I thought Beckwidth would be playing more "MIKE"? ...Either way, you're right, we do need another player to step up at MLB and offer depth. Sanders has played well at times, but I just feel his frame is more suited to play OLB--he just doesn't have the speed that Highsmith and Odom have, so he's pretty much a "MIKE" by default. I dunno...perhaps it's just the fact that he's really tall for an inside linebacker that makes me feel he's a little too light to be a true run-stuffer (but you do need to play "low" in run defense anyways).... What about Harry Coleman??? I thought I had read a few months back that he was showing some real promise in practice? Surely he could also add to the OLB position as well...
Forgot about him, he could make an impact next year for sure. If Beckwith is being played at Mike then that could be encouraging, but wherever he is I look for him to start next year, he looks like a stud. The staff must feel good about a few LB's on the team already, if not then I'm sure they would've moved Al Jones to LB.
Ok..."unknowns" aside (which rules out Sheppard and Riley for the moment), and taking a look at who we have returning, coupled by who we know we can actually count on (Cutrera and Odom--both of whom I believe will play in some capacity as true Freshmen), here's my "best guess" at the depth chart heading into fall camp: MIKE: 1. Luke Sanders or Darry Beckwith 3. Cutrera 4. Quinn Johnson SAM: 1. Ali Highsmith 2. Harry Coleman or Odom 4. Dominic Cooper WILL: 1. Harry Coleman or Odom 3. Dominic Cooper and PERHAPS Al Jones gets some time at MIKE if he's still in the ballpark of 230-245 and is still running a 4.7-forty (which is about what Cutrera was timed at)...
If Beckwith is indeed at Mike then I definetely see him starting over Sanders. Sanders doesn't have that get up to the line and stick you in the mouth attitude like Lionel Turner. I saw someone say on another forum that he plays like a SS with the way he seems to make plays downfield instead of around the line and I have to agree with it. Your depth chart looks good though, Coleman might be the starter, but Odom would probably be the guy in there on passing downs, we will hopefully rotate them like we used Kuale once he got healthy. I just hope nobody gets injured because Cooper just seems like a practice squad guy (although I still have hopes for Quinn Johnson).
The annual 25-scholarship limit is a factor but also the 85 total scholarship limit in August. Do we have room for even 25 newcomers? Has anyone done the math? Has anyone kept up with the roster changes? We had 85 players on scholarship in August. These are the variables. A=players who transferred out or quit since August B=incoming transfers and grayshirts offered scholarships that become eligible in the spring C=seniors losing eligibility D=new signees. E=quit or transfered out after spring F=failed to make test scores/grades or otherwise ineligible 85 - A + B - C = spring scholarship holders. We should be able to figure this out now. Spring scholarship holders + D = total 2006 scholarships offered We will know the value for D next week. total 2006 scholarships offered - E - F = August scholarships offered We will know the values for E and F sometime in the summer. 85 - August scholarships offered = scholarship offers withdrawn if negative, scholarships available for walk-ons if positive.
Im not as worried about the georgia guys changing their commits but this one would bother me. He is our highest rated recruit with a chance to defect. Anyone have insight as to why he has been looking at other schools?
Lots of pressure from family and friends to go to Ole Miss. That probably opened up his recruitment and now he is considering Bama too. FWIW, I think he still signs with us.
By highest rated recruit, you mean at the DE position, right? Because Woods and Keiland are ranked higher....but, anyways, I know what you mean. I don't know what brought this "I'm still looking" bit--but I can only assume that Dunbar's departure for the NFL didn't help solidify his decision to sign with us.... :dis: Sure, in today's world of coaching, NO recruit should attend a school ONLY because they like their would-be position coach. Sure, you should get along with your would-be position coach, but if that's your sole reason for going to said school, you're just wasting your time as well as the time of those recruiting you because as it's becoming more and more common that coaches are here today, gone tomorrow.... Not that every recruit is alike, but personally, my criteria for attending a school would be: 1. atmosphere of both program and school alike (am I going to be comfortable there for 4+ years?) 2. do they offer my degree of interest? 3. can I play for championships? 4. coaching staff as a WHOLE 5. fascilities 6. where do I fit into their plans? (position I will be playing...how early do they feel I'll be ready to contribute/depth chart). Granted, I'm sure not every player likes EVERY coach on a program's staff, but he should consider a few things if "what coach am I going to play for" is a main issue for you: 1. You should look at the state of the program. Is the head coach in jepordy of losing his job?? 2. Get along with the head coach and AT LEAST your respective coordinator and another coach. ...but if you're going to University "X" because their position coach is just "the bomb", then perhaps you should think long and hard...
I think he meant of all the players that will possibly defect, he is the highest rated......proceed with the discussion, I am learning a ton.
Ya, I dont consider Woods and Williams potential defectors. The mississippi/family/friends scenario would make sense. It could be possible that he only said he was opening it back up to pasify them and keep everyone off his azz. I think the Dunbar issue is also a factor if nothing else has been said out why he opened things back up. Position coaches have a lot to do with getting recruits and the head guy just comes in to close the deal or solidfy their commitment. Did he open things back up after Dunbar decided to return to the NFL? That would be interesting to know. It sounds like both issues may be a factor though. I wouldnt be as worried if it wasnt for Dunbar. Something like that could easily sway a player or allow him to succumb to family/friend pressure. I always feel pretty good about most of our recruits but I get a wierd feeling about Tillman. I hope Im wrong but the combination of home pressure and Dunbar makes our job of holding on to this guy difficult. We dont need to lose him either. We need this DE recruit.
