ojaipony wrote:
This team has so many more problems than a lack of an elite QB.
1.No discernible playmakers at WR beyond Proche (who may not be here next year) and Roberson
2.Starting TE is competent at best, at #1 and #2 at the position are going to be seniors next year.
3.Offensive line was a liability all season.
4.Apparently there are only two capable running backs, both of which will be seniors this fall.
5. DB position is going to be very senior heavy this fall
It seems to me that unless it is another Garret Gilbert level transfer with at least two years of eligibility left that the scholarship space would be better spent improving the talent around Hicks than bringing in someone to compete with him for one year. It would be better for long term roster management to use that spot for another position group, especially considering that Hicks has at the very least proven capable and Brown has shown to be a promising young back up.
Some thoughts on those other positions... I think it is a given that we have a JUCO come in at QB this recruiting class.
1. Proche, Roberson, Page are your starters at WR. Sanders, Bell, Miles are the second and a whole bunch of highly rated young players on the third string. That isn't bad at all. I agree with you that because of the Roberson injury history, we need one more "plus" option, because Page, Bell, and Sanders to this point are solid, but not play makers. I realize that in a perfect world, we would have a transfer come in and compete with Page. However, with the number of other transfers we need, I don't think it will happen. Instead, I think Miles and some highly regarded incoming frosh will compete.
2. At TE for next year, Becker really stepped forward this season. Thedford is basically a blocker. Redding the coaches absolutely love, and will push for the starting spot next season. If Rau stays, there is a lot of potential there. If he doesn't, you are correct we are going to have depth issues the following season, and this is a huge hole in the current recruiting class. I expect the staff will try to retain him, though.
3. Agreed, OL struggled with the new scheme and trying to transition to a power blocking formula. That said we were very young. Thomas, Howerton, Ali, and Morris have shown that they can play and another year of Kaz will do them all very well. Livingston has potential, was injured, but probably needed a year of Kaz anyway because he is actually lean for his huge frame. Dennis, Webb, Smith, Todora, Wilds, Barton haven't developed yet, but next year is their RS jr year for most of them, when you would expect them to develop and compete. Barton it sounds like developed nicely as a backup center. If Thomas stays at tackle, then I think we will have three solid players with him, Morris, and Livingston. Ideally, we would get a fourth to come in as a transfer and provide depth. Guard is the big problem. Ali is a starter, but I think Todora and Dennis should both be running second team. I really would have expected significant steps forward from Todora and Smith this season if they had the potential. Unless the staff sees something bigger in their development, I think we need to bring in a starting-level transfer at guard, and this is what I would be looking for from that huge list of transfer requests that Dykes has been provided.
4. Regardless of looking towards the future, the injury history of Jones and Freeman makes them undependable. That said, Williams, McDaniel, and Bentley are all 3 star prospects at RB, and RB can play early. I think one of those young players will be able to take the West catch the ball out of the backfield spot and rotate with Jones. However, what is missing is another thick, bruising back for when Freeman gets hurt. I think we need a transfer here who can provide another option in that role.
5. Great catch on CB. Sutton, Hayes, Davis, KJ are solid corners, but all seniors. Keys, Johnson, and Guy-Robinson are the only young players on the roster. That's probably why we have 6 DBs in the recruiting class this year. Honestly, all of the starters are solid, but none are "plus". Ideally would like to see another JUCO come in this season, but I think the other needs will trump this one.
I would not be surprised to see several transfers added to the recruiting class this season, but that will all depend on the number of players who drop off the roster and transfer out. I see the most pressing needs from a transfer perspective as 1 JUCO QB, 1 OG, 1 OT, 1 physical RB. Unfortunately, it would require a lot of attrition from either the roster or the recruiting class to make it happen. But from what I have heard we have a long list of very good transfer candidates reaching out.