JUCO's come into programs and make an immediate impact all the time. That is their draw, they usually have two years of lifting and overall physical maturity on true freshmen. Just because we've had a few duds from the JUCO ranks has nothing to do with right now.
And how can you sit here and list all these guys that are locked into their positions? We finished in the 100s in defense. You're acting like we had a top 10 unit with a bunch of kids who are firmly cemented in their roles after proving they can ball. We finished in the **** 100s. Hooks would help immediately. Anyone would. We have a huge talent deficiency on defense. Any talent that can immediately contribute would get on the field.
Name me one JUCO DT who came in and made an all conference team. Not an All American team an all conference team.
I'm sure somebody will come in and name 5, maybe 6 but that's how rare it is.
Any JUCO wouldn't be competing against true freshmen. They would be competing against sophomores, juniors and seniors.
Talent isn't the problem with our defense. It's talent running the wrong way.
The way you guys talk about Hooks, the guy better be Cortez Kennedy to live up to the expectations.
We bash Darius Smith now, but when he signed he was our run stuffer for the next few years.
I think Hooks is a good player, but you guys are acting like without him our defensive line will be crap.
Can our D-line get any worse than last year? Probably not. Was it a lack of talent? NO, it was a lack of developed talent.
As I've said, give these guys time to develop and they are going to prove you all wrong.
You guys act as if last year's defense was a surprise. They were exactly what I thought they would be: a young defense that showed flashes of greatness overshadowed by periods of inexperience. When you look out on a defense and seemingly everytime you see 5-6 freshmen or first time players, you know you are going to be in for a rough time.
I see a bunch of real young players who flash and need to be more disciplined. Who need to make the other team beat us instead of running everywhere but where you are supposed to go and beat yourself.
As for immediate help, like new players who are going to start next year, start getting yourself used to the fact that that is not going to happen.
Not because we won't sign some great players. We will. But because you cannot expect freshmen or JUCO DT's to come into a high level D1 program and dominate when they have NEVER been exposed to the type of speed, size and strength they will encounter.
For JUCO's the leap is just as big as for Freshmen.
