Dan Kottman – Tip of the Spear

It’s 4th down and 13 with just 25 seconds remaining in regulation. Longview High (TX) is poised to pin the Denton Guyer (TX) squad deep in their own end and set up a Longview vs. Cibolo Steele (TX) battle for Texas 5A Division 2 State Championship. A moment of hesitation by the Punter and an oncoming freight train in the form of DT Dan Kottman however, changed everything. Kottman blocked the Punt leading to a recovery by Kamrhan Jones at the Longview 15 yard line. Denton went on to drive for a last second TD and kicked the PAT to secure a 28-27 come from behind victory and a place in the State Championship. Players make plays.

Listed at 6’1 255lbs Dan Kottman anchored a stingy run defense for his Denton squad and wrecked havoc on opposing Offensive lines from his Defensive Tackle spot. Although Kottman enjoyed great success playing DT in High School his 4.68 speed will most likely afford him the opportunity to make better use of his pass rush skills and foot speed via a Linebacker role. As a ’12 signee for Coach Rocky Long and the San Diego State Aztecs the comparisons to recent Aztec great Miles Burris are not unexpected. Similar to Burris it appears Kottman has the ability to maintain an eye towards the ball while shedding and/or avoiding would be blockers. There’s an explosiveness to his tackling form and his speed/strength combination could force Coach Long and staff to find early playing time for the Freshman. Most notable from game film is how quick Kottman is off the snap. Larger blockers struggle coping with his quick first step and foot speed, and smaller more agile blockers struggle combating his strength. When asked as to a preferred position within the Aztecs 3-3-5- scheme Kottman replied ” I am not exactly sure as to the position, (but) I will be ready to perform in whatever spot they see fit for me”. Expect that opportunity “to perform” early in the ’12 season.

 

Given his 6’1 stature my guess is Kottman settles into a LB role. If this is the case his biggest challenge(s) may come in pass coverage and in transitioning out of a 3-point stance. A college weight/conditioning program may lead to increased foot-speed without compromising strength. If that’s the case Kottman could look to take over the SDSU LB to NFL torch previously held by Kirk Morrison, Freddie Keiaho, and the aforementioned Miles Burris. If Coach Long and staff value Kottman more on the DL my guess is his 6’1 stature will be better-suited for DT and Strength and Conditioning Coach Adam Hall will look to get Kottman up to the 275-285lb range. Not lacking for confidence Kottman appears ready for either challenge, ” I’ve been up against the All-State, All-American, and some of the up and coming top performing college athletes, and was able to be a threat against their teams”.

Dan Kottman      

Kottman appears to carry many of the physical attributes necessary for success at the D1 level. His ceiling may depend upon his ability to assimilate Coach Longs hyper-aggressive 3-3-5 scheme and to grow adapt to the increased speed and physicality of the college game. The move from Texas to Southern California is of significance and certainly adds to the upcoming transition. Having replaced future Texas Longhorns Defensive Lineman Taylor Bible, Kottman’s play led his Coaches to label him every bit as dominant as the HS All-American Bible. Although his 3-star ranking doesn’t speak to that claim, his productivity (107 Tackles, 11 Sacks, 26 Tackles for Loss) in the ultra-competitive and talented Texas HS football scene gives the impression he’s coming a bit under-ranked. Playing a bit out of position (given his frame) may have caused some recruiters and talent evaluators to lose track of the Denton product or to under-project his potential impact at the D1 level.

