Post by acutrackfan on Feb 3, 2017 10:50:06 GMT -6
The first factor to look at in grading this class is the amount of time that the new staff had to get the job done. It has been mentioned that they had 6 weeks - WRONG! Coach Dorrel was signed sometime in early December, but as we all know he was not announced until December 19 and THEN he had to get his staff in place. ACU was completely closed -- all offices -- from December 26 to January 2. AD was able to assemble a staff and they met for the first time on either January 3 or 4th. THEN, recruiting began - just less than 4 weeks and at least 1.5 weeks of that was in the dead period. The staff really had 2.5 weeks and to get a signing class in that short of a period is impressive.
The positives:
-Heavy on areas of need - 4-5 offensive linemen - granted, most will redshirt, but in a typical season, the goal is to redshirt ALL the freshmen linemen. In 2016, ACU had a 3-star (Emoree Giddens) and 2-star (Anietie Etuk) signed and both redshirted. The only recent o-lineman to play as a freshman was Dakota Laws and he played after as series of injuries to upperclassmen. Also getting 4 cornerback signees was HUGE - and one of them was a 2-star guy (Dante Williams). I love that several of the CB's are rangy - can possibly move to safety by adding a few pounds. And, I see kicker as an area of need and glad to see Cole Yeatts added - someone who can both place kick and punt.
-Added solid defensive ends - from their HUDL films all three appear to be physical and good tacklers. I look to see some of this year's defensive ends moved inside in the long run (Cole Burgess, Devondrick Meadows). I also think that Jack Gibbens could well be the steal of the whole signing class.
-The addition of 2 quality tight ends signals that ACU may look to the TE/FB a lot more for receiving and not simply blocking. One of the 2 - Remington Lutz - is ACU's other 2-star.
-Bryce Baccarini is a good addition. He will be rusty, since he redshirted at Navarro this past year year. But, he was a sought after kid out of HS - a high integrity kind of kid. He will add to the backup competition - joining Kade Munden (wow, I just wish that ACU could find a place to get Kade on the field - he is a real trooper), Luke Anthony, Jase Hammack, and Jake Franklin.
-I look at Quashawn Washington as possibly the best kid out of this class. He can help in so many ways and in the long term could be a factor on offense and defense and even special teams (as a possible deep snapper).
-ACU did a good job in the region - Parmelly, Washington, Bird
-Also, this new coaching staff did a good job getting kids from staffs where the HC or many members of the staff are ACU alum OR there is a history of ACU alum coaching there - Kade Parmelly from Wylie, CJ Wall from Plano, Kage Hendrix from Ennis, Obinna Udoye from Cedar Park, Quashawn Washington from Abilene HS, Remington Lutz from Belton.
NEGATIVES:
-The obvious one - ACU needs running backs and there are none in this class. The one from 2016 who could have helped - 2-star recruit Eric-Shay Clayburn, is probably enrolled in some JC somewhere by now. Can redshirt freshman Jack Roberson step up and help. I do think the coaches will cast the net far and wide for potential RB transfers.
-There are not a lot of kids who will obviously see the field in 2017. There are not as many flashy signees in this class. But, Bogey has expressed a great thought above - Josh Fink was the biggest true freshman contributor last year and he was a 0-star or 1-star guy coming out of HS. Once in school, the number of stars given a kid by the "services" does not make one whit of difference.
I would probably give this class a C+ or possibly even a B-. Under the circumstances, that is a pretty impressive grade.
The positives:
-Heavy on areas of need - 4-5 offensive linemen - granted, most will redshirt, but in a typical season, the goal is to redshirt ALL the freshmen linemen. In 2016, ACU had a 3-star (Emoree Giddens) and 2-star (Anietie Etuk) signed and both redshirted. The only recent o-lineman to play as a freshman was Dakota Laws and he played after as series of injuries to upperclassmen. Also getting 4 cornerback signees was HUGE - and one of them was a 2-star guy (Dante Williams). I love that several of the CB's are rangy - can possibly move to safety by adding a few pounds. And, I see kicker as an area of need and glad to see Cole Yeatts added - someone who can both place kick and punt.
-Added solid defensive ends - from their HUDL films all three appear to be physical and good tacklers. I look to see some of this year's defensive ends moved inside in the long run (Cole Burgess, Devondrick Meadows). I also think that Jack Gibbens could well be the steal of the whole signing class.
-The addition of 2 quality tight ends signals that ACU may look to the TE/FB a lot more for receiving and not simply blocking. One of the 2 - Remington Lutz - is ACU's other 2-star.
-Bryce Baccarini is a good addition. He will be rusty, since he redshirted at Navarro this past year year. But, he was a sought after kid out of HS - a high integrity kind of kid. He will add to the backup competition - joining Kade Munden (wow, I just wish that ACU could find a place to get Kade on the field - he is a real trooper), Luke Anthony, Jase Hammack, and Jake Franklin.
-I look at Quashawn Washington as possibly the best kid out of this class. He can help in so many ways and in the long term could be a factor on offense and defense and even special teams (as a possible deep snapper).
-ACU did a good job in the region - Parmelly, Washington, Bird
-Also, this new coaching staff did a good job getting kids from staffs where the HC or many members of the staff are ACU alum OR there is a history of ACU alum coaching there - Kade Parmelly from Wylie, CJ Wall from Plano, Kage Hendrix from Ennis, Obinna Udoye from Cedar Park, Quashawn Washington from Abilene HS, Remington Lutz from Belton.
NEGATIVES:
-The obvious one - ACU needs running backs and there are none in this class. The one from 2016 who could have helped - 2-star recruit Eric-Shay Clayburn, is probably enrolled in some JC somewhere by now. Can redshirt freshman Jack Roberson step up and help. I do think the coaches will cast the net far and wide for potential RB transfers.
-There are not a lot of kids who will obviously see the field in 2017. There are not as many flashy signees in this class. But, Bogey has expressed a great thought above - Josh Fink was the biggest true freshman contributor last year and he was a 0-star or 1-star guy coming out of HS. Once in school, the number of stars given a kid by the "services" does not make one whit of difference.
I would probably give this class a C+ or possibly even a B-. Under the circumstances, that is a pretty impressive grade.