LongviewLobo01
Premium Members
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- Oct 22, 2013
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If any of you have been on other sites I've been a part of I love to look at 2 years of classes together. It gives a good idea of what the team is going to look like in the future because after redshirts classes begin blending together. You can also foresee positions that could be a problem in the future due to a lack of activity or kids not making it.
Quarterback
Jerrod Heard (2014); Zack Gentry (2015) Thoughts: With the redshirt of Heard it's apparent that the staff is not going to rush a QB into playing just because. I did not list Merrick because I am counting him for the 2016 class since he is a greyshirt, but he could add in here. Still think we need 1 more because I personally like to carry 4 QBs at all times, but this position is going to improve moving forward. It has to.
Running Back
Donald Catalon (2014); D'Onta Foreman (2014); Tristian Houston (2015); Kirk Johnson (2015) Thoughts: It is pretty apparent what the staff thinks about the RBs on campus. Even with the decommit of Stevenson they are still pursuing Warren and Jamabo despite two commits already in hand. A strong running game is crucial to this offense and this staff is going to get them a hoss RB come hell or highwater. Curious to see what happens with Catalon moving forward.
Wide Receiver
Roderick Bernard (2014); Armanti Foreman (2014); Garrett Gray (2014); Lorenzo Joe (2014); Dorian Leonard (2014); John Burt (2015) Thoughts: After a large class last season, the staff is targeting only a few elite prospects this year. Burt is a very soft commit right now and could switch to Auburn, but the staff is still going after other options. Foreman will be a major part of the offense next year and Leonard and Joe could also see significant action. There will probably be some intense competition at this position and could see some kids switch positions or move on in the future.
Tight End
Andrew Beck (2014); Blake Whiteley (2014 JUCO) Thoughts: This position has been a black hole for years and although it appeared at times this season as though it could be coming out of the darkness, there's still not a player on the board who you can look to and see as being THE guy. Definitely need to close this class out with a guy like Clark or Carrington. No question about it.
Offensive Line
Alex Anderson (2014); Terrell Cuney (2014); Jake McMillon (2014); Elijah Rodriguez (2014); Brandon Hodges (2015 JUCO); Ronnie Major (2015); Tristan Nickelson (2015 JUCO); Garrett Thomas (2015); Patrick Vahe (2015); Toby Weathersby (2015); Connor Williams (2015) Thoughts: In Wickline I trust. All three kids redshirted this season from the 2014 class and Wick was able to go out and get a pair of JUCO OTs that could compete for starting jobs immediately. If you did not think that Strong was going to build his offense in the trenches this is all the evidence needed. The star power might not be off the charts, but Wick has made his name taking kids not as highly recruited and turning them into NFL prospects. This position is going to be a major strength (no pun intended) in the coming years. No doubt about it.
Defensive End
Derek Roberson (2014); Louis Brown (2015); Charles Omenihu (2015); Quincy Vasser (2015 JUCO) Thoughts: There is some big time untapped potential in some of these guys and it will be up to Strong, Bedford and Rumph to develop that. Vasser was a major coup for this staff because he's going to be able to enter the starting discussion immediately as Reed's replacement. Will be interested to see how they tackle this position moving forward.
Defensive Tackle
Poona Ford (2014); Chris Nelson (2014); Du'Vonta Lampkin (2015) Thoughts: Ford and Nelson were crucial last season and Lampkin is just as crucial this season. There's a certain DT recruit from East Texas that would be a major addition, but I am not holding my breath. As much emphasis as there is being put on the OL, I think there needs to be just as much emphasis on the DL. Maybe the staff likes the guys in front of these, but I figured they would take more than just 3 over these two classes. One thing I will not do though is question this staff on the defensive side of the ball. Not going to happen.
Linebacker
Edwin Freeman (2014); Cameron Hampton (2014); Breckyn Hager (2015); Cameron Townsend (2015) Thoughts: I am very tempted to put Cecil Cherry on this list, but refrained from doing so. There could be a major change in the names on this list in the very near future. With the open depth chart heading into this year it could mean immediate playing time for anyone who signs this year and especially for anyone who enrolls early.
Defensive Back
John Bonney (2014); Jason Hall (2014); Jermaine Roberts (2014); DeShon Elliott (2015); Jamile Johnson (2015) Thoughts: The early returns from the freshmen are solid just thinking about what Hall was able to do this year. Solid players committed, but needs more star power and that could be on the way. Very good prospects still on the board and you have to think 2-3 more could be in the cards here.
