CFN Recruiting Overview

[Harry0569]

West

1. SMU | Scout List

2012: What’s Needed Now: The defensive line. June Jones went hard after the offense the last few years to get the players he needs to run his attack, and now it’s time to fortify the front wall that’s going to need prospects to develop for 2014. The offense won’t be ignored, but the key players are going to be for the line instead of among the skill players.

Team Concerns For 2012: Offensive line. Two starting receivers are gone, as is starting quarterback J.J. McDermott, but there are players in place to be just fine. The offensive line, though, is a huge concern with all five starters gone and backup center Blake McJunkin also done. Two starters are gone in the secondary and defensive end is a concern with Taylor Thompson and Szymon Czerniak done on the left side.

What’s Coming In: COMING SIGNING DAY ONCE THE OFFICIAL LISTS ARE ANNOUNCED

2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 51. That Class Was Heavy On ... Outside linebacker. The June Jones offense needs receivers, and after loading up last year, the offense got yet another influx of talent with Arrius Holleman and Ronnell Sims two dangerous targets. The defensive line loaded up with several strong hybrid prospects, while the linebacking corps got several safety-sized, speedy players with Devon Moreland a terrific get and Jonathan Yenga and Cameron Smith two promising recruits.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 73. That Class Was Heavy On ... Receivers. After putting the building blocks in place with a big recruiting class of offensive linemen last year, June Jones is getting the receivers to make his style of offense fly. With Shawnbrey McNeal leaving early for the NFL, there was a hole to fill at running back and freshman Darryl Fields might fill it, but the bulk of the class is at receiver with eight prospects coming in led by Kyle Guinyard, a potential No. 1 target who had offers from several Big 12 schools.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 65. That Class Was Heavy On ... offensive linemen. What good is the run-and-shoot if the quarterback is always running for his life? In fine shape at the skill positions for the next few years, June Jones loaded up on linemen, many of whom will need to spend their first year adding girth and weight. In Ben Hughes and Joey Fontana, the Mustangs signed two of the nation’s top 10 centers, so replacing Mitch Enright in 2010 shouldn’t be a major headache.

[Cadillac]

You can really see the recruiting system in place when you look at the 2009 class being heavy on O-linemen. Those are the fellas that should be well developed Juniors this year, ready to take over for the departing starters. Too bad that attrition hit us so hard there.

-CoS