Unless recruing on the lines change, I could see that as becoming Napier's undoing. Our recruiting has come along at almost every other position, even the Billy Gonzalez critics are shutting up with the recent receiver hauls. Same with the secondary. But our tackles on both sides are falling behind even further while even Tennessee and the usual suspects keep recruiting better. Not sure what it will take to get the high school guys to come but we are now in position to have to hit the portal with significant acquisitions starting next year. Not just capable bodies but a top transfer or two at least.
Maybe they haven’t prioritized them as they are big money and take longer to develop. Hopefully their plan all along was to purchase some already matured big boys. Maybe see how the ones we have develop and add a few that are proven.
That's a positive take and I'm good with that but it seems optimistic considering how bad we have been hurting for line talent and depth and that those are developmental positions that typical require a year or two in a program before they make impact. Going back to several coaches now we have fallen short on several big time "interests" from Nick Smith, to Walter Nolan, to nasi johnson and williams just last cycle. Same with Oline. Tired of entertaining the okunlolas, Seatons and company just to lose out in the end. Lets just hope it changes sooner than later because those are our remaining glaring issues.
Over the last several coaches that is absolutely correct . I’ve been bitching about it the entire time. Napier hasn’t been here long enough to call it a trend during his tenure though. Averaldi said we aren’t getting outbid on guys we absolutely want and if that’s true, we didn’t prioritize the guys we lost. There’s only so much cash and they have choices to make. I hope they have a plan to fill the void.
Exactly this!!! we’ve been continuously gotten left at the altar in OL recruiting when it comes to recruiting. Richard Gouriage is the only top 100 overall player we’ve recruited on the OL in the last EIGHT years. I know OL is a tough position to recruit and it does take the average OL a few seasons before you see returns but you look around at the too program and they are getting true/redshirt freshmen up to speed and on the field EARLY especially when it’s a too rated OL. Two (Harris and Waites) of the projected 5 starters on our OL were recruited by the current staff out of HS. Dont care what anyone says, and I know some will point to the portal as the change in building rosters, but that’s unacceptable. Jalen Farmer (gone) David Conner (gone) Christian Williams (non factor) Those 3 were from our 2022 transition class and 2 of em are gone and one has been beaten out even with a year up on Harris. Lovett (back up) Caden Jones (3rd string) Harris (starter) Kearney (will play at RG) thats what we brought in last cycle The 2024 OL has size but allll of them seem 2-3 years away from being anything. OL recruiting HAS to pick up. We’re not talented enough there to just twittle our thumbs
The guys you mentioned may blossom but we have no choice but to hit the portal hard and depth pieces aren’t going to cut it.
Hope Davis makes a move, can make some money. (As I do for all those listed), I really enjoyed his play at UF. Bobby, speaking of UF players, did you see who was named the starter for New England?
lol Brissett. How he continues to see playing time is beyond me. To his credit, he’s a solid stop gap
Wasn’t that hit directly comparable to major weight in the championship game? Let’s not get soft cuz the rules went soft
I don't believe I'm being a homer when I say they were not the same. Major Wright led with his helmet to the chest which at the time couldn't have been a penalty but I don't remember it being an ejection. Cine went very high and helmet to helmet. It was brutal. I don't think it was intended to go helmet to helmet because he ended up hurting himself but he went very high intending to do so damage. Edit to add major wright's hit. I was being a homer. Wrights was similar although a different time with different rules.
Major went through the chest. But still, as many times as I’ve watched this I feel we were fortunate not to get a penalty. Cine was definitely to the head… though maybe not intentional. He didn’t know what year it was when he got off the ground.
Listening to the talking heads talk about it during the last game, it seems that they’re going to use Jacoby as the sacrificial lamb. They know they’re gonna suck and don’t want to ruin their top draft pick’s confidence.