Reviewing the Roster/Recruiting...

[Phalanx]

Moseley has a great post of the updated roster and the number of scholarships:
http://www2.registerguard.com/cms/index ... he-moment/

He also mentions the small class next year. This has probably been mentioned before, but if USC has the tiny class next year that they are expected to be limited to, next year could be the year to stock up on DT's.

Per Moseley:

Defensive line(12): Terrell Turner, Sr.; Brandon Hanna, Sr.; Dion Jordan, Jr.; Jared Ebert, Jr.; Isaac Remington, Jr.; Ricky Heimuli, So; Wade Keliikipi, So; Taylor Hart, So.; Anthony Anderson, So.; Tony Washington, RFr.; Sam Kamp, Fr.; Lake Koa-Ka'ai, Fr.

I really think Ebert was the guy we needed this year, a player that is ready to go; not needing a redshirt year to grow.. All of our current DT's have at least two years with us, which mean that if we can pick some low-lying fruit next year, those recruits will have a year to grow/learn the system. It could work out really well. I am bummed that we missed some guys this year, but I really don't think we have an emergency. It's the same number as last year. Bair and Clark leave and Ebert and Remington some in.

I think lost in all of this is that our offensive line is about to improve. Wasn't this really the issue in the NC game? I think we should be really happy about this class.

[vagusnerve]

good points

[Handsome Dan]

The offensive line was more of an issue in the NCG than the defensive line.

[dthomas=ddixon]

Chip said WR, LB & OL were the need positions & later said that he was really happy with what they got at the DLine. Obviously he's not gonna say hes bummed with any aspect in recruiting but its obvious DLine isn't the issue fans have made it out to be. Its a total fan creation.

If we don't sign ANY tackles over the next couple years, obviously it will be a weak spot. But that same can be said about almost every position. If we don't sign a single QB or RB or S next year I think there will some depth concerns at those positions, right? DTs are the hardest position to recruit & our DLine still somehow manages to get the job done every single year.

[vagusnerve]

With the DT position it just comes down to: You've gotta take an average of two guys just about every year.
I think you'd like to see 8 DTs on scholarship, or at least 7.
5=not really ideal for obvious reasons.


Moseleys wrong too... with Randall and DeAnthony coming in we still have two more scolarships. Beard and Hoffman both had the walkon scholarship thing going in 2010.

But that's two more for 2012 too, which will be nice. that means we'll have about 16 or 17 available next year with the usual one or two guys leaving.

[greenyellow]

With the DT position it just comes down to: You've gotta take an average of two guys just about every year.
I think you'd like to see 8 DTs on scholarship, or at least 7.
5=not really ideal for obvious reasons.


Moseleys wrong too... with Randall and DeAnthony coming in we still have two more scolarships. Beard and Hoffman both had the walkon scholarship thing going in 2010.

But that's two more for 2012 too, which will be nice. that means we'll have about 16 or 17 available next year with the usual one or two guys leaving.

The only good thing about not possibly getting any more DTs today is that it leaves open 2 scholarships for next season. Those limited scholarships will be real valuable, especially with USC more than likely being limited by sanctions.

[Phalanx]

The only good thing about not possibly getting any more DTs today is that it leaves open 2 scholarships for next season. Those limited scholarships will be real valuable, especially with USC more than likely being limited by sanctions.

Yes, this is the point. it seems to me, if our main competition for a lot of these guys is USC, then next year is a window of opportunity, but not if we ourselves only have a minimum number of schollies. The bottom line is, if we make it through the year with a 5-DT rotation as we did this year, we are still in great shape, because all 5 of them come back the following year.

[wlduck]

The offensive line was more of an issue in the NCG than the defensive line.

Thank you. And the it was the issue in the Rose Bowl before that. I don't want to be a hater, but I suspect our offensive line gets better next year. The group that left in 08, headed by Unger, was outstanding, but the two years with this group have been average at best, covered up by exceptional skill players and scheme.