Trojan Linebacker Recruit More Than Just a Highlight Film.

I had an opportunity a couple of weeks ago, along with some other Trojan fans, to chat with Frankie Telfort, the mega fast, hard hitting, although undersized, 2009 linebacker recruit from Gulliver Prep school out of Miami, Florida.

Telfort, who is listed as 5’11”, 197 pounds, with what one evaluator calls, “great initial speed and short area burst.” In fact, Telfort has been timed at 4.41 in the forty meaning he could be one of the fastest linebackers in the nation.

Having viewed a lot of his film, it is evident that Telfort possesses incredible athleticism and he delivers, regularly, highlight film hits.

Yet, viewing that same film, it is also evident that Telfort lacks the size to always wrap up ball carriers. When I asked Telfort if a thought had been given to moving him to safety, Telfort said that this had entered his coach’s discussions with him but first he would work at the “will” or weakside linebacker.

The young linebacker has the frame to add more weight and should he do so, given his speed, he has the ability to become a very effective member of the linebacker's corp.

   Yet, it was another component of Frankie Telfort that impressed me as much as his football ability.

When asked what he hoped to accomplish with his career at USC, Telfort did not hesitate an instant to answer, “get a great education.”

All of the answers he gave to the myriad of questions tossed at him reflected a young man whose priorities lie far beyond football.

After the chat with Frankie Telfort concluded, I don’t think there was anyone who would doubt that Frankie Telfort would be a success in whatever endeavor he chooses to pursue.