It is hard not to be impressed by this class so far

[RF2044]

Looking at our class so far, Marrone and staff have really established a nice foundation with the early recruiting efforts for the class of 2013. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if all 8 of the current commits eventually garner 3-star ratings from the various recruiting services for whatever that's worth [and many of them are rated that highly on different sites right now, anyway].

--We've got a highly rated TE.

--Two QBs who both started as under-the-radar types, but both of whom seems poised to break out at a national level.

--A stud in-state RB who has perhaps the best offer list of anyone Marrone has landed in four years.

--Two DT-types with freakish athleticism for their size.

--And two LBs who are also extremely athletic and fast.

I know that the recruiting hand-wringing skeptical crowd will look at the class and not be impressed by the likes of Carter, Wilson, Johnson, and Hodge, but IMO every one of those kids is a very good athlete and good system fit.

Very, very nice start to the class of 2013. Next up: OL and defensive secondary.

 

[SoBristol]

Agree with the post, like all our new guys, but a dose of reality.

It has been a long month between commits. Are we ahead of where we were last year at this time? Yes at QB and RB, possibly at LB; with a slower pace and some gaps in key units (WR, DB, OL).

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

Agree with the post, like all our new guys, but a dose of reality.

It has been a long month between commits. Are we ahead of where we were last year at this time? Yes at QB and RB, possibly at LB; with a slower pace and some gaps in key units (WR, DB, OL).

From what can be gleaned by looking at the roster, there's only a spot or two available in the secondary and at wide out.

On the other hand, there are serious needs at OL that need to be filled quickly.

 

[ImperialOrange]

there are plenty of folks on here that will gladly accept your challenge and be unimpressed regardless who commits.

I however, agree wholeheartedly with your post.

 

[billsin01]

there are plenty of folks on here that will gladly accept your challenge and be unimpressed regardless who commits.

I however, agree wholeheartedly with your post.

Well, I'm among those who feel like it's really hard to know anything about recruits prior to actually seeing them on campus. I'm also quick to point out that it's a long 6 months until Feb rolls around. But I"m impressed. I think it's cool that these kids seem to have some good offers and some decent respect from the services. I still feel as though you have to wait and see a bit, but it's hard not to get excited when you sign up a kid that has a Miami (fl) offer, etc. It's cool.

 

[PhatOrange]

It has been a long month between commits. Are we ahead of where we were last year at this time? Yes at QB and RB, possibly at LB; with a slower pace and some gaps in key units (WR, DB, OL).

What in the heck does that matter? Ahead of or behind last years pace is completely irrelevant to recruiting success and the quality of the class.

We're going to have fewer commits at this stage because we're being more selective as it's going to be a smaller than usual class. Compound that with key targets (such as Edwards and Ogundeko) having us in their final choices so we have to wait it out and see what they do. That could be July or January.

It's a marathon not a sprint as signing day is in February.

 

[RF2044]

From what can be gleaned by looking at the roster, there's only a spot or two available in the secondary and at wide out.

On the other hand, there are serious needs at OL that need to be filled quickly.

Here's my best guess for how the rest of the class will shape up [and my expectation is that despite only having ~17 scholarships "available" for next year currently, history suggests that we'll see normal, natural attrition that frees up 3-6 more]:

3-4 OL
2-3 DB
1-2 DE
1-2 WR [and a guy like Laray Smith might figure here as well, in a Percy Harvin dual role]
1 LB

If we take those maximum numbers, that brings us to 20 [with our current commits]--that seems to be about the right class size I'd expect. Any additional openings above and beyond that [if any] will be filled by the TBD best available recruits remaining on the coaching staff's priority board.

 

[RF2044]

Well, I'm among those who feel like it's really hard to know anything about recruits prior to actually seeing them on campus. I'm also quick to point out that it's a long 6 months until Feb rolls around. But I"m impressed. I think it's cool that these kids seem to have some good offers and some decent respect from the services. I still feel as though you have to wait and see a bit, but it's hard not to get excited when you sign up a kid that has a Miami (fl) offer, etc. It's cool.

good post--agree across the board.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Well, I'm among those who feel like it's really hard to know anything about recruits prior to actually seeing them on campus. I'm also quick to point out that it's a long 6 months until Feb rolls around. But I"m impressed. I think it's cool that these kids seem to have some good offers and some decent respect from the services. I still feel as though you have to wait and see a bit, but it's hard not to get excited when you sign up a kid that has a Miami (fl) offer, etc. It's cool.

