Let's face it, if not for the 2020 class that was pulled together in a couple of weeks, we would not have entered the year with high expectations. This group that is often overlooked as not Greg's first class have done more than anyone expected and have carried this team for 2+ seasons now.
RU's development of the subsequent two classes that were supposed to be keys to rebuilding the foundation are not what you expect when you hear Greg repeatedly chirp "RU is a developmental program".
Even though I've focused on the OL/DL in a lot of comments today, the below shows why we are seeing poor play as injuries mount to the seniors.
To put it simply, the experience we should have on the roster through the 2021 & 2022 classes is not there because players have not been developed.
2021: 10 of 22 recruits remain (no 4* stars left)
Only Loyal, Igbinosun, Hamilton and Zilinkas have made any real impact.
Needham, Angoy, Thompson have contributed but have not stood out.
Griffin & Salaam play sparingly and Hughes is a non contributor.
2022: 13 of 21 remain (3 of 6 4* stars still with team)
Only Sam Brown has really stood out in this class.
Fletcher & Djabome starting to become factors. Asamoah starting but jury still out on how well.
Walker and White getting snaps but neither is playing well.
Rest are not seeing meaningful snaps.
It's a great sound byte that "RU is a developmental program" but the results of the first two full classes doesn't bear that out. Much of the roster is redshirt sophomores or younger. These will be the players that are going to take the majority of starting positions next year.
So are we really a developmental program if we have these huge gaps?
Is Greg's strategy of only relying on starters for as long as possible in most games, including blowouts, leading to these issues?
We have a lot of promising players in the 2023 and 2024 classes on the roster and a really solid 2025 class. How can the program ensure their success and build proper depth?
RU's development of the subsequent two classes that were supposed to be keys to rebuilding the foundation are not what you expect when you hear Greg repeatedly chirp "RU is a developmental program".
Even though I've focused on the OL/DL in a lot of comments today, the below shows why we are seeing poor play as injuries mount to the seniors.
To put it simply, the experience we should have on the roster through the 2021 & 2022 classes is not there because players have not been developed.
2021: 10 of 22 recruits remain (no 4* stars left)
Only Loyal, Igbinosun, Hamilton and Zilinkas have made any real impact.
Needham, Angoy, Thompson have contributed but have not stood out.
Griffin & Salaam play sparingly and Hughes is a non contributor.
2022: 13 of 21 remain (3 of 6 4* stars still with team)
Only Sam Brown has really stood out in this class.
Fletcher & Djabome starting to become factors. Asamoah starting but jury still out on how well.
Walker and White getting snaps but neither is playing well.
Rest are not seeing meaningful snaps.
It's a great sound byte that "RU is a developmental program" but the results of the first two full classes doesn't bear that out. Much of the roster is redshirt sophomores or younger. These will be the players that are going to take the majority of starting positions next year.
So are we really a developmental program if we have these huge gaps?
Is Greg's strategy of only relying on starters for as long as possible in most games, including blowouts, leading to these issues?
We have a lot of promising players in the 2023 and 2024 classes on the roster and a really solid 2025 class. How can the program ensure their success and build proper depth?
