It seems nobody ever really knkws how many recruits we will take until the class is finished so so.e surprises may still happen. However, we al knkw there is a 25 man class limit and a roster limit as well. Schools work around those numbers all the time and this year is nk different at Arizona. Most people projected Arizona with an 18 man class based on those numbers. The staff recruited hard even with 21 commits already and are trying to land the last few pieces of the puzzle. The early period really helps with getting those committed to sign and be really committed. Like RR said, if they don't sign early they are not committed. Now the staff will have a set class starting to take shape. He hopes to sign most of the class this next week and then can focus on the last few pieces of it.
Some important factors happening daily around the University. Players leaving early open up total roster numbers. Players being granted an extra year take away those numbers. I like to look at it as taking a grad transfer spot when we get extra years out returning starters. With two of our starters getting that this week basically takes two spots away from the potential recruit class, or grad transfers. That is why I say Layth is the best recruit of the class!
I had been saying we would take 22-23 players all along and that doesn't change, but with the two extra year guys staying around that number could drop unless there are more players leaving. We have talked about what Brandon Dawkins will do with Tate being the starter. Boettcher is leaving early in pursuit of his career choices. There are rumors if a couple other guys that could move on. That will allow the staff to still get in on another player late, or grad transfer if someone decides to leave the program for any reason. The staff has an idea of what will pan out, but the actual numbers continue to shift. This is where grey shirts and blue shirts come into play. If the class is too full the staff will ask a commit to take a blue shirt route. Sometimes it works, and sometimes the player goes somewhere else. The difference this time out is the early signing period locks those players in.
I do not expect RR to drop all the guys that do not sign early, but don't be surprised to see some decommit or part ways.
Still some time and more adjustments coming but the sign period is only three days and the staff will then be able to focus on the finishing pieces knowing who is really committed already.
I think there are two or three current commits that may find another home soon.
Thanks LG! Recruiting numbers are crazy.
The 247 staff seems to think RR is happy with this class. Are you feeling that as well?
Yes I think the staff likes the class overall. That is why this signing period allows the staff to refocus a little knowing who they have on board and what their needs are. As I stated though, there is a little more shifting to take place. There are some guys on the team as upper classmen that are not playing and after the bowl game they may decide to find a place where they can actually see the field. This is where Dawkins is, but there are others as well. Just look at all the upper class guys that are not playing in games because freshmen have beaten them out. Some of those guys are finishing up degrees and could play somewhere else right away. RR likes to sit down with the guys and work with them on what is the best direction for them and will likely do that after the bowl game.
What we now know.
We have added 3 to the OL one being a JC and 3 to the DL with one being a JC. RR believes the JCs should be able to contribute right away but it is difficult for the freshmen to break the rotation on the line. Sulunga is the type of guy who could do it though. We needed bigs and we got them.
We got a serious LB, a serious CB, and a serious S to strengthen the D. Play makers!
We got some really nice Receivers. Inside and outside guys that can help us early.
What we still need?
That QB and we hope to land our current verbal.
Another RB if our current verbal does not sign.
Not likely a scholie guy, but a PUNTER in a big way.
More Line guys are always welcome!
My thoughts:
At some point Jamarye Joiner signs and plays for Arizona.
Jaden Mitchell will grey shirt and enroll next Jan giving him more time to be ready physically when he joins the program.
The staff will be putting out more offers and looking at grad transfers to finish out the class.
They want another RB and if Irby flips to UCLA then they will target one.
Adam Plant we want and he says he is solid. Would love to see him at Arizona. I think he us still fishing for a bigger offer.
The staff wants Kenny Churchwell and believes they can get him which make the other verbals that did not sign a none factor.
If we keep Plant and Joiner and add Churchwell, that will leave Mitchell towards next years class and room for two more maybe three.
Transfers, Grad Transfers, JCs, and other guys out there that have not committed because they are looking.
Good stuff LG. Biggest thing is the size of our 2018 class. I hope you're right about Joiner and Plante committing. Have to wonder if Joiner changes his mind because he wants immediate PT instead of waiting behind Tate.
The system is made for a QB like Joiner. Question, will RR be here for 5 years?
Tate is a Junior this coming year. If Joiner were to RS, he would only sit one year as a RS Freshman behind Tate. That proving tthat Tate can play the season without being injured. The other QBs? Tate has left, Lane is an unknown, and Rhett is a kid that has much promise but many people are blowing off. So not anyone else that would scare him away. Question: Will he play QB or not? Only Arizona has offered as such until ASU changed directions on him. His desire to play QB would likely take away his imeddiate playing time opportunities. I put these and other questions out there that the kid may actually be considering in their decision about where to go to play football. If RR was to fall flat and lose big to Purdue, could RR still be on a hot seat next year? The stability in college sports has just about disappeared. That is sad because it says that everything is about winning, winning now, and the looking good at it. Even a bowl bid for a coach who was picked almost last in the conference was not enough to save his job. Graham is history at ASU. Kinda sad that it has gotten to this point. Like it or not, all of this has an effect on these recruits. Joiner is likely doing the right thing. I believe we win the bowl game. That is the next step! RR will be retained, but not necessarily extended. An extention would be positive movement, but nothing guaranteed. Once we move into the post bowl time frame things will be more solid with both RR at Arizona and then also Joiner's commitment.
Ok
So now we load up a new staff and push forward. We keep all the LOI players and start adding to. Joiner and Plant are locks now and we will likely add another 3-4 recruits. Looking at maybe 3-4 transfers as well. With our solid base of returning players (lots of freshmen) and this incoming class, lookbfor Arizona to make some real improvements over the next couple of years. The biggest improvement still needs to be ST and both lines. Time to get in the season ticket line! For the frst time ever I will be a season ticket holder this year! Been on the east coast and mid west since 1980.
Bear Down Wildcats!
Quote from: Little George on January 19, 2018, 06:52:17 PM
Ok
So now we load up a new staff and push forward. We keep all the LOI players and start adding to. Joiner and Plant are locks now and we will likely add another 3-4 recruits. Looking at maybe 3-4 transfers as well. With our solid base of returning players (lots of freshmen) and this incoming class, lookbfor Arizona to make some real improvements over the next couple of years. The biggest improvement still needs to be ST and both lines. Time to get in the season ticket line! For the frst time ever I will be a season ticket holder this year! Been on the east coast and mid west since 1980.
Bear Down Wildcats!
Heading that way myself!
https://www.azdesertswarm.com/recruiting/2018/1/28/16942578/arizona-football-recruiting-kevin-sumlin-texas-2018-2019-commits-signees-offers-targets
Just a few little tid bits of info.
https://www.google.com/amp/tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/football/five-takeaways-on-the-arizona-wildcats-scholarship-offer-to-a/article_85262b64-04bd-11e8-9457-bb3d07a0e0f5.amp.html
Aggressive recruiting!
Daymen Coleman has committed, but actually signed in Dec. Also signed during early period were Joiner and Plant.
We could land Doyle today as well as a couple more key pieces of the puzzle. We need a punter most of all right now.
This class will not be as big as last years, but will have a big impact on our upward movement.