I'm having some technical difficulties uploading photos right now so I can't put it on the front page yet, but don't think we are slacking on you this Friday. Here's the story I'm trying to get up, so you'll have something to chew on and discuss if you'd like.
What positions will BC make a priority in the 2016 class? <B>EagleAction.com</b> takes a look at that today.
We're basing our analysis on several factors.
1. You recruit to replace your junior class.
Most people in the recruiting world would tell you that recruiting involves a lot of long-term planning. If you're recruiting an incoming class to plug the holes that open when your current seniors are leaving, you're in trouble. You would be replacing a senior with a true freshman that's unprepared to contribute and less physically developed than everyone else on the field.
Even recruiting to replace your junior class ensures you will have to go through a youth movement constantly at multiple positions. To build experience depth across the board you really have to avoid attrition and find more contributors in most of your classes than most schools really do.
If you recruit to replace your junior class then <b>BC might be looking to sign another small group from the Class of 2017</b>. That's because the Eagles' junior class this year is the smallest class on the team. BC's official roster reveals just 14 total juniors. There may ultimately be seniors that have their eligibility extended by a year, or juniors that take this year as a redshirt, and any other number of factors could come into play. But it seems likely next year's class will be small, too.
From BC's current pool of juniors the Eagles have three defensive ends (Malachi Moore, Kevin Kavalec, Mike Strizak) and another defensive lineman (Truman Gutapfel). Couple that with the losses up front in the current senior class (replaced by incoming freshmen that are still unknowns) and it would seem wise to make the defensive line a priority again. Brandon Barlow was coveted as a pass rusher, and BC will need to find more players that the staff believes can get after the quarterback in the '17 class.
Although BC doesn't lose many defensive backs from their current junior class that's a position sources believe they need to improve the numbers at, either with late additions to the '16 class or by a focus there in '17.
Running back may not seem like a pressing need now, but injuries at the position are a reality, and both Myles Willis and Tyler Rouse are juniors. BC signed one last year and they do not have any in the current 2016 class. So don't be surprised if BC takes even two running backs in the Class of 2017.
The Eagles will lose Frank Taylor after the 2016 season and his loss will follow the loss of Harris Williams, Jim Cashman and Dave Bowen after this year. The Eagles have done a good job of addressing the line with a couple of '16 commitments and they could conceivably stretch it to take another this year if they find one they love. However, at this point it doesn't look like an enormous offensive line class in '17.
2. You recruit to improve problem areas.
Simply because of perception (and opponents would say the numbers themselves) BC is always going to have an easier time recruiting offensive linemen, tight ends, running backs and linebackers than wide receivers. BC's coaches are still able to make the case to recruits that they want to upgrade the play at receiver. Until more players step up, this will be a viable pitch.
There's plenty of evidence that BC has greatly improved the athleticism at receiver in recent classes. Some of those players will be called upon to make significant contributions this year. How they play could determine the extent to which the staff targets receivers in next year's class. But it is always wise to assume that BC is going to be on the lookout, in a particular way, for any receivers that might upgrade the position and expand the offense's balance.
3. You recruit to your strategy/system/philosophy.
Some of BC's strategy remains unchanged. Don Brown likes defenders that play fast. He's willing to take some guys that are 'tweeners and undersized if they can fulfill clear roles in his defense and have the right mentality.
Other aspects of the strategy may require a tweaking when it comes to recruiting priority. Will BC try to add another dual-threat quarterback in the '17 class? Or will they go 'all-in' with a pro-style to try to mix things up and add another dimension to the future quarterback race? Their last several quarterback commitments have all been dual-threats. That's not enough to rule out that kind of quarterback in the future, because what's more important than a quarterback's style is simply how productive he can be. It might be that Jordan McAfee is the best option, even if he's more accomplished as a runner.
But on the other hand one can't simply write off the difficulty in reconciling the desire to find offensive balance, to open up the passing game, with another dual-threat year. That's ultimately why Todd Fitch became the offensive coordinator.
How the quarterbacks and receivers fare this year may well determine how BC recruits quarterbacks (and receivers) in the '17 class. If Fitch finds someone that can get the offense to the kind of expanded playbook he wants then there might not be such a pressing need. If he can't, and the Eagles rely on much the same offense they ran last year or two years ago with different personnel, then that could affect Fitch's thinking as regards the future of the offense. One year of transition with bumps is one thing. A transition that's difficult beyond one year might be too steep a hill to climb.
Conclusion
It will be a small class in 2017. Without getting into the numbers, don't expect this year's small group to be followed by a massive haul. BC's next really big class should be in 2018.
It's always wise to bank on a quarterback commitment. We think they will take one and possibly two running backs. BC usually wants a tight end/H-Back type, so that's very possible, too. Add a couple of offensive linemen (or three) and it might be safe to set the expectation at two receivers. That would give Fitch eight or nine offensive spots to work with.
On defense, replenishing the departing '16 class of pass rushers (ends) could be a priority. BC could target three or four defensive linemen. They will lose a couple of linebackers that year, so expect a couple more to be brought in. Then, with the secondary a focus, it could be a full class of upwards of four defensive backs. That would give Don Brown nine or ten defensive spots.
