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Rellyrell’s Review (Class of ‘23)

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TOcane said:
You don’t give the CB room a C when you landed two top 150 players at that position and a starter in the portal.
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When that portal starter is one and done, it lessens the value IMO especially with this team not being a contender. Losing Cormani is a big deal also. Again, I don’t mind the B grade but if he would have had it at C, I wouldn’t have told him he was wrong. I'm with B-C range
 
TOcane said:
A- for OL are you high? We had the perfect mix of studs and projects of guys with prototype builds.
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Two top 5 5 star Tackles, highest rated Portal OL who logged starter minutes at Bama, a quality center from the portal, a great project that was wanted by SEC programs in Kinsler and then two aight guys in Tripp and Frankie. Sure it could have been better and hence it’s not an A+ but if that class isn’t an A, I just don’t know what is.
 
Mr. Dynasty1 said:
When that portal starter is one and done, it lessens the value IMO especially with this team not being a contender. Losing Cormani is a big deal also. Again, I don’t mind the B grade but if he would have had it at C, I wouldn’t have told him he was wrong. I'm with B-C range
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I agree on the B I just think it’s a solid B that doesn’t move either way for me.
 
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WR is a C- currently. It’s a failing grade for me. Im not sure how staff didn’t look at that position group in the same light as LB. We needed talent AND numbers. Unless we bring in multiple transfer guys in spring window. We can’t miss on that many ‘Uber’ talented kids in such close proximity.

How many do we have projected on roster right now? 7??
 
Rellyrell said:
Now that all of the signing periods have been completed, with Miami coming up empty on NSD, I wanted to assess our current class, including the transfer portal.

First off, kudos to Mario & the staff to navigate a tumultuous season, while pulling in a solid class in his first, full cycle. The 2008 Class, however, taught me a valuable lesson; never fully focus on the team ranking per recruiting services vs. evaluating the totality of the class, itself. As an example, Team A can recruit 25 kids that included 10-5* & 15-4*. On paper, that would be the #1 class in the nation, but if 50% of that class are strictly DEs, & the other 50% are strictly LBs…u get the point.

So here are my grades for our class, per position:

QB: C+
Though I soured on Rashada as his season progressed, the fact is we solely focused on him, when red flags began to present themselves. Our QB room is a mess, & relying upon one QB via the HS ranks, a 3* at that, is risky. This is not to say Williams won’t be the next Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, or Justin Herbert, but it is to say our QB room is in dire straights & this not the way to repair it in 2023.

RB: A-
We missed on Baxter & Young, but what a great consolation prize securing the #7 RB in the nation in Fletcher & a surging 4* RB in Chris Johnson. Fletcher showed his value & abilities in The Army All American game. He appears to be the anti-Thad Franklin, & we have a great change of pace duo in the class of ‘23. We saw the RB room look good on paper, to becoming a sore spot in the blink of an eye in ‘22, & these two immensely help restore this room.

WR: B-
This is a room that needed an infusion of talent. This is also a position that had so much talent in our back yard where we left a lot of meat on the bones (pause) from a HS & Portal standpoint. We added two dynamic guys w/ the ball in their hand, but both are on the smallish side. While they will be dynamic playmakers, neither feel like a WR1 as opposed to WR2’s. It would’ve been great if they were paired with some of the other beast that were available.

OL: A+
What an absolute haul, both recruiting via HS & Portal! If there was any position on the field I was least concerned w/, it was OL. Both Mario & Alex know what it looks like, can drop names of guys they’ve coached up to the next level, & it paid dividends this cycle.

TE: A
The room already is stacked, & adding a top 5 TE in the nation, along w/ an in-line TE that can be flexed makes this a good haul that’ll shore up an already nice room

LB: A-
Best LB recruiting we’ve had in quite some time, & got **** did we need it! Hit on 3 absolute studs w/ Papo, Malik, & Francissssssssssco Mauioga, along w/ a newly minted 4-star LB in Bobby Washington. Also, picked up some nice depth pieces in Spencer & Pulliam. Not being able to snag Hill after the smoke build up sucked, but Strong & Company identified another weak spot, & absolutely attacked it.

DE: A
Deep, rotational class. Some raw talent (Acheampong, Horton) mixed in w/ some guys who should see the field early (Bain, Wayne), along w/ a vet who will see significant time via from The Portal in Deen. This room is already primed to be the anchor of the defense, & it just got better.

DT: D-
INEXCUSABLE RECRUITING HERE. Literally whiffed on everyone. The only reason y this room is not a complete F is b/c at least we were able to snag a G5 DL from The Portal (Gore) who can play all across the line. This room has been a thorn in our side for a while, & it’s unimaginable for a school that’s produced Sapp, Brown, Wilfork, Tez, Maryland, Joseph, etc. have struggled mightily to recruit here. Not in love w/ that room as a whole, so really dropped the ball here.

S: D
Again, a lot of meat left on the bones (pause) from this position. Love Antoine as a prospect, but right now we have Kam, JW0, & Markeith Williams in the entire S room. 3 guys. This was a room where we needed to recruit, at an absolute minimum, 2 guys & we didn’t fulfill that. Here’s praying to Kam & JDub stay healthy all season.

CB: B
Listen, picking up the Brown brothers, along w/ Stafford was good, but let’s keep it 100, substituting an oft injured CB in Roberts via The Portal for arguably a top 5 player in the nation regardless of position, absolutely sucks ***. I’m not going to lose sleep over any recruit who spurns us, but I’m not going to CIS the situation either & act like that chit didn’t sting. Cormani immediately changes the dynamic of the squad, especially this room. Nevertheless, a very good haul under the circumstances.

ST: N/A
Replacing Hedley “The Gawd” is going to be tough. Just b/c Joyce is from Australia like Lou doesn’t mean he’ll be Lou II, & b/c I’m not familiar w/ his game, I can’t comment on him. Just hoping he’s of the same caliber. ****, as long as he’s not remotely like Feagles, I’ll be happy.


Overall, I give this class a B+ as it took care a couple of needs (OL, LB, RB), added to others (DE, TE, CB), while leaving other rooms head scratching (DT, S, WR). Hopefully with the portal reopening later this yr, we’ll be able to change some of these rooms with better impact/depth players.

Thoughts & Discussion?
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So when the portal opens back up, hopefully we can get a minimum of a high quality player at DT, S, and WR.. preferably two of each?
 
The O line is an elite level haul. Same with the linebacker haul. Everything else is on par with every other coach we’ve had fail here. I know that’s going to ruffle feathers but that’s how I see it. Luckily both of those position groups we nailed have been our biggest weakness for years now.

Can we develop this class is what will be the deciding factor if this class is worth it’s weight or is just another 2018 Richt, 2008 Shannon, 2012 Golden, etc
 
TOcane said:
A- for OL are you high? We had the perfect mix of studs and projects of guys with prototype builds.
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We signed two 5* OT and three 3* OL from high school. I'm sorry your feelings are hurt by that but without the portal additions that would have been mediocre.
 
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Mr. Dynasty1 said:
Nice write up fam.

I’ll disagree on the WR. I think CB grade is fair but I also wouldnt argue if you gave it a C
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A C?

We got two proven starters and two top 300 players. Lol our fanbase smfh.

**** one of them is from HERITAGE.
 
Appreciate the write up and post as always man!

Not gonna nitpick just gonna agree in general

The first positive thing I will say is I always look to the bottom of the class ranking wise and see what we are working with. I don’t see a ton of projects, fliers, desperation offers etc. i don’t see any actually which is the main difference with this class and say the 08 one for me

But as you and others have pointed out there’s just too many massive holes right now to give it an A though we still have some time to get more transfers

On paper it’s the best OL class I’ve ever seen here especially with the transfers. It’s an instant overhaul

But then you have the massive flop at DT and that can’t be ignored or glossed over

Really excited for this class and it’s the best class I’ve seen here in quite some time
 
bobbydigius said:
Two top 5 5 star Tackles, highest rated Portal OL who logged starter minutes at Bama, a quality center from the portal, a great project that was wanted by SEC programs in Kinsler and then two aight guys in Tripp and Frankie. Sure it could have been better and hence it’s not an A+ but if that class isn’t an A, I just don’t know what is.
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This is what we've done for 20 years. Like clockwork our projects become underrated.
 
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bobbydigius said:
Two top 5 5 star Tackles, highest rated Portal OL who logged starter minutes at Bama, a quality center from the portal, a great project that was wanted by SEC programs in Kinsler and then two aight guys in Tripp and Frankie. Sure it could have been better and hence it’s not an A+ but if that class isn’t an A, I just don’t know what is.
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I personally think Lee > Cohen man I’m excited about that kid
 
cway313 said:
We signed two 5* OT and three 3* OL from high school. I'm sorry your feelings are hurt by that but without the portal additions that would have been mediocre.
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Words have meaning and this post makes no sense.

cway313 said:
This is what we've done for 20 years. Like clockwork our projects become underrated.
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I made that comment about one guy and he had the offers to actually back up what I’m talking about. 2 5 stars, the highest rated Portal OL, and Matt Lee before we even get to that project.
 
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cway313 said:
QB- C
Elite 11 is overrated.
RB- A-
Solid 1-2 punch with complimentary skillsets.
WR- B-
No size or perimeter option.
TE- A
Riley has all the tools to be elite.
OL- A-
Really top heavy unit.

DE- A
All around impressive group.
DT- C
Lack of size and bodies.
LB- A+
My favorite part of class Bobby and Marcellus are underrated imo.
CB- B
2 high school guys was not enough.
S- C+
Any injuries and we are in troooouble.
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Agree with this. B- might be a little generous at WR. Hopefully we can round it out with a few from the portal after camps start.
 
bobbydigius said:
Words have meaning and this post makes no sense.


I made that comment about one guy and he had the offers to actually back up what I’m talking about. 2 5 stars, the highest rated Portal OL, and Matt Lee before we even get to that project.
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Lee and Cohen were great pickups. Kinsler, Tripp, and Frankie are projects anyway you slice it. I like the body tyles(bigger pause) but none of those guys are contributing the next 2 seasons. When half a position group is projects that is top heavy. I like my grade.
 
Good class, but even if all these guys become contributors, we still have a ways to go at several positions. I'm hoping our season isn't a complete disaster again and recruits want to jump on board because they can see Mario has this train rolling.
 
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