Written by Duane Long | 28 May 2009

A poster who prefers to remain private, we need to come up with a better term than lurker which feels too much like stalker, asked me about recruiting DTs. He rightly mentions the top programs in the country are churning out first round DTs. Defensive tackle, Defensive End and quarterback are going to dominate the top of the NFL draft in most years because they are that important.

I don't see being able to devote the time to recruiting the top 50 kids in the country but what about taking the time, making the time, to recruit this most key position? Not 50 kids. 50 kids that need to be talked into coming here is just too much time spent on long shots. I think a much smaller number is something that could reap benefits enough that it could be worth it. Lets take the number 10. If you go after the top 10 DTs in the country every year all you would need to do is hit 10%. Get one of the unique kids in the country at such a key position is something worth considering. Lets take it one step further. You do well a couple of years in a row at DT. You have a few other kids who were not as highly rated but definitely belong on the field and your depth is solid. Take the same strategy and go after quarterbacks or defensive ends. I think if you do this it cannot be just about need. It has to be at a core of need positions. I would be reluctant to go beyond quarterback, defensive tackle and defensive end. You might be able to talk me into left tackle but that would be about it.

The fan in question asked me about going into the JUCO ranks but I don't see this staff doing that. I think the character issue with so many JUCO kids is part of the problem. This staff has made character a center piece of the recruiting philosophy. The other part is so many still can't make it in despite the fact that they may be able to get into most of the other D-1 programs.

< Prev		Next >