Based solely on tangible attributes Kottman projects as a productive D1 player. Mix in his high-level motor and the mean streak with which he appears to play, he may prove a stalwart in the SDSU defensive scheme. Early playing time will most likely come the Special Teams route, but strong practice efforts and a quick grasp of the scheme could land Kottman significant ’12 playing time. Granted highlight reels are edited so as to “highlight” the best the player has to offer, no doubt they are to be taken with multiple grains of salt. Striking however, in watching Kottman’s reel, the editor’s decision to “circle” the DT prior to the start of each play is all but wasted effort. Without prompting or foreshadowing Kottman’s play highlights itself. Blockers appear more distraction than obstacle and ball carriers more target than elusive. Plenty of work/development need to transpire and there will undoubtedly be bumps along the way, but on paper, the Kottman-Long-SDSU combination appears a good fit. Early prediction; Kottman is a full-time starter no later than the beginning of his Junior season, and garnering All-Conference attention soon there after. In securing the services of the Denton,Texas star the San Diego State squad may have also secured the future tip of their Aztec spear.

Special thanks to Dan Kottman for agreeing to contribute to this piece. To follow Dan via twitter @DKottman

Lloyd Mills – Long since gone

                Today’s prototypical Wide Receiver is 6’2+. Lloyd Mills is 5’9. Today’s prototypical Wide Receiver weighs 205+lbs and is as likely to run through a would-be tackler as he is to put a move on him. Lloyd Mills is 165lbs and his SDSU career could prove short if he finds himself taking too much direct contact. Given his height/weight the odds against NCAA success appear against him. Thus the question begs itself, why did Rocky Long and the Aztecs designate a valuable scholarship the way of this Chandler, Arizona wideout? The little over five minutes of video housed to the right goes a long way in providing an answer.

                Aside from his stature, the first thing I noticed in reviewing Mills’ highlight package was how comfortable he appears doing work over the middle of the field.I assumed, and wrongfully so, I was going to see a constant loop of “Go” and“Fly” patterns. Not the case. The reel covers 10-12 different routes, many of which placed Mills direct in sights of LB’s and Safeties. The second element to catch my eye was the consistency in which Mills made the first, and often second and third, defender(s) miss. Granted this was an edited highlight package, but it does speak to an ability to elude as well as outrun defenders.That combo will be crucial to success at the next level. Many smaller receivers carry one of the attributes, and at the High School level can remain productive. At the college level I don’t expect Mills to break many tackles,his yards will come in concert with his ability to outmaneuver and outrun his opponents. His hands appear D1 caliber and he displays an ability to catch in traffic. Both will be critical in determining the amount of time sees on the Offensive side.

                What ultimately may lead to Mills success in a SDSU uniform lies in his penchant for impacting the return game. A football player may never appear more vulnerable than when positioning under a launched punt, eyes fixed to the sky, and a pack of oncoming 200+lbs locomotives bearing down on him. Mills however, seems to thrive under this pressure. There’s a clam to the chaos as he gathers the ball,takes a nanosecond to gauge his options, begins setting up blocks and blockers, and….if you blink….he’s 20 yards down the field and you’re not going to catch him. Bottom-line, it’s exciting watching this guy hit the open field with the ball in hands. Exciting as a fan.Exciting as a teammate. Different story as an opponent. Assuming he remains relatively injury-free, there’s potential All-Conference level production to his return game.

                There’s little doubt Mills’ physical stature will represent a challenge. He admits needing to bulk up to the 175-180lbs range, but is keenly aware he cannot do so at any detriment to his agility and/or overall speed. There’s opportunity to fine-tune his route running and he openly acknowledges the importance in doing so. Mills strikes me as driven to succeed, aware of his strengths and areas in need of attention, and realistic as to the steps/effort required of him to succeed on a NCAA football field. One response to a background question spoke volumes. When asked to describe his game to the unfamiliar Mills responded, he’s a “student of the game….knows his assignments and gets the job done anyway he can. Help on offense, special teams, and even wants to help in third-down situations on the defensive side”. That last bit regarding his desire to help“on the defensive side” is what should ultimately separate Mills from many peers on and off the football field. For Lloyd Mills it appears it’s not all about the receiving Yards, or Return TD’s, or personal success.  He strikes me as team-oriented, and eager to lend his abilities to, and lay his body on the line for, team success. There’s talent, there will assuredly be improvement, and along the way there will be plenty of defenders left grasping at the long since gone heels of Lloyd Mills.