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Safety Recruiting and Roster additions

aeroxx

New Member
Given our new strength at Cornerback, which now includes Wright, Crawley, Henderson, and Bell (and perhaps Harrington if he doesn't move to Safety), I am wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the priority at the Safety vs LB positions?

We have very few scholly's available and have multiple needs at both safety and Linebacker. (even excluding our need at TE, WR, and OL) My sense is that the greatest need right now is at Linebacker and improving speed and playmaking ability. I think the greatest priority should be to secure Rippy, Jacobs, and even a third top signee.

The coaches seem to be more sanguine at our roster at LB, than I am. While LB seems like the greatest need to me, I am not sold that we have what we need at Safety. Washington, Clarke, Smith, and Polk haven't been great. (I don't think Clarke has taken the field yet, and I still have hope that Washington will develop). Harlos is fast, but also unproven (and reading between the lines, still raw)

I'm questioning whether Hall, Mosley are going to be sufficient. (both might end up as great players, but they both seem like long-term bets) If not, then perhaps the current scholarships would be better allocated on more certain prospects.

We can always use more speed and playmakers on special teams, which has been pretty poor in recent years, but still I'm not sure about the recruiting strategy.

Putting all this together, my conclusion (I know, finally right?) is that we would be better off to sign from the pool of Solomon, Ryan Lewis, Moeakiola (and Coprich perhaps) than Hall and Mosley--not that I'm a fan of pulling offers. Nevertheless, the other benefit of signing Wright and Crawley before Feb, is that we have a chance to lure other top prospects during this next week who aren't listed above.

Do you think that the coaches are being appropriately strategic with the selection of Hall, when so many other great players are still on our boards?
 
I don't deny that safety concerns me... But, with how the staff handled the Manaea recruitment, they appear confident in our current staff.
 
My question is whether we have enough scholarships left to meet both our LB and Safety needs. I'm not "sanguine" that we do. We have signed no quality LB's yet, and the recruits we have at safety don't look like sure bets (and are not particularly fast for a pac-12 offenses). I don't understand the coaches thinking. Does anyone think the coaches are going to regret the lack of scholly's available during this last week with all of our current momentum?
 
We talked about this in chat.

We're moving to smaller, faster LBs and Safeties who are more like big cornerbacks.

Tu'umalo, Clark and Harlos will likely be LBs. Jacobs is being recruited as a LB.

It's the Pac-12. We've got to be able to defend sideline to sideline and we need to be able to cover.
 
That makes lots of sense. Sorry to have missed the chat. Given this approach, I think we still need speed upgrades at safety. Hall and Mosley don't have great speed...
 
I really hope LB appeals to Jacobs because I think we are the only school in his top 3 or 4 that aren't recruiting him as a safety. Love the speed he would bring at LB.
 
Bold statement:

Next years starting free safety - Harrington

Strong Safety - Polk

Corners:
1. Henderson
2. Wright

N1 - T. Smith
N2 - Crawley

I have a feeling that Orms, Vigo and Washington will be out shined in camp by the talented freshman. I just have a hunch that Sherrard will force his way onto the field at FS. I just like the kid a lot. Polk has the size to play SS, but just isn't smart enough to play center field. We can't have the 5'7 Smith out there covering 6'6 TE's. I like him, but he may be forced out of the #1 Nickel spot too.
 
I think your prediction will likely be proven true. Harrington just wants it. Gotta love that about him. Polk and Smith are going to lose their starting jobs i expect. Bell has good size, I wonder how he fits into the mix?
 
I love Orms as a safety. I think he will be a nice surprise for a lot of people.
 
Our secondary played alot better when Orms was out there. That said, I agree that he's a safety or nickel guy. He isnt afraid to hit either, ask that poor bastard from Utah lol.
 
I like Orms as a fiesty guy who can make some plays. But I think his height deficiency prevents him or T Smith from being a good safety. Orms is listed as 5'11 but I'd bet 5'9 is more accurate. And safeties are quite often asked to cover 6'4 to 6'6 TE's. They'll go with him if he's the best guy for the job but he seems to be more suited for Nickel, which is good in the PAC12. And I think he could be a great if he earns the job, stays healthy and stays off the pot!
 
Kyle Washington gets no respect.

I know I am on an island with this statement, but oh well: he has the highest upside of any DB in the 2011 class.
 
Boulder Buff said:
Kyle Washington gets no respect.

I know I am on an island with this statement, but oh well: he has the highest upside of any DB in the 2011 class.
Click to expand...
Funny, I was just thinking the same thing (as to the first sentence). Otherwise, Brave statement.

He is a good athlete. I question his instincts. He took some TERRIBLE angles to the ball when he got thrown into the fray last year, and even at the end of the year, our coaches trusted a 1 legged Perkins over him against utah (iirc). That said, he did improve and brownie is like, the best DB coach/recruiter EVAR.
 
Boulder Buff said:
Kyle Washington gets no respect.

I know I am on an island with this statement, but oh well: he has the highest upside of any DB in the 2011 class.
Click to expand...

I do like his upside as well. But he certainly looked pretty green out there last year. The game moved too fast for him and he could maybe use another year of special teams and back up to develop and get up to speed. I think that if my prediction comes true for safeties next year, he could replace Polk at SS in 2013.
 
Orms could be a FS in the future, but for now, leave him at nickle. That puts him closer to the LOS and would match him up with slot receivers. That's a better fit for him, at least for now.
 
I have no problem with him playing safety or nickel, just as long as Orms is on the field. The secondary almost looked like a secondary when he was out there last year.
 
Orms is the kind of guy other teams have to account for. Not because of his speed, but because he's a mean sonuva bitch. He'll make it very uncomfortable for people to go over the middle. That helps the CB's cover the outside guys. I like having Orms in the game.
 
Crawley will be starting at corner or nickel from day one. Wright's upside is a tick higher based on raw physical ability, but Crawley has the skills and position knowledge to come in and start from day 1.

Polk, Orms/Harrington, Crawley and Henderson with Wright at nickel or RS'ing. Maybe move Orms to nickel and bring in Harrington at safety in nickel situations depending on who wins out.
 
Orms does play hard, but his lack of height and speed (4.5 seems pretty generous) is a problem, imo. I think the long term solution at safety is to find a guy who is 6'2 and can run a 4.4. (USC is loaded in this department) That will slow down the 6'6 and 6'7 TE matchups we so often lost last year, in addition to other duties. Again, this is why I question the wisdom of taking Hall and Mosley.

Harrington isn't that tall, but he is that fast and likes to hit. He needs to get bigger though. But he looks like a better prospect than either Hall or Mosley. I don't know much about Bell, but maybe he has a better upside than the aforementioned...?

Washington looks very green and rather scattered... He seems to lack instincts & speed, a pretty problematic combo. I hope he can improve, otherwise the problems at safety just get worse.
 
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