Miami's Lance Leggett

[footstepsfrom#27]

Here's an advance heads up on a guy who isn't high on the radar screen yet but just wait, he will be. Miami's Lance Leggett is a 6'4", 180 pound guy who can add 25 pounds with no problem. Unlike most guys that skinny, this kid looks like he's cut out of granite. Leggett has blazing speed--sub 4.3 in the 40, has great body control, super quick feet and sure hands...plus and he's a high character kid and a hard worker as well. I had plenty of opportunity to watch this kid in high school when he was ranked as the #3 prep WR in the country when he played at Arlington (TX) Grace Prep where my daughter goes to school. He's also a stud basketball guard as well. Grace Prep is a perennial TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools) powerhouse that Leggett led to 2 state championships in 3 years. Last year they also sent an NCAA Divison 1 runner to Cal and a QB to Purdue. Lance was coached by ex-Houston Oiler tight end Mike Barber, who...get this...claims that this kid has Randy Moss-like potential. TAPPS is pretty high caliber competition at the highest division levels where Grace plays, and this kid was a man among boys...totally dominant. He moved here from Florida just to go to Grace Prep and returned to Miami because his family lives down there.

Keep an eye on him and look for him to have a monster year for Miami this year on his way to the top 10 in the 2006 draft. He's just a junior but my guess is he'll come out early to help his family.

[Bronco LB 59]

Leggett is no doubt a star in the making but he's a true sophomore so he's not eligible for the 2006 Draft. Also, SoCalBronco recently informed me that Leggett fractured a bone in his foot similar to the injury suffered by Ty Law. His status for the Florida State opener is questionable.

[SoCalBronco]

Lance has a bit of Lelie and Watts in him. He is rail thin and really tall and has very good speed. He was pretty damn good for a true freshman, esp on deep balls. He's similar to Watts in the respect that he's a guy that has a natural feel for finding the windows in the zone and also because he does a good job of getting YAC with moves and stuff. He bulked up a little in the spring to handle the pounding more but as Bronco LB 52 says he suffered an injury, its a milder form of the Lis Franc that Ty Law has. It did not require surgery and Lance says he is running routes now and feeling good but isnt quite 100 percent yet. He feels good about returning for the start of the team's training camp however some insiders are a little less optimistic. We will see. It would be a big blow if he isnt in the lineup. But long term, i think Lance easily can be a first round draft pick in 2 years. Bulks up a little. Learns the nuances of the game better. More experience. He can be a very high pick indeed.

It would probably elevate Sinorice Moss (Santana's little brother) to the starting lineup who probably is not starting caliber but can be better used as a slot WR. He is similar to Roscoe Parrish but i dont think he is starting caliber. I always grimace a little when
I see Sinorice out there. Its no fault of his but Miami had 1 scholarship remaining back in the day. It was either going to go to Sinorice Moss or Ohio State's star wideout Santonio Holmes. Both of them were locks to accept the offer as Miami was Holmes no. 1 school as well. Unfortuneatly, we went with Sinorice. He is a decent WR, but obviously no Santonio Holmes who may very well be a first round draft pick this year and if he was a bit taller, prolly much more than that.

A guy with alot of potential who has never realized it that also could make some noise if Leggett cannot play is Akieem Jolla. He has all the talent in the world. Great speed, great size, great build, but his head just isnt on straight. What a monumental waste of talent. I hope he figures out his time is almost up and gets in gear.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I realize Lance is two years away. I said he was coming out in the 2006 draft, but I meant the 2006 season, so technically it's the 2007 draft as you say.

