WR Tandon Doss 6-3 195

[hawkeye]

These are some quotes from his high school coach.

“When you time him in the 40, you don’t say “wow this kid’s a burner,” said Kirschner. “But when he gets on the field, he’s a burner. He plays football faster than he runs. He’s football fast, is what I’d say.”

What really sets Doss apart for Kirschner, though, are his intangibles, the natural talents that can’t just be developed with practice. “I’ve been doing this for 24 years, and we’ve had some pretty good kids, but he may have the best hands I’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen a kid catch the back point of a ball like he does, with one hand,” Kirschner stated. “He just has a knack for getting to the ball. He has that feel.”

He then followed up with a more specific example: “We’re running the option, and they’re pitching the ball to him, and there is no back in the state could have caught that pitch except for him. It was such a bad pitch, but he’s the only kid I know of that I would have ever thought could catch that, left-handed behind his back. I mean, I’m just telling you, that is the kind of kid he is.”

As for some areas that Doss might need to improve on, Kirschner noted speed and strength as aspects that Doss could always improve upon in the future, as well as his ability to read defenses. However, he believes that Doss’s physical skills and preparation will allow him to make an impact for the Hoosiers immediately.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAR8ATXD-X4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzQ3LmoeWbc

[hawkeye]

Big Ten rankings: No. 14, Tandon Doss

June, 16, 2010

By Adam Rittenberg

The Big Ten preseason player rankings, based on past performance and 2010 potential, continue with ...

No. 14: Tandon Doss, WR, Indiana, Jr., 6-3, 195

2009 numbers: Finished second in the Big Ten in receiving average (80.2 ypg) and third in receptions per game (6.42); his 962 receiving yards ranked ninth nationally among underclassmen; eclipsed 100 all-purpose yards in eight games, including seven of Indiana's last nine contests.

Most recent ranking: Unranked in the 2009 postseason player rankings.

Making the case for Doss: My hope is that the preseason rankings are somewhat educational for those who don't closely follow the entire league. Here's another name you need to get to know right now. Doss came out of nowhere to record an extremely impressive sophomore season, and he should be even better in 2010. He finished just two receptions short of James Hardy's single-season team record and recorded five or more receptions in 11 of Indiana's 12 games. Doss earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the media and drew some attention from NFL personnel evaluators, who want to see how he can build off the 2009 season. Indiana will throw the ball a ton this fall, and Doss will be Ben Chappell's No. 1 target after turning in a very impressive spring. The Hoosiers are making red zone offense a focal point after struggling near the goal line last year, and Doss' size and skills should provide a boost for Chappell.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/13231/big-ten-rankings-no-14-tandon-doss