Two stand out for Jatashun Beachum

News - Football Recruiting

Thursday, 18 June 2009 04:12

Written by Justin Hopkins

Jatashun Beachum Normally when you read about a football player who is about to start his senior season of high school, and that player happens to be 6'2" 253 lbs, you immediately think he is a linebacker or lineman. Jatashun "Big Tex" Beachum from A Maceo Smith in Dallas, TX plays neither of those positions for his high school. "I'm really looking for a school to play me what I play, not switch me to another position just because of my size.

I have offers from over 15 schools right now, most recently Arizona, UTEP, Tennessee, Minnesota, and Tulsa have all just offered me. I have offers for all different positions from tight end, defensive tackle, running back, quarterback, linebacker, and defensive end. I really want to play running back or quarterback, those are my favorite two positions," said Beachum.

Jatashun was able to identify who his favorite 5 teams are currently. “Florida, Oregon, Kansas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma are probably my five favorite schools right now. Oregon and Florida are my top two right now though." We talked a little bit with him about what he likes with those schools. "Well with Florida it's the coaching and they are showing me a lot of love right now. With Oregon I've just always liked Oregon, I always play them in my video games, and I would definitely go to Oregon."

With all of the offers Jatashun currently has in hand right now, there is a little miscommunication whether he actually has an Oregon offer. "Well Coach Barnett was talking to a coach from Oregon a couple months ago and told me I had an offer. I looked under my profile on another recruiting service and didn't see the box checked next to Oregon. I thought I had an Oregon offer to play quarterback, but now I'm not sure. I haven't heard from the coaches recently, and I'd like to hear from them more and check if I have an offer or not. I would love to play quarterback or running back for Oregon.”

A player with these types of physical attributes on this frame is a rare breed. But every great player knows there is always something they can work on to improve. "I want to work on getting stronger. I have lots of speed, but I really want to work on getting stronger."

Distance does not seem to be a factor at all in the decision making process. "No distance is not a factor at all; in fact I'm kind of looking to get out of Texas. All of my top teams are not even very close, I really want to get out and see something new."

When asked about the “Big Tex" nickname, Jatashun had a pretty funny story to share. ”Yeah, Big Tex has been my nickname since 7th grade. We were at a track meet and everyone had a nickname but me, they called me "Big Tank" during football sometimes since I was a fullback. Since I was pretty big back then everyone just started calling me “Big Tex" and the name has stuck with me.

Jatashun has never stepped foot in the state of Oregon, let alone visited the campus in Eugene. But he has some very strong feelings about the program. "I want to get up to Oregon every chance I can get; I plan on visiting this summer and taking an official visit. I want to get up there any chance I can get," said Beachum.

Jatashun claims an 18 ACT score and hopes to major in political science or possibly sports management.

DuckTerritory will follow up with Jatashun later this summer to see about a visit to Oregon.

ESPN/Scouts, Inc. Evaluation:
It's rare to find a prospect with the ability to get recruited at running back or defensive tackle, but Beachum is not your normal high school athlete. He is a 265-pound quarterback with a strong arm and deceptively good feet. In all actuality, this impressive athlete could get recruited at a number of different positions with his good blend of size, speed, lateral agility and comfort level around the football. Has good height and well-layered bulk. Far from a chiseled frame but carries his weight very well and its thickly proportioned. As a potential running back or fullback, he projects to be a north-south load with deceptive in-line shiftiness. He would obviously need more of a run oriented offense to be productive carrying the rock and showcase his good downhill burst and in-line power. What surprises you his is natural feel for the position when picking and darting through the line. Displays good feet, body control and vision finding and hitting the cutback crease. While not real elusive, he is fluid for his size and can make the first defender miss through the hole. If he's employed in the backfield his production will stem off one-cut-go downhill runs utilizing his power as a runner. Very difficult to tackle low with his wide hip base and lower-body. Consistently bounces off lower-body shots with his thick thighs and is very difficult to tackle high with his massive frame and strong stiff-arm. He is not going to separate from many defensive backs at the next level but will make them think twice about coming up to hit him. Drags smaller defenders who try and wrap him up high and finishes runs with good effort. Does need to take advantage of his size a bit more at times and run behind his pads with better body-tilt. Gears down at times when cutting laterally, particularly in the second level, and we would like to see him retain his speed and power by continuing north-south with fewer wasted lateral cuts. Lacks great top-end speed but we like his potential to wear down a defense with his power and ability to avoid clean shots with his good feet. Should be a durable, high carry guy. If he struggles with the transition to offense, his combination of size, quickness and power as a penetrating defensive tackle or end are promising. He can run, is athletic and has the physical tools needed to be very disruptive playing flat down the line of scrimmage if he can learn the technique and fundamentals of defensive line play. Overall, there is always a bit of risk when projecting a prospect at a position he's never played fulltime but we feel Beachum's athleticism is too uncommon not to be highly coveted on the recruiting trail.

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written by Brauck Cullen, June 18, 2009

sign him up!

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written by DJ Quinn, June 18, 2009

I hope to god that he does get an offer as an "Athlete". Anybody that can play 5 positions proficiently will get early playing time with UO. If he is that good, then let him try out for RB. QB is questionable, but who knows? I personally would LOVE to see him in yellow and green.

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written by drcollicott, June 18, 2009

Big Tex could be the Big Quacker for the Ducks
could you see him running over db's or flating them
we love yah Tex

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written by David, June 18, 2009

Theres acouple ways to look at this kid.

A. Jerome Bettis
B. Dontae Cullpepper

LOL he ends up like either one we would have to be excited. Bettis as well all know is a Hall of Fame player and Cullpepper just couldnt ever land in the right situation. Either way sign the kid find a spot for him because if we dont we are asking for someone else to grab him and ram him down our throats.

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written by woundedknees, June 18, 2009

Sign him up and let Coach Rad and James Harris III have him for a year... This kid could be awe inspiring!

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written by Hoagieduck, June 18, 2009

He would be perfect for a duck uniform. I've always loved the way UO isn't afraid to branch out to unconventional athletes. I would love to see this big guy thundering through d-lines.

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written by Hoagieduck, June 18, 2009

Does he really run a 4.6 forty?!?! OFFER!

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written by ducksrulethepac, June 18, 2009

a 4.6 forty that big please come to oregon you will be running people over like blount does

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written by Tony Di Francisco, June 19, 2009

4.6 might be a stretch but this kid has amazing mobility for his size, no doubting that. One DC in his district says he's a nightmare to gameplan for. Any other year, offering him would be a no brainer, problem is the schollies are very tight at each position. I say offer as an athlete and figure the rest out later. Either that or bring him on as a thunder back if the coaches feel he could be a RB. Would be deadly in the red zone I would have to think. Either way, not only is he a great athlete, he's a 4* level from Texas from a school and area who produces a ton of talent so either way it works out well if he ends up a Duck.

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written by belayvol, June 30, 2009

Or better yet, come to TN. and be a fullback where you can play against SEC talent instead of the PAC 1 + some others. TV time exposure plus NFL coaches means a ticket to pro status.