Filling the Gaps

[CarolinaSpider]

Currently we have 14 new recruits committed. Below is breakdown of positions

DB 1
DE 2
LB 4

Ath 2

QB 1
OL 1
TE 2
WR 1

We are so thin at LBs this year due to injuries, so I am glad to see 4 LBs committed. I know we have decent depth at DL so adding 2 DE makes sense. One DB concerns me cause frankly that is our weakest spot on defense.

On offense we are fairly deep on OL so adding one OL is probably right but only one tall TE but looks like they could add some weight, but 2 TE total. Would like to see another one. WR is at one and seems like we could add a couple more here. Do not know where the Athletes will fit in.

What do the rest of you think about what positions should we focus on?

 

[Speyederman]

Currently we have 14 new recruits committed. Below is breakdown of positions

DB 1
DE 2
LB 4

Ath 2

QB 1
OL 1
TE 2
WR 1

It good to see that the Running Back Problem has been addressed!!!

????

 

[Captain Anderson]

It good to see that the Running Back Problem has been addressed!!!

????

When we entered the season it seemed like we had several RB's. Problem is that we lost the starter right out of the gate and then injuries hit the rest of the depth chart there as the season progressed. At the FCS level multiple injuries to one position group is devastating. My bigger question would be why all our rb's seem to be the same relatively slight size (5'9, 180lbs.). It would be nice to see a bigger, power back to go along with improved run blocking next year by the interior of the OL.

 

[32counter]

Let’s look first at 2019 frosh recruits that have either redshirted or who were out because of injury and who are on the 2 deep.

1. Tom Elia - OL - 6'3"/280 #
2. Cameron Cloud - WR 5'10”/180
3. Ryan Coll -OL/TE 6'5"/310 #
4. Jackson Walker - QB 6'3"/210
5. Giovanni Seigler - DB 6'0"/175
6. Ben Castellano - TE/WR 6'4"/225 **
7. Tristan Wheeler - LB 6'2"/225 #
8. Avery Close - TE 6'5"/225
9. Louis Montana - DL 6'4"/250
10. Cade Salyers - OL 6'4"/310 #
11. Roland Williams - DB 6'0"/180(Transfer JUCO) #
12. Xavier Marshall - DB 6'2"/200
13. Marlem Louis - DE 6’3”/225
14. Gavin Lamp - OL 6’5”/295 #
15. Noah Holmes -LB 6’2”/205 **
16. Scott Schenke - OL 6’3”/285 **
17. Nick King - DL 6'2"/265
18. Jake Larson- K/P 5-11/170 #
19. Savon Smith-RB 5-11,189 #(walk on)

5 OL
2 DL
2 LB
1 QB
3 DB
1 TE
1 TE/WR
1 DE
1 WR
1 K/P
1 RB

** Injured or held out due to surgery

# 2 deep

 

[32counter]

Recruiting was very busy in this last round-

19 (above) + 4 Graduate Transfers( 2 WRs + 1 DB +1 LB )=23

Each of the transfers contributed significantly throughout the season although Marchese was injured.

We should be delving back into the TRANSFER PORTAL NOW.

 

[spiderjpo]

One reason I am showing patience is I truly believe this staff knows how to recruit and bring in players that will have an impact. Our LBs and DBs are bigger and the staff values lineman on both sides of the ball. I Like both Dykes and Howard as well as Smith at RB. I think Close, Cloud and Castellano will go with Brown and Jasper to give us a good TE and WR group. We need to replace two safeties and increase our depth at DB. Lots of playing time to be had in defensive backfield and at TE. I still see Coll on Oline in future. Hope Durden can work some more Grad transfer magic to provide competition and depth for next year. Need to get all committed class signed as they have some difference makers verbally committed at this point!

 

[Speyederman]

My bigger question would be why all our rb's seem to be the same relatively slight size (5'9, 180lbs.). It would be nice to see a bigger, power back to go along with improved run blocking next year by the interior of the OL.

Exactly!!!

I'm sure Savon will get a scholarship and rightfully so. But I'd love to see them bring in a 220+ lb back...someone who can move the pile and be durable enough to last the season.

