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I realize that NSD 2016 isn't over, but with most of the chips fallen I figured I'd go through and look at our two-year haul at every position. I will try to add to this thread if we get any more surprises. I also realize that truly evaluating this particular two-year period is difficult with two different coaches, but I think the projection is still useful.
(* - expected but not signed yet)
QB - Shirreffs, Allison - Grade - A
Early reports are that Shirreffs is actually better than his recruitment indicated. Allison of course is our headliner for the two-year period and potentially our QB of the future. I expect at least 1 QB in 2017, 2 would be better.
RB - Walton, Homer - Grade B+
Walton had a fairly successful freshman year, and a lot of analysts really like Homer's game (in a relatively down year for RBs.) Would have liked one more RB in this class, but I expect us to take 2-3 in 2017.
WR - Cager, Mullins, Bruce, Richards* - Grade - B
The big story of course is missing on several WR prospects late in 2016. That aside, Cager seems like a legit threat to be a player, and the three that we took in 2016 are all excellent. 1-2 more in 2016 would have given this class an "A" grade, so expect us to try and load up again with at least 3-4 more WR next year.
TE - Washington, Irvin, Haskins - Grade - B
Washington showed some athletic flashes in a crowded TE group this year. I don't see that "can't miss stud" at TE a la Winslow or even Njoku, but the numbers are there and both Irvin and Haskins have talent. I'd expect 1-2 TEs next year.
OL - Jones, Milo, St. Louis, Loftus, Gauthier, Mahoney, Johnson - Grade - C
From a numbers standpoint over two years, 7 OL is actually pretty much on target. However, the jury is still very much out as to the talent level of this group and how much they can be coached up. I'd look for at least 3-4 OL in 2017.
DE - Patchan, Jackson, Bethel - Grade - B
You could put McIntosh here maybe as well depending on where Diaz wants to play him... The big one apparently is Joe Jackson who everyone has been absolutely raving about as a prospect. I expect him to make an impact fairly quickly here. I'd like to see us take another 2-3 true DEs next year.
DT - Willis (transfer), McIntosh, Norton, Fines, Martin - Grade - B+
Maybe it's cheating, but I added Willis since technically this will the be the first year he's eligible. Again, for as much as we complain about DTs (and we've lost a few no doubt), there's a pretty solid group here. Norton, Willis, and McIntosh all have legit talent. Kool likes Martin and for now that's good enough for me. I still think we need at least 2 more DTs in 2017, maybe 3. (If you don't want to count Willis, I'd give the DT grade a B/B-...)
LB - King, Perry, Gordinier, Quarterman, Pinckney, McCloud - Grade - B+
No position on the team has turned around faster via recruiting than LB. The three we landed for 2016 are for real, making up for a rather pedestrian 2015 haul. I figure we can cherry-pick a couple more LBs for next year and call it a day.
CB - Redwine, Jackson, Young - Grade - C-
This one hurts. Losing Byrd to Tennessee was a big-time loss regardless of who you believe shoulders the blame, and I know Diaz coveted Miller. Redwine and Young can both play though, and there may be a few in the safety class like Wright or Finley that can play some CB, but we NEED to stock up again next year with probably 4 more CBs.
S - Knowles, Johnson, Finley, James, Wright - Grade - B+
As thin as CB is, we did manage to vastly improve our numbers and talent level at safety. Jaquan Johnson will be very good, and Finley/Wright are both Miami quality safeties. We may take 1-2 safeties in 2017, or we may just stock up on "DBs" and try everybody at corner first...
Overall Two-Year Class Grade - B
For the amount of time he had I think Coach Richt did well this cycle, to add to a rather mixed-review 2015. There are still holes, notably at CB and WR. OL is still a big question mark from a talent perspective, and another marquee DT would have been really nice. But for all the misses, we have significantly upgraded the talent level and numbers at several positions, particularly LB and safety. The QBs, RBs, and WRs we did sign are all extremely talented as well.
