In the past I've said that the full effects of the sanctions will be behind us and beginning with the 2017 season we will be legitimate B1G championship contenders. I've taken a closer look at the O-Line in 2016 and again in 2017, and this is what I see, assuming: We keep all of our current 2016 commits and that Nelson and Mahon both come back to use their 5th years of eligibility.
2017 Line LT Sorrell (RS Jr), Bates (RS So), Gellerstedt (RS Fr)
LG Mahon (RS SR), Freis (RS Fr)
C McGovern (RS Fr)
RT Wright (RS Jr), Brosnan (RS Jr), Gonzales (RS So)
RG Nelson (RS SR), Beh (RS Jr), Jenkins (RS So), Menet (RS Fr)
Obviously, the Staff will have to move some people around, but assuming we redshirt our 2017 OL class (whoever they are), and both Mahon and Nelson come back for a 5th season (not a certainty IMO), we'll have 11 scholarship linemen and 4 of them will be redshirt freshmen. I think we need to recruit one more 2016 OL prospect so long as he is a quality prospect and not a big reach. We might even want to think about two more good 2016 OL recruits if they are available and if Nordin decommits (in which case we go with the Big Toe). Also, I think we are starting to see improvement from Paris Palmer. He'll be gone by 2017, but perhaps we should look for a very highly rated JUCO lineman in either '16 or '17 if one is available and looks like an immediate contributor. We may also want/need to switch a guy on day one from the DL to the OL (Windsor comes to mind).
After people get over the natural reaction of saying "2017 is a long way away, it'll work it's way out", I would be interested in thoughtful feedback.
BWI staff: Is the coaching staff even considering taking another 2016 OL recruit if there is someone out there that they like, or have they shut it down for the 2016 OL? Thanks in advance for feedback from both the membership and the staff.
2017 Line LT Sorrell (RS Jr), Bates (RS So), Gellerstedt (RS Fr)
LG Mahon (RS SR), Freis (RS Fr)
C McGovern (RS Fr)
RT Wright (RS Jr), Brosnan (RS Jr), Gonzales (RS So)
RG Nelson (RS SR), Beh (RS Jr), Jenkins (RS So), Menet (RS Fr)
Obviously, the Staff will have to move some people around, but assuming we redshirt our 2017 OL class (whoever they are), and both Mahon and Nelson come back for a 5th season (not a certainty IMO), we'll have 11 scholarship linemen and 4 of them will be redshirt freshmen. I think we need to recruit one more 2016 OL prospect so long as he is a quality prospect and not a big reach. We might even want to think about two more good 2016 OL recruits if they are available and if Nordin decommits (in which case we go with the Big Toe). Also, I think we are starting to see improvement from Paris Palmer. He'll be gone by 2017, but perhaps we should look for a very highly rated JUCO lineman in either '16 or '17 if one is available and looks like an immediate contributor. We may also want/need to switch a guy on day one from the DL to the OL (Windsor comes to mind).
After people get over the natural reaction of saying "2017 is a long way away, it'll work it's way out", I would be interested in thoughtful feedback.
BWI staff: Is the coaching staff even considering taking another 2016 OL recruit if there is someone out there that they like, or have they shut it down for the 2016 OL? Thanks in advance for feedback from both the membership and the staff.
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