Finally job 1 is done

[Don]

This is the first class in maybe 10 years that we really don't need any of these guys to step up and be a home run hitter . After years of coaching turnover and very frankly poor recruiting in some aspects we don't need these guys to bring their A game right away . They may be able to compete and may in fact be better at some poistions wherec we have current players . The thing is though they don't have to play unless they are head and shoulders better than what we have or we have deep injuries at one position .

This is where our rebound will start , this is where we will be able to start competing for bowl games every year. We simply let our young guys play when there ready not when they are needed.

Job one to bouncing back is putting bodies on the field that are ready to play . I think this class accomplishes that . Some good young talent who can build there body and minds before they have to step on the field .

Well done

 

[dasher]

This is the first class in maybe 10 years that we really don't need any of these guys to step up and be a home run hitter . After years of coaching turnover and very frankly poor recruiting in some aspects we don't need these guys to bring their A game right away . They may be able to compete and may in fact be better at some poistions wherec we have current players . The thing is though they don't have to play unless they are head and shoulders better than what we have or we have deep injuries at one position .

This is where our rebound will start , this is where we will be able to start competing for bowl games every year. We simply let our young guys play when there ready not when they are needed.

Job one to bouncing back is putting bodies on the field that are ready to play . I think this class accomplishes that . Some good young talent who can build there body and minds before they have to step on the field .

Well done

at the end of any of the last 10 recruiting years, have we ever said, that was a bad recruiting year?

 

[PhatOrange]

at the end of any of the last 10 recruiting years, have we ever said, that was a bad recruiting year?

Yes definitely

 

[qdawgg]

Yes definitely

Which year because even the 1st year Marrone had 6 weeks to recruit and the class was filled with 1 - 2 stars, players their H.S. teams didn't even know were on the team, we said he did a pretty good job for having 6 weeks to do anything. We had found some diamonds in the rough (we love that quote every year). In the Shafer years everyone said we had upgraded the talent over Marrone's recruiting. They were all players that would be playing in the SEC if they were 3 inches taller and weighed 50 lbs more (we use that one a lot too, just today actually). I seriously don't recall a year people didn't spin the narrative to convince themselves all our 2 - 3 star recruits are really 4 stars in disguise.

This year is a year we can literally look at the numbers/rankings/ratings from people not wearing heavily tinted orange glasses and truly say, we did pretty good.

 

[shu 49]

This is the first class in maybe 10 years that we really don't need any of these guys to step up and be a home run hitter . After years of coaching turnover and very frankly poor recruiting in some aspects we don't need these guys to bring their A game right away . They may be able to compete and may in fact be better at some poistions wherec we have current players . The thing is though they don't have to play unless they are head and shoulders better than what we have or we have deep injuries at one position .

This is where our rebound will start , this is where we will be able to start competing for bowl games every year. We simply let our young guys play when there ready not when they are needed.

Job one to bouncing back is putting bodies on the field that are ready to play . I think this class accomplishes that . Some good young talent who can build there body and minds before they have to step on the field .

Well done

I sure hope we sit these kids a year so they can be ready redshirt fresh year. As I have said before, we seam to waste redshirt and if u ain't starting or all most starting, then redshirt them. I know Trill is a possibility and ain't saying he can't beat out Foster, but I hope he gives us all we are hoping for.

 

[SoBristol]

This is the first class in maybe 10 years that we really don't need any of these guys to step up and be a home run hitter . After years of coaching turnover and very frankly poor recruiting in some aspects we don't need these guys to bring their A game right away . They may be able to compete and may in fact be better at some poistions wherec we have current players . The thing is though they don't have to play unless they are head and shoulders better than what we have or we have deep injuries at one position .
...

Last season, the members of the class who contributed were jucos and grad transfers -- we needed help at TE, DE, LB and secondary. Is that the contrast you are drawing?

The true freshmen in the last cycle were not needed to step up and be any kind of hitter, with the exception of Chris Elmore as a blocking back/FB.

Seems very possible that a couple of the true frosh in this cycle will contribute early -- thinking of one of the WRs, and Thrill Williams in the secondary.

 

[PhatOrange]

Which year because even the 1st year Marrone had 6 weeks to recruit and the class was filled with 1 - 2 stars, players their H.S. teams didn't even know were on the team, we said he did a pretty good job for having 6 weeks to do anything. We had found some diamonds in the rough (we love that quote every year). In the Shafer years everyone said we had upgraded the talent over Marrone's recruiting. They were all players that would be playing in the SEC if they were 3 inches taller and weighed 50 lbs more (we use that one a lot too, just today actually). I seriously don't recall a year people didn't spin the narrative to convince themselves all our 2 - 3 star recruits are really 4 stars in disguise.

