Offensive line emergency

[Bulldog from Birth]

Take a look at our future veteran offensive line.

2008 signees: Tobias Smith (always hurt), Phillip Freeman (Juco signee so he doesn't count), Templeton Hardy (seems pretty worthless), John Paul Alford.

2009 signees: Gabe Jackson, Sam Watts

2010 commit: Blaine Claussell

Mullen needs to get on the ball and start getting some big boys in here. That was one thing Croom finally figured out when he signed that big class of offensive linemen (saulsberry, sherrod, lawrence, etc.). We're going to be in sad shape come 2011-12 if we don't get this position lined out.

BFB</p>

 

[VirgilCain]

Croom was against getting JUCOs but in Mississippi it is a necessity. Our educational system is so bad that many good athletes cannot qualify for college. Also many high school athletic programs are so poor that a lot of players don't get exposure to good training such as weight lifting. With JUCO you also get to see who pans out and who flops. I think Mullen is going to take another page from Jackie's playbook (already has) and rely pretty heavily on the JUCOs in this state.

 

[Foronce]

Gates and Dillon Day... hopefully we get all, but 2 would be a great start assuming with get Robinson... he is a must have this year.

 

[graddawg]

two big OLs at Hargrave, but we probably waited too late on those guys since they can sign next week.

 

[Hector.sixpack]

There seems to be a general trend of improvement in the High Schools getting kids qualified. Now some of that can be attributed to the Cellular South program, and it may be that overall our school systems are a little better than they used to be. I think a large part of it too is that college coaches and high school coaches are recognizing D1 talent early (9th and 10th grade) and helping the kids and administration understand the opportunities at hand. Instead of waiting till the 12th grade to try and get qualified, they're taking the proper steps earlier. I don't mind signing JUCOs as long as we win, but I'd rather sign mostly high school offensive lineman to develop thru the program, and at this day and age (information age) I don't think there's any reason we can't do that.

 

[chew1095]

I am not that worried about the OL. Look at what Hevsey did this year with this group. Simply amazing.
I bet we sign 4 of the following this year, Clausell (commit who I understand is a Dec grad), Damien Robinson, Kenarious Gates, Dillon Day, the Gibson kid from Hargrave, Chucky Curry from EMCC or Darone Bailey.
We already have a commitment from one of the top in state OL in next years class, Nick Redmond from Harrison Central and I think we have a good shot at Aaron Morris from Callaway.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

With the exception of Robinson, I don't think we are in on any blue chippers, but Gates and Day look to be very projectable and should do well under Balis/Hevesy if we land them.

Also, next year looks to be a better year in MS for the OL and we have already landed one very strong OL recruit for the next class. It would be huge if we could land both Aaron Morris and Redmond. I agree with you though, next year this has to be a major emphasis.

The coaches apparently love Gabe and are VERY high on him. That is great news. The wild card really is T. Smith, but between him, Saulsberry and G. Jackson I think we have the guard spots held down for the next 3 years. I am not encouraged by Sam Watts, since he is already apparently having some injury problems. I am also not comfortable counting on Temp Hardy, but who knows.

The way I look at it,

in 2010 we just have to replace Jenkins. Might be looking at a T. Smith, G. Jackson combo there.
in 2011 we will need to replace Sherrod and JC. DJ Looney should be capable at C. You have to think we will go JUCO for the tackle.
in 2012 we have to replace Looney, Saulsberry and Lawrence. This is why we really need to bring in some players next year. You would hope that someone like Gates or Robinson would be primed to fill Lawrence's spot.

 

[VirgilCain]

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