Max Janes:
Strengths:
· Athleticism, speed for his size (6’2” 235). Played TE and wildcat QB for Mounds View
· Pass rushing ability. Janes is a finesse pass rusher that is quick coming off the edge, has a natural feel for the position and sees plays happen before they develop. Utilizes his hands quite well whether it is pass-rushing or when setting the edge, keeping defenders at distance
· Effort/pursuit. I love his pursuit and non-stop motor. On defense he pursues to every play even if is on the other side of the field, and on offense he’s a great blocker to the whistle
· Really good at playing with leverage and setting the edge as an outside linebacker, something the Gophers struggled with last season. Physical player
Weaknesses:
· Pass coverage abilities will need to improve, especially if he plays 4-3 OLB. While he’s a very good athlete, his exposure to pass coverage is rather limited since he came off the edge mostly. He’s going to work on understanding drops and learning to cover running backs out of the backfield
· Run fits. Max is a solid edge defender against the run, but in college the TE’s/OL will be much bigger than in high school, and if he moves to 4-3 OLB he will have to get experience with the position
It is easy to see why schools such as Wyoming, Air Force, and South Dakota State offered him a scholarship. Max is an impressive athlete with a great frame for a PWO. Could definitely be a scholarship player for another school. Janes came off the edge mostly in high school and will start out at linebacker for the Gophers. I think the best fit for him in the future will be at the R, or rush end, spot where he can use his pass rushing abilities. There will be a bit of a learning curve if he is a 4-3 OLB, but with his athleticism I don’t see that being much of an issue. Great addition for Minnesota.
Strengths:
· Athleticism, speed for his size (6’2” 235). Played TE and wildcat QB for Mounds View
· Pass rushing ability. Janes is a finesse pass rusher that is quick coming off the edge, has a natural feel for the position and sees plays happen before they develop. Utilizes his hands quite well whether it is pass-rushing or when setting the edge, keeping defenders at distance
· Effort/pursuit. I love his pursuit and non-stop motor. On defense he pursues to every play even if is on the other side of the field, and on offense he’s a great blocker to the whistle
· Really good at playing with leverage and setting the edge as an outside linebacker, something the Gophers struggled with last season. Physical player
Weaknesses:
· Pass coverage abilities will need to improve, especially if he plays 4-3 OLB. While he’s a very good athlete, his exposure to pass coverage is rather limited since he came off the edge mostly. He’s going to work on understanding drops and learning to cover running backs out of the backfield
· Run fits. Max is a solid edge defender against the run, but in college the TE’s/OL will be much bigger than in high school, and if he moves to 4-3 OLB he will have to get experience with the position
It is easy to see why schools such as Wyoming, Air Force, and South Dakota State offered him a scholarship. Max is an impressive athlete with a great frame for a PWO. Could definitely be a scholarship player for another school. Janes came off the edge mostly in high school and will start out at linebacker for the Gophers. I think the best fit for him in the future will be at the R, or rush end, spot where he can use his pass rushing abilities. There will be a bit of a learning curve if he is a 4-3 OLB, but with his athleticism I don’t see that being much of an issue. Great addition for Minnesota.
