2 year rolling recruiting classes

[LongviewLobo01]

If any of you have been on other sites I've been a part of I love to look at 2 years of classes together. It gives a good idea of what the team is going to look like in the future because after redshirts classes begin blending together. You can also foresee positions that could be a problem in the future due to a lack of activity or kids not making it.

 

Quarterback

Jerrod Heard (2014); Zack Gentry (2015)  Thoughts: With the redshirt of Heard it's apparent that the staff is not going to rush a QB into playing just because. I did not list Merrick because I am counting him for the 2016 class since he is a greyshirt, but he could add in here. Still think we need 1 more because I personally like to carry 4 QBs at all times, but this position is going to improve moving forward. It has to.

 

Running Back

Donald Catalon (2014); D'Onta Foreman (2014); Tristian Houston (2015); Kirk Johnson (2015)  Thoughts: It is pretty apparent what the staff thinks about the RBs on campus. Even with the decommit of Stevenson they are still pursuing Warren and Jamabo despite two commits already in hand. A strong running game is crucial to this offense and this staff is going to get them a hoss RB come hell or highwater. Curious to see what happens with Catalon moving forward.

 

Wide Receiver

Roderick Bernard (2014); Armanti Foreman (2014); Garrett Gray (2014); Lorenzo Joe (2014); Dorian Leonard (2014); John Burt (2015)  Thoughts: After a large class last season, the staff is targeting only a few elite prospects this year. Burt is a very soft commit right now and could switch to Auburn, but the staff is still going after other options. Foreman will be a major part of the offense next year and Leonard and Joe could also see significant action. There will probably be some intense competition at this position and could see some kids switch positions or move on in the future.

 

Tight End

Andrew Beck (2014); Blake Whiteley (2014 JUCO)  Thoughts: This position has been a black hole for years and although it appeared at times this season as though it could be coming out of the darkness, there's still not a player on the board who you can look to and see as being THE guy. Definitely need to close this class out with a guy like Clark or Carrington. No question about it.

 

Offensive Line

Alex Anderson (2014); Terrell Cuney (2014); Jake McMillon (2014); Elijah Rodriguez (2014); Brandon Hodges (2015 JUCO); Ronnie Major (2015); Tristan Nickelson (2015 JUCO); Garrett Thomas (2015); Patrick Vahe (2015); Toby Weathersby (2015); Connor Williams (2015)  Thoughts: In Wickline I trust. All three kids redshirted this season from the 2014 class and Wick was able to go out and get a pair of JUCO OTs that could compete for starting jobs immediately. If you did not think that Strong was going to build his offense in the trenches this is all the evidence needed. The star power might not be off the charts, but Wick has made his name taking kids not as highly recruited and turning them into NFL prospects. This position is going to be a major strength (no pun intended) in the coming years. No doubt about it.

 

Defensive End

Derek Roberson (2014); Louis Brown (2015); Charles Omenihu (2015); Quincy Vasser (2015 JUCO)  Thoughts: There is some big time untapped potential in some of these guys and it will be up to Strong, Bedford and Rumph to develop that. Vasser was a major coup for this staff because he's going to be able to enter the starting discussion immediately as Reed's replacement. Will be interested to see how they tackle this position moving forward.

 

Defensive Tackle

Poona Ford (2014); Chris Nelson (2014); Du'Vonta Lampkin (2015)  Thoughts: Ford and Nelson were crucial last season and Lampkin is just as crucial this season. There's a certain DT recruit from East Texas that would be a major addition, but I am not holding my breath. As much emphasis as there is being put on the OL, I think there needs to be just as much emphasis on the DL. Maybe the staff likes the guys in front of these, but I figured they would take more than just 3 over these two classes. One thing I will not do though is question this staff on the defensive side of the ball. Not going to happen.

 

Linebacker

Edwin Freeman (2014); Cameron Hampton (2014); Breckyn Hager (2015); Cameron Townsend (2015)  Thoughts: I am very tempted to put Cecil Cherry on this list, but refrained from doing so. There could be a major change in the names on this list in the very near future. With the open depth chart heading into this year it could mean immediate playing time for anyone who signs this year and especially for anyone who enrolls early.

