a BBQ /shakes fist.

I am proud to announce I will be committing to... pic.twitter.com/VFMfYMPCN7

— Almonzo Brown (@the_OCHO_brown) August 22, 2014

Sitting in my big chair listening to Georgia on my mind

— Coach Brian Anderson (@CoachAnderson15) August 22, 2014

Big time brick added!!! I have the greatest job on earth! #Gophers #BrickByBrick

— Mike Sherels (@MikeSherels) August 22, 2014

Suwanee (GA) North Gwinett wide receiver Almonzo Brown committed to Minnesota tonight, the fifth prospect to attend Kill's Recruiting BBQ weekend in late July and make the choice to become a Gopher. Brown is a 3 star prospect according to 247Sports' Industry Composite, choosing Minnesota over listed offers from Florida, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Kansas State, Kentucky and more. Almonzo is the 11th member of the 2015 class and first receiver/h-back target to join the fold.

Quotables

Gopher247's Kyle Goblirsh with Brown after his visit to Minnesota ($):

"It was a very nice visit. I was very impressed with what I saw. The tour on Friday lasted from 8 in the morning till 5 in the afternoon, so I honestly saw a lot. Everything really. ... I'd have to say the sit down with coach Anderson and just talking football was my favorite part. We talked about what he's looking for at the positon, what I'd mean to have him in with his WRs and what I'd mean to Minnesota."

ESPNU evaluation ($). You should also check out Dan Meyer's film review over at Gophers247 ($).

Is and H-Back in the making. Possesses excellent measurables for a wide receiver, but below average height for a tight end. Bulk and physical development will lead to him outgrowing the wide receiver position. Movement skills are more similar to a fullback or tight end than they are pure wide receiver. ... Brown will likely be a different player three years from now. Time in the weight room and time with his hand on the ground as a tight end or fullback will enhance his versatility and value to the offense. Must develop as an in-line blocker. There a lot of tools to mold here.

(Likely Fraudulent) Measurables**

** The section title is a bit. It's intentionally facetious comment on how recruiting sites (and even some college coaches) notoriously exaggerate traditional combine measures -- especially the 40. No offense is meant.

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 214-220 lbs.
Fake 40 Time: 4.60s electronic
SPARQ: 100.35

Highlights

Junior Year:

Thoughts

Absurd Comparisons

Absurd in the sense he hasn't played a down of collegiate football yet, but Brown and 2014 signee Jerry Gibson are of a similar athletic ilk. Both possess tweener size and athleticism to fit a role of either a big wide receiver or the potential to grow into an h-back. Mind you, the ole Ball Coach tried to lure Gibson to South Carolina close to signing day, which should give you an idea of how projectable that athleticism is. Regardless of whether that Florida offer was committable (probably not anymore), that Brown has the physical traits and frame that could fit a number of different spots after weight room development says it all.

Scheme Fit

Already stated: he's either a big playmaking wide receiver or a future h-back. Regardless, he'll be a weapon that can perform Job 1A for Minnesota wide receivers (block) while capable of Job 1B (do good things with the football). The Limegrover B1G offense has evolved past the more power spread attack he favored against MACtion defenses to a full fledged assault courtesy of fullbacks, h-backs and tight ends. As such, the Gophers play much more 22, 21, 12 and our favorite, 31, personnel packages; an offense predicated on so much tight end/h-back/fullback packages and motions requires not only a diverse set of skills among those type of players, but a lot of bodies too. As a projected h-back, Brown is big and physical enough to handle inline blocking responsibilities.

At wide receiver, Almonzo has enough speed and athleticism to hang in the Big Ten, though he'd likely try to just out-physical corners at the line of scrimmage. He uses his frame to shield himself from defenders and shows adequate quickness and agility to make a few defenders miss in the short to intermediate passing game. He projects more as an inside or big slot receiver who can find holes in zone coverage than a true flanker prospect, which is more than fine given the lack of taller slot receivers on the roster (sans 2014 signee Conner Krizancic).

Impact on Other Prospects?

Brown may be it from an h-back/tight end perspective in this class, especially if fullback offer Colton Beebe ultimately commits. That'll be two prospects in that tweener space after the coaches took a gaggle of said prospects in 2014. The staff will likely take another wide out regardless, with Louisiana prospect Hunter Register as the top projected target. Register is scheduled for an official visit on October 17th.

Another recruit to keep an eye on related to Brown is North Gwinnett teammate Anree Saint-Armour. The staff wants Anree to fill the role of speed rushing defensive end for this class, and will be pushing hard for an official visit. Competition is stiff, however.