Where's the beef?

[Charleston Pony]

is Bennett in on any big guys to round out this class? Rollman and Lobo have been mentioned, but is there anyone else being considered? Last time I checked the complete commitment list, Vincent Chase was the biggest guy and I don't see a single OL/DL commitment. Sure hope some of those RS Frosh are ready to help next year!

[click]

There is a local OL that is flying under the radar. Cody Baker is a lineman from Garland Rowlett That is 6'5 285, 5.1 that is being recruited by and has trips scheduled to TT,OSU and Tulane and SMU has not even appeared. If he is good enough for these schools maybe we should look his way,we need big, strong, fast linemen.

[Stallion]

Sean Lobo said he's probably choosing between Arizona and New Mexico.

[Lotus]

I hadn't heard Baker's name mentioned, but I would think it's a longshot. I get the impression the coaches aren't going to offer a guy just to say they offered, and they're not going to offer marginal guys. (I'm not saying Baker's marginal - I've never seen him play.) My sense is that this class might well be without a single OL or DL, and that last year's redshirt guys are going to be asked to play major roles in the near future, if not immediately. Next year's class needs to be loaded with linemen.

[Johnny Rock]

The coaches know the importance of recruiting DL and OL, but we have been outrecruited by almost every Division 1-A school in the state. Even Tulsa has gotten a few players from us that are close by....remember, there is a reason SMU did not win a game last year and may very well not win one next year....our lack of success is not by accident.

[ponyboy]

Nope, it's a plan. Johnny, wake us up when you plan to post something of interest. Otherwise, keep beating that drum.

[Stallion]

actually JR as far as HIGH SCHOOL RECRUITING ONLY our small class rates pretty high in the state on quality if not numbers-I really think so far I like our high school class better than TCU, Baylor, UH, Rice. The problem is that schools like Tech, TCU, and others are blistering us in JC recruiting. However, our class won't have a high ranking like last year in total points because we are offering so few High School players. But your right we have just flat been outrecruited in getting the top defensive and offensive linemen but it has been that way for years. BTW I don't think that this years crop of linemen is very good-just doesn't seem to be the quality numbers as we've seen in the past.

<small>[ 01-07-2004, 06:33 AM: Message edited by: Stallion ]</small>

[EastStang]

Are we getting out recruited for linemen because of our academic restrictions, or are we getting out recruited for linemen for other reasons? Are our line coaches that unimpressive? I'm sure they see the same hot coeds the running backs see (that's why I picked SMU).

[Stallion]

what offensive line coach? We seem to be getting outrecruited on the HS kids but TCU and Tech for example are loading up on JUCO linemen. Linemen are truly a dime a dozen. There are plenty of tall kids or fat kids. The problem is that real quality linemen that are agile, hostile and mobile are probably more scarce than any position when you consider there are 5 OLM positions and 4-5 DLM positions. Part of that is that the strength of the linemen generally is not there until they have been in a college program about 3 years. However, its hard to create agility and quickness for a kid who just doesn't have it no matter how Tall he is or how much he weighs. I'm not sure SMU has signed a real quality, highly recruited DLM recruit since the DP and has signed only scattered quality, highly recruited Offensive Linemen recruits since the DP.

<small>[ 01-07-2004, 08:08 AM: Message edited by: Stallion ]</small>

[Charleston Pony]

getting early commitments from Hall and Shavers for 2005 would be a HUGE step in the right direction for this program.

Meanwhile, we are going to see how some of these guys that have now been in the program 2-3 yrs have developed.

[PortlandPonys]

It is my understanding that Hall has allready comitted to play with his brother. Shavers would be a good pickup as well.

Actually I think we are in fairly good shape as far as interior linemen go as long as the players recruited in the last couple of year pan out. We are two deep on both sides of the line for next year with soph & redshirt freshmen with 4 upper classmen to add stability so it would seem we could afford to go easy on the big men this year, and add some quality next year. My concern is at linebacker we are two deep with youngsters but could use another couple of players for depth.

[PonyTales]

I agree, we have a lot of bodies, but we do need to upgrade in next year's class. And another LB or two would be nice, although I don't think it's vital.

Also, re: the offensive line .... I hear Ryan Kennedy is, in fact, moving inside to play on the offensive line -- a great move, in my opinion.

[Stallion]

....well since we haven't signed any TE but Chase-that suggest that Tate Wallis maybe headed to TE then instead of LB. Also, Chase will probably be given a good shot at moving into the starting lineup-we don't really have anyone else do we that is physical enough to play TE on running downs-Hodges didn't look half bad in mop-up duty late in the year. What his weight now? Guess Dereck Swofford could play that position as well.

<small>[ 01-07-2004, 04:16 PM: Message edited by: Stallion ]</small>