Good post, I agree.
The fact that we are after so many JUCO DT's is proof enough that the coaches see an area that needs immediate help. I do think we have some great up and coming talent but we really need 2 guys that can come in and give us some quality depth while the younger guys get some experience. Out of all the DTs we have had on campus not one of them (in an interview) have spilled the beans about the coaches plans to take one or two Juco DT. Hooks and Russell really hit it off this weekend, and became fast friends. He said they could see themselves playing next to each other next year. Gotta wonder if we are going to take two JUCO DT. We seem to have fallen off the map with all the HS DTs. Another JUCO DT Kyle Peko is visiting for the Minnesota game, and its sounds like Scout may have been wrong about Toby visiting,although no one seems to know either way. Georgia and Oklahoma need immediate help so they may back off Toby. Tenn might be going thru a coaching change, so we may be the team that nurses Toby back to health and see how he does once fully recovered. I think we can take a chance on him, if he fully recovers, he would be a steal.
Rumors from the scout team are saying Valentine is almost unblockable at times.
We really do have some good talent waiting in the wings, but i think 2 good JUCO DTs would really help with depth. We didnt even have enough depth at DT to play the spring game without moving some guys around. Can never have enough big bodies.
It is rather telling when we have to shift Meredith inside to have enough bodies at DT.
Now, perhaps it's a case of Cam being the best we have available there even if we have other DT's ready to go (i.e., Peat, Williams, Guy). The coaches have shown a propensity for trusting the upperclassmen a lot more than the younger guys, unless their hand is forced. Cam was so atrocious off the edge for most of last two years (to the naked eye), it's good we found a role for him!
Next year we lose a 3-year starter at DT in Stein, so it will be interesting to see who steps up. One would be inclined to think it would be one of these JUCO's or VV stepping into the starting role unless someone takes over and makes the spot theirs next year.