Stanford Football

Buzz has been building around 4-star athlete Connor Wedington for some time, and the Sumner Senior High School product made his long-awaited college decision Monday through Bleacher Report when he committed to the Stanford Cardinal. 

C O M M I T T E D . #BRCommitmentWeekhttps://t.co/jvgYr5eYqR

— Connor Wedington (@ConnorWedington) January 30, 2017

Wedington's announcement comes after he decommitted from the Washington Huskies in early December.  

A native of Sumner, Washington, Wedington flashed serious two-way capabilities as he rose in the recruiting ranks. And thanks to his abilities as a running back and cornerback, Wedington graded out as Scout.com's 77th-ranked player overall among 2017 recruits.  

Additionally, the senior is the fourth-ranked athlete prospect in the class and the top-ranked athlete in the West region. Of course, those lofty rankings shouldn't come as a surprise after he rushed for 2,961 yards and 41 touchdowns over his final two high school seasons, per MaxPreps. 

And at 6'1", 193 pounds, Wedington has the stature to play either running back or corner in college. However, Scout.com's evaluation projects him as a tailback who can excel thanks to his solid speed and elusive tendencies between the tackles. 

"He's very quick and can hit full speed after just a few strides," the report stated. "He's able to change direction and is a slasher that can make you miss, not only in space, but in traffic and has plenty of wiggle. He has breakaway speed but is probably more quick than fast, and it's his initial burst through the hole that really sets him apart."

With the Cardinal, Wedington should be a seamless fit for an offense in need of an explosive playmaker following Christian McCaffrey's departure. 

And even though he may not wield McCaffrey's all-purpose potential, Wedington has proved he can shoulder the load between the tackles and is emerging as an offensive centerpiece. 

Developing into that player for head coach David Shaw will take some time, but Wedington's upside and well-rounded skill set will make him a threat to take the ball to the house whenever he gets in space. 

And even though Wedington isn't a pure burner considering he ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash, per Scout.com, he has the blend of skills necessary to develop into a legitimate bell-cow back. 

Wedington will need to add a bit more muscle in order to sustain such a heavy workload, but he should continue to carve up defenses at the next level so long as he uses his stellar vision to rip off chunk gains play after play. 

Stanford significantly enhanced its versatility Monday after securing a commitment from highly regarded athlete Paulson Adebo.  

Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports noted Adebo confirmed the commitment in his Twitter profile.

According to Scout, Adebo is a 4-star prospect who rates as the No. 213 overall recruit, No. 16 player at his position and No. 4 athlete from the state of Texas.

After initially committing to Notre Dame, Adebo withdrew on Jan. 9 and reopened the recruiting process, per Tom Loy of 247Sports.

Adebo is a unique player in that he excelled at both cornerback and wide receiver at Mansfield High School (Texas), which has created some questions as to whether he will be a defensive or offensive player at the collegiate level.

The 6'1", 180-pound athlete has been recruited mostly as a corner, although he did play wide receiver recently in the Under Armour All-America Game.

Assuming he goes on to play cornerback, Mansfield head coach Daniel Maberry believes he has a skill set that will make him an immediate asset, according to David McKinney of Rivals.com:

He's going to make any team better immediately just by stepping on the field. He's going to bring a lot, just because of his work ethic, his size, his speed and his agility.

[...]

Paulson is an exceptional player. He's got great size, great speed and great ball skills. He's an incredibly smart ball player. You tell him something one time, and he retains it.

His work ethic is exceptional. He's the hardest-working kid you have. There's so many things that he brings to a team. He's just an all-around good player.

With so many top programs leaning on high-volume passing offenses, players of Adebo's caliber are highly sought after.

He has a rare combination of size and speed at the cornerback position that should allow him to go up against some of the nation's best pass-catchers once he fully develops.

While Adebo may be somewhat raw, all signs point toward his becoming a shutdown corner in the near future.

Additionally, if Stanford wants to get creative, Adebo could have a ceiling close to USC's Adoree' Jackson in terms of contributing as a cornerback, pass-catcher and return man when called upon.

The Cardinal have hovered inside or around the Associated Press Top 10 for the past seven years, and recruiting successfully in places like Texas is a big reason for that.

Head coach David Shaw scored a major coup by landing Adebo, and it is the type of commitment that should allow Shaw to keep Stanford near the top of the Pac-12 for years to come.