This year is a year we can literally look at the numbers/rankings/ratings from people not wearing heavily tinted orange glasses and truly say, we did pretty good.

And now those players are actually 3 inches taller and actually have offers to play in the SEC

But past years people are fans and they want to find reason for hope. Plenty of red flags in those shafer and GRob classes though. What are the red flags now?

 

[qdawgg]

And now those players are actually 3 inches taller and actually have offers to play in the SEC

But past years people are fans and they want to find reason for hope. Plenty of red flags in those shafer and GRob classes though. What are the red flags now?

Did you even read what I wrote? Read the last paragraph at least before misconstruing my post.

 

[IthacaMatt]

This is the first class in maybe 10 years that we really don't need any of these guys to step up and be a home run hitter . After years of coaching turnover and very frankly poor recruiting in some aspects we don't need these guys to bring their A game right away . They may be able to compete and may in fact be better at some poistions wherec we have current players . The thing is though they don't have to play unless they are head and shoulders better than what we have or we have deep injuries at one position .

This is where our rebound will start , this is where we will be able to start competing for bowl games every year. We simply let our young guys play when there ready not when they are needed.

Job one to bouncing back is putting bodies on the field that are ready to play . I think this class accomplishes that . Some good young talent who can build there body and minds before they have to step on the field .

Well done

We need a home run out of one of the eligible running backs so that we have a running game that the opponent has to actually defend.

We needed linebackers and we got some. A couple are going to have to play.

We got some defensive backs with better size and speed. One or two of them will need to contribute, too.

And finally, although we have relatively good depth on the defensive line for this upcoming season, if Caleb OK can give us something from the edge, that would be very welcome.

 

[jgeorge322]

Did you even read what I wrote? Read the last paragraph at least before misconstruing my post.

You buried the lead

 

[MaxwellCuse]

Look at the offers that our recruits had this year and then go and look at Connecticut's class and who offered those guys. We used to be UCONN. Let Randy Edsell deal with the diamonds in the rough, I prefer that our diamonds sparkle. Dino and his coaches did a solid A- job this year. Considering where we are and where we have been that is close to outstanding.

 

[721Comstock]

We need a home run out of one of the eligible running backs so that we have a running game that the opponent has to actually defend.

We needed linebackers and we got some. A couple are going to have to play.

We got some defensive backs with better size and speed. One or two of them will need to contribute, too.

And finally, although we have relatively good depth on the defensive line for this upcoming season, if Caleb OK can give us something from the edge, that would be very welcome.

Agree with most of this.

LB's - we already have quite a few, and while it's possible 1-2 of these new guys make the 2-deep (I'm thinking QB Nightmare, for sure), I'd wager that all 3 starters and at least 1-2 of the backups at LB, are all guys who were already on campus.

We DEFINITELY NEED at least one of the RB's (and this includes Markenzy from last year) to step up.
Hoping that better O-line continuity and experience helps in this regard too.

I'm thinking guys like Trill and Iffy are going to find their way onto the field early, and more and more as the season progresses.

 

[kcsu]

at the end of any of the last 10 recruiting years, have we ever said, that was a bad recruiting year?

No because we are fans. This year is different. With an exception maybe 2 every recruit had other solid offers. Beating out p5 schools is much different than winning a recruiting battle with Akron. Signing the majority of your class with early offer kids vs late fill b listers is significant. Knowing that every signed player will be eligible is the icing on the cake. On paper this is our best class in well over 10 years.

 

[PhatOrange]

Did you even read what I wrote? Read the last paragraph at least before misconstruing my post.

i was addressing your first paragraph.

 

[PhatOrange]

HCDB always has a few things to pick out from his pressers. Yesterday (paraphrasing) he mentioned they know a lot better now what they need to compete in the ACC. He specificaally mentioned they need taller defensive backs, longer rangier wr's and more stout linebackers. They sure seem to be checking all their own boxes; and with kids who have many peer offers.

shafer would go find a 6-2 kid offered by buffalo and umass (scissum) or a 5-9 defensive back (dowels/hudson/ellison/cordy) who might be offered by wake, vandy and central florida but we'd be 3 deep with 5-9 defensive backs. that's not going to get it done.

 

[TexanMark]

And now those players are actually 3 inches taller and actually have offers to play in the SEC

But past years people are fans and they want to find reason for hope. Plenty of red flags in those shafer and GRob classes though. What are the red flags now?

The largest red flags we had were most of the highest rated kids had troubles getting eligibility. Whether it was grades, medical or legal. So many never made it or lasted to see the field. It seems different now.

