Bryce Underwood, the former No. 1 overall recruit in the country, is set to take the college football world by storm, according to college football analyst Jordan Rodgers.
Rodgers, a former NFL quarterback who played at Vanderbilt in college, expressed his excitement about Underwood's potential on ESPN's 'Get Up' on Friday morning. He cited the coaching staff's ability to turn Devon Dampier into a dynamic weapon as a reason for his optimism.
Underwood, who has been paired with head coach Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck, has the physical gifts to become a dominant force on the field. Whittingham's experience in utilizing Dampier's athleticism is a significant factor in Rodgers' prediction.
Dampier, a former three-star recruit, had a remarkable season under Whittingham's guidance, with the coach running him a lot and giving him opportunities to showcase his skills. Rodgers believes that Underwood, with his own unique set of skills, can follow a similar path.
"I mean, the ceiling is so incredibly high just because he is so physically gifted," Rodgers said. "And when I hear Whittingham talk about Dampier at Utah, I love that because if you go back and study that tape, they ran him a lot. I mean, he had, I don't think only one game, maybe two games, where he had less than 10 rushing attempts. Bryce Underwood only had one game, yet the last game against Texas where he had more than 10."
Rodgers' prediction is not without its challenges, however. Underwood will face five schools on the schedule who were in the top 10 last year in total defense: Ohio State, Indiana, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Iowa. If Beck's creativity can keep those schools off balance, then Underwood's potential could be maximized.
The trouble for Underwood is that he will be tested against some of the best defenses in the country. However, if he can rise to the challenge, he could become one of the most dominant players in college football.
Underwood's pairing with Whittingham and Beck is a significant factor in Rodgers' prediction. The coaching staff's ability to utilize Underwood's athleticism could be the key to unlocking his full potential.
The question now is whether Underwood can live up to Rodgers' prediction. With a challenging schedule ahead of him, it remains to be seen whether he can become the dominant force that Rodgers believes he has the potential to be.
Source: Yahoo Sports