Nothing to disagree with in your post. I'm big on trends based on past results and it seems we're trending up. The staff has shown they are very good at evaluating players and every year it seems were getting guys with a few more offers on average, that run .1 faster, and/or have better immediate measurables (height & weight), etc.

As it stands for this year so far we have 8 commits that, for the most part, will have the physical tools to play immediately even if our depth at certain positions gives us the luxury to redshirt them.

 

[SoBristol]

What in the heck does that matter? Ahead of or behind last years pace is completely irrelevant to recruiting success and the quality of the class.

We're going to have fewer commits at this stage because we're being more selective as it's going to be a smaller than usual class. Compound that with key targets (such as Edwards and Ogundeko) having us in their final choices so we have to wait it out and see what they do. That could be July or January.

It's a marathon not a sprint as signing day is in February.

I agree it is a marathon -- we landed commits from about 1/3 of the class last year after the HS season.
But applying some realistic tests to how we are doing, I would consider:
1. quality versus last year
2. quantity & pace (most of the better programs like Penn St have a host of early commits; we made tons of early offers so it isn't as if we have decided to hold back). Last year it was seen as a positive that we had most bases covered before August and then could be selective in that late Fall push to close with some real good prospects, or go JUCO to fill gaps.
3. how are we doing compared to our rivals.

Likely the class won't end up being smaller than our group of HS recruits last year. We had carry overs (Broyld and Davis), and filled the class with two JUCOs..

 

[syr02esq]

It looks like Marrone is making inroads with all the NY high schools, including NYC, which figures to translate onto the football field (hopefully).

 

[Bornorange]

It looks like Marrone is making inroads with all the NY high schools, including NYC, which figures to translate onto the football field (hopefully).

If Penn State stumbles on the recruiting landscape these inroads may become highways.

 

[syr02esq]

If Penn State stumbles on the recruiting landscape these inroads may become highways.

I agree. I would also like for Rutgers to hop back on the turnip truck they fell off of.

 

[bnoro]

Here's my best guess for how the rest of the class will shape up [and my expectation is that despite only having ~17 scholarships "available" for next year currently, history suggests that we'll see normal, natural attrition that frees up 3-6 more]:

3-4 OL
2-3 DB
1-2 DE
1-2 WR [and a guy like Laray Smith might figure here as well, in a Percy Harvin dual role]
1 LB

If we take those maximum numbers, that brings us to 20 [with our current commits]--that seems to be about the right class size I'd expect. Any additional openings above and beyond that [if any] will be filled by the TBD best available recruits remaining on the coaching staff's priority board.

We're only taking one DB in this class.

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

We're only taking one DB in this class.

Correct. A replacement for the lone senior, #Shamarko.

 

[RF2044]

We're only taking one DB in this class.

We'll see.

Doing so would create a fairly significant roster imbalance in the secondary.

 

[JoeSU]

Well, I'm among those who feel like it's really hard to know anything about recruits prior to actually seeing them on campus. I'm also quick to point out that it's a long 6 months until Feb rolls around. But I"m impressed. I think it's cool that these kids seem to have some good offers and some decent respect from the services. I still feel as though you have to wait and see a bit, but it's hard not to get excited when you sign up a kid that has a Miami (fl) offer, etc. It's cool.

I agree with you Bill. As you mention, the first evaluation is to see who signs on LOI day, and the next step is to see who actually makes it to campus. In the past, many (most?) of our most highly rated recruits never set a foot on The Hill.
I really like seeing offers from BCS schools instead of just MAC or directional Michigan schools.

 

[billsin01]

I agree it is a marathon -- we landed commits from about 1/3 of the class last year after the HS season.
But applying some realistic tests to how we are doing, I would consider:
1. quality versus last year
2. quantity & pace (most of the better programs like Penn St have a host of early commits; we made tons of early offers so it isn't as if we have decided to hold back). Last year it was seen as a positive that we had most bases covered before August and then could be selective in that late Fall push to close with some real good prospects, or go JUCO to fill gaps.
3. how are we doing compared to our rivals.

