Class breakdown

[GrapevineMustang]

So most people seem to think SMU will sign a full 25-man class. If that's the case, how does it break down? With all due respect to our friend BUS, the class can not be 25 linemen and nobody else. There are two schools of thought here: if a great player wants to sign, you take him, regardless of position. On the other hand, graduation and the remaining depth at each position dictate, at least to a degree, the number of players taken at each position.

Seven players already have committed to SMU: OL Josh LeRibeus, ATH Terrance Ganaway, QB Logan Turner, ATH Terrance Wilkerson, OL Kelly Turner, WR Jamell Kennedy and OLB Julian Herron.

QUARTERBACKS: 3
If the rumors of Corey Slater and Eric Johnson transferring are true, that leaves the Ponies with Justin Willis and Zach Rhoades .... and that's it. There's not a coach in America who wants to play a game with just two quarterbacks -- Steve Spurrier used to say you have to have at least 5, preferably 6 or even 7, on scholarship.
SIGN: 3, including Logan Turner and a JUCO

RUNNING BACKS: 2
SMU has a bunch of talented RBs, but there's no such thing as too many talented athletes. If need be, stockpile these guys and move one to another position. DeMyron Martin battled injuries this season, and the others have shown talent and inconsistency.
SIGN: 2 (which could include Terrance Ganaway)

WIDE RECEIVERS: 3
No position on the offense will be harder hit by graduation than WR, where the Ponies lose Bobby Chase, Rey Pellerin and Blake Warren. Emmanuel Sanders, Columbus Givens and Zack Sledge are the top returning wideouts, and the redshirts will come off Phillip Burley, A'Darius Medford and Morgan Hudnall. But in addition to the depth, the Ponies need at least one big WR, who can bust press coverage and go across the middle, and win jump-balls in the end zone against smaller DBs.
SIGN: 3, including Jamell Kennedy and one (big) JUCO

TIGHT ENDS: 1
Despite the graduation of Ryan Kennedy, the Ponies have good athletes with good ability at the position, with Vincent Chase, Jeff Brock, Andrew McKinney and Mario Walker. But TE is one of those positions coaches like to stockpile, because they generally have the size and athleticism to play other positions, if asked.
SIGN: 1

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: 5
The Gospel According to BUS dictates that the Ponies should collect these big guys like they're going out of style (and be honest -- who's the last OL who seemed to be IN style?) Darrin Johnson and Dustin Morton are graduating. There's a lot of talk of another OL moving to the defensive line. Chase Smith takes over for Johnson at LT, but many of the backups are very young.
SIGN: 5, including Josh LeRibeus, Kelly Turner and 3 more, including a JUCO (preferably at OT)

DEFENSIVE LINE: 5
Everyone knows the re-tooling that has to be done on the defensive line, as Brandon Bonds, Adrian Haywood and Justin Rogers all have to be replaced, as do backups Randy Denman and Troy Therien. Players and coaches have had good things to say about DEs Patrick Handy and Adrian Dizer. DTs Chris Parham and Dominic Pryor are back, as is DE Kyle Griffin, and redshirt freshmen Jordan Johnson (DE), Mickey Dollens (DT) and Zac Thomas (DT). There is some legitimate talent here, but there needs to be a major infusion of talent.
SIGN: 5 .... 3 DTs and 2 DEs, including at least one JUCO at each

LINEBACKERS: 2
All three starters -- Wilton McCray, Reggie Carrington and Tony Hawkins -- are back, as are backups Damon Hurst, Will Bonilla and Paul Heimenz. There's some talent coming off redshirt years in Anthony Sowe, Taylor Bon and Pete Fleps, but the SMU defense requires multiple linebackers with speed.
SIGN: 2, including Julian Herron

SECONDARY: 2
For the first time in forever, Joe Sturdivant won't be there to start at SS. Bryce Hudman looked pretty good at FS and might move over to SS. If he does, there's talk that Brandon Jones might move to FS after a year away from the team. Jonathan Lindley, Bryan McCann and Devin Lowery return at CB, and the secondary also will include Tim Crosby and Tyler Jones, among others.
SIGN: 2, including AT LEAST 1 safety

ATHLETES: 2
Maybe these two spots go to Ganaway and Wilkerson, although Wilkerson will be given a chance to play QB. Anyone signed as an athlete has to have great speed and versatility, including the ability to play on special teams.
SIGN: 2, possibly including Ganaway and/or Wilkerson

KICKERS: 0
Thomas Morstead and Kellis Cunningham have these positions covered for the next couple of years, and the Ponies have bigger needs elsewhere.

