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Here's a little Christmas Cheer...a little scuttlebutt from near...the inside of Jones' recruiting bevy...some things light and some things heavy.

I am stating this as fact, even though it is subject to the usual caveats.

SMU has filled its 2009 recruiting class with 25 commits or "likely commits" w/ 3-5 additional greyshirts & replacements, (replacing spots in particular classes). They have stopped actively recruiting any new players, and they are currently cultivating existing pipeline. Supposedly, although a little less reliable info, they have one more "likely" Ryan Clark-esque recruit in the hopper.

As alluded to in other threads, they are now currently evaluating and offering Juniors in high school, and have identified between 40 or so players that are two-deep at the top of their wish list.

As demonstrated by this year's picks, they went heavy in linemen. Out of all existing and recruits, their goal is 8-10 linemen, roughly two-deep at every line position. They expect at least six of these recruits to pan out and man-up over the next two-three years. It is generally viewed that McKnight was probably the most "hands on" coach vis-a-vis pure teaching for his guys, and Jones views O-line development as crucial and an urgent priority.

Is is also generally accepted that there will be some attrition in the Spring. I thought it would be 8-10 players...I now think it could be as many as 12 players. A couple of walkons will get scholies.

There is some scuttlebutt that is unverified regarding a couple of assistant coaches leaving for good opportunities, but that's been discussed as well. Not really news...but it's more firmed up now as a possibility. Out of respect for the coaches, please indulge me such that I don't need to "out" their potential career moves until more information is available.

In short

20 Commits
3 Greyshirts =23

We can take 25 to count for 2009 but remember some of those could greyshirt-and number could be manipulated by rumors such as K.J. Vaile may take a Mormon Mission.

So we could probably take 3-5 from the following list-all of which have been offered(in the pipeline)

Rufus Porter***
Conroy Black***
Keivon Gamble**
Isi Sofele***
Joseph Bonugli***
LeMarcus Gibson

Other possibilities-probably longshots

Ty Cloud the decommit from Kansas***
Kendial Lawrence***
Dexter Imade **
Asi Hosea**

Others who have not been offered:
Byron Brown
Collin Ashley***

I bet we are going to take at least 1 RB-and probably only 1

Yes, you are on the right track.

Jones & Co. have demonstrated to my source that they will take advantage of every opportunity to "recruit up", as opposed to what we generally believe is "recruiting for the run-and-shoot system".

It makes me feel good that Jones & Co. understand that, ultimately, the talent on the field is what makes coaches look like geniuses.

I actually wonder if they will move to more 3-4 look given their depth at LB and DE and thin interior D. Their recruiting tends to reflect that as well.

I bet SMU moves Jimmy Chase(already moved) to DT and probably Taylor Thompson to DT and goes from there. Add in Marquis Frazier and you got 3 new Defensive Tackles. Also, Chris Atchinson could play Defensive Tackle and that would make 4.

OC Mustang wrote:Yes, you are on the right track.

Jones & Co. have demonstrated to my source that they will take advantage of every opportunity to "recruit up", as opposed to what we generally believe is "recruiting for the run-and-shoot system".

It makes me feel good that Jones & Co. understand that, ultimately, the talent on the field is what makes coaches look like geniuses.

I actually wonder if they will move to more 3-4 look given their depth at LB and DE and thin interior D. Their recruiting tends to reflect that as well.

While the 3-4 does require fewer DTs, it would also expose our greatest weakness at the position: Lack of Size. I'm not sure we have even one player with the size to clog up the middle as needed in the 3-4. And if we were to have one, who's the second in the rotation?

-CoS

Best thread I've read in months. Thanks guys.

Note: And no trolls have written something stupid or sent the thread totally off track.

I am



I have come to...

Hey, this thread is actually good, solid stuff.... (smupony kind of asked for it, you must admit.)




Thanks for posting OC.

looks nice to see a 4 star commit on the list. lets get more next year

jkflamebo wrote:looks nice to see a 4 star commit on the list. lets get more next year

How about this year?

OC Mustang wrote:Supposedly, although a little less reliable info, they have one more "likely" Ryan Clark-esque recruit in the hopper.

... or did I misunderstand?

Since when are we deep at linebacker? We dont even have one that is at the level we need. 3-4 would make that even tougher.

ThadFilms wrote:Hey, this thread is actually good, solid stuff.... (smupony kind of asked for it, you must admit.)

Thanks for posting OC.

Just trying to increase my post count any way I can.

ThadFilms wrote:

jkflamebo wrote:looks nice to see a 4 star commit on the list. lets get more next year

How about this year?

who else do we have a shot with?

Cadillac wrote:

OC Mustang wrote:Yes, you are on the right track.

Jones & Co. have demonstrated to my source that they will take advantage of every opportunity to "recruit up", as opposed to what we generally believe is "recruiting for the run-and-shoot system".

It makes me feel good that Jones & Co. understand that, ultimately, the talent on the field is what makes coaches look like geniuses.

I actually wonder if they will move to more 3-4 look given their depth at LB and DE and thin interior D. Their recruiting tends to reflect that as well.

While the 3-4 does require fewer DTs, it would also expose our greatest weakness at the position: Lack of Size. I'm not sure we have even one player with the size to clog up the middle as needed in the 3-4. And if we were to have one, who's the second in the rotation?

-CoS

Whenever I hear a college coach say they are thinking of moving to a 3-4 to take advantage of the depth at linebacker, I think to myself that there is a defense that is going to suck next year. Bennett said it once, Dodge said it once. Fact is that very often the reality is there is a lack of lineman rather than a wealth of linebackers.

OC Mustang wrote:

ThadFilms wrote:Hey, this thread is actually good, solid stuff.... (smupony kind of asked for it, you must admit.)

Thanks for posting OC.

Just trying to increase my post count any way I can.

I wouldn't know anything about that.