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QB - We're good, McIlwain is the Future. If not this year, Mich or Nunez will get their shot. However, picking up another Elite QB like Bentley could be huge for depth.

The rule is, sign a good QB every single year. So hopefully Bentley in 2017 and then there are a couple here in SC we can go after in 2018.

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RB - We've needed to sign a stud RB for the past 3 years. The closest we've gotten is Dowdle, who will be really good. However, we need a true 5*/high 4* stud RB. Dowdle played most of HS at QB or WR. It's not make or break in '17, but it would be good to get one.

Davy Williams has potential this year ... it's not that he doesn't have the talent and it's not really that he's timid. What he is having a hard time doing is grasping his role, understanding his responsibilities. I'm hoping the light comes on for him this year because he is a great kid with a ton of talent ... and I think it will because now, he's not behind Wilds or Carson. It's his to win or lose. And let's not underestimate C.J. Freeman either. Something about that kid, along with Dowdle, may give work-out well for us. I keep hearing that Mon Denson may surprise us all as well.

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FB - Crosby still has 3 seasons, we're ok here, but we'll need one in '18 for sure.

Don't forget River Bedenbaugh ... kid is hard-nosed and will earn a schollie. The new coaches love him.

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WR - We have 12 scholly WR's, all of them are Soph's or younger. If we don't have 5-6 guys that step up this year, we'll need 2 stud WR's this class and it will be paramount.

We should definitely be to the point where we need to concentrate on signing four great WRs in every class beginning in 2018. No more, no less ... just four great ones. Now, with regard to what we have returning - I suspect, based upon what I've heard, is that there are going to be one, or two, WRs processed. One may have a shot to move to the secondary. So there will be a need to sign quality WRs in the 2018 class, moreso than estimated above IMHO.

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TE - I think Hinson is going to be a good TE, and we have Markway who's better than I expected. Not the hugest priority, but if an elite TE is available that would be good.

We've got to sign at least one great TE every single year. Also, sometimes you sign more because they are usually the best football players on the field and are transferable to other positions. That usually applies to LBs as well ... when you are signing the good ones rather than mediocre ones. Now, Hayden Hurst will end-up at TE as well. So add one more TE this year, and one less WR.

See how that WR thing is not as good as it looks right now?

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OL - We only have 14 OL, that's low, IMO. It takes about 2 years to develop a SEC OL'man. We got 6 last year, but I don't think we recruited well at OL this year. Next year Elliott needs to bring in 2-3 stud OL (not 5*'s but at least mid 4*'s.) He should sign about 5 OL though total. This is one of the biggest positions of need IMO for the '17 class.

He got that one right. This next class had better have at least five, preferably a half dozen, serious OLinemen contained within and they all need to be smart kids. An OLineman has to have something between the ears AND the heart.

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DT - Will not be a huge priority for '17, unless we take 1 or 2 'can't pass on' studs. We have good depth here.

We absolutely do have good depth there on paper - but you still sign at least two great DTs in every class if at possible. 2018 may be the one exception because of pressing needs elsewhere. We're lacking balance on the roster right now and it is going to take another class to achieve that. At the same time we can thank the last staff for the young DTs we have returning like Wideman, et al.

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DE - Even more concerned about this than OL. We don't have good depth. Blackshear is not a lock to contribute 4 more years. English and Lewis graduate this year. This is the single biggest need for the '17 class, IMO. We need 3-4 DE's this class, and 2 of them need to at least high 4*'s if we're going to not get hit with lack of talent in '17's DL.
Otherwise, we'll run a lot of 3-4 schemes, b/c we lack quality pass rushers. I like the DE Keir Thomas we brought in this year though, he's going to be great. Probably will need JUCO help.

I agree with his assessment here. We have got to sign a couple, two or three, quality pass rushers in this next class. It's an absolute must. But I like what we did this year insomuch as it adds to what we've got although I expect two of them to redshirt and, as far as returning guys go, D. Johnson is probably going to be moved to LB.

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LB - We graduate 4 LB's after '16's season. Half of the 2 Deep. This is the 3rd position I'm most concerned about for '17's class. We'll need about 4 LB's this class, and 2 better be able to step up into the 2 Deep. Probably will need JUCO help.

As I understand it there are going to be some changes with our LB corp in terms of converting a couple of players from DE to LB (including one or two in this current class - see "Gentry, Tucker and Thomas"). That's gonna help some, and the ones we signed this year are going to have to contribute, which they can ... but we still need to sign four good ones in 2017.

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S - We didn't take a true S this year, so we'll need 2 next year. We have 3 of 4 on this year's 2 Deep who are Jr's or Sr's.

He's right, if he's counting Skai Moore. Keep in mind that SS is one position where a freshman can come in and contribute right away, if he is a good one. FS is a little tougher especially if they use him as a hybrid.

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CB - King and Lammons will be Jr's next year and the most likely starters. So getting 2-3 of the CB's this cycle, who can develop into All SEC level in 18 months will be really important. Probably don't need JUCO help here, but we need TRob to bring a few high ranked studs.

He's sorta right ... but he's banking on TRob being able to coach-up some of the returning guys, which I'm not convinced he can do. I question the talent of a couple of our returning guys like Al Harris, Jr. and Rico McWilliams for instance. I think we're going to have to sign three or four very solid, early contributors, at CB in 2017 and then hang-on for dear life this coming season.

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K - We're good here, Charlton is going to be a beast. Although with 3 scholarship K's graduating, I wouldn't be surprised if we use at least 1 scholly in '17 on a K. In case something crazy happens to Charlton.

I rarely worry about kickers and punters. If your ST coach is doing his job it shouldn't be a problem at a Power 5 SEC program like ours. Huztler will find some depth there.

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Summary (needs the most help to be addressed in '17:)
1. DE
2. OL
3. LB
4. CB

We're going to have six to give to early enrollees and 25 to sign for summer enrollees. We'll place a couple so here is where I think we're going to be concentrating ...

QB - 1
RB - 2
WR - 4
OL - 6
TE - 1
FB - O

DE - 2
DT - 1
LB - 4
SS - 2
FS - 2
CB - 3
29 Subtotal

6 early enrollees
23 summer enrollees
(2 will be placed - probably a DE or two so we may sign four of those.)

31 Total

All of that provided we have a decent year and the coaches feel like they are in on quality players to fill each position. Otherwise, they'll go short again, like this year, and save a couple for the next year.

This post was edited on 2/3/16 at 10:45 pm