12-21-2021, 10:15 PM
(12-19-2021, 05:59 PM)BostonCard Wrote: The nice thing about having a balanced class in 2022 is that we don’t have any whopping holes that we will have to fill emergently in the class of 2023. That being said, there are a couple of spots where the recruiting was a bit weaker and will need to be shored up in 2023, and a couple positions where we had decent numbers but not high level talent. So here is my wish list for 2023:
Defensive back: the de-commitment of Ramsey really hurt, as we only recruited two other DB’s in the clas, neither of them what I would call elite (and if Wright doesn’t wind up signing his LOI, this will be a big problem for 2023. So we will need a full DB class, with two Cb’s and two safeties in 2023.
Quarterback: thankfully, we have stopped taking gap years in QB recruiting, but we need to continue taking a QB every year, and I’m really hoping we can land an elite one. Bonus points if he is a dual threat, for Phogge.
Wide receiver: we will need at least two WR’s (three if we can get good ones), preferably at least one a speedy guy who can stretch defenses.
Running back: like QB, we should be taking a running back every year. And given that we only took one each in 2021 and 2022, if there are two good ones available, it would be nice to have extra depth, given the risk of injury (as we saw this year).
Offensive line: we did pretty well in terms of quality and quantity in 2022 (with 4, two of whom were four star, and the other two high three star recruits). They are all nominally tackles, though I assume two will move inside. Unlike prior years where we take a break from recruiting linemen every once in a while, we have to continue with another solid class of four or five so that by the time the classes of 2022 and 2023 are juniors and seniors, we can have a real two-deep.
Linebackers: if we truly are moving two a 4-3, then getting three linebackers in 2022 is good. We will need 2-3 again next year. And, if the rumors are false, we will need more like 4 next year.
Tight ends: we got two in 2022, which is great, but follows a whiff in 2021. So we need to get at least one for 2023, and a second would not be bad.
Defensive line: I can’t believe I’m saying it, but we will be in good shape a few years down the line when the class of 2022 matures (it’s a mess in the short term, as I’ve expanded on previously, but at least the class of 2022 was good). Now, if we are moving to a 4-3, we are going to need to keep it up, with at least three defensive linemen in 2023. If we stay in a 3-4, we can’t afford to whiff, but we would be fine with just two.
BC
nice summary BC of needs. if we are to err on scholarships, I'd hope it would be on the defensive side of the ball. the 2022 class is the most balanced (O&D) we've had in years.
late adds to this thread is the self sanctions by Shaw cover most of his head coaching career. in the end, the approach (leaving numerous unused scholarships annually) is really a disservice to the players as the lack of numbers (especially with the accompanying number of "steak eater/bus riders") that it inhibits full squad scrimmages and player development. recall the team went a couple of years without such regular scrimmages due to lack of OL and DL.
on hopes going forward (and covid willing), I'd like to see an early aggressive Spring OV schedule -- may be targeting a dozen of our high-rated/early offers including Pratt. use that group to build the core of the '23 class. Gus can provide the numbers, but we've had a low hit rate on early offers and it would be nice to change it.