Quarterback
Jerrod Heard (2014); Zack Gentry (2015) Thoughts: With the redshirt of Heard it's apparent that the staff is not going to rush a QB into playing just because. I did not list Merrick because I am counting him for the 2016 class since he is a greyshirt, but he could add in here. Still think we need 1 more because I personally like to carry 4 QBs at all times, but this position is going to improve moving forward. It has to.
Running Back
Donald Catalon (2014); D'Onta Foreman (2014); Tristian Houston (2015); Kirk Johnson (2015) Thoughts: It is pretty apparent what the staff thinks about the RBs on campus. Even with the decommit of Stevenson they are still pursuing Warren and Jamabo despite two commits already in hand. A strong running game is crucial to this offense and this staff is going to get them a hoss RB come hell or highwater. Curious to see what happens with Catalon moving forward.
Wide Receiver
Roderick Bernard (2014); Armanti Foreman (2014); Garrett Gray (2014); Lorenzo Joe (2014); Dorian Leonard (2014); John Burt (2015) Thoughts: After a large class last season, the staff is targeting only a few elite prospects this year. Burt is a very soft commit right now and could switch to Auburn, but the staff is still going after other options. Foreman will be a major part of the offense next year and Leonard and Joe could also see significant action. There will probably be some intense competition at this position and could see some kids switch positions or move on in the future.
Tight End
Andrew Beck (2014); Blake Whiteley (2014 JUCO) Thoughts: This position has been a black hole for years and although it appeared at times this season as though it could be coming out of the darkness, there's still not a player on the board who you can look to and see as being THE guy. Definitely need to close this class out with a guy like Clark or Carrington. No question about it.
Offensive Line
Alex Anderson (2014); Terrell Cuney (2014); Jake McMillon (2014); Elijah Rodriguez (2014); Brandon Hodges (2015 JUCO); Ronnie Major (2015); Tristan Nickelson (2015 JUCO); Garrett Thomas (2015); Patrick Vahe (2015); Toby Weathersby (2015); Connor Williams (2015) Thoughts: In Wickline I trust. All three kids redshirted this season from the 2014 class and Wick was able to go out and get a pair of JUCO OTs that could compete for starting jobs immediately. If you did not think that Strong was going to build his offense in the trenches this is all the evidence needed. The star power might not be off the charts, but Wick has made his name taking kids not as highly recruited and turning them into NFL prospects. This position is going to be a major strength (no pun intended) in the coming years. No doubt about it.
Defensive End
Derek Roberson (2014); Louis Brown (2015); Charles Omenihu (2015); Quincy Vasser (2015 JUCO) Thoughts: There is some big time untapped potential in some of these guys and it will be up to Strong, Bedford and Rumph to develop that. Vasser was a major coup for this staff because he's going to be able to enter the starting discussion immediately as Reed's replacement. Will be interested to see how they tackle this position moving forward.
Defensive Tackle
Poona Ford (2014); Chris Nelson (2014); Du'Vonta Lampkin (2015) Thoughts: Ford and Nelson were crucial last season and Lampkin is just as crucial this season. There's a certain DT recruit from East Texas that would be a major addition, but I am not holding my breath. As much emphasis as there is being put on the OL, I think there needs to be just as much emphasis on the DL. Maybe the staff likes the guys in front of these, but I figured they would take more than just 3 over these two classes. One thing I will not do though is question this staff on the defensive side of the ball. Not going to happen.
Linebacker
Edwin Freeman (2014); Cameron Hampton (2014); Breckyn Hager (2015); Cameron Townsend (2015) Thoughts: I am very tempted to put Cecil Cherry on this list, but refrained from doing so. There could be a major change in the names on this list in the very near future. With the open depth chart heading into this year it could mean immediate playing time for anyone who signs this year and especially for anyone who enrolls early.
Defensive Back
John Bonney (2014); Jason Hall (2014); Jermaine Roberts (2014); DeShon Elliott (2015); Jamile Johnson (2015) Thoughts: The early returns from the freshmen are solid just thinking about what Hall was able to do this year. Solid players committed, but needs more star power and that could be on the way. Very good prospects still on the board and you have to think 2-3 more could be in the cards here.
