So this time next week, we'll have some new players ready to wear teh orange and blues. Early signing period starts on the 19th and from what I've been hearing, we can expect about 80%, or 269/315ths of the class to go ahead and put ink to paper. We currently have 16 commits, which is a good bit behind what most schools ranked ahead of us have. 247 puts us at 12th. The one truly positive thing I think we can all agree on with Malzahn is that he's always recruited bigly and yuge. He may not do squat with it when it gets on campus, but there are no qualms with the talent he brings in year after year.
So, there's still 9-10 slots left to fill. And in my uneducated opinion, I think these will be some of the most crucial signings for this program in a long time. Here's my take. The stars are according to Rivals
OFFENSE
Quarterback:
Bo Nix 6'2" 190 5*
I would definitely not be opposed to signing another one, whether it be HS, transfer or JUCO. Nix will be a true freshman and there is exactly zero proven talent behind him. If he doesn't pan out or gets injured, ferrked is what we are.
Running Back:
Nothing so far. Nada, Zip, Zilch. If we go into next season with the same (Asa-less) stable of RB's, please to be seeing the ferrked reference above. I like Boobee. Great potential there. But he also appears to be injury proned. We need a couple of backs.
Wide Ball Catchers:
George Pickens 6'4" 190 5*
Tyler Fromm 6'4" 215 3* (Rivals lists him as WR)
Ja'Varrius Johnson 5'9" 156 3*
Pickens is a beast, but he's looking around. Says he won't sign early. If he does, we'll be a lot better at that position given what we already have.
Tight Non Ball Catchers:
Luke Deal 6'5" 235 3*
Big Uglies:
Keiondre Jones 6'3" 340 4*
Justin Osborne 6'5" 300 3*
Absolute must have. Huge need. 2-3 of those vacant slots had better be filled with 4* linemen or the ferrked reference could apply for years.
Athletes:
Jayshawn Sheffield 6'2" 175 4*
Zion Puckett 6' 195 4*
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Colby Wooden 6'4" 238 4*
Jaren Hardy 6'5" 262 4*
Jamond Gordon 6'4" 270 3*
All 3 are listed as DE's. We lose Russell and Williams on the interior to graduation and most likely Davidson and Brown to early departure. Maybe even Coe. Anyone else see where this is going?
Linebacker
Owen Pappoe 6'1" 202 4*
That's it! One undersized, albeit very good, LB. We graduate all 3 starters this year.
Defensive Back
Cam'Ron Kelly 6'1" 200 4*
Jaylin Simpson 5'11" 165 4*
Nehemiah Puckett 6' 170 3*
From what I've read, I feel good about landing most, if not all of these guys. Pickens is crucial IMO, but I definitely don't blame him for hesitating. Many of these guys, including Nix and Pappoe, are listed as guys who will enroll early. But I'll say this again, how Malzahn and Co. do in filling these remaining spots just might determine whether or not this program becomes a complete dumpster fire. Not just with the coaching staff, but the talent pool as well. We've got some serious needs to fill.
I'd better not see another F'ing tight end in this class.
Thoughts?