[SamuelMcF]

It’s a very negative post, but if there is one reason to be a bit more positive, it is that the class of 2022 was the first one in a while to deliver quality and depth at pretty much all defensive positions (except grrrr, DT, but I assume one of the three DE’s will move inside).  If we can keep that up, and do it consistently, then at least one part of the problem will be better once those freshmen get to be juniors.

Of course, you gotta coach them up too.

BC

A final reminder that in a base 4-3 (which we should've switched to 3 years ago) "DT" means nothing, they don't have to be 300lbs by design, and all 3 of the DL recruited in 2022 will be interior guys. Ideally they'd have a year of S&C to bulk up to 280+, but that would make sense so of course they don't.

As I've said before, for those who remember the absolute trash fire of a S situation we had for years, we are seeing the exact same thing playing out right now at DL. The cavalry is coming because coaches finally got their heads out of their asses when the problem was staring them right in the face, but too late because the recruited guys need years to develop. "Reactive" vs. "proactive" recruiting rears its ugly head. ILB could be the same way in a year or 2, but at least the staff saw that one coming slightly earlier and is already recruiting to fill the hole.

This is why I've always been an advocate for signing classes of 20+ every single year, addressing every single position (i.e. no "gap years" anywhere, and NEVER just 1 OL or DB...and usually never 2 either). Especially now that more and more guys are leaving with eligibility or retiring with degree in hand. You have to have depth. Period. 2022 was a good start there overall, and I hope 2023 continues that (it looks like it will, FWIW).

Finally, pending the incoming 2022 class, this year we are at the full 85 scholarships. The only walk-ons on scholarship are Brycen Tremayne and Ryan Sanborn, who more than earned it (and I usually don't count the starting specialists anyways). I never thought I'd see the day.

[SamuelMcF]

It’s a very negative post, but if there is one reason to be a bit more positive, it is that the class of 2022 was the first one in a while to deliver quality and depth at pretty much all defensive positions (except grrrr, DT, but I assume one of the three DE’s will move inside).  If we can keep that up, and do it consistently, then at least one part of the problem will be better once those freshmen get to be juniors.

Of course, you gotta coach them up too.

BC

A final reminder that in a base 4-3 (which we should've switched to 3 years ago) "DT" means nothing, they don't have to be 300lbs by design, and all 3 of the DL recruited in 2022 will be interior guys. Ideally they'd have a year of S&C to bulk up to 280+, but that would make sense so of course they don't.

As I've said before, for those who remember the absolute trash fire of a S situation we had for years, we are seeing the exact same thing playing out right now at DL. The cavalry is coming because coaches finally got their heads out of their asses when the problem was staring them right in the face, but too late because the recruited guys need years to develop. "Reactive" vs. "proactive" recruiting rears its ugly head. ILB could be the same way in a year or 2, but at least the staff saw that one coming slightly earlier and is already recruiting to fill the hole.

This is why I've always been an advocate for signing classes of 20+ every single year, addressing every single position (i.e. no "gap years" anywhere, and NEVER just 1 OL or DB...and usually never 2 either). Especially now that more and more guys are leaving with eligibility or retiring with degree in hand. You have to have depth. Period. 2022 was a good start there overall, and I hope 2023 continues that (it looks like it will, FWIW).

Finally, pending the incoming 2022 class, this year we are at the full 85 scholarships. The only walk-ons on scholarship are Brycen Tremayne and Ryan Sanborn, who more than earned it (and I usually don't count the starting specialists anyways). I never thought I'd see the day.