Hookfin will Hook 'Em
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Isaiah Hookfin. (Justin Wells/IT)[/caption]
The late-bloomer OL is something Texas is continually on the lookout for. They reeled in someone who fits that mold in Isaiah Hookfin.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder from Sugar Land Dulles saw his recruitment pick up in October with Arizona State, Baylor, Mississippi State, and Auburn offering. Texas offered in early November, and surged to the front of Hookfin's recruitment and held off several other schools for his signature.
After postponing his signature on Wednesday, Hookfin inked with the Longhorns this morning.
Excerpt from the Recruiting Notebook:
Strengths: Good height for interior line. Well-proportioned with lots of room to add bulk. Long arms would allow him to play OT. Toned mid-section more than fat. Good upper body strength. Shows a large number of block types on film (e.g., down, kick out, wham, cut, reach, etc). Engages defenders quickly and is a very effective run blocker. Smooth feet in run blocking. Plays athletically with very good agility for this size of man. Typically in balance and is flexible in the hips and knees. Shows exceptional short area burst to pull and to climb to the second level of the defense and overall has very good straight line speed for a man this size. At his best on the move, he can be punishing on the wham or pull blocks. Very good finding work in space and would be an asset in the screen game. On pass sets, I can find no film showing him giving up the inside gap (on any opponent tape). Some great finishes on tape. Actually spanks a player at 3:32 of junior season highlights.
Areas for Improvement: Height is on shorter side for a tackle. Aside from some RPO/short passing there is not a lot of traditional pass blocking on his film. Found two instances on opponent tape where he was slow to kick out of his stance and struggled with edge speed rush. Would like to see more highlights of him in zone blocking. Hand placement gets sloppy at times and he’s reaching outside of the defender’s frame which raises concerns for holding at the next level. Need to consistently finish blocks. Need verification of speed and agility numbers. I can’t buy that his shuttle is slower than his 40-time.
How he fits at Texas: Hookfin has really grown in confidence and physicality since I last checked in, he's been mauling people as a senior which says a lot of positive things about his developmental track. As a junior he was one of those Great Dane puppies that Scipio likes to talk about who hadn't learned how to use his superior athleticism and size yet. Hookfin has the frame and quickness to play at tackle and may be the best outside prospect that Texas has yet signed for 2019. - Ian Boyd
Hookfin is the 23rd member of Texas' 2019 class joining Kennedy Lewis (Melissa), Caleb Johnson (Fullerton College - CA), Jacoby Jones (Butler C.C. - MO), Myron Warren (Many - LA), Marcus Washington (Trinity Catholic – St. Louis), David Gbenda (Cinco Ranch), Tyler Owens (Plano East), Derrian Brown (Buford – GA), Javonne Shepherd (North Forest), Marcus Tillman (Jones – FL), Marques Caldwell (Alvin), Chris Adimora (Lakewood – CA), Peter Mpagi (George Ranch), Jake Smith (Notre Dame Prep – AZ), Jared Wiley (Temple), Tyler Johnson (Conroe Oak Ridge), Brayden Liebrock (Chandler – AZ), Kenyatta Watson II (Grayson – GA), De’Gabriel Floyd (Westlake – CA), Jordan Whittington (Cuero), T’Vondre Sweat (Huntsville), and Roschon Johnson (Port Neches-Groves).
Isaiah Hookfin. (Justin Wells/IT)[/caption]
The late-bloomer OL is something Texas is continually on the lookout for. They reeled in someone who fits that mold in Isaiah Hookfin.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder from Sugar Land Dulles saw his recruitment pick up in October with Arizona State, Baylor, Mississippi State, and Auburn offering. Texas offered in early November, and surged to the front of Hookfin's recruitment and held off several other schools for his signature.
After postponing his signature on Wednesday, Hookfin inked with the Longhorns this morning.
Excerpt from the Recruiting Notebook:
Strengths: Good height for interior line. Well-proportioned with lots of room to add bulk. Long arms would allow him to play OT. Toned mid-section more than fat. Good upper body strength. Shows a large number of block types on film (e.g., down, kick out, wham, cut, reach, etc). Engages defenders quickly and is a very effective run blocker. Smooth feet in run blocking. Plays athletically with very good agility for this size of man. Typically in balance and is flexible in the hips and knees. Shows exceptional short area burst to pull and to climb to the second level of the defense and overall has very good straight line speed for a man this size. At his best on the move, he can be punishing on the wham or pull blocks. Very good finding work in space and would be an asset in the screen game. On pass sets, I can find no film showing him giving up the inside gap (on any opponent tape). Some great finishes on tape. Actually spanks a player at 3:32 of junior season highlights.
Areas for Improvement: Height is on shorter side for a tackle. Aside from some RPO/short passing there is not a lot of traditional pass blocking on his film. Found two instances on opponent tape where he was slow to kick out of his stance and struggled with edge speed rush. Would like to see more highlights of him in zone blocking. Hand placement gets sloppy at times and he’s reaching outside of the defender’s frame which raises concerns for holding at the next level. Need to consistently finish blocks. Need verification of speed and agility numbers. I can’t buy that his shuttle is slower than his 40-time.
How he fits at Texas: Hookfin has really grown in confidence and physicality since I last checked in, he's been mauling people as a senior which says a lot of positive things about his developmental track. As a junior he was one of those Great Dane puppies that Scipio likes to talk about who hadn't learned how to use his superior athleticism and size yet. Hookfin has the frame and quickness to play at tackle and may be the best outside prospect that Texas has yet signed for 2019. - Ian Boyd
Hookfin is the 23rd member of Texas' 2019 class joining Kennedy Lewis (Melissa), Caleb Johnson (Fullerton College - CA), Jacoby Jones (Butler C.C. - MO), Myron Warren (Many - LA), Marcus Washington (Trinity Catholic – St. Louis), David Gbenda (Cinco Ranch), Tyler Owens (Plano East), Derrian Brown (Buford – GA), Javonne Shepherd (North Forest), Marcus Tillman (Jones – FL), Marques Caldwell (Alvin), Chris Adimora (Lakewood – CA), Peter Mpagi (George Ranch), Jake Smith (Notre Dame Prep – AZ), Jared Wiley (Temple), Tyler Johnson (Conroe Oak Ridge), Brayden Liebrock (Chandler – AZ), Kenyatta Watson II (Grayson – GA), De’Gabriel Floyd (Westlake – CA), Jordan Whittington (Cuero), T’Vondre Sweat (Huntsville), and Roschon Johnson (Port Neches-Groves).
