Because of the decommit, I am anticipating the usual rhetoric about how the 2014 class fell apart and RU didn't get anything out of it.
So I thought I would check.
The first obvious point is that it is still too early to make definitive statements about their contributions to the team.
IMO though the results are surprisingly good so far.
I count 15 guys who might be significant contributors by the time they graduate.
Four of them are offensive linemen (Applefield, Heeman, Cole, and Webb) who are already pushing for playing time as redshirt freshmen. At least 3 are on the 2-deep. It is not inconceivable to think they might be quality contributors before they are done.
Three are defensive linemen (Wilkins, Wiafe, & Hogan). All of them played last Saturday as red-shirt freshmen and acquitted themselves quite well against an admittedly weak team. It is not inconceivable that at least 2 of them could be impact players down the line, given the fact they will be bigger, more experienced, and probably much stronger by the time they graduate.
Two are defensive backs. Wharton is now a starter. Hampton has gotten better, but still is not ready. It is hard to project either as being a major impact player at this point, but at least one may turn out to be a decent player.
The 2 running backs, Hicks and Martin, are studs. Enough said.
We don't know about the 2 linebackers, Margolis and Russell. they have not gotten the opportunity to play yet. The mods gave good reports out of training camps, so they might be significant contributors later on.
Rescigno may find it tough to earn playing time, given the current situation. We have 4 other guys who may develop into strong quarterbacks.
Lucy has been struggling, but is still I believe the main guy. I do not know how well he has done this year, so I would call him adequate at this time.
We also had 2 other prospects who we expected to be major contributors ( Boggs and Dailey). They are now battling to stay out of jail. The argument here has been that Coach Flood had to take a chance on them with their character, but i do not know how much validity that theory really has.
We might also include Hester in that group, since he came back. Off of one game, he looks like he is going to be a huge contributor.
IMO it looks like this class has the potential to be average at the least and impressive at the most. From my admittedly optimistic viewpoint, a good number of these prospects from a supposedly very weak class may develop into the kinds of players that would place us firmly in the top half of the B1G.
Footnote: I don't know if I missed any walk-on's who are contributing or will contribute later on.
So I thought I would check.
The first obvious point is that it is still too early to make definitive statements about their contributions to the team.
IMO though the results are surprisingly good so far.
I count 15 guys who might be significant contributors by the time they graduate.
Four of them are offensive linemen (Applefield, Heeman, Cole, and Webb) who are already pushing for playing time as redshirt freshmen. At least 3 are on the 2-deep. It is not inconceivable to think they might be quality contributors before they are done.
Three are defensive linemen (Wilkins, Wiafe, & Hogan). All of them played last Saturday as red-shirt freshmen and acquitted themselves quite well against an admittedly weak team. It is not inconceivable that at least 2 of them could be impact players down the line, given the fact they will be bigger, more experienced, and probably much stronger by the time they graduate.
Two are defensive backs. Wharton is now a starter. Hampton has gotten better, but still is not ready. It is hard to project either as being a major impact player at this point, but at least one may turn out to be a decent player.
The 2 running backs, Hicks and Martin, are studs. Enough said.
We don't know about the 2 linebackers, Margolis and Russell. they have not gotten the opportunity to play yet. The mods gave good reports out of training camps, so they might be significant contributors later on.
Rescigno may find it tough to earn playing time, given the current situation. We have 4 other guys who may develop into strong quarterbacks.
Lucy has been struggling, but is still I believe the main guy. I do not know how well he has done this year, so I would call him adequate at this time.
We also had 2 other prospects who we expected to be major contributors ( Boggs and Dailey). They are now battling to stay out of jail. The argument here has been that Coach Flood had to take a chance on them with their character, but i do not know how much validity that theory really has.
We might also include Hester in that group, since he came back. Off of one game, he looks like he is going to be a huge contributor.
IMO it looks like this class has the potential to be average at the least and impressive at the most. From my admittedly optimistic viewpoint, a good number of these prospects from a supposedly very weak class may develop into the kinds of players that would place us firmly in the top half of the B1G.
Footnote: I don't know if I missed any walk-on's who are contributing or will contribute later on.
