Eletise is a 6'4", 295, Freshman offensive lineman from Kaiser HS, Honolulu, HI. Along with Khalil Tate, Eletise was the most important recruit of this class. He is an all-everything recruit and considered the top prospect out of Hawaii and ended up choosing Arizona after a lot of hard work, malo wearing, pig roasting, and Hawaii trips by the Arizona coaches.
It is rare that an incoming Freshman lineman would have a chance to play at Arizona, but Elitise is that kind of prospect. He is rated as high as 11 nationally at offensive guard for the incoming class and if Freddie Tagaloa moves back to tackle, Elitise should be in the competition to start at guard.
Michael Eletise is ranked as the top prospect in Hawaii this recruiting cycle and it’s easy to see why.
Players like him who can move the way he does at 300 pounds are extremely rare. He’s just scratching the surface as to how good he can be.
Athletic ability/measurables
Has good size with room to get even bigger. Doesn’t have the ideal length to play tackle, but certainly has the feet to play the position. He looks almost graceful as an athlete for a player his size and is a natural knee bender. Even though he is already a big boy, he needs to add strength to his lower body.
Skills/technique
At times it looks almost too easy for Eletise. He moves extremely well and does a great job with his pad level. He is able to get a good push on defenders in the run game and his feet allow him to get in a great position to reach block defenders. He’ll fight to sustain his block where others would give up on it and that’s great to see.
He gets to the second level with ease, but I would like to see a little bit more of a violent pop on contact. More violence is general is probably what is lacking the most right now for Eletise. He will drive opponents down the field and get his block, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him be a bit meaner to finish players and put them on their back.
He is light on his feet and balanced in his pass set. Again, his punch could be more violent. He also has a tendency to cross his feet a bit when facing an outside speed rush and that is something that will need to get corrected. Overall though, he has everything in his skill set to make him a dominant pass blocker at the next level.
Scheme fit
Eletise could play just about any position on the line. I think he could play tackle in a pinch, but his best fit is a likely at guard in a zone running scheme.
Potential
I see what Eletise can do now and I think it’s scary how good he can be once he gets stronger. He has the tools to develop into a special player at the next level if everything comes together and is going to be a great get for some lucky program.
75 is the Arizona record for career receptions by a tight end. It was set by Rob Gronkowski who racked by 1197 career receiving yards and 16 TDs in just 19 starts between 2007 and 2008.
Question that's always bugged me but I've never bothered to ask: why are tackles supposed to be tall? What exactly is the benefit of height in an offensive lineman? I mean, it's not exactly like DE's are hurdling over them on their way to the QB, right?
Re: 75 Days Michael Eletise
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 8:23 am
by Carcassdragger
I think it's about lateral movement. When you are talking about heavy guys, the tall ones generally have more side to side agility.
Yes?
Re: 75 Days Michael Eletise
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 8:29 am
by azgreg
Taller guys also have longer arms which I suppose is an advantage.
Re: 75 Days Michael Eletise
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 7:22 am
by Newportcat
azgreg wrote:Taller guys also have longer arms which I suppose is an advantage.
But... Length is the opposite of leverage in this case, because a shorter player should be able to more easily get under a taller player, which is how you generate leverage. I appreciate that that is a gross generalization, though.
I understand why arm length is important, and I understand why footspeed and overall mobility are important -- maybe those tend to max out at the 6'4" to 6'6" range statistically across the population? But from everything I've read there is no reason why -- all else being equal -- a taller tackle should be preferable.
Re: 75 Days Michael Eletise
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 6:56 am
by azgreg
Puerco wrote:Good read, Newport, thanks.
But... Length is the opposite of leverage in this case, because a shorter player should be able to more easily get under a taller player, which is how you generate leverage. I appreciate that that is a gross generalization, though.
I understand why arm length is important, and I understand why footspeed and overall mobility are important -- maybe those tend to max out at the 6'4" to 6'6" range statistically across the population? But from everything I've read there is no reason why -- all else being equal -- a taller tackle should be preferable.
Re: 75 Days Michael Eletise
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 10:26 am
by azpenguin
A tall, mobile tackle with good arm length is going to be harder to beat on the outside on a pass rush.
Re: 75 Days Michael Eletise
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 4:25 am
by Puerco
azpenguin wrote:A tall, mobile tackle with good arm length is going to be harder to beat on the outside on a pass rush.
You could take the word 'tall' out of your sentence and it would be equally true.
All I've seen anywhere are statements that taller is better, but nowhere have I seen any reason as to why it should be so. This is perplexing.
Re: 75 Days Michael Eletise
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 7:19 am
by UAEebs86
Puerco wrote:
azpenguin wrote:A tall, mobile tackle with good arm length is going to be harder to beat on the outside on a pass rush.
You could take the word 'tall' out of your sentence and it would be equally true.
All I've seen anywhere are statements that taller is better, but nowhere have I seen any reason as to why it should be so. This is perplexing.
I don't think the actual height is what matters. It's just that long arms usually only come with tall guys. A shorter guy who is just as mobile and has just as long of arms would probably be just as effective. Would be easier for the quarterback to see over as well.