    

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Stanford landed a potential cornerstone left tackle Saturday, as highly touted offensive lineman Foster Sarell officially committed during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Brandon Huffman of Scout passed along Sarell's decision to play for the Cardinal.

Greg Biggins of Scout sees big things for Sarell in the future:

Foster Sarell probably one of the five best OLs I've seen come out of the West since I've been doing this, barring injury, Sunday player

— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) January 7, 2017

The 6'6", 300-pound lineman is a 5-star prospect who ranks as the No. 2 overall player and No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2017 recruiting class, according to Scout.

Sarell has long been coveted because of his dominance at Graham-Kapowsin High School in Washington, making him among the top targets pursued by Pac-12 powers.

Per Scout, Washington and Stanford were among his top suitors, with other nationwide powers such as Notre Dame, Alabama and Michigan checking in as well.

The expectations are as massive as Sarell's considerable frame, but based on his ultimate goal, he seems to be embracing them, according to TJ Cotterill of the News Tribune.

"I want to go to the Hall of Fame, be in Canton and have the nice head statue and everything," he said.

Sarell has the right attitude, but the biggest question regarding his ability to excel at the collegiate level and move on to the NFL is his durability.

Per Cotterill, Sarell missed two months during his junior season at Graham-Kapowsin because of a broken arm.

The college schedule is more strenuous and demanding, which an anonymous recruiter believes could be Sarell's biggest obstacle, according to Cotterill.

"He can certainly be in that group of guys," the recruiter said. "It's just going to be being able to make the transition. At O-line, it does not matter how talented a kid is, it's a different type of strength, and hopefully you can get those guys in the weight room to get them strong enough to handle a 12- to 13-game season."

Sarell is already big enough to lock horns with some of the powerful defensive linemen he is sure to encounter. Assuming there is more room for him to grow into his body, he has a chance to become one of the most physically imposing offensive tackles in the nation in the near future.

Sarell has all the makings of an elite lineman, and if he continues to develop, his Hall of Fame aspirations may not be far-fetched.

Stanford has a reputation for developing and churning out top-flight offensive linemen, and Sarell could be the latest in a long line of success stories.

Along with strengthening their own offensive line, the Cardinal dealt a major blow to their Pac-12 rivals, especially Washington, by landing Sarell.

The Huskies are Sarell's home team and recruited him heavily, but Stanford proved it still has wide-ranging appeal that could soon get it back to the top of the conference.

    

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Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas has declared for the 2017 NFL draft, per a program release.

Solomon spoke about his decision to go pro in the announcement: 

Since pulling out a symbolic Stanford tree and donning nerd glasses on National Signing Day in 2014, I have had the most amazing time of my life. I have grown and matured more than I ever could have imagined. I arrived at Stanford somewhat shy and uncertain; now I stand a curious, intelligent, dedicated, and motivated man who is ready to take on any challenge, including the NFL. With the support of my family, I have decided to forgo my last years of eligibility at Stanford and enter the 2017 NFL Draft.

To my Stanford brothers, you all mean the world to me and I love you all. You each helped mold me into a better man. From laughing in the locker room, to sweating in the weight room, to grinding on the field -- you are the reason I have loved every second of my time here. Our collective goal to not only be the best team, but also the best individuals, connects us on another level. You are all men I look up to as role models and aspire to be like. We have a special bond at Stanford, one that I am so proud to be a part of. I'm so lucky to have you as brothers: this is the most amazing blessing in my life.

The 6'3", 273-pound junior has been a force defensively for the Cardinal over the past two seasons. After totaling 37 tackles in his first year on the field, including 10.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks, he followed that up with an even bigger 2016 season.

Thomas finished with 61 total tackles and 8.5 sacks. His quickness in getting into the backfield was on display all season long, including this sack against Arizona:

Make that five sacks for the defense tonight. @SollyThomas90 still hungry.#PartyInTheBackfield #GoStanford https://t.co/jxl5zPWZir

— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) October 30, 2016

"Solomon is that rare combination of athletic ability, speed, mentality and technique," Stanford coach David Shaw said, per Tom FitzGerald of SFGate.com. "He's great with his hands. He's determined every single play to make a play. He's one of those guys that doesn't stay blocked."