I have always held that a coach's real measure of recruiting success comes after his first full year on the job, so I believe we'll really see whether "Richt can/can't close" in 2017. I also expect a full class next year, so that should help as well.
(* - expected but not signed yet)
QB - Shirreffs, Allison - Grade - A
Early reports are that Shirreffs is actually better than his recruitment indicated. Allison of course is our headliner for the two-year period and potentially our QB of the future. I expect at least 1 QB in 2017, 2 would be better.
RB - Walton, Homer - Grade B+
Walton had a fairly successful freshman year, and a lot of analysts really like Homer's game (in a relatively down year for RBs.) Would have liked one more RB in this class, but I expect us to take 2-3 in 2017.
WR - Cager, Mullins, Bruce, Richards* - Grade - B
The big story of course is missing on several WR prospects late in 2016. That aside, Cager seems like a legit threat to be a player, and the three that we took in 2016 are all excellent. 1-2 more in 2016 would have given this class an "A" grade, so expect us to try and load up again with at least 3-4 more WR next year.
TE - Washington, Irvin, Haskins - Grade - B
Washington showed some athletic flashes in a crowded TE group this year. I don't see that "can't miss stud" at TE a la Winslow or even Njoku, but the numbers are there and both Irvin and Haskins have talent. I'd expect 1-2 TEs next year.
OL - Jones, Milo, St. Louis, Loftus, Gauthier, Mahoney, Johnson - Grade - C
From a numbers standpoint over two years, 7 OL is actually pretty much on target. However, the jury is still very much out as to the talent level of this group and how much they can be coached up. I'd look for at least 3-4 OL in 2017.
DE - Patchan, Jackson, Bethel - Grade - B
You could put McIntosh here maybe as well depending on where Diaz wants to play him... The big one apparently is Joe Jackson who everyone has been absolutely raving about as a prospect. I expect him to make an impact fairly quickly here. I'd like to see us take another 2-3 true DEs next year.
DT - Willis (transfer), McIntosh, Norton, Fines, Martin - Grade - B+
Maybe it's cheating, but I added Willis since technically this will the be the first year he's eligible. Again, for as much as we complain about DTs (and we've lost a few no doubt), there's a pretty solid group here. Norton, Willis, and McIntosh all have legit talent. Kool likes Martin and for now that's good enough for me. I still think we need at least 2 more DTs in 2017, maybe 3. (If you don't want to count Willis, I'd give the DT grade a B/B-...)
LB - King, Perry, Gordinier, Quarterman, Pinckney, McCloud - Grade - B+
No position on the team has turned around faster via recruiting than LB. The three we landed for 2016 are for real, making up for a rather pedestrian 2015 haul. I figure we can cherry-pick a couple more LBs for next year and call it a day.
CB - Redwine, Jackson, Young - Grade - C-
This one hurts. Losing Byrd to Tennessee was a big-time loss regardless of who you believe shoulders the blame, and I know Diaz coveted Miller. Redwine and Young can both play though, and there may be a few in the safety class like Wright or Finley that can play some CB, but we NEED to stock up again next year with probably 4 more CBs.
S - Knowles, Johnson, Finley, James, Wright - Grade - B+
As thin as CB is, we did manage to vastly improve our numbers and talent level at safety. Jaquan Johnson will be very good, and Finley/Wright are both Miami quality safeties. We may take 1-2 safeties in 2017, or we may just stock up on "DBs" and try everybody at corner first...
Overall Two-Year Class Grade - B
For the amount of time he had I think Coach Richt did well this cycle, to add to a rather mixed-review 2015. There are still holes, notably at CB and WR. OL is still a big question mark from a talent perspective, and another marquee DT would have been really nice. But for all the misses, we have significantly upgraded the talent level and numbers at several positions, particularly LB and safety. The QBs, RBs, and WRs we did sign are all extremely talented as well.
I have always held that a coach's real measure of recruiting success comes after his first full year on the job, so I believe we'll really see whether "Richt can/can't close" in 2017. I also expect a full class next year, so that should help as well.
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