Mavric

The more I thought about this over the last couple weeks - and watched all that went on - the more I think this is absolutely the way to go. There are a ton of reasons to get rid of it and I really can't come up with any reasons against it. Really the only argument people can make against it is what if a recruit signs too early then changes his mind. I'm sure this will happen but this is more about learning life lessons than anything. And it's not like that couldn't happen now. The only caveat I'd put in there is the player is allowed to back out if the head coach leaves prior to some date - February 1 would be fine. But it would eliminate so much of the craziness and borderline absurdity of what's going on now. Coaches wouldn't be throwing hundreds of offers out to everyone. Kids wouldn't have offers pulled at the last minute. Coaches wouldn't have to "baby-sit" the entire class right up to the last day. Kids wouldn't have to keep fending off other coaches once they've made their decision. I really can't come up with a reason NOT to get rid of it. And then this stuff starts to come to light and it just makes all the more sense: Link Bad enough when the kids are doing it. When opposing coaches are in on it, it's time to make drastic changes.

Well, this is definitely taking it up a notch.

For comparison, Nebraska was #30, #22, #36 and #30 for an average of 29.5 over this span. So we were ahead of TCU, Houston, Iowa, North Carolina, Utah, Navy, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Western Kentucky. And slightly behind Michigan State and Baylor. So we recruited as well or better than half the Top 25. Link My other take-away is that it's true about the national champion having Top 15 classes but that doesn't mean that you have to be that far off if you don't have them. Four of the Top 10 - Michigan State, TCU, Houston and Iowa - didn't even have a single Top 20 class over that span. Clemson and Oklahoma had Top 15 classes but were right on the edge each time. And Stanford and Ole Miss' average was outside the Top 20. So really only two of the Top 10 were always right at the top of the Recruiting war. Better recruits definitely help but they're not the only factor.

https://twitter.com/ManningsManiacs/status/695675835735388162

Maybe something to think about before people jump in with "parents should stay out of it and just let the kids go where they want." Link

Link

Hope it's a great one!

That wouldn't surprise me. Same path as Stoltenberg.

I'm not too worried about the Davis twins but if Stoltenberg and Newell aren't going to cut it we're in a world of hurt depth-wise. So I would think they'd look for a JUCO DT. Possibly WR but I'd think they'd be pretty picky. I don't think we're in a bad spot at WR. It's just that we have about four of the same guy. The other position I would think would get a JUCO look would be OT but I'm not sure how readily available they are.

Speaking of Aussies, where the heck were we on Ben Simmons.

First run for 2017. I won't list too many targets for now because I like to keep that to guys who are seriously considering Nebraska and it's hard to know much yet. Once guys start showing up for Jr. Days and such we'll know more. Mainly trying to get a look at which positions are a priority and how many we're looking at for each. We have 21 seniors plus can over-sign by 3 so we should be looking at at least 24. Priority: OT - There will only be five scholarship OTs left after this year and two will be seniors. DT - Only four left after this year. Behind by not taking one last year. For sure need two. WR - Losing three and only have six left - none over 6' tall. Need a couple big targets QB - Need to keep adding depth DE - Numbers aren't bad but really need some game-changers TE - Only three after this year but at least they're young. ----------------------------------------- QB - 1 - Tristan Gebbia, Jack Coan RB - 1 - WR - 3-4 - Keyshawn Johnson Jr., Jaevon McQuitty TE - 2-3 - OT - 2-3 - Mark Kallenberger OG/C - 1-2 - DT - 2-3 - DE - 1-2 - Jonathan Van Diest LB - 2-3 - Avery Roberts CB - 1-2 - Darnay Holmes, Jamarri Jackson, Djimon Colbert S - 1-2 -

There is going to great lengths to defend the coaches and then there's trying to suggest that they'd be fine with four scholarship DTs on the roster after this year and none in two straight classes. I count 6? Albeit 2 are Seniors. KW, Maurice, the twins, Stoltenberg, and Newell. Now I still don' get why they didn't push to get 1 DT this class, especially since it takes 1-2 years min for most DTs to develop into being ready to contribute. There will only be 3 on scholly after 2016 with no new young bucks coming in and getting developed under a RS year, will have to rely on 1-2 True Fr. To provide depth in 2017 which isn't ideal IMO. I view this position like QBs, need to take at least 1 good one each year to cover busts and keep a solid pipeline of depth. Yes, six now. Four after this year. I'm not criticizing. I think it was a mistake to not go after at least one last year and I think they've realized that. I'm not worried that they won't go after some this year. I'm sure we'll get at least two. But we'll have to see who they find. My point was people are so quick to jump in and defend the coaches at all costs that they'll even do it when it's beyond obvious that their point is absurd.

Moved several posts about DT recruiting in general to the 2017 thread.

OWH

OWH