 

[73CPA]

On WR, the last two "burners" we have had (Simpson and Fuller) were transfers. Not sure who we have in the wings or have recruited that have the type of threatening speed these last two have had. They both proved to be very effective weapons and attracted special attention from defenses.

 

[SpiderRick]

A punter...

 

[Spider B]

I would like us to bring in some transfers at WR and DB/safety. I do really like Brown at WR. He’s going to be a good one for us the next couple years. I will also add that I think RH and staff are building the roster the right way. They are bringing in a lot of talent that should improve a lot over the off season. We are not that far off from making the playoffs this year. Consistency will be key next year. We just have to make more game changing plays when they are there.

 

[Captain Anderson]

Consistency will be key next year. We just have to make more game changing plays when they are there.[/QUOTE]

This is my biggest takeaway from the season. We were good enough to go on the road and beat Maine and Delaware and dominate a solid Stony Brook team but we also looked lost at Fordham, had the collapse against Yale, and the awful start against JMU. I know some folks are frustrated and rightfully so (This team really isn't that far off from having 7-8 wins right now) and i'm not into the whole moral victory "improvement" optics that our basketball program seems to have been stuck in but I do think this team has enough talent to compete for a playoff berth next year. It's going to be a big year for Russ, he needs to have this team and coaching staff prepared, organized and ready to start fast next season.

 

[SpiderRick]

Consistency will be key next year. We just have to make more game changing plays when they are there.

This is my biggest takeaway from the season. We were good enough to go on the road and beat Maine and Delaware and dominate a solid Stony Brook team but we also looked lost at Fordham, had the collapse against Yale, and the awful start against JMU. I know some folks are frustrated and rightfully so (This team really isn't that far off from having 7-8 wins right now) and i'm not into the whole moral victory "improvement" optics that our basketball program seems to have been stuck in but I do think this team has enough talent to compete for a playoff berth next year. It's going to be a big year for Russ, he needs to have this team and coaching staff prepared, organized and ready to start fast next season.[/QUOTE]

I agree with everything you are saying...............but very tired of waiting until next year. Once you hit 70, it's like that....

 

[KE Spider]

An effective Special Teams coach. Has been an Achilles Heel for nearly a decade.

 

[Hanca]

The gap is Russ and staff

 

[32counter]

Cameron Cloud should replace #5

Ben Castellano should replace #9

With Walker and Hardy rostered don’t see Mancuso starting next season.English likely 4th on depth chart.

 

[spiderhawk111]

i sure hope they hit the transfer portal again for some wide outs , and i just dont see russ going with a frosh qb , if it is indeed a playoff or bust year

 

[rspides]

Maybe convert English to wide-out ? Paired with Brown, Jasper, Cloud, Castellano. Not a bad group, Need a couple 250 lb. tight ends

 

[32counter]

Maybe convert English to wide-out ? Paired with Brown, Jasper, Cloud, Castellano. Not a bad group, Need a couple 250 lb. tight ends

Avery Close at 6-5 240 will be a RFr TE.

 

[SpiderAlways]

Time to go back to the bad ass blues! This sissy white doesn’t work!

 

[DTSpider]

Time to hit the gym with a serious attitude. Let’s come out next year and play downhill football. Hopefully a couple of the underclassman can step into leadership roles and get the team ready to rock next year.

 

[Captain Anderson]

I really want to be fair and patient with Russ but we were told very publicly after last season that things would get "fixed" and we saw a lot of the same inconsistency and issues again this season. It's hard for me to get past how we showed up on Saturday. I know these phrases get thrown around casually but we really did fail to show up and were clearly not ready to play. 3 turnovers in the 1st quarter combined with a head scratching offensive gameplan showed that. Neither team had much of an offense/running game but you saw the Tribe at lease try some different things (full house backfields and the quad wr set that gave us fits). Russ really blew a great opportunity to finish the season with some good momentum and instead that game leaves the fanbase with some serious doubts heading into next season.

 

[spiderhawk111]

A punter...

its hard to tell how good the punter is , with them making them do sideways kicking , when you see them actually punt in warm ups they dont look bad