 

[PhatOrange]

The largest red flags we had were most of the highest rated kids had troubles getting eligibility. Whether it was grades, medical or legal. So many never made it or lasted to see the field. It seems different now.

that's very true. I remember being very excited about Ealey and Sheppard. They were both REALLY good DE's and had great offers. Things like that killed Shafer and I guess out of his control but still. Those are reasons why we have such a bad depth issue now. Unfortunately to correct depth issues takes 4 years.

 

[cusefan88]

I almost think the Scout Team is gonna be crushing it. DeVito, the transfers, Q White, Queeley/Smith. That's the kind of thing that elevates a team. Daily competition. that will push this program back up.

 

[UnknownOrange]

that's very true. I remember being very excited about Ealey and Sheppard. They were both REALLY good DE's and had great offers. Things like that killed Shafer and I guess out of his control but still. Those are reasons why we have such a bad depth issue now. Unfortunately to correct depth issues takes 4 years.

KJ Williams

 

[CusefanATL]

Which year because even the 1st year Marrone had 6 weeks to recruit and the class was filled with 1 - 2 stars, players their H.S. teams didn't even know were on the team, we said he did a pretty good job for having 6 weeks to do anything. We had found some diamonds in the rough (we love that quote every year). In the Shafer years everyone said we had upgraded the talent over Marrone's recruiting. They were all players that would be playing in the SEC if they were 3 inches taller and weighed 50 lbs more (we use that one a lot too, just today actually). I seriously don't recall a year people didn't spin the narrative to convince themselves all our 2 - 3 star recruits are really 4 stars in disguise.

This year is a year we can literally look at the numbers/rankings/ratings from people not wearing heavily tinted orange glasses and truly say, we did pretty good.

It's like the money quote: "player had a successful surgery"

No one, unless they died on the table has yet to have a bad surgery.

 

[Louie and Bouie]

Imo, regarding the OP, coming off of 8-16 over the past two years, you simply don't have the luxury of not playing your best players at this point in an attempt to build depth/readiness for the future. Best players have to play, regardless of class year, when you're trying to get to a much needed bowl game this season. Outside of a few locked in spots, looking at the 2018 roster screams open competition at a lot of positions on both sides of the ball. In my opinion, if a true freshman would be slotted on the two-deep he has to play this year. To me that means you don't have the luxury of redshirting talent that can make a difference this upcoming year. In essence, we aren't even close to that type of program at this time.

 

[qdawgg]

i was addressing your first paragraph.

Fair enough but ending your reply with, "what are the red flags now" implied to me you thought I was still attacking this recruiting class, which I wasn't.

 

[Trueblue25]

Thats crazy the competition at each position now on offense...

Dungey vs TD

With a quality freshman grooming in Amie.

Strickland vs Pierre vs Howard vs Dixon

Moe will get his carries.

Moe vs N Johnson

Lutz will likely redshirt

An absolute logjam with upwards of 5 to 6 players competing for the outside WR slots.

Hackett/Pierce/Horan at TE

O line experienced and big so Froumy/white/horan/carlos can likely RS

This is how programs are rebuilt. Significant competition at each position that allows younger talent to redshirt and develop.

 

[Crusty]

Imo, regarding the OP, coming off of 8-16 over the past two years, you simply don't have the luxury of not playing your best players at this point in an attempt to build depth/readiness for the future. Best players have to play, regardless of class year, when you're trying to get to a much needed bowl game this season. Outside of a few locked in spots, looking at the 2018 roster screams open competition at a lot of positions on both sides of the ball. In my opinion, if a true freshman would be slotted on the two-deep he has to play this year. To me that means you don't have the luxury of redshirting talent that can make a difference this upcoming year. In essence, we aren't even close to that type of program at this time.

We are too early in the rebuilding process to do anything but put the best players on the field.

 

[SoBristol]

HCDB always has a few things to pick out from his pressers. Yesterday (paraphrasing) he mentioned they know a lot better now what they need to compete in the ACC. He specificaally mentioned they need taller defensive backs, longer rangier wr's and more stout linebackers. They sure seem to be checking all their own boxes; and with kids who have many peer offers.

shafer would go find a 6-2 kid offered by buffalo and umass (scissum) or a 5-9 defensive back (dowels/hudson/ellison/cordy) who might be offered by wake, vandy and central florida but we'd be 3 deep with 5-9 defensive backs. that's not going to get it done.

Sure, but Shafer and every other HC know they want and need bigger & faster players at every position. Babers knew that when BGSU was playing Maryland. Shafer made offers and tried to connect with kids in our regions with ideal metrics. The ones he wanted had other offers and did not give us a whiff . So, ultimately he settled with the ones he could persuade to take our offers. The difference is that Babers is getting the attention of a share of those kids with better metrics.