Please explain something to me

[Warthog]

Oh...speaking of the 2006 class a pair of very highly regarded RB's from that class, Brown and Mahone wound up on defense...and the new kid from Ravenna...Davis...is said to have been the object of a lot of discussion from the offensive coaches but he's staying at DB. It doesn't happen as often as it does the other way, but occasionally the defense wins the "I want him " player battle

You know, I am partial to OL since that is where I played. That is why I have been critical of Brandon's recruiting there. But, to be honest, I think the biggest "hole" in our recruiting in the Brandon years may be at running back.

In the six years that Brandon has been HC, we have signed exactly six high school srs to come in to play running back. Macon completed his eligibilty this season, but not before changing positions twice his senior year. Melvin Cole is long gone as is Edwin Hood. Vincent Corner has been moved to DB. So, going into next season, Geter and Bullock are the only true RBs on the roster that were recruited out of high school.

Here is the roster of RBs for next season: Turner (SR), Waldron (Sr) Ranson(Sr), Van de Mark (Walk-on Jr), Bullock (Jr), and Geter (So). Even if Ransom gets a medical red shirt, two years from now, Geter is the only current RB who will still be on the team. And he will be a SR then. My guess is we will be forced into bringing in another JUCO player and recruiting about 4 RBs next year. Another example of our hand being forced by not being consistent with our recruiting.

We go after a QB EVERY year hoping to find that diamond in the rough/sleeper that explodes. Wouldn't the same logic work for recruiting RBs? We should be going after at least one every year.

[Class of 61]

Don't know exactly what the plans are for Woolridge, but he WAS an OUTSTANDING RB at Walsh Jesuit.
I recall that Dan Macon was listed at an LB when he was recuited as well, which was interesting since I'd seen at least 10 Nordonia games and he played RB full time...(may have sneaked in a play or 2 at LB, but I didn't see it)...so it just COULD be that there are typos, errors in listings etc. on kids from time to time...
Finally, some of you may recall that I posted on an earlier thread about the LB from St. Ignatius, signed recently as a DE by IOWA; Ferentz likes to do that with HS LB's...also moves DE's to DT's.....so we're NOT alone in this.

[daspollak]

Maybe I'm thinking of something different here, but I didn't think as a DI player on scholarship, that they could be cut do to athletic performance.

Again you are only allowed 85 schollies. Some will fail out, others will transfer, and some may need to be cut. Like the NFL there is no guaranteed contracts.

[Warthog]

Finally, some of you may recall that I posted on an earlier thread about the LB from St. Ignatius, signed recently as a DE by IOWA; Ferentz likes to do that with HS LB's...also moves DE's to DT's.....so we're NOT alone in this.

I don't have any problem with what you stated there. LB to DE, DE to DT, those are very plausible with kids increasing in size. But moving from DB to LB is an entirely different world.

[Class of 61]

Finally, some of you may recall that I posted on an earlier thread about the LB from St. Ignatius, signed recently as a DE by IOWA; Ferentz likes to do that with HS LB's...also moves DE's to DT's.....so we're NOT alone in this.

I don't have any problem with what you stated there. LB to DE, DE to DT, those are very plausible with kids increasing in size. But moving from DB to LB is an entirely different world.

Wart: What about the kids who are playing the equivalent of "Strong Safety" in HS? There are many of them of are in the 200-205 range...put in that position because of their hitting as well as speed in pass coverage. (perhaps a bit faster than the "traditional" LB). That kind of kid could easily put on 15lbs of muscle and play LB at a MAC school in particular at 220 or so.
If we're talking about the 5'10", 175 lb kid...I'd agree with you, but the kind of kid I'm referring to can definately put on the added wgt., usually in muscle thru a good weight program.

[Warthog]

Finally, some of you may recall that I posted on an earlier thread about the LB from St. Ignatius, signed recently as a DE by IOWA; Ferentz likes to do that with HS LB's...also moves DE's to DT's.....so we're NOT alone in this.

I don't have any problem with what you stated there. LB to DE, DE to DT, those are very plausible with kids increasing in size. But moving from DB to LB is an entirely different world.

Wart: What about the kids who are playing the equivalent of "Strong Safety" in HS? There are many of them of are in the 200-205 range...put in that position because of their hitting as well as speed in pass coverage. (perhaps a bit faster than the "traditional" LB). That kind of kid could easily put on 15lbs of muscle and play LB at a MAC school in particular at 220 or so.
If we're talking about the 5'10", 175 lb kid...I'd agree with you, but the kind of kid I'm referring to can definately put on the added wgt., usually in muscle thru a good weight program.

61, again I will agree with your assessment. If a kid is already 195, he can add the weight probably and play LB.

What I am taking exception to is Brandon's quote that "some" of the guys just signed will end up at LB. Check their weights. Morgan is 195, and really recruited as an "Athlete" so he could end up anywhere. But of the other five guys, 180 is the heaviest. I don't think a kid that size should be expected to bulk up enough to play LB.

[Flipper]

Dude...I don't think they are...they've never done that before and the only kid mentioned by name was Morgan, who now weighs 202 lbs...I suppose Robilotto could bulk up to 200 and play a "tweener" sized LB like others have, but I honestly don't think the staff intends to force 160-170lbs kids to crank it up to 210...

I like our RB situation...at the event Brandon did mention that they were filing for an extra year for Ransom. They'll probably recruit at least a back or two next year since AT is graduating....you can go the JUCO route if you have to but RB is one of the easier positions to learn so I think you do well enough if you find the right freshman(men) to play behind Geter and Ransom in 2009.

I'm not sure who said it on here...but I could really get behind seeing Morgan at RB. He's got good size and what appears to be good speed.

I honestly don't think recruiting or roster management is a weakness here. Getting the kids to tackle properly and keep their composure when things start going badly is the biggest set of issues we face.

[MarkL]

We're in good shape now and in the future at RB. Woolridge is going to be a RB next year from what I understand, and since he was redshirted he's got four years. Geter is young. If we pick up a guy or two next year we will be in excellent shape for years to come. I don't see what the brouhaha is over the number of RBs we have - we're in great shape.