 

Defensive Back

John Bonney (2014); Jason Hall (2014); Jermaine Roberts (2014); DeShon Elliott (2015); Jamile Johnson (2015)  Thoughts: The early returns from the freshmen are solid just thinking about what Hall was able to do this year. Solid players committed, but needs more star power and that could be on the way. Very good prospects still on the board and you have to think 2-3 more could be in the cards here.

[Lukus Alderman]

Good stuff, Lobo. The classes aren't amazing, but they could be after next year. In fact, you could argue that Strong's first class is more of half-a-class due to the fact that he really only had a month to sign his guys. I'll be more interested to see the 2015 and 2016 classes next to each other. Those could be beauties.

[Sirhornsalot]

Excellent post and great to see you here again. We've missed you.

 

Don't forget Raulerson at OL. The kid has everything he needs except the necessary weight. He'll have that by next fall.

 

I simply cannot wait to see Catalon carrying the rock for us. He's going to surprise a lot of you.

 

I am concerned about our LB corps. We're young there.

 

I'm betting Louis Brown gets some time at TE if we don't do better with our TE personnel.

 

 

 

[LongviewLobo01]

LB is a major concern. We lose pretty much all of our guys who played this season. Jinkens is the only guy returning who saw much time. Santos is back, but it doesn't look like the staff is too enamored by him. That's why guys like Kirkland and Cherry and Malik committing and enrolling early would be so crucial.

[Sirhornsalot]

LB is a major concern. We lose pretty much all of our guys who played this season. Jinkens is the only guy returning who saw much time. Santos is back, but it doesn't look like the staff is too enamored by him. That's why guys like Kirkland and Cherry and Malik committing and enrolling early would be so crucial.

 

 

Jinkens is solid and is already an emotional leader out there.

 

Santos is both injury-prone and inconsistent.

 

I do like what I've seen from Nashon Hughes. Kid can play. He's built for what he's asked to do at LB in the Big 12.

 

Everything after him is a relative unknown though. And yes, that's scary. I can't see Jinkens playing the middle so either Kirkland or Cherry will see some time at MLB NEXT YEAR. There simply isn't anyone else.

[Tejas fan]

Any idea if the staff sees Santos as a spin down candidate?

[HornEsch]

LB is a major concern. We lose pretty much all of our guys who played this season. Jinkens is the only guy returning who saw much time. Santos is back, but it doesn't look like the staff is too enamored by him. That's why guys like Kirkland and Cherry and Malik committing and enrolling early would be so crucial.

 

I would say that with Strong and co. focus on the defensive side of the ball, I am not as worried about the position as I would have been in the past. However we most certainly need an influx of talent at the position. I think we will get Kirkland and Cherry. I think we have a much better chance today with Malik than we did before Sumlin showed up to the house with empty promises at the DC postion. Word is that did not sit well with Malik. Will it change his lean? That is anyones guess.

 

 

[echeese]

Wait till the 2nd week in Feb to do this. . . when we know who we actually have.

 

 

But I enjoy this "perspective" and as you know, have written up a rolling 2 year review for years. . .. .I will pass the mantle to you.

 

 

 

[MikeV73]

Thoughts on the LB Cole? Was a decently rated guy coming in.

[Sirhornsalot]

Cole apparently didn't fair so well in fall practices. Maybe the staff has got him on track. We'll need him on the outside.

 

 

[Etex Horn]

LB? Getting Cherry, Kirkland, Townsend and Hager would be (will be?) FANTASTIC!  Adding Malik to that group would be...

off the charts SPECTACULAR, insofar as recruiting.  

TE?  We need another in the quality and ability of David Thomas, Jermichael Finley and Blaine Irby. When the RBs and

WRs have been stymied in a game, having a terrific TE as an option to keep offensive drives moving is paramount to

offensive success.  Similar to what Jay Novacek provided for the Cowboys in the early 1990s. Always there as a sure-

fire option when there aren't other options to keep a drive going. 

[Sejjr]

We absolutely MUST get one of the TE recruits this year.