Sorry this is so long-winded. Thoughts?

[Mickey]

Jaymond Cleveland is returning at WR. Are the two grayshirt LBs still committed?

[that's great raplh]

just add a cpl of d1 transfers and you got it covered

[RGV Pony]

I'm sure Stallion noticed the comment made at the end of the Houston-USM game about D1 transfers. Whomever was calling the game said Briles "keeps a few scholarships handy each year just for D1 transfers."

It would be nice if PB would do the same.

[Corso]

Jaymond Cleveland is returning at WR. Are the two grayshirt LBs still committed?

Cleveland and Brandon Jones are coming back, and LB Patrick Strodtman will be here in January.

I saw LB Justin Smart (who signed in the fall) at a game this fall. Anyone know if he'll be ready to roll in the spring?

[BUS]

OK now, lets get this straight.... I never said the whole class had to be big men. I do say that 40 % has to be BIG MEN. And your wish list is in line with mine.

I would take 2 JUCO DL but they have to be the STOPPER type. If you noticed when Bbonds was out the D got run over. In my mind you have to have the BIG DT take up at least two blockers and give the other line players and LB's a chance to run.

Thank you for the summary and GO MUSTANGS.

[GrapevineMustang]

I know -- just messing with you!

[50's PONY]

Don't forget about two transfers who had to sit out this year --
K.J. Ellis and Chase Kenemer

[OC Mustang]

Jaymond Cleveland is returning at WR. Are the two grayshirt LBs still committed?

Cleveland and Brandon Jones are coming back, and LB Patrick Strodtman will be here in January.

I saw LB Justin Smart (who signed in the fall) at a game this fall. Anyone know if he'll be ready to roll in the spring?

Smart is here in Marshall, taking classes (methinks) at Panola College (JC) just to keep fresh w/ school. He is in the bank (I am a bank officer) regularly w/ his grandfather. Don't know if he is ready or not, but I do know that Coach Southern allows him workout privileges in the weight room at the high school (which is state of the art), and he has been taking lliberal advantage of it to my knowledge.

[PonyPride]

Don't forget about two transfers who had to sit out this year --
K.J. Ellis and Chase Kenemer

And Luke Bell, the kicker who transferred from Tulane. Isn't there a fourth transfer on the roster, too?

[mustangfan01]

Yeah, a transfer from Arizona.


An important person left off this list is one of next year's STARTING DTs...Charlie Berry. He spent this year getting his grades up.

All he does now is play guitar/sing and lift weights. He will be a force. This year was a RS year for him. Any guy who can play inside the DEs as a true freshman is a beast...period.

[mrydel]

Yeah, a transfer from Arizona.


An important person left off this list is one of next year's STARTING DTs...Charlie Berry. He spent this year getting his grades up.

All he does now is play guitar/sing and lift weights. He will be a force. This year was a RS year for him. Any guy who can play inside the DEs as a true freshman is a beast...period.

Maybe we now understand why he had problems with his grades. Perhaps he could set the guitar down and open a book. He could still sing while he reads.

[ALEX LIFESON]

I saw Charlie at the Rice game, and I can't believe he is over 240 or so now. He sure looks like he has lost a lot of weight.

[RGV Pony]

I saw Charlie at the Rice game, and I can't believe he is over 240 or so now. He sure looks like he has lost a lot of weight.

that's 10 pound less than his freshman year. Maybe he's gonna play DE, and move Handy to DT?

[DallasDiehard]

Does he have the wheels to play DE? I would think he's got to be a DT.