Thomas' ability against both the pass and the run makes him a potential first-round draft pick in the spring. According to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, Thomas is the No. 45 prospect in the 2017 class and the No. 10 edge defender. With versatility to play in multiple systems along the defensive line, he should be in high demand at the next level.

On the other hand, Stanford will miss Thomas' production, as several seniors are already set to depart on both sides of the ball. After a 10-3 season, the Cardinal could be set for a rebuild next year.

The Stanford Cardinal bolstered their offensive front Friday, as offensive tackle Walker Little joined their 2017 recruiting class. 

According to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, Little chose Stanford over in-state Texas.

The 6'8" and 305-pound Little is a 5-star prospect, per Scout, and the No. 16 overall player, No. 2 offensive tackle and No. 1 offensive tackle from the state of Texas in the 2017 class.

Little drew plenty of interest throughout the recruiting cycle from some of the top schools in the country, including Texas, Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Auburn. All of those notable programs were included on Scout's schools of interest list at one point during the recruiting cycle, but Stanford came out on top Friday.

Little likely generated so much interest from top-notch programs in the SEC, Big 12 and Big Ten because he has the ideal size to play tackle at the collegiate level. His physicality allows him to drive defenders downfield and open holes for the rushing attack. He's also athletic enough to move laterally and protect the quarterback from edge-rushers, which is critical with his frame.

Hudl shared some highlights from Little's junior campaign in high school:

Gabe Brooks of Scout provided a scouting report for the big lineman and pointed to his size and "prototype offensive tackle build." Brooks also noted Little's ability to finish through the whistle, especially when he is blocking for the running game.

As Brooks mentioned, the level of competition will quickly increase for Little as he grows accustomed to the college game in his freshman season. Fortunately for his new team, his overall skill set will likely help him develop into a regular starter during his career.

Stanford's offense will likely be in for an adjustment in 2017, as running back Christian McCaffrey will depart for the NFL after carrying the offense in recent years.

It isn't yet known if Little will ascend to a starting spot immediately, but if he can seize one as a freshman, he possesses the type of talent that should make life far easier for Stanford's skill-position players.

Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey is set to follow in the footsteps of his father, Ed McCaffrey, as he officially declared for the 2017 NFL draft Wednesday: 

After three incredible years at Stanford, I've decided to enter the 2017 NFL draft. #BlessedByTheBest

— Christian McCaffrey (@CMC_22) December 7, 2016

McCaffrey added, on GoStanford.com:

Since I was 6 years old, I've wanted to play in the NFL. It's been on every list of goals that I've ever written. Now, it's time to take that step. There's nothing more I can put on film.

I love Stanford more than anything. It will be extremely hard to leave. I feel humbled and inspired every day by the peers who surround me. I came to Stanford because I wanted to be challenged more than I ever have in my life. And that desire is shared by everyone who walks on this campus, by people who literally will change the world.

[...]

As I walked off for the last time as a Stanford player, I realized how much I owe this university for how much it's given me. Stanford has taught me more about overcoming adversity and focusing and finishing than I could ever know, and I will carry those lessons forever.

McCaffrey is coming off two of the most impressive offensive seasons in Cardinal history, including 1,603 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns in 2016 as a junior.

While his numbers were down in comparison to a 2015 campaign that saw him finish second in Heisman Trophy voting, it was nearly impossible to live up to the 2,019 rushing yards, 645 receiving yards and 13 offensive touchdowns he put up.

McCaffrey got off to a strong start in 2016 with at least 126 rushing yards in each of his first three games and four total touchdowns during that span. However, over the next month, he failed to crack the 100-yard barrier and didn't score a touchdown in three contests.

The Colorado native also missed a game due to an undisclosed injury, which likely contributed to his lack of production.

McCaffrey came to life in late October and went on a tear to end the season, however, including a 284-yard rushing effort with three touchdowns in a win over California.

That run gave him a ton of momentum entering the draft evaluation process.

Although McCaffrey had a spectacular campaign, his midseason struggles could have damaged his draft stock had he not bounced back. Suffering another injury as a senior is a risk he would have assumed had he returned to school.

McCaffrey has NFL pedigree, as his dad spent 13 years in the league and was a Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion, including two with the Denver Broncos.

That figures to work in McCaffrey's favor, as will the fact that he is a do-it-all back capable of playing on every down and contributing in the return game.

