Note: Not trying to rip on players. Pointing out recruiting/development issues.
2018 recruiting class is currently in their 4th year in the program and might be the most disappointing class in recent NU history... and that's with a 1st rounder in that class. 2 players from that 18 man class became above average B1G starters( AJ Hampton and Greg Newsome). 4 transfers, 1 medical retirement, 1 left the team, and many more non contributors make up the rest of class. These issues were a long time coming and makes it even more unbelievable that NU didn't fill more gaps in the transfer portal.
Let's take a look at the entire class:
Devin O'Rourke - Safe to say he hasn't developed into a B1G level player.
Eku Leota - The 3rd best player in this class but he left for Auburn with 3 years of eligibility remaining.
Khalid Jones - Constant injuries and hasn't performed at a B1G level when he finally saw the field this season.
Wyatt Blake - Never contributed on the OL and then was switched to DL where he played some backup reps but clearly not a B1G level player. He switched back to OL due to the injuries the group experienced this season.
Greg Newsome - The star of this class and a truly great player. Sucks we only got to see him play around 20 career games for NU. Not much more needs to be said here.
Isaiah Bowser - Solid season as a true fr and then a ton of injuries. Left for UCF where he is having a decent season but not a difference maker at RB like he looked to be after his fr season.
Jason Whittaker - Never played at QB other than garbage time wildcat formation. Switched to TE but no action there either.
Jeremiah McDonald - Never saw the field at NU. Switched to LB before leaving this offseason for Southern Miss.
JJ Jefferson - Had some solid moments but his career was derailed by injuries.
Payne He'Bert - Cracked the 2 deep but has never been healthy enough to play/develop.
AJ Hampton - Solid B1G corner. Nice find late in the cycle.
Charlie Mangieri - "Starting" TE but clearly not a threat in the passing game. Not a starting B1G level player.
Brian Kaiser - Never played for NU and left the program very early in his career.
Jaylen Rivers - Been in the 2 deep for years but hasn't contributed in any meaningful way so far.
Charlie Schmidt - Starting RG but not a B1G level player.
Grayson Mann - Saw reps as an EDGE rusher last season but didn't produce much. Missing this entire season.
Drake Anderson - Saw playing time early in his career but fumble issues pushed him to the bench. Transfered out to Arizona and averaging under 4 yards per carry.
Sam Stovall - The "what could have been" player in this class. Projected starter at OG but injuries ended his career way too early.
So only 4 players from this class are currently starting at NU (Schmidt, Mangieri, Hampton, Jefferson) and only 1 (Hampton) is an average B1G level starter. I get we can't place all the blame on the coaching staff for the transfers but even if those guys are still on the roster this class is a big disappointment and there was no attempt to fix this issue with transfers. NU is a program led by upperclassmen. When the senior class is this bad winning just isn't going to happen. Saw a similar story a few years ago. Disappointing 2019 because the 2016 class was bad. Terrible 2021 because the 2018 class was bad.
2018 recruiting class is currently in their 4th year in the program and might be the most disappointing class in recent NU history... and that's with a 1st rounder in that class. 2 players from that 18 man class became above average B1G starters( AJ Hampton and Greg Newsome). 4 transfers, 1 medical retirement, 1 left the team, and many more non contributors make up the rest of class. These issues were a long time coming and makes it even more unbelievable that NU didn't fill more gaps in the transfer portal.
Let's take a look at the entire class:
Devin O'Rourke - Safe to say he hasn't developed into a B1G level player.
Eku Leota - The 3rd best player in this class but he left for Auburn with 3 years of eligibility remaining.
Khalid Jones - Constant injuries and hasn't performed at a B1G level when he finally saw the field this season.
Wyatt Blake - Never contributed on the OL and then was switched to DL where he played some backup reps but clearly not a B1G level player. He switched back to OL due to the injuries the group experienced this season.
Greg Newsome - The star of this class and a truly great player. Sucks we only got to see him play around 20 career games for NU. Not much more needs to be said here.
Isaiah Bowser - Solid season as a true fr and then a ton of injuries. Left for UCF where he is having a decent season but not a difference maker at RB like he looked to be after his fr season.
Jason Whittaker - Never played at QB other than garbage time wildcat formation. Switched to TE but no action there either.
Jeremiah McDonald - Never saw the field at NU. Switched to LB before leaving this offseason for Southern Miss.
JJ Jefferson - Had some solid moments but his career was derailed by injuries.
Payne He'Bert - Cracked the 2 deep but has never been healthy enough to play/develop.
AJ Hampton - Solid B1G corner. Nice find late in the cycle.
Charlie Mangieri - "Starting" TE but clearly not a threat in the passing game. Not a starting B1G level player.
Brian Kaiser - Never played for NU and left the program very early in his career.
Jaylen Rivers - Been in the 2 deep for years but hasn't contributed in any meaningful way so far.
Charlie Schmidt - Starting RG but not a B1G level player.
Grayson Mann - Saw reps as an EDGE rusher last season but didn't produce much. Missing this entire season.
Drake Anderson - Saw playing time early in his career but fumble issues pushed him to the bench. Transfered out to Arizona and averaging under 4 yards per carry.
Sam Stovall - The "what could have been" player in this class. Projected starter at OG but injuries ended his career way too early.
So only 4 players from this class are currently starting at NU (Schmidt, Mangieri, Hampton, Jefferson) and only 1 (Hampton) is an average B1G level starter. I get we can't place all the blame on the coaching staff for the transfers but even if those guys are still on the roster this class is a big disappointment and there was no attempt to fix this issue with transfers. NU is a program led by upperclassmen. When the senior class is this bad winning just isn't going to happen. Saw a similar story a few years ago. Disappointing 2019 because the 2016 class was bad. Terrible 2021 because the 2018 class was bad.
