FB RECRUITING MTSU is first in CUSA for recruiting
- Thread starter Matt Dossett
- Start date
Fourth by average. When compared apples to apples I don't value more players. What matters is a) how good are the guys you have committed/signed and b) what's your staff's application and capability for development.
Mason needs time. No doubt. But let's not pretend he has the number one class right now. We can express appreciation and even hope for what he's doing on the trail - especially in state. That has me impressed. But let's not start putting lipstick on yet.
Mason needs time. No doubt. But let's not pretend he has the number one class right now. We can express appreciation and even hope for what he's doing on the trail - especially in state. That has me impressed. But let's not start putting lipstick on yet.
Exactly. Average star rating is what matters if we're going to look at this objectively. I've never understood why teams with more recruits get a higher ranking even though average star rating is lower. So dumb.
High school recruiting has definitely improved for us. But how much of that is the tailwinds from having a new coaching staff + so many programs signing fewer HS players? By the sheer numbers our HS recruiting SHOULD improve since fewer HS players are looked at now by the big fish. They just let programs like us sort through it all and once the cream rises to the top...well....you know what happens.
G5 is now the Glorified JUCO 5.
The guys they have brought in are very good. Ratings for G5 guys are very iffy. WKU has a higher average but only 7 commits which is a decently sized red flag with all they are losing. But even then the three above MTSU, are Liberty/WKU (makes sense) and FIU which has full access to Florida (entire class is in-state).
I'm a lot more concerned with the players traits and who they competed with for each recruit and they have really made some statements this year. They have done a good job of getting who they want no matter what. Did miss out on top QB target tho.
- RB DJ Taylor (beat out Auburn and Vanderbilt)
- WR Neo Clifton (beat out Liberty and JMU)
- OT Kyle Larkin (Liberty and WKU)
- OL Otto van Rensburg (WKU)
- DT Archie Roseman (beat Vandy out head-to-head)
- DT Anthony Smith (beat out Oregon State)
- LB Joel Lowenberg (beat out Cincinnati, Houston, and Wake Forest as of right now)
- LB Micah Smith (beat out Liberty)
- Pushing for TE Aaron Mattingly who has a nice offer list as well.
In terms of development, you're right that remains to be seen. For what it's worth they have done great with the young guys so far in my opinion. Zach Clayton, Shakai Woods have been really good lately up front. Jordan Thompson still needs to be more consistent but is getting there at linebacker. They have strong track records as well so we shall see. I agree that's the big question though
I haven't watched other conference team's classes yet but I am pretty confident overall in MTSU class this season, especially after seeing a lot of them in-person again this year. Filled a ton of needs too.
DJ gives you a complete, dynamic back with size you need. Neo gives you a physical outside receiver that will be needed after next year. Ben adds more speed and versatility to the group at WR. Kyle Larkin is probably your future LT. Otto van Rensburg and Bo Bryan are 6'4 guards who are physical and athletic. Anthony Smith and Archie Roseman are MASSIVE DT that multiple power 4 teams wanted, including multiple SEC for Roseman. Linebacker got two dynamic playmakers that are leaders of arguably the two best defenses in the state. Haven't watched too much of Camari Hall at safety yet but he has been a playmaker for one of the best high school programs in the country during his senior season.
DJ gives you a complete, dynamic back with size you need. Neo gives you a physical outside receiver that will be needed after next year. Ben adds more speed and versatility to the group at WR. Kyle Larkin is probably your future LT. Otto van Rensburg and Bo Bryan are 6'4 guards who are physical and athletic. Anthony Smith and Archie Roseman are MASSIVE DT that multiple power 4 teams wanted, including multiple SEC for Roseman. Linebacker got two dynamic playmakers that are leaders of arguably the two best defenses in the state. Haven't watched too much of Camari Hall at safety yet but he has been a playmaker for one of the best high school programs in the country during his senior season.
I’ve watched Locke in person and virtually, the kid is an all out athlete. 6’3 195lbs (great frame to fill out for a 17-year old kid). Tackles well, twitchy and explosive in the backend of the field. They like him a lot, he’s a name to monitor.
All great points. The high school recruiting has definitely improved. That's one piece of the puzzle with about 99 others to fill. I still remember Andy McCollum winning every recruiting day/class, even signing a 5 star player out of Florida one year, only to go 4-8ish year after year....
Different times now for sure, but I'm still gravely worried about these coordinators we have on staff.
For what it's worth, the defense has been in position a lot more since Brian Stewart went up to the box for games. Now they could not tackle a soul against Jax State tho. Not sold on Bodie Reeder yet but I thought he had a good gameplan against Jax State. Still wait and see for me.
There's stuff to go back on for Stewart and I think players are getting better individually altho not consistent and together at all on defense. Offense idk
Defense has been a little better but I just don’t think Stewart has it anymore. Go back and look at his previous stops. Tell me the last time he worked somewhere and they had a good defense.
And it’s not a trick question, I actually did this and couldn’t find the answer. His defenses have been torched everywhere he’s been. He’s washed. We do have Mason at least who should be able to keep us respectable on defense but so far that’s not the case.
With Bodie I’m open to a little more wait and see. Offense typically takes a little longer to gel and pick up and we basically have no OL so it’s essentially impossible to gauge anything. Still not a fan of some of his play calling, in particular near the red zone, but it’s admittedly hard/impossible when you can’t block anyone up front. My major concern with the O revolves more around the philosophy. Mason has been talking about playing bully ball here and I just don’t see how that can work.
This right here to me is what matters. Absolutely we should have a TN pipeline. 10000%. And regardless of results so far, all of us will give Mason credit for improving that.
But for years we only had JUCO guys or those with only FCS offers or one other G5. To actually be competing for recruits with our peers (sometimes punching above) and getting them, that speaks volumes.
I've said before this is where G5s can shine. Sure some of these guys may blow up and portal out, but other recruits will see that and choose us to play off the bat instead of sitting at a Power school. We can use becoming a development school to our advantage in my mind. And those that don't choose us and end up at a Power only to portal out will remember us trying to get them out of high school.
Whether his or Mason's they showed me something on the offensive side. They pretty much have given up on trying to establish the run. The OL isn't there to do it so they've spread the field and put the game in the hands of the three best players on the team: the QB, TE, and WR. I think that's really the only chance we have to win games this year. Hasn't really worked because the defense has been so bad and...
Play design and execution in the red zone are a problem. Kind of another one of our undesirable traditions. You don't necessarily have to be able to run to score in the red zone but you certainly can't have poor execution and penalties on top of unimaginative play design.
Play design and execution in the red zone are a problem. Kind of another one of our undesirable traditions. You don't necessarily have to be able to run to score in the red zone but you certainly can't have poor execution and penalties on top of unimaginative play design.
When Mason was hired I was willing to give it 3-4 years and that hasn’t changed. I want to see how he develops guys that he’s bringing in. We just don’t have a D1 roster in size speed and athleticism.
Agreed. I think the frustrating part for a lot of people is that you can’t capitalize on guys like Nick Vattiato, Omari Kelly, and Holden Willis
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