Likely the class won't end up being smaller than our group of HS recruits last year. We had carry overs (Broyld and Davis), and filled the class with two JUCOs..

I don't entirely disagree but two points I'd make to the contrary are these:

1) PSU and schools of that ilk, should they decide they want to fill up early (which is the trend even though PSU was hammered for doing this not too long ago -- 10 years? I don't know, I'm old. whenever they were struggling.) have an easier time of doing this because kids are often waiting on their offers. Not nearly as many kids are specifically waiting on an SU offer. So if we're in for kids that have better offers (hopefully translating to more talented kids), we're likely to see more signed a bit later in the process.

2) I think the only landmark that matters too much is the last day of August. I feel like anyone you line up before the Fall is likely either A list or at least someone the staff thinks pretty highly of. I feel like after that you either get the big(ger) name you're chasing or you end up with some sort of a "consolation prize" (note: I'm not insinuating these kids can't play, merely that their offer was either held back or condiditonal. In some cases they end up being the better player: See Warrick, Hakim.).

 

[tep624]

I agree with you Bill. As you mention, the first evaluation is to see who signs on LOI day, and the next step is to see who actually makes it to campus. In the past, many (most?) of our most highly rated recruits never set a foot on The Hill.
I really like seeing offers from BCS schools instead of just MAC or directional Michigan schools.

This is one of the reasons why the Rutgers fans who say we don't sign recruits they even recruited, especially in NJ, have been pretty accurate over the past 5 years or so. The one guy that sticks out to me was Andrey Baskin, the only Top XXX recruit from any of the recruiting sites we've had the past 5 or 6 years - he was ESPN Top 150 in 2006. The last big time recruit we've had out of NJ and the only of GROB's reign of terror and he never set foot on campus. Outside of him, pretty much every other NJ recruit that GROB or Marrone has landed has not been offered by Rutgers, even guys like Mele or Grant Mayes who were washouts at SU had other BCS offers out of Jersey but not from Rutgers.

I honestly think, looking at how Marrone's strategy is playing out, that the staff made an honest assessment that Jersey was a lost cause currently (with the exception of recruits that have an established relationship to the school - i.e. Krautman) because of Rutgers rise (as much as I hate to admit it - they basically stepped in and started landing the recruits SU had been landing, which they parlayed into landing even higher rated Jersey recruits) and decided to focus on areas in which they had roots and relationships, i.e. NYC with Anselmo and Marrone and GA/FL/Tenn for Adkins, Mich/Ind/OH for Wheatley, etc. Marrone didn't have a Jersey guy when he took over and likewise the basic dormancy we've had in recruiting there with GROB's lack of success and the lack of success recruiting NJ in P's waning years, SU really hadn't been relevant from a recruiting perspective in the state for 5-6 years prior to Marrone taking over. At least there were some city kids like Hogue on the roster that were successful that Marrone inherited that he could leverage to help recruit along with his and Anselmo's background.

You can see a clear progression in the quality of recruits we've been landing out of NYC, GA, and Michigan over the past 2-3 years. My hope is that we can become strong enough in those states, coupled with a decline in Rutgers, to get a foothold back in Jersey. It's going to take time and the same amount of slow progression that we've seen in NYC and GA though, 2-3 recruiting cycles to really get established and I'm not sure if the staff is willing to pass up taking, all things equal, higher value recruits out of FL, GA, MI, OH, NYC, etc for a lesser value recruit out of NJ in order to start establishing those relationships and roster presence that we now have for GA, FL, NYC, MI, etc.

 

[JoeSU]

Yea, Baskin gets the Idris Price award. Others who come to mind are Romale Tucker, and Deadre Preaster. Pierce had his career tragically cut short by medical reasons before ever taking a single snap.

 

[Aweart23]

We'll see.

Doing so would create a fairly significant roster imbalance in the secondary.

Have heard same, one DB this class...whether that works out, I don't know

Also heard Laray Smith is being recruited as a RB, not WR as there has been some speculation...doesn't mean he wouldn't be moved but just being recruited as RB

 

[tep624]

Yea, Baskin gets the Idris Price award. Others who come to mind are Romale Tucker, and Deadre Preaster. Pierce had his career tragically cut short by medical reasons before ever taking a single snap.