His ability to run both between and outside the tackles—as well as create mismatches in the passing game—makes him a possible first-round pick, and that was reason enough to take the leap.

     

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

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The Stanford Cardinal announced Tuesday that Keller Chryst will replace Ryan Burns as the team's starting quarterback Saturday at Arizona, according to Jon Wilner of the Mercury News. 

The Cardinal (4-3) have struggled this year, losing three of their last four games. Burns, a senior, has played a role in those struggles, as he's completed 62.5 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,058 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions.

And in the last four games, Stanford has posted just three offensive touchdowns. That was magnified this past Saturday, when Stanford scored a meager five points in a loss to Colorado.

"You hate to get to this point," said head coach David Shaw on making the switch, per Wilner. "We need more production from the position."

Wilner provided more details:

Shaw said, "As of right now, Keller's just going to play." No plans to rotate Burns into game

— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) October 25, 2016

Chryst has appeared in six games for Stanford this season, completing seven of 18 passes for 63 yards and an interception. Last season, he completed five passes in nine attempts, throwing for one touchdown.

Certainly, the junior presents more of a danger in the run game than Burns. Chryst has been rotated into games this season, primarily as a run threat, though he's accumulated just 11 yards and 11 carries. And he has a collection of nice weapons, including superstar Christian McCaffrey along with Bryce Love, Michael Rector, Trenton Irwin and Dalton Schultz.

But the offensive line has been poor, which has led to a sputtering run game averaging just 139.0 yards per game on the ground, 104th in the nation. That's unheard of for a Shaw team, which has traditionally relied on a ground-and-pound rushing attack and sturdy defense. 

The hope for Stanford will be that Chryst can energize a passing attack averaging just 160.1 yards per game (117th in the nation) to keep defenses from stacking the box to slow down McCaffrey. If he isn't an upgrade over Burns, however, Stanford's offense seems unlikely to play out of its current funk.

     

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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be desperate to end a two-game straight-up home losing streak on Saturday night when they host the struggling Stanford Cardinal.

It is tough to fault Notre Dame for its 10-3 loss in the driving rain at North Carolina State last weekend, but that defeat extended the squad's current run of futility to 2-6 SU, which started with a heartbreaking 38-36 loss at Stanford in last year's regular-season finale.

The Cardinal have also fallen on hard times, tallying just 22 total points in two straight SU losses to Washington and Washington State, ending a seven-game SU tear in which they were 6-1 against the spread.

            

Point spread: The Fighting Irish opened as 2.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 28.6-27.8 Cardinal (College football picks on every game)

      

Why the Stanford Cardinal can cover the spread

Stanford has dropped two straight SU for the first time in two years but has developed a strong track record of resiliency, bouncing back to claim outright victory in nine of their past 12 games following a loss. The Cardinal have also been a solid bet after going down as a favorite, responding with ATS wins in eight of their past nine such outings.

Ranked 20th in the nation, the Cardinal rush defense played an important role in the squad's early-season success and must shut down a Notre Dame ground game that failed to crack 60 rushing yards in two of their past three losses.

         

Why the Notre Dame Fighting Irish can cover the spread

The Fighting Irish looked to have turned the corner in their 50-33 Week 5 win over Syracuse, tallying a season-high 654 total yards including 471 yards in the air from pivot DeShone Kizer. Kizer has found the end zone on 14 occasions against just five picks. However, the Fighting Irish must avoid making excessive turnovers, which cost them in losses to Duke and Michigan State.

Despite their recent troubles, the Fighting Irish remain a reliable bet when pegged as home favorites of three or fewer points, going 6-1 SU and 5-1-1 ATS in their past seven games.

        

Smart pick

Stanford looked bad on both sides of the ball in their 44-6 loss to the Huskies and their 42-16 loss to the Cougars. But with little change in personnel on the Cardinal squad, their recent 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS road record cannot be overlooked.

Notre Dame posted SU wins in its past two at home versus Stanford and is 3-0 ATS in its past three. However, they will need to show marked improvement over recent performances to maintain those trends. Look for Stanford to record the SU and ATS upset in another low-scoring contest.

         

Betting trends

The total has gone over in six of Notre Dame's last eight games.

Notre Dame is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games in October.

Stanford is 8-0-1 ATS in its last nine games after losing as a favorite.

      

All college football betting lines and point spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.