Do you realize how closely Conner and Josh Barr match up? Conner is an elite talent too.It's accurate that I have been a bit down on the M brothers which is totally unfair in the sense that both are definitely AA level 'stud' guys, but when wearing my blue and white "Goggles" I set unrealistically high expectations like many of the rest of us, yet I am not convinced either is 'Elite' in the arm chair QB rudest sense of the word.
10 Years ago, we were all quite satisfied with any lineup slot getting 'only' an AA guy. Heck it seemed like we always had 2, 3, maybe even 4 holes in our lineups, but the multiple 'elite' national champions carried us to team titles. Seeing all time scoring records has brainwashed us all. We truly want and now somewhat expect top 4 guys in all ten spots, which is just plain insane, and a bit stupid. Cael has turned is into a cult, and has mastered mind control of both the team and the fans.
That said there are some real studs whom I see as vulnerable, not only to being a top 4 talent, but also a path to being multiyear starters. Both Marisolas are in that category for me. It seems short a big transfer, Heavyweight is there for either/or Cole/Conner for several years to come, I still don't believe either can carry 235 lbs. My distaste for AJ is big, but I doubt either can have success against his style and strength. Conner is the better brother, but sucked down to 184 against a full feed very strong Welch? Let's just say for 9 out of 10 guys going down a weight finishes more like Alex Facundo than Levi Haines.
I really loved watching Joe Sealy in highschool, and was super happy when we got him, but I am grasping at straws to see a clear path for him as well.
Shifting gears a bit.
Pre-Season how about these lofty (but I think very realistic) expectations - without simply calling out a bunch of national champions?
125 - Lilledahl - Finalist
133 - Ono - Finalist
141 - Blaze - Finalist
149 - SVN - Top 3 amended
157 - Kasak - Finalist
165 - Mesenbrink - Finalist
174 - Haines - Finalist
184 - Welch - Top 4 in a very top heavy talented class
197 - Barr - Finalist
Hwt - Cole Marrisola - 6-8th
Am I wrong? I really don't think so!
I would like to see Nagao at 141 while both Davis and Blaze shirt, but it's going to be really, really hard to keep that shirt on Blaze come January.
PS - I think Duke is an instant Finalist talent as well, but they are going to sew that shirt on with barbed wire next year.
How many guys took down Aaron Brooks last year? You don't need an abacus.