Worst thing about Baskin is that he washed out of 2 recruiting classes, he had a shot out of high school and then prepped at Milford for a year and still couldn't qualify. Wonder whatever happened to him anyway.

 

[PhatOrange]

This is one of the reasons why the Rutgers fans who say we don't sign recruits they even recruited, especially in NJ, has been pretty accurate over the past 5 years or so. The one guy that sticks out to me was Andrey Baskin, the only Top XXX recruit from any of the recruiting sites we've had the past 5 or 6 years - he was ESPN Top 150 in 2006. The last big time recruit we've had out of NJ and the only of GROB's reign of terror and he never set foot on campus. Outside of him, pretty much every other NJ recruit that GROB or Marrone has landed has not been offered by Rutgers, even guys like Mele or Grant Mayes who were washouts at SU had other BCS offers out of Jersey but not from Rutgers.

I honestly think, looking at how Marrone's strategy is playing out, that the staff made an honest assessment that Jersey was a lost cause currently (with the exception of recruits that have an established relationship to the school - i.e. Krautman) because of Rutgers rise (as much as I hate to admit it - they basically stepped in and started landing the recruits SU had been landing, which they parlayed into landing even higher rated Jersey recruits) and decided to focus on areas in which they had roots and relationships, i.e. NYC with Anselmo and Marrone and GA/FL/Tenn for Adkins, Mich/Ind/OH for Wheatley, etc. Marrone didn't have a Jersey guy when he took over and likewise the basic dormancy we've had in recruiting there with GROB's lack of success and the lack of success recruiting NJ in P's waning years, SU really hadn't been relevant from a recruiting perspective in the state for 5-6 years prior to Marrone taking over. At least there were some city kids like Hogue on the roster that were successful that Marrone inherited that he could leverage to help recruit along with his and Anselmo's background.

You can see a clear progression in the quality of recruits we've been landing out of NYC, GA, and Michigan over the past 2-3 years. My hope is that we can become strong enough in those states, coupled with a decline in Rutgers, to get a foothold back in Jersey. It's going to take time and the same amount of slow progression that we've seen in NYC and GA though, 2-3 recruiting cycles to really get established and I'm not sure if the staff is willing to pass up taking, all things equal, higher value recruits out of FL, GA, MI, OH, NYC, etc for a lesser value recruit out of NJ in order to start establishing those relationships and roster presence that we now have for GA, FL, NYC, MI, etc.

Good post Tep. Agree 100%

I think it's interesting to note that of the 6 New Jersey scholarship players on the roster 5 of them (Krautman, Spruill, Davis, Chibane, Stevens) are/or will be starters this season; 3 of those 5 (Krautman, Spruill, Davis) are All Big East caliber and the 6th (Mungwa) has been getting rave reviews. Our staff has done well in NJ so far with the few players they've signed.

 

[TexanMark]

Yea, Baskin gets the Idris Price award. Others who come to mind are Romale Tucker, and Deadre Preaster. Pierce had his career tragically cut short by medical reasons before ever taking a single snap.

Idris Price can't hold a candle to the King of No-Shows, "Jonathan Murphy"

Jonathan Murphy:
"He makes chopsticks somewhere in Georgia and sells them to the Chinese."
"His Family Crest is a Barracuda devouring a Football Coach"
"Reporting to Summer Camp in '93, he jogged halfway to Syracuse on his back and turned around and jogged back home on his stomach escorting the women he met along the way."
"Doug Marrone has saved a scholarship every year for Jonathon Murphy."

 

[Toga]

Idris Price can't hold a candle to the King of No-Shows, "Jonathan Murphy"

Jonathan Murphy:
"He makes chopsticks somewhere in Georgia and sells them to the Chinese."
"His Family Crest is a Barracuda devouring a Football Coach"
"Reporting to Summer Camp in '93, he jogged halfway to Syracuse on his back and turned around and jogged back home on his stomach escorting the women he met along the way."
"Doug Marrone has saved a scholarship every year for Jonathon Murphy."

Was he the all-PA lineman who got homesick before he left home?