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What are the biggest needs in the 2014 class?

Duff Man

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We have needs everywhere, but some are more pressing than others.

My list:
1. Offensive line
2. Defensive line
3. Linebacker

With 16 openings at the moment (probably closer to 20 when it is all said and done), most of the class really should be dedicated to those three areas.
 
Sounds good. Offensive Tackle specifically. Then DE more than DT but we need both.
 
I think '14 is the first year in awhile where I think we need to mostly be looking for balance rather than plugging holes with Freshmen who will need to play right away.

The D-Line will need the most attention since we are taking this year (essentially) off, in that regard.

Since we only play 2 LB's, it appears in Baer's defense, is that really any more of a need than any other position? Serious question.

Where is 'Nik's pipeline? It should have a sticky. I'd think 20 is about the right number at this point also, but I'm thinking 2-4 of those spots may already be taken with grayshirts this year.
 
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1. BCS-level talent.

^^This^^

We will have position needs, we probably will have needs at nearly every position group. That said the most important thing for this team is an overall upgrade of our talent. If we can get substantially better, even if it is at a position where we already have numbers, we have to take it. We also have to make sure that all the guys we take have a legitimate chance to be PAC level players rather than just fill spots with bodies who "we can get."
 
FIFY.

The last thing we need is this staff getting the idea they need to recruit a bunch of guys like BCS...

Yeah. I don't know why we'd want to recruit someone to banana-hook some missed field goals.
 
I put OL at #1 because we are paying the price for the 2011 and 2012 classes. Asiata not making it, along with Lewis and Irwin playing right away has created a really weird depth chart.
 
I put OL at #1 because we are paying the price for the 2011 and 2012 classes. Asiata not making it, along with Lewis and Irwin playing right away has created a really weird depth chart.

You are correct. Even taking 6 this year won't fix that as it's unlikely all these guys end up contributors themselves and there's always attrition. I like to figure 5 OL guys a year, and we got some holes in the chart between our top 6-7 guys and this freshman class for sure.
 
Let's see what we look like after spring practice (and guys are allowed to transfer).
Do we anticipate a lot of guys transferring? I recall reading that many suspected transfers were some of our more athletic guys.
 
I would expect a small number after spring ball. "Hope springs eternal" - Alexander Pope

Guys who come out of the spring looking like contributors will stay largely. Guys who are not seeing the field may transfer. Trimming of the Herd would be desirable imo.

Guys loyal to the last coach, who talk transfer, but return for spring..... rarely transfer. THey will be happy campers in the new system.
 
I think '14 is the first year in awhile where I think we need to mostly be looking for balance rather than plugging holes with Freshmen who will need to play right away.

The D-Line will need the most attention since we are taking this year (essentially) off, in that regard.

Since we only play 2 LB's, it appears in Baer's defense, is that really any more of a need than any other position? Serious question.

Where is 'Nik's pipeline? It should have a sticky. I'd think 20 is about the right number at this point also, but I'm thinking 2-4 of those spots may already be taken with grayshirts this year.

I agree that 2014 should, for the first time in awhile, be more about upgrading talent for the future than filling needs for that Fall.

Safety, LB, and DL are what looks to be our most pressing needs imo. We really need to land Awuzie, Thompson, and Jones. (I swear I've typed that like 14 times recently). Safety after next year looks truly horrifying.

LB could look quite different if Washington retires, Tu'umalo moves back to DB, Frazier moves to DT (kid weighed in at 250), and Gilbert moves to DE.

And DL of course always needs more bodies. Embree did well in 2012 with the DL, lets not ruin it by failing to build depth there.

OL has enough bodies, but probably not enough contributors. Tackle looks more pressing than guard for the future.

Other than that, I really think we can just aim to upgrade talent and speed at the other positions.
 
I put OL at #1 because we are paying the price for the 2011 and 2012 classes. Asiata not making it, along with Lewis and Irwin playing right away has created a really weird depth chart.

Agree with you on this. In terms of quality the roster has a big hole in it due to the factors you mentioned.

Also it seems that a lot of teams have successfully built by focusing on the OL. You can make decent skill players look a lot better or a lot worse depending on what is in front of them. The OL is also an area where you can find and develop guys more successfully than other spots. A raw HS kid with room to grow and a work ethic can turn into a solid college OL player. You aren't likely to find a lot of HS kids under the radar who you can turn into an elusive 4.4 WR.
 
I also agree that O-line is really important,but what do you guys think about Nembot at tackle? With Bernardi having coached a lot of really good o-linemen do you guys think he could develop to his potential. Our need at tackle becomes a little less pressing if he can develop in my opinion.
 
I also agree that O-line is really important,but what do you guys think about Nembot at tackle? With Bernardi having coached a lot of really good o-linemen do you guys think he could develop to his potential. Our need at tackle becomes a little less pressing if he can develop in my opinion.

I think Nembot will be good, but oline recruiting is all about depth and development planned years in advance. Ideally, you don't want your linemen to start until they are at least redshirt sophomores, which gives them a couple of years in the weight room and on training table. In essence, you want Nembot's replacement to be in that 2014 class.
 
Well said, Creebuzz. How Nembot progresses should not have too much bearing on how we approach the 2014 class. OL recruiting can be a crap shoot, but we cannot continue to try to get by on low numbers. Alex Lewis is out for spring ball, which highlights our dearth of tackles. You can survive on meager depth at some positions, but we never want to be facing the desperation we did in OL recruiting for the 2007 class and in DL recruiting for the 2012 class.
 
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