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I think that is probably right.  They have poor technique, don't play strong, and don't play together effectively.  I wonder how much of that is due to the change in the coaching. I would also add that lack of depth is a problem as well.  By my count, we have about 12 recruited offensive linemen, total, of which 7 are from the class of 2021 or 2020 (and remember, 2020's had a COVID-19 shortened fall of freshman year).  We should have at least 10 OL who are juniors, seniors, or fifth years (we have half that number) to have an adequately deep and experienced pipeline, but evidently, we decided we didn't need any offensive linemen in the recruiting class of 2018 (the only recruit that year was Trey Stratford, who is no longer with the team).  I think that one is a legacy Bloomgren hole; Carberry recruited better at the position, and I am at least gratified that Heffernan has continued to recruit enough OL.

This is why if there is one thing that I would really knock Shaw for is the inability to fill classes, especially in the trenches.  We absolutely need at least 8 offensive linemen in every two year interval (to allow for some lumpiness in recruiting).  No matter how highly rated, we can never again go with just 4 offensive linemen over two years, as we did in 2017/18.

BC

some good builds BC.

I'd add a few more.  

really poor prospect identification/lackadaisical recruiting approach.  Connor Williams, now with Dallas, is a poster child on identification.  a part of a small group of OL on campus for a camp.  Shaw et al offered/signed 3 other camp guys who never played a meaningful down and didn't offer the guy who ended starting all 12 games as a FR, 1st team All-American as a SO and departed college for NFL after his JR year.  the lackadaisical recruiting approach poster child was Nicholas Petit-Frere.  a former college teammate gave Shaw an early heads up on NPF early during his SO year in HS (the Shaw teammate was a HS coach of NPF).  Shaw et al slowplayed NPF while NPF's recruiting profile blew up nationally (#1 OT prospect in the country, #7 overall national recruit), and then pitifully tried to swoop in July before NPF's SR year started including an ill-fated Shaw to FL recruiting trip.  it was far too late.  

neither Williams or NPF would have had issues with Admissions based on GPA/board scores.

2nd, building on your OL #s point, there has been a similar DL #s shortfall too.  short #s meant limited scrimmage time especially with OL as we often couldn't fill 2 deep.  the #s shortage (fewer young bodies with a higher number of reps) leads to more injuries.  

lastly on recruiting approach, it seems that Shaw and staff are not good in reading outcomes early with high ranking recruits.  Shaw, more or less, has philosophy of something akin to 1 offer out for 1 expected opening.  if you think you are still in it with that 1st offer, then subsequent offers are delayed, if ever made.  most coaches approach recruiting with multiple offers to fill requisite openings on more a "first to commit basis."  I don't Shaw needs to swing fully to "first to commit" approach but I think he needs more offers out early, more engagement and then better early calls on when the recruit is no longer viable.  then move on.

[slide]

I think that is probably right.  They have poor technique, don't play strong, and don't play together effectively.  I wonder how much of that is due to the change in the coaching. I would also add that lack of depth is a problem as well.  By my count, we have about 12 recruited offensive linemen, total, of which 7 are from the class of 2021 or 2020 (and remember, 2020's had a COVID-19 shortened fall of freshman year).  We should have at least 10 OL who are juniors, seniors, or fifth years (we have half that number) to have an adequately deep and experienced pipeline, but evidently, we decided we didn't need any offensive linemen in the recruiting class of 2018 (the only recruit that year was Trey Stratford, who is no longer with the team).  I think that one is a legacy Bloomgren hole; Carberry recruited better at the position, and I am at least gratified that Heffernan has continued to recruit enough OL.

This is why if there is one thing that I would really knock Shaw for is the inability to fill classes, especially in the trenches.  We absolutely need at least 8 offensive linemen in every two year interval (to allow for some lumpiness in recruiting).  No matter how highly rated, we can never again go with just 4 offensive linemen over two years, as we did in 2017/18.

BC

some good builds BC.

I'd add a few more.  

really poor prospect identification/lackadaisical recruiting approach.  Connor Williams, now with Dallas, is a poster child on identification.  a part of a small group of OL on campus for a camp.  Shaw et al offered/signed 3 other camp guys who never played a meaningful down and didn't offer the guy who ended starting all 12 games as a FR, 1st team All-American as a SO and departed college for NFL after his JR year.  the lackadaisical recruiting approach poster child was Nicholas Petit-Frere.  a former college teammate gave Shaw an early heads up on NPF early during his SO year in HS (the Shaw teammate was a HS coach of NPF).  Shaw et al slowplayed NPF while NPF's recruiting profile blew up nationally (#1 OT prospect in the country, #7 overall national recruit), and then pitifully tried to swoop in July before NPF's SR year started including an ill-fated Shaw to FL recruiting trip.  it was far too late.  

neither Williams or NPF would have had issues with Admissions based on GPA/board scores.

2nd, building on your OL #s point, there has been a similar DL #s shortfall too.  short #s meant limited scrimmage time especially with OL as we often couldn't fill 2 deep.  the #s shortage (fewer young bodies with a higher number of reps) leads to more injuries.  

lastly on recruiting approach, it seems that Shaw and staff are not good in reading outcomes early with high ranking recruits.  Shaw, more or less, has philosophy of something akin to 1 offer out for 1 expected opening.  if you think you are still in it with that 1st offer, then subsequent offers are delayed, if ever made.  most coaches approach recruiting with multiple offers to fill requisite openings on more a "first to commit basis."  I don't Shaw needs to swing fully to "first to commit" approach but I think he needs more offers out early, more engagement and then better early calls on when the recruit is no longer viable.  then move on.