The Lions' Pride

Btw Peppers transferred for Don Bosco.

Even if he is, doesn't really excite me... Slow and unathletic... Maybe as a 34 DE if he can put on some weight...

Averett is a track guy with football ability. He is a really long strider. He has run an indoor best 60 meter of 6.46 this winter (very good time), a 23'7 3/4" long jump (very good distance) and a 6'6" high jump. He is easily Woodbury's best athlete. I'm not sure what his best position projects to (WR or CB). He seems to have the instincts to play CB, and he has excellent size for a CB. He doesn't look like he is too much of a hitter yet. I'd like to see what kind of patterns he can run.

Stick around 20 because its the closest thing to a guarantee as we have right now. I know we need to trim some of these possible 5th year seniors as every staff does (as mean as it sounds, it is an unfortunate part of the business), we still have to have some veteran depth on the team. That's just football.

My breakdown as I put up about two weeks ago in our mock class thread:

1 QB
1 RB
2 WR
3 OT
1 IOL
1 TE

1 DT
1 DE
1 DL
3 LB
3 DB

2 ATH

This, -1 RB... Belton will be a combo player for us, and BOB doesn't need more than one in this class. +1 with Breneman being the lone TE... This works out fine with 20. Don't forget Oakman is gone, more will be gone and there is the +3 Big ten rule... We can take 3-4 DEs no problem.

1 QB (done)
1 RB (Belton is a combo WR/RB for us in the role of Danny Whitehead and the position is different less emphasis- and remember Zwinak could get a look in single back sets after next year, just think its only 1 this yr)
2-3 WR (Switz and one other, hopefully Foster, but maybe Lemelle or Boyd)
1 TE (Obviously done)
4 OL (Mahon, and 3 OT's)
3-4 DE (Sickels and 2-3 more, we need SPEED/STUDS on the edge for this new Defense that Roof wants to employ, and there is not much- moving forward, minus Stanley and Massaro- moving forward on the roster)
0-1 DT (after the haul last year, not much of a need, but we have identified top prospects at the position and are trying after them hard. If we don't get one, not much of a big deal after the depth from 2012)
3-4 LB
3-4 CB
1-2 S

("Athletes" are accounted for in the CB, WR, and S spots)

Depending on who signs first and at what spot... So give or take 1 or 2 from the various positions where I said 0-1 or 3-4 or 1-2... The number is somewhere between 20-23. BOB has been on record numerous times that he will "Do EVERYTHING within the rules to maximize the talent on this team" so don't think for a second that he won't utilize the "+3" B1G rule with regards to signing the max amount. 20-23, I'm betting on it.

Edit: Also remember that many of the 5th year guys will not be asked back next season (Figs, BMF, Kuntz, Arch, Kersey, maybe Mike Wallz), and keep in mind the make or break discipline guys (Dirky, Drake), so the number is seriously between 20-23... Plus Oakman getting the boot, plus Bolden may bounce if we get DOB... Just keep all those things in mind... 20-23.

Kinlaw and Fuller I see as DB's, both would be nice to go with Douglas. I also like Harris back there so it starts to get crowded if they all stay interested.

I see Boyd more as a WR and I see him as the fall back if we don't get Foster (if Switzer signs on as advertised). I agree that all are great players.

It will be interesting at DB as there seems to be some interest this year and might not be enough spots to go around. I expect that the scheme's Roof is going to bring in will atract more highly ranked DB's.

The idea is stay with 20 - we both agree there will be more, but play with what is known, not unknown and assumed....

Said 20. Gave reasons. You know what is funny though, you want to run a 34 a lot,a nd yet you only want the small fast DEs. Guys like Baublitz and Zettel are perfect for those positions. Olaniyan and Barnes both have solid futures, ie guys with multiple years, on the roster. Kerner we don't know yet, don't think speed will be his issue, overall talent may be. Not a bad kid to have though.

The whole lecture on BOB dong the plus three was fun though. I know he will. He won't every year though, will lead to oversigning eventually. A guy like Douglas though is helpful because he is a EE.

Downvote away.

My bad, was thinking of Butler.....I am getting old and my memory is getting bad...

? I don't downvote. I don't want to run a 34 a lot, and I have been on record saying that it will take TIME to move there eventually, and that we will only show a few looks this year. If you run a 34, you need a nose, taller DT types (like Still and Odrick, and now Pollard) and DE/OLB tweeners. I have no idea how that is relevant to what I just posted... I think we will be a base 43 team, with occasional looks and I think we currently have the guys on the roster to give some looks- and we will.

However, back to the original breakdown, if you go with the minimum number, it totals 19- well within 20 the last time I checked. Thanks. That last slot can go to an area of need... DE, CB, S or OT. And like I said (and I know you don't want to deal with hypos here, but it is a very real possibility- damn near a certainty) that number will probably be 2-3 more. So yes, 3-4 DEs is very possible. Do the math.

And if you take the maximum...

Easy game to play.

I think it'll be above 20. But like I said, 20 is what we are looking at. Hope for the best, plan for the worst. Use 20 cus its the best bet we know we'll have. That's why.