Leggett is thin but I've seen this kid close up and he's got the body type to easily add weight. He hasn't got an ounce of fat on him and looks naturally muscular. Grace Prep Academy is an extremely demanding academic environment that sends National Merrit Scholarship finalists out almost every year. Those kids have to bust their butts to pass their classes and a graduating class of less than a hundred usually produces multiple scholarship kids to Ivy League schools and 80% of the senior class gets scholarships. I doubt this kid has had enough time to invest in the weight room before getting to Miami. I could see him adding 25 or 30 pounds of muscle in two years and entering the NFL at 6'4", 210 pounds or so.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Lance has a bit of Lelie and Watts in him. He is rail thin and really tall and has very good speed. He was pretty damn good for a true freshman, esp on deep balls. He's similar to Watts in the respect that he's a guy that has a natural feel for finding the windows in the zone and also because he does a good job of getting YAC with moves and stuff. He bulked up a little in the spring to handle the pounding more but as Bronco LB 52 says he suffered an injury, its a milder form of the Lis Franc that Ty Law has. It did not require surgery and Lance says he is running routes now and feeling good but isnt quite 100 percent yet. He feels good about returning for the start of the team's training camp however some insiders are a little less optimistic. We will see. It would be a big blow if he isnt in the lineup. But long term, i think Lance easily can be a first round draft pick in 2 years. Bulks up a little. Learns the nuances of the game better. More experience. He can be a very high pick indeed.

It would probably elevate Sinorice Moss (Santana's little brother) to the starting lineup who probably is not starting caliber but can be better used as a slot WR. He is similar to Roscoe Parrish but i dont think he is starting caliber. I always grimace a little when
I see Sinorice out there. Its no fault of his but Miami had 1 scholarship remaining back in the day. It was either going to go to Sinorice Moss or Ohio State's star wideout Santonio Holmes. Both of them were locks to accept the offer as Miami was Holmes no. 1 school as well. Unfortuneatly, we went with Sinorice. He is a decent WR, but obviously no Santonio Holmes who may very well be a first round draft pick this year and if he was a bit taller, prolly much more than that.

A guy with alot of potential who has never realized it that also could make some noise if Leggett cannot play is Akieem Jolla. He has all the talent in the world. Great speed, great size, great build, but his head just isnt on straight. What a monumental waste of talent. I hope he figures out his time is almost up and gets in gear.

Great player evaluation as usual SoCal, but you forgot to tell us what his favorite ice cream flavor is :)

[footstepsfrom#27]

Butter Pecan.

[SoCalBronco]

Leggett's gamble pays with good health
By Jorge Milian

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Sunday, July 31, 2005

CORAL GABLES — Lance Leggett hasn't decided on a major yet, but the University of Miami sophomore receiver might want to consider a medical career.

Leggett was faced with a critical decision after fracturing a bone in his right foot during spring practice. UM's doctors, according to Leggett, recommended immediate surgery. Leggett, knowing that an operation would force him to miss the 2005 season, chose to let nature take its course.


"I wanted to wait and let it heal by itself," said Leggett, who caught 17 passes for 349 yards and a team-best 20.5-yard average last season. "It seems like I made the right decision."

With fall practice set to begin on Saturday, Leggett has ditched the protective boot and crutches he used for two months and, except for some lingering soreness when he pushes off, said his foot is recovered.

"I'm running full-speed," Leggett said. "I'm ready to go."

Leggett was injured during the first week of spring practice, but said he doesn't specifically remember getting hurt.

[SoCalBronco]

At the time, doctors told Leggett he sustained the same injury — a mid-foot fracture — that caused New England Patriots cornerback Ty Law to undergo surgery and miss much of last season. Leggett said he met Law during a visit to a podiatrist.

"He told me to be careful, make the right decisions and try not to rush back," he said.

"He's a very exciting," said UM receivers coach Curtis Johnson. "Once he has experience, he's going to be sensational."

Coker extension close? UM athletic director Paul Dee said he's scheduled to have a phone conference this week with Jimmy Sexton, the agent for coach Larry Coker. Dee and Sexton have been discussing an extension to Coker's five-year contract since the beginning of the year.

Asked if negotiations could be wrapped up this week, Dee said, "I'd like to think so."

Palm Beach County CanesFest today: The Hurricanes will hold CanesFest from 2 to 5 p.m. today at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. UM coaches and key players will attend and be available for autographs.

Admission and parking are free.