[TrumpCard]

Going back to a Hulk thread from January to see how Shaw is doing on meeting the needs for the 2016 class:

Needs in the next class:
Three DLs, one a nose tackle.  This is obvious.
Tight end.  With only Schultz in 2014 and no tight ends in this class, we need to prepare for the day when Hooper, Cotton and Taboada disappear from this roster—simultaneously.  Try for two,
QB.  Chryst in 2014 abnd no one in the 2015 class.  Cannot risk a two-year gap here.
A power back.  Cameron Scarlett and his brother have injury histories, and Scarlett is the only power back on next year’s roster.  If only for short yardage, we need this guy.
A true cover corner.  Buncom and Meeks don’t have elite speed and Terrence Alexander burned his redshirt this year.  We need another Alexander.
Some elite OLs.  Always a need, and Murphy, Shuler, Caspers, Davidson, and Garnett aren’t around much longer.

Shaw hit a home run at QB and TE, two of the teams biggest needs.  (These results probably justify Shaw's decision to pass on Rosen and Pettite, two highly rated recruits at those positions who Shaw didn't think were the right fit.  Leaving that 1-year gap probably helped in recruiting Costello and Smith.) 

Bisharat looks to be a very good power back.

I'm not sure if this class will have a "true cover corner," but Darnay Holmes is a 2017 recruit who certainly would qualify and seems to have Stanford in the lead.  He's currently rated almost as highly by Rivals as Vernon Hargreaves was in 2013.  Game changer.  In any event, the 2016 class has several very good CBs in the mix.  Edmonds and Butler (if he joins) are both built for press coverage and helping against the run, but neither one is blazing.  Robbie Robinson is very fast, and he could be the future at nickel, but I don't see a 5'8" corner on an island against today's jumbo receivers. 

On the DL, Shaw has Peek and a great shot at Williams, plus very high interest from Rand if he can get admitted.  It's a very talented threesome, but all three of them have NT frames.  I don't know of a single DE still on the board who has visited Stanford's campus or who has imminent plans to visit.  Maybe an offer to Kemp will be forthcoming, if he has the academics.

On the OL, Shaw has a dandy in Yarbrough.  I think "some elite OLs" means more than one though.  Hamilton would be the second, and he's a good one too.  If Harballs gets him though, then I think Shaw is going to come up a little short of his goal for OL recruiting this year. 

LB is not a true need, but the Cardinal is sitting pretty there. 

WR was not identified in Hulk's post, but I think it is a need.  Good news is that Long is a whale and he loves Stanford.  Of course, Robertson would be giant as well. 

[TrumpCard]

Going back to a Hulk thread from January to see how Shaw is doing on meeting the needs for the 2016 class:

Needs in the next class:
Three DLs, one a nose tackle.  This is obvious.
Tight end.  With only Schultz in 2014 and no tight ends in this class, we need to prepare for the day when Hooper, Cotton and Taboada disappear from this roster—simultaneously.  Try for two,
QB.  Chryst in 2014 abnd no one in the 2015 class.  Cannot risk a two-year gap here.
A power back.  Cameron Scarlett and his brother have injury histories, and Scarlett is the only power back on next year’s roster.  If only for short yardage, we need this guy.
A true cover corner.  Buncom and Meeks don’t have elite speed and Terrence Alexander burned his redshirt this year.  We need another Alexander.
Some elite OLs.  Always a need, and Murphy, Shuler, Caspers, Davidson, and Garnett aren’t around much longer.

Shaw hit a home run at QB and TE, two of the teams biggest needs.  (These results probably justify Shaw's decision to pass on Rosen and Pettite, two highly rated recruits at those positions who Shaw didn't think were the right fit.  Leaving that 1-year gap probably helped in recruiting Costello and Smith.) 

Bisharat looks to be a very good power back.

I'm not sure if this class will have a "true cover corner," but Darnay Holmes is a 2017 recruit who certainly would qualify and seems to have Stanford in the lead.  He's currently rated almost as highly by Rivals as Vernon Hargreaves was in 2013.  Game changer.  In any event, the 2016 class has several very good CBs in the mix.  Edmonds and Butler (if he joins) are both built for press coverage and helping against the run, but neither one is blazing.  Robbie Robinson is very fast, and he could be the future at nickel, but I don't see a 5'8" corner on an island against today's jumbo receivers. 

On the DL, Shaw has Peek and a great shot at Williams, plus very high interest from Rand if he can get admitted.  It's a very talented threesome, but all three of them have NT frames.  I don't know of a single DE still on the board who has visited Stanford's campus or who has imminent plans to visit.  Maybe an offer to Kemp will be forthcoming, if he has the academics.

On the OL, Shaw has a dandy in Yarbrough.  I think "some elite OLs" means more than one though.  Hamilton would be the second, and he's a good one too.  If Harballs gets him though, then I think Shaw is going to come up a little short of his goal for OL recruiting this year. 

LB is not a true need, but the Cardinal is sitting pretty there. 

WR was not identified in Hulk's post, but I think it is a need.  Good news is that Long is a whale and he loves Stanford.  Of course, Robertson would be giant as well.