According to reports, we've got 14 commitments thus far, so we probably have about six to go, if not a couple more.
To me, the difference in a 3-9 result and a bowl season this year came down to three primary factors: specialists on Special Teams, quarterback play, and our offensive line. Coaching could be added to that mix but, in my view, that's a topic for a different thread.
Specialists, due to bad snaps, dropped snaps, bad kicks, bad punts, and bad kickoffs, caused us points, gave up points, derailed momentum, and turned possible wins into losses, and losses into "blowouts" of three scores or more (17+ points). With so few scholarships remaining, I don't see CJ bringing in a new kicker, snapper, and punter. They are all his recruits and I'm guessing he's going to stick with them. I wouldn't, but again, we have very few slots remaining. At most, I think he might sign one "specialist" and hope for improvement.
At quarterback, Tanner Lee had a disappointing season, for sure. But I don't see any "new" face out of high school replacing him, at least not one we're likely to sign. Cuiellette could, I suppose; a JC transfer or 5th year senior, upset with lack of playing time, might. But I don't know how many of them are out there and the recent history of Nick Montana at Tulane might dissuade them. So, I think Lee is our guy. That said, I believe we need another QB. We only have three on scholarship and with injuries and the propensity for QB's to "depart" when unhappy, we are only a snap or two away from a bigger problem at this position. On the other hand, if we can't sign a kid with "true" potential to be an FBS-level starting QB, I'd stick with the three we've got and make QB the #1 priority for 2016.
In my opinion, the offensive line made minimal strides this year. We had one really good game against Houston, a few "fair to middling" games, and two horrendous games to end the season. To some of us used to even worse performance on the line, this has translated into "good play." I don't think so. Our QBs get hurried, harassed, and hit all too often. We also have far too many penalties that stall drives. And, though we have had some well blocked plays in the running game this year, I wouldn't be surprised if our RBs led the nation in yards after contact. Time after time, our backs are hit in the backfield only to turn a 3-yard loss into a 4-yard gain, or even a long TD run. That's a credit to the RB's, not the Oline.
We have four Linemen returning who played almost every offensive snap this year. Two of them, Uzvadinis and Shienle, have played almost every snap for two years, and the other two had significant experience in 2013 as well as this year. Hopefully, they will markedly improve, but to this point they are not getting the job done. We have ten other offensive linemen on scholarship and two more committed for 2015. 16 offensive linemen is a big number when you effectively play five guys with only 3-4 others playing spot duty and special teams. Could we sign another one? Maybe, if the coaches know that someone currently on the roster is leaving. But, probably not.
So, what else?
To me, we are woefully short of scholarship wide receivers. I'm OK with the ones we've got, especially the freshmen, who, I thought, played fairly well. But, we've only got four returning when almost every other team has eight on scholarship. Louisiana has a boatload of talented wide outs in the 2015 signing class and we've offered almost all of them. Sadly, the vast number have already committed. We really need a "big" guy to replace Rush, whose loss had more impact, in my opinion, than most realize. We apparently got that in Andrew Hicks, but as a newbie to the WR position, it might take him some time to learn the position. Moreover, unlike Rush, who was a trackman, Hicks does not have great speed. Anyway, we need at least two more for depth, regardless. I think this is the one place that a couple more kids straight out of high school could really help our depth.
Our next biggest need to me is defensive end. When Gilbert went out earlier this year, we had no answer. I'm not sure what that answer will be next year either. The remaining Toledo recruits clearly are not and the young guys at the position haven't developed sufficiently. Regardless, with Gilbert, Robinson, and Bryant graduating and LaFrance to be a senior, I think we need a couple of DE's right now. We have no commits to this point.
After starters, Smart and Wilson, our returning DT's totaled two tackles this season. Calvin Thomas and Eldrick Washington have not progressed as I would like and I have no idea the status of Eric Bell. Hopefully, Thomas can return to his 2012 form and Braynton Edwards needs to come back next fall in shape to contribute. While we have two promising commitments at the position we remain very short of depth at the position. Another DT would be good.
At Tight End, I and most others are pretty happy with our "pass-catching" tight ends in Charles Jones and Trey Scott. Kendall Aucoin, possibly the more "heralded" freshman will be back after a redshirt year and Sydie London, who briefly looked like "the answer" at the position a couple years ago has retreated to the "DNP" statistic. We probably won't recruit any more tight ends this year but I think the loss of Marfisi, clearly our best blocker at the position, will be missed. I'd love to see a big, hard-nosed, blocking tight end signed, but don't expect it, though we recently offered Jesuit's 6'7" tight end, Foster Moreau.
My view of our running back situation is similar. Badie, Hilliard, and Thompson (pick your order) will all be back and give us a solid situation at running back. Rounds should return and Kelley might also return. If Kelley comes back, he'll probably fill Butler's position at fullback and part-time running back. And Medina is apparently being groomed as a "true" fullback. The two freshmen commits (Anderson and Glenn) bring an every down back and a "Sproles-like" player that CJ keeps looking for. I'd love to see a big (245#) bruising fullback, but I'd guess we're through at RB.
Linebacker looks to be in good shape, especially since we play only two at a time on most downs. Marley and Williams seem to have taken over as the starters with Thomas a good backup. Marbley, Harris, and Fleury all got some playing time and two redshirts, Kennedy and Bowie add some depth. That's probably enough for this "go around," though a "top flight" recruit would be welcome.
And, while we'll be losing three major contributors in the defensive backfield (Scofield, LeBeau, and Nixon), I doubt we'll sign any more DB's than we already have on board or committed. Leonard Davis and a return to health by Jarod Franklin and Richard Allen make them the most likely replacements for the departures, but Carthon (a special teams cover guy), Townsend, and Cooper have some experience as well. Add to that three redshirt freshmen coming back and seven committed DB's and it's hard to believe we'll go for more. I know we play five and six DB's at a time but I would think 18 of them should be enough. At least half of the incoming frosh will probably redshirt, though a couple could compete for significant time. And, it wouldn't surprise me to see one or more move to WR.
Most incoming freshmen will probably redshirt, gain size, strength, and knowledge of our playbook and start to make contributions as redshirt freshmen. But, at this point, CJ and staff can't afford to make many mistakes. Looking to next year, and depending on additional attrition, we will only have eight seniors on scholarship (including Kelley). Of course, we'll have another nine redshirt juniors include five guys who have played very little. Several will probably forego their final year of eligibility. Nonetheless, it could be another relatively small class (20 or less).
But, that's next year's problem. This year, we have more needs than openings.
Roll Wave!!!
