I figured I would start this thread instead of combatting all the negative posters in various threads that seem to only look through a narrow tube of where we are and what lies in the future.
The staff has a plan for this recruiting cycle, the next, and 2018 with many contingencies based on transfers - self-chosen or staff directed, early draft departures, decommits at every position, commitments to on-schedule teams and decommits from on-schedule teams. CJF plans for everything.
Keep in mind - this is year one in the CJF era. The first two years, although he was here as head coach - was a time to bridge the gap of the sanctions that was started by BOB and continued through this year. It meant keeping PSU relevant, competitive, and on an upward trajectory. BOB fulfilled his task and Franklin completed it.
Winning records all four years, improved recruiting, continue the ideals which Joe established - Success with Honor.
Now is phase two - or year one of the real CJF era.
Sanctions are gone, but their ramifications continue. This is not an excuse, but a reality.
Yes, we will have a full roster, or close to it, but the roster is young and inexperienced. The negativity of the scandal continues on the recruiting trail - at both ends of the state and with our top 3 competitors in the East - MSU, UM, and OSU - do you think they are worried about our upward trajectory? I would suppose.
UM did not pummel us this year - close game for most part, OSU last year almost blew up their season and this year was close until 10 minutes to go. After all MSU's losses on defense - think they are not worried about a two-headed monster in the backfield named Barkley and Sanders (not to mention Robinson).
Yes, they are at another level than us. Hats off to them, but they have not dealt with our situation and I think they are smart enough to realize our deficiencies, but also recognize our strengths.
Time will tell how it plays out, but I'm rooting for our chances. So should you.
The main goal moving forward is two-fold;
#1 - bring in high level talent. This staff will not bring in a body for the sake of filling a class, if they don't feel the player can help them over the next 3.5 years. They have done this at positions of need the last three years, including this class. Yes, we have lost some commits. It happens and will happen to us again, as well as, others. Think Urban Meyer cried over losing Kareem Walker to Michigan. No, he went after the next kid on his board. This staff has a plan.
#2 - this staff wants to balance out each recruiting class. Right now, this class is short and 2017 will be short.
With balance comes competition throughout all the positions and prevents talent gaps on the roster, which aforementioned teams can take advantage of.
So as we close out the last 9 days of the 2016 class, keep in mind we have limited scholarships to give - perhaps 5. However, we have specific targets we are after at a few positions -
LB - Ferns, Hudson
CB - Hill, Hamlin
DT - Dwumfour, Shelton, Dioubate
Ath - Hudson, Fuller
K - Babir
We may lose out on all of these recruits, which is not what they want - but they then can use the left over ships for 2017 and balance out the class. Now, if they feel they need a kid at a position, they will have a plan to go after the next kid on the board - but like someone else said a 3* DT is not going to make or break this program.
Sorry for the long post - but the negativity gets tiresome, annoying and is a result of unrealistic expectations.
We are where we are because of a criminal and lack of leadership from the BOT. It will take time to get out, but we are on our way, so sit back and enjoy the ride, but more importantly let CJF do his job.
The staff has a plan for this recruiting cycle, the next, and 2018 with many contingencies based on transfers - self-chosen or staff directed, early draft departures, decommits at every position, commitments to on-schedule teams and decommits from on-schedule teams. CJF plans for everything.
Keep in mind - this is year one in the CJF era. The first two years, although he was here as head coach - was a time to bridge the gap of the sanctions that was started by BOB and continued through this year. It meant keeping PSU relevant, competitive, and on an upward trajectory. BOB fulfilled his task and Franklin completed it.
Winning records all four years, improved recruiting, continue the ideals which Joe established - Success with Honor.
Now is phase two - or year one of the real CJF era.
Sanctions are gone, but their ramifications continue. This is not an excuse, but a reality.
Yes, we will have a full roster, or close to it, but the roster is young and inexperienced. The negativity of the scandal continues on the recruiting trail - at both ends of the state and with our top 3 competitors in the East - MSU, UM, and OSU - do you think they are worried about our upward trajectory? I would suppose.
UM did not pummel us this year - close game for most part, OSU last year almost blew up their season and this year was close until 10 minutes to go. After all MSU's losses on defense - think they are not worried about a two-headed monster in the backfield named Barkley and Sanders (not to mention Robinson).
Yes, they are at another level than us. Hats off to them, but they have not dealt with our situation and I think they are smart enough to realize our deficiencies, but also recognize our strengths.
Time will tell how it plays out, but I'm rooting for our chances. So should you.
The main goal moving forward is two-fold;
#1 - bring in high level talent. This staff will not bring in a body for the sake of filling a class, if they don't feel the player can help them over the next 3.5 years. They have done this at positions of need the last three years, including this class. Yes, we have lost some commits. It happens and will happen to us again, as well as, others. Think Urban Meyer cried over losing Kareem Walker to Michigan. No, he went after the next kid on his board. This staff has a plan.
#2 - this staff wants to balance out each recruiting class. Right now, this class is short and 2017 will be short.
With balance comes competition throughout all the positions and prevents talent gaps on the roster, which aforementioned teams can take advantage of.
So as we close out the last 9 days of the 2016 class, keep in mind we have limited scholarships to give - perhaps 5. However, we have specific targets we are after at a few positions -
LB - Ferns, Hudson
CB - Hill, Hamlin
DT - Dwumfour, Shelton, Dioubate
Ath - Hudson, Fuller
K - Babir
We may lose out on all of these recruits, which is not what they want - but they then can use the left over ships for 2017 and balance out the class. Now, if they feel they need a kid at a position, they will have a plan to go after the next kid on the board - but like someone else said a 3* DT is not going to make or break this program.
Sorry for the long post - but the negativity gets tiresome, annoying and is a result of unrealistic expectations.
We are where we are because of a criminal and lack of leadership from the BOT. It will take time to get out, but we are on our way, so sit back and enjoy the ride, but more importantly let CJF do his job.
