[socalstanfan1]

And possibly in our DLine itself:

"plus highly regarded players (Shittu, Watkins, Kaumatule, and Nwafor) to step into the void. "

Of that group, Shittu and Nwafor have drawn comment for their disappearance.  Nwafor was injured, Shittu played and did not distinguish himself as a future star based on his play.  Watkins is never mentioned in the mix. Dunno why.  Only Kaumatule elicited any real optimism, but maybe that was just hope.  Hard to know, the only way we get to know and the only way they get a fair test is to play regularly.  But they might come up short in a fair test.  We have definitely been spoiled by the last three years.

I disagree with some of this. Shittu I have some questions about. He'll have to step up and show something this Spring, without a doubt. Naw for was getting strong reviews before his injury, but it's hard to blame a player for being injured. And I do recall hearing some positives about the development of Watkins. He, too, will need to step up and show more this Spring and Summer. But, due to the strength of our starters, as the program has improved overall, I think the days of freshmen, and even redshirt freshman, stepping in and becoming key contributors are generally gone. There will be exceptions, of course, but in general a lot of very talented people will be waiting, and developing, until their third year, before stepping up and becoming contributors. Think: Cajuste, Danser, Wilkes, Mauro, etc. I think eventually most of the talent will develop, though new guys could come in and move ahead. But I'm not so down on our earlier DL recruits, just yet.

[socalstanfan1]

And possibly in our DLine itself:

"plus highly regarded players (Shittu, Watkins, Kaumatule, and Nwafor) to step into the void. "

Of that group, Shittu and Nwafor have drawn comment for their disappearance.  Nwafor was injured, Shittu played and did not distinguish himself as a future star based on his play.  Watkins is never mentioned in the mix. Dunno why.  Only Kaumatule elicited any real optimism, but maybe that was just hope.  Hard to know, the only way we get to know and the only way they get a fair test is to play regularly.  But they might come up short in a fair test.  We have definitely been spoiled by the last three years.

I disagree with some of this. Shittu I have some questions about. He'll have to step up and show something this Spring, without a doubt. Naw for was getting strong reviews before his injury, but it's hard to blame a player for being injured. And I do recall hearing some positives about the development of Watkins. He, too, will need to step up and show more this Spring and Summer. But, due to the strength of our starters, as the program has improved overall, I think the days of freshmen, and even redshirt freshman, stepping in and becoming key contributors are generally gone. There will be exceptions, of course, but in general a lot of very talented people will be waiting, and developing, until their third year, before stepping up and becoming contributors. Think: Cajuste, Danser, Wilkes, Mauro, etc. I think eventually most of the talent will develop, though new guys could come in and move ahead. But I'm not so down on our earlier DL recruits, just yet.