Filling Holes

[Stallion]

...anyone who has followed SMU for the last few years knows that it seems like every year we have an Achilles Heel which we are aware of but fail to adequately address in recruiting. Several years ago it was the Defensive Backs who got bombarded despite an otherwise strong defense. The last two years we have had insufficient depth and talent in the offensive line. Last year we found ourselves woefully thin of experienced talent at QB. Next year we are an injury to Adami away from complete disaster at DT-with many of you talking about "filling" those holes with true freshman. As most of you have assured me it has generally been the coaches' fault when these units have failed miserably. These have not just been team weaknesses but anchor around any hopes we might have had for those seasons. Now how do other teams handle these problems when there is an immediate need for experience and talent. Do they hope unhearlded freshman will turn into superman. PROBLEM: Texas Tech has a huge hole next season at CB with its top 3 corners graduating. SOLUTION: Tech recruited two 4 star JCs and two 3 star JCs, PROBLEM: Tech has big holes at Defensive-Rush End and Linebacker with the loss of Aaron Hunt and Lawrence Flugence. SOLUTION: Tech signed a 4 star JC for both positions including reportedly one of the best rushing defensive ends in the country. PROBLEM: Tech losses 4 year starter and All-Big 12 Offensive Lineman Rex Richards. SOLUTION: Tech signs a 5 star First Team All-American JC OLM. WALLA! Tech has addressed its weakness with experience and talent. Of course, I'm sure it will be all the SMU coaches fault if Tech beats us for what the 9th consequtive time in Lubbock to open the season. It couldn't have anything to do with the difference in the athletic model between the two schools.

[whatasteve]

Interesting theory, but I think there will be just one JUCO guy signed next year, and few if any after that. I'd rather see the Ponies sign a highly ranked HS player than a highly ranked JUCO.

[EastStang]

The problem with JC's as we have beat on over and over is the inability to transfer hours to SMU vs. transferring hours to other schools because we don't have a PE or Kinsinology major. I think that this is our impediment to recruiting any significant JC transfers. It is probably easier for Bennett to recruit true freshman or transfers than to look for JC's who won't suffer academic penalty. If someone has a couple million to donate to the University to endow a chair and a professorship in physical education, the school might see fit to add that major back. Stallion won any big contingency fees lately?