The Jackal wrote: ↑Wed Dec 04, 2024 12:39 pm
I haven't seen the final announcement, but a few thoughts on what's been reported thus far:
1. At RB we continue to target smaller, shiftier type players.
2. Consistent with prior years, we try to land at least three offensive linemen. We typically need a lot of bodies to fill those five spots and those are positions where development really matters long term.
3. Recent history suggests that we typically try to land one split receiver (bigger guy) and one slot receiver (a bit shorter quicker) each year. It looks like we got the slot type guy in James, but the split guy went another direction. Good news is we are not for want of split receivers.
4. No TE in the class to this point. That may seem reasonable with Chappell as a rising junior, Pryor, Ruckh, Burrell, Tormey, etc. all likely to factor in as well as a couple big bodied receivers that will line up in the slot.
5. No QB. That may suggest that the coaches expect all three guys to return next year (or at least two).
6. Picked up a couple of talented athletic "linebackers." We've done a lot of mixing and matching at that position with guys that are athletic enough to both play inside and outside (Achina, Chideo, etc.).
7. Maddox Dykeman is an interesting prospect. It's not often you see Furman bring in a 6'8 guy to play defense.
All good observations. Couple of things...
The staff, to my knowledge, has yet to offer a QB this cycle. Followed several but no offers yet. It makes sense as we're supposed to have all 3 coming back. We'll see if that happens.
The LB commits in this class are interesting in that they do not follow the mold of guys like Dimaggio, Earl, and Herbert (6'2" to 6'4", 220-235 pounds). They are both around 6 feet and 210-220 pounds. I don't know if that's any type of shift in philosophy but just thought it was interesting that Earl/Herbert fit a mold and Ellison/Simmons fit a different mold.
Dykeman is an interesting prospect. I honestly think he's a guy who could play OT as well. He played opposite of a very good player 2 years ago so his numbers were better then than last year, but he does give Furman some size and length on the edge.
Another thing to remember is that Furman landed 4 players during the February signing day with 2 of them playing a lot of snaps this year in Coleman and Jones. There are still good players out there to sign in a few months so we may still see another couple of HS signees. Personally, I hope the coaches go find some portal guys to replace who we lose. Feels like we need a little help in a few spots that maybe aren't coming along as fast as we would have liked.
