With three recruiting weekends prior to February 6 national signing day, I, like many Tulane fans, am focused on recruiting. We clearly have needs and I wouldn’t turn down an Alabama-level recruit regardless of his position. But, these last four slots are very valuable and shouldn’t be squandered (my opinion) on “projects” (unless they have extraordinary upside) or “fillers,” simply to get to the magic “25” number. For this reason, I am surprised at how some of our fans get so upset when a kid, playing a position of secondary need to Tulane, or one who, in my opinion, is a “fringe” signee to begin with, commits/signs with another school.
To me, our overriding need is for a freshman QB who will eventually start and star for at least three years. If neither Ledford nor Daniels can fit that bill (and the jury may not be in on that), why would we sign another young man of the same general skill-set? If we can’t get the kind of kid we really need, I’d pass this year. With McMillan and Howard, we are in pretty good shape for the next year and with graduate transfer QB’s annually popping up all over the place, an opening at QB for a year isn’t necessarily a bad think; a good-to-excellent fill could likely be found quickly.
We also need help on the offensive line, immediate help in my opinion. That tells me we need another experienced player who can jump into a starting position or, as a minimum, provide depth and “on-field” contributions from the “get-go.” So, while I’d love to see us sign a big, future four-year starter right out of high school, I’d stay away from anything much short of that.
We seem to be looking for least one more defensive lineman, most likely an end, which suggests to me, we expect some attrition at that position. Who that might be I have my suspicions, but not enough verifiable knowledge to put a young man’s name out there. If we do go this way, we need to get someone of the caliber we signed last recruiting season. Going backwards is not an option.
So, why do I put so much stock and emphasis on these last four openings? To me, saving a slot or two for a potential summer transfer (Graduate or JC) makes a lot of sense, rather than take someone who is unlikely to help for at least a couple of years. Also, 2020 is likely to be a year in which we can only sign about 20 players. Currently we have 78 players on scholarship or signed up for one. If we sign four more, that would “max us out” at 82 players, three short of the limit. We will only have 13 seniors next season, so that would take us to only 16 openings. Of course, attrition will add a few more, but I’d like us to sign a full complement next year when, hopefully, a good season will put us in better shape with higher potential recruits. A great season could alter our entire recruiting profile; we need to be ready.
That said, if the next three weeks provide the kind of players Coach Fritz wants, I’ll be happy with it. He clearly knows more about this than I. Can’t wait to see who visits.
Roll Wave!!!
To me, our overriding need is for a freshman QB who will eventually start and star for at least three years. If neither Ledford nor Daniels can fit that bill (and the jury may not be in on that), why would we sign another young man of the same general skill-set? If we can’t get the kind of kid we really need, I’d pass this year. With McMillan and Howard, we are in pretty good shape for the next year and with graduate transfer QB’s annually popping up all over the place, an opening at QB for a year isn’t necessarily a bad think; a good-to-excellent fill could likely be found quickly.
We also need help on the offensive line, immediate help in my opinion. That tells me we need another experienced player who can jump into a starting position or, as a minimum, provide depth and “on-field” contributions from the “get-go.” So, while I’d love to see us sign a big, future four-year starter right out of high school, I’d stay away from anything much short of that.
We seem to be looking for least one more defensive lineman, most likely an end, which suggests to me, we expect some attrition at that position. Who that might be I have my suspicions, but not enough verifiable knowledge to put a young man’s name out there. If we do go this way, we need to get someone of the caliber we signed last recruiting season. Going backwards is not an option.
So, why do I put so much stock and emphasis on these last four openings? To me, saving a slot or two for a potential summer transfer (Graduate or JC) makes a lot of sense, rather than take someone who is unlikely to help for at least a couple of years. Also, 2020 is likely to be a year in which we can only sign about 20 players. Currently we have 78 players on scholarship or signed up for one. If we sign four more, that would “max us out” at 82 players, three short of the limit. We will only have 13 seniors next season, so that would take us to only 16 openings. Of course, attrition will add a few more, but I’d like us to sign a full complement next year when, hopefully, a good season will put us in better shape with higher potential recruits. A great season could alter our entire recruiting profile; we need to be ready.
That said, if the next three weeks provide the kind of players Coach Fritz wants, I’ll be happy with it. He clearly knows more about this than I. Can’t wait to see who visits.
Roll Wave!!!
Last edited:
