The Cincinnati Bearcats have added Jordan Merrell to the 2017 recruiting class before they added a verbal for 2016. I can’t say that’s ever happened before at UC, where they’ve gotten a commitment for a class two years away before one in the current cycle. Usually this kind of thing occurs at a USC or Alabama, not Cincinnati, but I’ll certainly take it.
The dual threat running back/wide receiver hails from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, right in UC’s recruiting and in particular offensive coordinator Eddie Gran’s wheelhouse. In addition to Cincinnati, Merrell has already been offered by Marshall, South Florida, and Temple, which bodes well for his recruitment over the next couple of years.
OVERVIEW
- Position: Running Back/Wide Receiver
- Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- High School: Dillard
- Height, Weight: 5’10”, 176 lbs
- Offers: Marshall, South Florida, Temple
- Composite Rating: –
- 247 Sports Rating: –
- ESPN Rating: –
- Rivals Rating: ** – 5.4
- Scout Rating: –
ANALYSIS
Merrell is definitely not the largest or tallest player on the football field. Far from it. But he uses every inch and pound in his body to catch the ball in traffic and get as many extra yards as he can. Merrell seems to have a strong grasp on the nuances of the wide receiver position; high pointing the ball, placing himself between the defender and the ball, the body control to stay in-bounds, stutter stepping at just the right moment to evade the tackle. All of this the young player brings to the Bearcats, who will most certainly find a place for him in an offense that throws the ball all over the field.
I’d be extremely curious to see how Merrell develops in his final two years in high school.
OUTLOOK
Two scenarios could play out with Merrell that will determine his fate at Cincinnati. If Gran and the rest of the offensive coaching staff opt to make him a running back, he’ll probably be placed in a program to add 10-15 lbs of weight. Then a redshirt will be in Merrell’s immediate future and he wouldn’t make a push up the depth chart until he’s an upperclassman.
But if they keep him on the outside, he’d see the field much sooner. Cincinnati graduates basically everybody at wide receiver after the 2015 season. UC will reload on the outside with the 2016 class but this position will be fairly young by the time Merrell comes to Clifton. With the Bearcats’ propensity to utilize 5 WR sets, Merrell will have plenty of opportunities to see the field as a true freshman.