Track is not football. Football is not track. However, when evaluating recruits, track numbers can be a useful tool for understanding some of the athletic qualities a prospect may be bring to their respective school.
Athletes do not necessarily need to be elite in any specific event in order to be great football players, but having competent numbers can verify what a coach may be seeing on tape.
Showcasing explosiveness by producing solid numbers in events like the Long Jump and Triple Jump may be indicative of an athletes ability to change direction or quickly break on a ball. It doesn’t provide confirmation of football ability but can provide context for athletic potential.
Numbers can also be indicative of an athlete’s work ethic. Naturally, you expect improvements in athleticism as an athlete matures but significant leaps that bump the average trajectories may confirm what you thought or cause you to give an athlete an additional look if they have not been offered.
Here are the numbers from two of OU’s top receiver commits.
With Jayden Rowe’s documented 10.38 a year ago, and him being tabbed as one of the fastest current Sooners, it’s safe to assume Pettaway will step onto the scene with established speed that OU currently does not have enough of (if at all) at the skill positions. Couple this with quality route running ability and you see why he has garnered the ranking he has.
WR – Jaquaize Pettaway
Jr.
- 100m – 10.41, 10.43
- 200m – 20.81
- Long Jump – 22’ 11.5”
So.
- 100m – 11.09
- 200m – 22.07
Fr.
- 100m – 11.09
- 200m – 22.07
- Long Jump – 20’ 5.5”
- Triple Jump – 43’
WR – Anthony Evans
Jr.
- 200m – 22.26
- Long Jump – 23 4.25
So.
- Triple Jump – 43’ 7”
- Long Jump – 21’ 3.5”
