Position Evaluation/Recruiting

[Cytaki]

So I was looking through the key contributors/recruits so-far and this is what I think seem to be the need we have yet to fill in this class

QB- Two Scholarship QB's
We need to get a scholarship QB to end this recruiting class (Doak Raulston seems to be obvious front runner)
RB-Three Scholarship RB's
Recruits- Two
We should be done recruiting RB's. We have a lot of apparent young talent at this position, though two are completely unproven. Five should be a nice number though. So I don't see any need for more guys here.
WR- 7 scholarship WR's
Recruits- Three
I think a nice finish to this position for the future with the new Herman offense will be getting either Billy Foster of Hayo Carpenter to finish out the class. The more depth the better for this position. I wouldn't be surprised to see one or two of the current WR's on this team moved to defense.
TE-7 scholarship/contributing TE's/FB's
Recruits-One
This position is done. We have so much depth here already, we really don't need anybody else.
OL- 11 scholarship OL
Recruits-Two
I wouldn't mind seeing us get one more OL (Murphy from Clinton) to wrap this class up. We need to bring in the fringe talent from Iowa and mold them into strong talents. So many times Iowa has gotten these guys and made them good-great players.
DL- 10 scholarship DL
Recruits-None
We need to at least get one DE and DT in this class. We have a lot of youth at these positions that need to be molded. I would like to see us get three guys here if we can. (Martin, Nolan, Spence, Woods-seem to be likely choices right now)
LB- 8 scholarship LB's
Recruits-Three
I think one more LB, possibly two would compliment the very young core nicely. I like the possibility of Mars, maybe Marry, Rashad Smith)(
DB- 10 scholarship DB's
Recruits- 4
I would say one more safety prospect makes this group complete(I like the prospect of moving Lenz here and maybe having Mike Lang at WR).

Likely distribution of last scholarships
1 QB
1 or 2 WR
1 OL
2 or 3 DL
1 LB
1 S

That leaves us with 22-23 recruits which about where I expected us to end up.

 

[CloneIce]

Great breakdown! Nice work.

This could end up being a real nice class at LB and WR. Hope we can get a QB and another OL as well.

But we really need some DL to finish out this class, lets get em Coach! That is probably our biggest need and we have no recruits there. There has to be some smart recruits out there that can see that great opportunity.

 

[cyfan15]

Wish list for the final scholarships:

Doak Raulston
Hayo Carpenter or Billy Foster
Mike Lang
Matt Murphy
possibly another OL if Boffeli decommits
Taylor Martin
Dearco Nolan
another DE
Akeem Spence
Walter Woods
Mike Marry
Larvez Mars

 

[erikbj]

Like to see ISU load up on some DT' and DE's!! If they can pressure the QB the secondary looks a lot better fast.

 

[hurdleisu24]

Could any of the TE's move to the OL? Im just not sure how many times ISU is going to use multiple TE formations

 

[Cytaki]

We do have a lot of depth at TE. I don't know about moving to OL, but I could see a couple of the guys from last year move to defense.

In my opinion the top four TE for the offense we will be running will be

Catlett
Franklin
Bykowski
Neal

Hammerschmidt could be built up to OL, but might want to keep him around as a fifth option. I can really see us moving Taylor Mansfield and Brian Ekwelundu. I really see Ekwelundu's role diminishing and can see him moving to LB for depth. As for Mansfield, I have always asked myself that if he is such a physical specimen and a former wrestler, why isn't he playing DT. I really think we ought to consider pretty strongly trying this kid out at DT.

 

[Splendid]

As for Mansfield, I have always asked myself that if he is such a physical specimen and a former wrestler, why isn't he playing DT. I really think we ought to consider pretty strongly trying this kid out at DT.

I agree, Taylor is a heavyweight state champ with excellent footwork and has a reputation for being tough so if we are deficient at DT why not give him a try.

 

[jaretac]

Obviously, every good WR or QB we can get is good, but I really want to see an upgrade in the lines. If that means getting by with the QBs and WRs we have, so be it. Remember, Reynolds has allot of time at QB and could fill in the unlikely event that both scholarship QB's go down.

 

[cyhiphopp]

Unfortunately it can take time to shore up the offensive and defensive lines. I don't think we usually get OL recruits that can come in and play early.

 

[CP44]

Unfortunately it can take time to shore up the offensive and defensive lines. I don't think we usually get OL recruits that can come in and play early.

Agreed.... But I thought we saw some good things from KO, Baysinger, and Houghton towards the end of the year.

 

[dinger]

this is my kind of thread. dont look now, but we are talking about recruiting and 10 posts in we are still on track.

 

[swimmercy]

I agree, Taylor is a heavyweight state champ with excellent footwork and has a reputation for being tough so if we are deficient at DT why not give him a try.

Maybe because he is only 255 lbs.

 

[CP44]

Hopefully Jerrod Black can have a little more impact this year

 

[cyhiphopp]

Agreed.... But I thought we saw some good things from KO, Baysinger, and Houghton towards the end of the year.

Understood. I think we can develope that into increased production in the next couple of years. Just not sure if the big reults will come this year or not. (Fingers crossed)
I think overall our recruiting has improved lately. Under DMac we would take any OL that was over 300 and give him a schollie, especially if he was a local. Now I think we are actually finding some talent for the line.

 

[cyhiphopp]

Maybe because he is only 255 lbs.

Lets hope he can beef up to the 280 range at least so he can play DT.

 

[Cytaki]

I have no doubt Mansfield could beef up and be a very solid DT. He might only play at 275 or so, but considering he supposedly is almost all muscle, I think he would be just fine at that weight.

 

[dunar]

Tim Griffin's blog talked about ISU recruiting needs. Interesting read, but I didn't really see anything new.

 

[bmuff]

How I see it, QB is the biggest need right now. You absolutely cannot go into the season with only two scholarship QBs. Yeah, Money Reynolds having a QB background helps, but only so much. Say AA wins the job this spring. What happens if Tiller transfers before the season? Ouch. I thought McHargue was the perfect fit. Now they'll have to find someone else, even if they have to steal a commit from a mid-major. I don't care if the kid never plays in his career, we need the depth.

 

[bmuff]

Wish list for the final scholarships:

Doak Raulston
Hayo Carpenter or Billy Foster
Mike Lang
Matt Murphy
possibly another OL if Boffeli decommits
Taylor Martin
Dearco Nolan
another DE
Akeem Spence
Walter Woods
Mike Marry
Larvez Mars

I'm going to go ahead and assume that Boffeli is gone. Murphy would be a decent replacement. I still think that they need another TE too. My wishlist:

QB: Raulston
WR: Foster and Lang
RB: none
TE: Howard?
OL: Murphy
DE: Alvis and Nolan (Martin will be back for sure)
DT: Spence and Woods
LB: Marry and Mars
CB: none assuming Reeves stays
S: Who knows...Woody?

 

[cyhiphopp]

I like the idea of recruiting the best athletes available after our position recruiting is finished and developing a position for them. I think there are some decent athletes still interested in ISU (including Woody) that we could pick up and polish.

Some of our best recruits this year were considered Athletes -
LJ
Darius Darks
Kennard Banks