Rough estimates, but very possibly an accurate scenario.
What positions will BC make a priority in the 2016 class? <B>EagleAction.com</b> takes a look at that today.
We're basing our analysis on several factors.
1. You recruit to replace your junior class.
Most people in the recruiting world would tell you that recruiting involves a lot of long-term planning. If you're recruiting an incoming class to plug the holes that open when your current seniors are leaving, you're in trouble. You would be replacing a senior with a true freshman that's unprepared to contribute and less physically developed than everyone else on the field.
Even recruiting to replace your junior class ensures you will have to go through a youth movement constantly at multiple positions. To build experience depth across the board you really have to avoid attrition and find more contributors in most of your classes than most schools really do.
If you recruit to replace your junior class then <b>BC might be looking to sign another small group from the Class of 2017</b>. That's because the Eagles' junior class this year is the smallest class on the team. BC's official roster reveals just 14 total juniors. There may ultimately be seniors that have their eligibility extended by a year, or juniors that take this year as a redshirt, and any other number of factors could come into play. But it seems likely next year's class will be small, too.
From BC's current pool of juniors the Eagles have three defensive ends (Malachi Moore, Kevin Kavalec, Mike Strizak) and another defensive lineman (Truman Gutapfel). Couple that with the losses up front in the current senior class (replaced by incoming freshmen that are still unknowns) and it would seem wise to make the defensive line a priority again. Brandon Barlow was coveted as a pass rusher, and BC will need to find more players that the staff believes can get after the quarterback in the '17 class.
Although BC doesn't lose many defensive backs from their current junior class that's a position sources believe they need to improve the numbers at, either with late additions to the '16 class or by a focus there in '17.
Running back may not seem like a pressing need now, but injuries at the position are a reality, and both Myles Willis and Tyler Rouse are juniors. BC signed one last year and they do not have any in the current 2016 class. So don't be surprised if BC takes even two running backs in the Class of 2017.
The Eagles will lose Frank Taylor after the 2016 season and his loss will follow the loss of Harris Williams, Jim Cashman and Dave Bowen after this year. The Eagles have done a good job of addressing the line with a couple of '16 commitments and they could conceivably stretch it to take another this year if they find one they love. However, at this point it doesn't look like an enormous offensive line class in '17.
2. You recruit to improve problem areas.
Simply because of perception (and opponents would say the numbers themselves) BC is always going to have an easier time recruiting offensive linemen, tight ends, running backs and linebackers than wide receivers. BC's coaches are still able to make the case to recruits that they want to upgrade the play at receiver. Until more players step up, this will be a viable pitch.
There's plenty of evidence that BC has greatly improved the athleticism at receiver in recent classes. Some of those players will be called upon to make significant contributions this year. How they play could determine the extent to which the staff targets receivers in next year's class. But it is always wise to assume that BC is going to be on the lookout, in a particular way, for any receivers that might upgrade the position and expand the offense's balance.
3. You recruit to your strategy/system/philosophy.
Some of BC's strategy remains unchanged. Don Brown likes defenders that play fast. He's willing to take some guys that are 'tweeners and undersized if they can fulfill clear roles in his defense and have the right mentality.
Other aspects of the strategy may require a tweaking when it comes to recruiting priority. Will BC try to add another dual-threat quarterback in the '17 class? Or will they go 'all-in' with a pro-style to try to mix things up and add another dimension to the future quarterback race? Their last several quarterback commitments have all been dual-threats. That's not enough to rule out that kind of quarterback in the future, because what's more important than a quarterback's style is simply how productive he can be. It might be that Jordan McAfee is the best option, even if he's more accomplished as a runner.
But on the other hand one can't simply write off the difficulty in reconciling the desire to find offensive balance, to open up the passing game, with another dual-threat year. That's ultimately why Todd Fitch became the offensive coordinator.
How the quarterbacks and receivers fare this year may well determine how BC recruits quarterbacks (and receivers) in the '17 class. If Fitch finds someone that can get the offense to the kind of expanded playbook he wants then there might not be such a pressing need. If he can't, and the Eagles rely on much the same offense they ran last year or two years ago with different personnel, then that could affect Fitch's thinking as regards the future of the offense. One year of transition with bumps is one thing. A transition that's difficult beyond one year might be too steep a hill to climb.
Conclusion
It will be a small class in 2017. Without getting into the numbers, don't expect this year's small group to be followed by a massive haul. BC's next really big class should be in 2018.
It's always wise to bank on a quarterback commitment. We think they will take one and possibly two running backs. BC usually wants a tight end/H-Back type, so that's very possible, too. Add a couple of offensive linemen (or three) and it might be safe to set the expectation at two receivers. That would give Fitch eight or nine offensive spots to work with.
On defense, replenishing the departing '16 class of pass rushers (ends) could be a priority. BC could target three or four defensive linemen. They will lose a couple of linebackers that year, so expect a couple more to be brought in. Then, with the secondary a focus, it could be a full class of upwards of four defensive backs. That would give Don Brown nine or ten defensive spots.
Rough estimates, but very possibly an accurate scenario.
