2004 recruiting priorities

[Otto]

Next year's senior class includes Brian Bischoff, Sterling Harris, Trent Hrncir, Jarrian James, Keylon Kincade, Ruben Moodley, Leroy Price, Steve Reindl, and Jonas Rutledge. That's 2 starting OLs, 2 starting DBs, 1 starting LB, our starting RB, plus reserves at LB, TE and DB.

Granted, our class next year will be limited, and every coach wants a balanced class, to some degree. But I'm thinking O-line and D-Line have to be priorities 1 and 1A again. Agree? We need more big bodies on the interior of the defensive line, and we need at least 1, maybe 2, top-flight O-tackle prospects.

Beyond that, give us WR/DB Kenton Thornton, a couple of linebackers and a couple of fast DBs, and we're on the right track.

What do you see as our biggest needs for next February?

[Ikus]

A quick, strong defensive tackle who can crack an offense's line.

[PerunaPunch]

Already have one... Adami.

Gimme another OT, another OG, a humongous TE who can catch and a top flight WR.

[FloridaMustang]

Add to the list: two or three more DB's (pref. cover corners), two good sized recievers, another QB, two LB's, and a winning record

Go Stangs!

[This message has been edited by UNFMustang06 (edited 02-24-2003).]

[Stallion]

Peruna Punch you have got to be joking me. Bowl Teams have 5-6 agile,hostile and mobile DTs-we have one tested DT with ZERO experience behind him. A bowl team has guys like Michael Carter, Harvey Armstrong, Richard Neely with backups like Mitch Willis, Jerry Ball, Doug Hollie. That's experience and depth. When I say that SMU's two deep is riddled with questionmarks-that is not meant as a slam at the kids competing for playing time-that means instead that they have not proven themselves on the Division 1 level which none of our DTs have except Adami. We need a bushel of talented DTs before we will compete for championships and unfortunately we weren't very successful at that position in recruiting. That MOST definitely is the most important recruiting target for 2004. We will take as many good ones we are lucky enough to sign.

[Mickey]

Chris Cunningham and DD Johnson were left off the SR. list

[Mickey]

2WR, 30L, TE, FB, 2DT, DE, 3LB, S, CB

[Stallion]

I gurantee there will be more than 15 scholarships to give by next February. At least 18-21.

[Mickey]

Stallion, I agree that we will have more than 15 scholarships available. The next six by order of prority are: SS, LB, DE, CB,TE, QB.

[BUS]

Great Thread!!

If we do not have 6 to 8 BIG MEN on the d-line that can start and back up the starter, WE ARE TOAST. Little fast guys get killed if there is no blocking and quick leaping DB's look silly when the other team QB has too much time.

Bring in the big men and start building for a BOWL game. A few won't do it.

As far as ships go... by next year two to five of our current players will not return to the team. Just happens after coaching changes.

[PonyTales]

"Little fast guys get killed if there is no blocking..."

Good point, BUS. Look at the small receivers we've had -- Comet, Brian Berry, Albert Johnson, etc. -- who we all know can run, and when we tried to run the UFlorida wide receiver screen, they got crushed before they could get into the secondary and run.

My wish list:
1 (preferably 2) big, strong safeties
at least 3 defensive linemen, including 2 DTs
at least 3 offensive linemen, including at least one prototypical left tackle
1 quarterback
2 receivers (named Donald Massey and Kenton Thornton)
2 linebackers
1 tight end
2 corners

and if they're all 5-star all-American types who draw rave reviews from Recruiting Guru, Stallion, Mickey, Peruna Punch, Corso, etc., that would be nice, too!

[Otto]

As long as you're realistic, PonyTales.

Sorry - didn't mean to omit Comet and DD Johnson, 2 of my favorite Ponies. (Thanks, Mickey)

[d_pony]

we have 10 spots open for next year - even if we "lose" 4 that leaves 14 -
qb-1; wr-2; te-3; ol-3
dl-3; lb-3; db;1

[d_pony]

correction - 1 tight end

[No Quarter]

I agree with the comments that there will likely be more than ten slots available next year, but until players transfer, decide for medical school, etc., SMU has ten:

QB - one, RB - zero or one, WR - one,
OL - two, TE - one, DL - two, LB - two or three, DB - one or two.

IMO you need a QB every year and of course you need to keep them in school or else risk a situation like SMU had in 2002 and still is not clear from. SMU projects to have a lot of good RB, any offer would be to an exceptional player. If there was a gap in signings this year it may have been at WR and of course there were no TE unless the player from Millwood ends up there. (I'd like to see some walk-on TE's.)Some would want more OL and DL and a DE, certainly those would be the first areas to offer in if more scholarships open up. SMU needs to replace the LB that will be gone after 2003.
Need continuity at DB also. Do you recall two seasons or so back when SMU was out of DBs?