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WRs abundant, BIGGEST NEEDS (rank) for 2017 class...

DiggerBuffs

Well-Known Member
1. Offensive Line (3)-High 3*-4* Tackle and Guard and another. Other than Lynott, I am not sold for the future yet. Vaughn is not considered in the 3 to me.
2. Quarterback (1)-Legit P5 guy, not another Montez, Liufau or Noyer where they are under radar
3. ILB (2)-Depending on Gillam is still an unknown if he will be her after this year! Gamboa is a tad bit slow and Lewis is a hopeful along with Shaver on what they will do.
4. Cornerback (3)-Lose an NFL guy and probably a regular reps guy in Witherspoon.
5. Nose Tackle (1-2)-Lucky we got great production and snap count from Solis
6. OLB (2)-Need a pure pass rusher. Hoping one of this long list of guys that are sitting there is a difference maker there this year
7. DT/DE (2)-Always need more here and it is thin.
8. TE (1-2)-Have 3 guys in 2017 but with Sparaco but he won't be ready and who knows on Bounds and Keeney.
9. RB (1)-Solid group already but if you can land another talented guy, you take it
10. Safety (2)-Honestly a solid group but losing Thompson means a big time player will be gone.
11. WR-You have two studs on board and will 12-13 guys on scholarship already. Can't turn down guys along current commits talent level either though.

Leaves a number of scholarships but these are minimum numbers and they can't keep being reaches. It's funny how in the first two years of MacIntyre's recruiting how few would be considered this year or last year once Chev came on board.
 
Where we really need to see upgrades is OL, QB and LB.

I like what I've been seeing elsewhere. Starting to build quality depth on this roster.
 
I think this staff has always known it lacks Pac 12 speed at skill positions. I think it got there last year and is just improving. But they also need Pac 12 strength on the frontlines and to quit trying to build guys up. They are finally doing it. This recruiting cycle is big.
 
The OP listed half of the positions.... I think he needs to review what 'biggest' means.
Buffnik nailed it for this team right now. D-Line would come fourth.
 
Am less worried about OL than most. It requires more development than most, and maturing with good coaching. Early returns showing Bernardi's under radar guys look every bit like Pac12 guys.

My concerns have always been more rooted in CB, WR, and pass rushers. You can't coach explosiveness/speed/athleticism.

We seem to have done OK with CB, HCMM seems to have a very good eye there.

Our WRs do not look like P12 now, and will rely heavily on incoming talent this fall. But largely addressed for this class if commits stick. But one more needed as I see Julmisse playing D ultimately.

Pass rushing freaks needed for impact. This has not been addressed yet in recent memory.

Transfer QB needed so Montez is not most mature QB in program and allow those that follow a couple years to mature. Could be bridge to younger QB or end up as quality backup.

Big DL guys needed as we went light in 2016.

Safety and LB thin and needing upgrade.
 
The OP listed half of the positions.... I think he needs to review what 'biggest' means.
Buffnik nailed it for this team right now. D-Line would come fourth.
I was listing from top to bottom on needs and the minimum numbers we need. So I in fact nailed it as well. Those are almost all positions minus special teams. Big class. Can hit every position and not get too heavy in one group. For example WR. Especially with no attrition there after 2016.
 
Does anyone know if the FB position is going to be part of the offense into the future? We've had those power sets in the offense the past few years, but I think it's going away now.

Frazier is a junior, so it would be time to recruit the position and develop a backup. And I'm not seeing it on the recruiting trail.

It looks to me like they want to use a TE as an extra blocker. He could be an extra lineman next to the OT, could be in the same spot and backed off the los so he can easily pull, he could be split a bit, or he could be in the backfield. I don't think we'll see a handoff to a guy who plays this position more than once or twice a season (shovel pass more likely off the pull action).

With that, I also keep hearing about incorporating TTU's 2-back sets. That isn't an I-formation. It will be a Shotgun Twin. Either RB might get the ball on a handoff. Being able to block in space is key. Often one of them will be a big RB who does some traditional FB stuff but out of a shotgun spread where you need the speed and agility to do that stuff in the open field while not slowing down the other RB. These are quick hitting runs that somewhat rely on the WRs holding a block, so slower development is a play killer. Bisharat was recruited specifically for that big RB role, so I'd expect him to play a lot as a true frosh. I think we'll see Lindsay do some of that too, because that kid will get the job done on a lead block out in space. Here's a good example of a staple run play from the shotgun twin:
giphy.gif


We saw that one in the CU spring game with a lot of success. Going to be a base play this year and into the future with this offense.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is that I believe FB is gone as a position CU recruits. The same things a FB did in the past will be done by move-TEs and big RBs. So I'd expect to see more recruiting of guys we think can do that stuff. We'll also see a premium on OLs who can move -- either to pull or get to the second level or get downfield after a screen pass. And we'll see a lot more emphasis on WRs being able to block (something that Chev relates well to and will be able to teach/instill). With that, we'll see some emphasis on bigger WRs -- this isn't the old school "air raid" stuff with a bunch of smurfs on the outside.
 
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Good stuff nik. I want the power running game too. I think this is why Shenault is so interesting, he has the chance to come in and play right away because of where we can use him. The guy can line up in the backfield and be a matchup nightmare, he can block, he can take a handoff. Not sure that we'd ever call him a FB, but I think he will do some great things that still help incorporate a power running game.
 
Good stuff nik. I want the power running game too. I think this is why Shenault is so interesting, he has the chance to come in and play right away because of where we can use him. The guy can line up in the backfield and be a matchup nightmare, he can block, he can take a handoff. Not sure that we'd ever call him a FB, but I think he will do some great things that still help incorporate a power running game.

Exactly. It's also why Julmisse fits so well in this offense. Having a 6'0" RB/WR with the frame to get to around 205 lbs...
16489161337_99ce65a761.jpg

A guy like this gives you the flexibility of being in that big back spot or being able to line up or motion out to slot WR. Plus what he showed on defense in HS shows a guy who likes to hit. When you're running an offense with no huddle and a fast pace, having flexibility with the backs to move between power and 5-wide sets with the same personnel is a nightmare for defensive coordinators because they don't get a chance to substitute. They see a Julmisse check in at the same time as Donovan Lee, that DC has no idea whether to go with base, run or spread personnel. But the CU offense has plenty of time to audible to a new set & play at the los if they don't like the matchup from the original call.
 
Makes sense, especially because Frazier has been called a "H-Back". Basically a TE that they can line up anywhere around the line of scrimmage. Makes him extremely versatile and unpredictable. It is why something like 5 of his 9 touches last year resulted in touchdowns.

A shotgun twin with Bisharat and Lindsay/Carr/Adkins is extremely intriguing. Have a set where Awini is in at the QB position and you now have a very dynamic and potentially dangerous triple option type attack.


To the OP,

QB
OL
Pass Rusher, so in this defense OLB?
DB, going to lose a lot this year with Chido and TT graduating.
 
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