(03-29-2019 09:21 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote: He was a filler when a higher profile player fell through. Didn't pan out. Good kid.
Happens sometimes but it can't happen too much or you have depth problems.
UAB's Last 6 Signing Classes: Players are listed in order of their commitment, first to last. Players in
Bold had limited or disappointing impact as newcomers, or transferred or left the team.
'13 Class
Dayshawn Watkins (Released from commitment)
CJ Washington (Started 1/2 seasons)
Denzell Watts (Started 2/4)
Tyler Madison (Started 1/4)
Tosin Mehinti (Started 3/4)
Thadius Riddeau (DNP)
Chad Frazier (Expelled)
'14 Class
Robert Brown (Started 2/2)
Calhoun (Left team)
Sullivan (Started 1/4)
Cokley (Started 3/4)
Lee (Started 4/4)
Norton (Started 3/3, Xfer)
Hakeem Baxter (Started 2/3?)
Denzell Collins (Left team)
'15 Class
Dirk Williams (Major contributor, started 1/2)
Thomas Smallwood (Xfer after 3 seasons)
'16 Class
Nate Darling (Started 1/2, Xfer)
JD Williams (Xfer)
'17 Class
Zach Bryant (Started 2/2)
Gueye (Started 1/2)
Hurtado (RS, Xfer?)
McCoy (Plays hard, not a CUSA player)
'18 Class
Pearson (limited minutes and success)
Ryan Boyce (Released from commitment)
Jude Azabueke - RS
Lovan (Future Starter)
Will Butler (Started part of season, ACL)
Bertain (RS, Xfer)
Scott-Grayson (possible future starter)
Bell (Xfer starter, 1/2 previous scoring avg.)
Bathurst (Walk on, should have played more)
Jude has yet to play but as our highest rated signee in his class, his Redshirt was definitely disappointing. Bell had a decent season but averaged just a little more than 1/2 his last season in Milwaukee. We needed closer to his junior season than we got.
I count 31 players signed in the last 6 classes. By my amateur estimation, 14 of the 31 players (45%!) either had a disappointing/no impact as a newcomer or left the team with eligibility remaining. Of those 14 players, 2 still have a chance to get off that "Let Down" list, Pearson and Jude. But both were 3 star players so they deserve to be there for the moment.
So over the last six seasons, on average, 5 of our 13 scholarship spots have been occupied by filler, misses, let downs, practice bodies, whatever you wanna call them. If there are any injuries to contributors there aren't a lot of options.
The closer to summer, the slimmer the pickings. Ehsan needs to bring in a strong late class and do it by the late signing date, April 17th. All have to be ready to play on day one of practice. No fillers.
*I'm sure I left somebody out or screwed something up. You get what you pay for.