(12-28-2016 10:01 AM)CliftonAve Wrote: (12-28-2016 09:49 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote: I'm not so sure about the quality of this roster.
It's as thin from top to bottom as I can recall going back to when Dantonio started his youth movement.
I am sort of in between you and Crew. We are pretty talented at RB, WR, Corner and Safety. We are really thin on the OL and I have concerns at LB. Our defensive line group has probably more bodies than we have had in a while, but the only guy that jobs out and wows me is Cortez Broughton.
It will be interesting to see the new schemes the staff brings. On defense, the Tubs regime ran a very vanilla scheme. Our talent on hand might shine in a more aggressive, blitzing, type of system. Improving the tackling alone will make the group appear world's better. Guys need to wrap up and more gang-tackling is woefully needed.
On offense, I need to see if Hayden Moore/Ross Trail's production was the indicative of their skill level or of Taylor's system. This will be figured out before the season started. I commented last year we probably should bring in a 5th year Senior Transfer just in case.
Clifton, fair points and I especially agree with you on OL. As to Rath I would agree with thin, this program has struggled under all coaches to have a true 2-deep roster. Perhaps we were at our best under BK.
Here are some random players from the 2 deep roster with information from their bio (I did not cherry pick anyone):
Mike Boone - 2 star WR, converted to RB... considered a 'reach' recruit by experts
Hayden Moore - questioned in this thread for his talent level. He was a 3 star and rated 20th best recruit in AL. On paper many would think he was a good talent yet he is being questioned.
Ross Trail - also questioned in this thread for his talent level.
4 star recruit. Rated 8th best recruit in AK and #18 pro-style QB. Again, great on paper but being questioned.
Kahlil Lewis - starting WR, 3 star prospect, listed as a top 85 WR in the nation.
Ryan Stout - 3 star, rated 20th best OT in the nation by Scout and #99 rated recruit (top 100) in Ohio
Tyler Cogswell - 3 star QB converted to TE, rated a top 100 player from FL
Caleb Ashworth (Back up DE) - rated a 3 star, #37 prospect in the state of VA and #98 DE in the nation.
Tyrell Gilbert (local recruit from Princeton) - rated a 3 star by some services and a 2 star by others, #51 safety in the nation, #72 rated recruit in Ohio.
My take away is the best player up there is the unheralded player out of HS Mike Boone. I think team speed is better.
I think reserving judgement on Fickell is fair, there is data that leads you to believe it is a good hire and data that says it could be a mediocre selection. Minter after all seemed like a slam dunk... stop me if you've heard this... had the #1 rated defense as the DC at Notre Dame... sons lived locally, wanted to stay forever...
Those are my thoughts; have at them...