I think a lot of us, myself included, have gotten caught up in the negative press. Just look at this that WE posted. "Commitments Remaining Committed". Really. As if any second now, you expect them to tell AU to kiss off. It's every article, every recruit. "He's been solid to AU from the start...BUT......"
My armchair QB quickie analysis says it looks like we've really hit a lot of our needs and done it quite well. I am the first to say though, that one of the biggest is still up in the air. Linebacker. My hope is that the staff is putting a huge emphasis on addressing that area with the remaining slots.
Priority Needs: QB & LB
Big time props for Jeremy Johnson and Nick Marshall. Can't argue with that. LB...Cameron Toney is it right now. Get Foster and one other and we're in much better shape.
Running Back: Love Mason. But Artimus Pyle makes us pretty damn good at that position. Again, land any one of the several elite guys out there and it's now game on, bitches.
O-Line: #1 JUCO guard really helps. We've had 2 stellar classes at that position and we'll have to trust that this new staff can put a solid group on the field.
WR: Obvious question with the current group is who the playmakers are. I think we're better than it looks with the clusterfuck that was the 2012 AU Tigers. We have athletes. But, Robinson, Smith and Stevens (3 Four star guys) look like damn fine additions.
D-Line: Again, you look at this group and wonder what the hell went wrong? Whittaker, Wright and Blackson should be bad ass. Instead, they looked soft, out of shape and lacked any fire whatsoever. Coaching? Has to be. Add Bradley to the mix and they have to be better. Add Montraviosity Adams and again...game on.
DB's: Love the PT that true freshmen J. Holsey and J. Jones got last year. Several upper classmen coming back. Still don't know what we've really got after last season, though. Additions of Kamryn Melton, Brandon King and Khari Harding suddenly make us far more physical and athletic.
Like I said, I think the commitments we have so far really hit a lot of our immediate needs. I have to trust that the top flight recruiters Malzahn hired will close this class with some big time playas. I think they will.