With the foundation of the 2019 class already committed, feels like a good time for a quick overview of what I think we might be looking for during this recruiting cycle and a quick run through tape of the current commits.
Overview
While @corbi296 's "backwards counting" method is probably better, I think we have up to 20-23 scholarships available this cycle:
Add it all together and we could be looking at a pretty large class when it's all said and done.
Positional Breakdown
This is how I would break down those scholarships by position:
QB: 1 (Millen)
RB: 1 (TBD)
WR: 3-4 (TBD)
SB: 1 (Gordon)
OL: 4-5 (Rowley, D'Antonio)
DL: 3-4 (TBD)
LB: 2-3 (Gallagher)
DB: 3-4 (Heard, Mitchell)
The Commits
Going to go with more of a "tape repository" than commentary here, but everyone should take a look at our commits' tape for themselves. While I'll surely be accused of rampant homerism, I think they're all interesting prospects in their own rights.
QB Cale Millen:
SB Thomas Gordon:
OL Dominick D'Antonio:
OL Conrad Rowley:
LB Bryce Gallagher (only sophomore tape):
DB Rod Heard:
DB Cam Mitchell (only sophomore tape):
The Targets
With the class off to a decent start, the coaches seem to have decided to remain selective with the remaining scholarships. I think this is a good approach, but we shouldn't be hesitant to extend additional offers if we unearth kids during the upcoming spring Evaluation Period.
This isn't intended to be an exhaustive list, but more kids with whom I think NU has a legitimate shot and would fill a need.
RB Jirehl Brock: Go get 'em, Lou. Great looking RB prospect.
WR Bryce Kirtz: Speedy kid who would bring some explosion, but haven't heard much from him since his visit.
TE/OL Connor Foster: Similar to Ness below, but even bigger frame. He's going to be a big kid, though perhaps a bit of a project as an OT prospect.
OL Zach Carpenter: NU seems in a good position with his visit and NU ties via Thompson, but doesn't seem in any particular hurry. Big, physical kid we need in our OL room.
OL Preston Wilson: Spring visits are always a good sign, but also always difficult to pull a kid from Texas with Texas offers.
DL Josiah Miamen: Seemed to be an NU lean, but ND offer (and probably more to come) certainly throws a wrench into the situation. Good player whose offer list is just now catching up with his tape for whatever reason. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6088041/59ef4c77dfd9660fbce97a33
DL Mosai Newsom: I actually like him to grow into a DT, but good player on tape who's already visited. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6028903/5a110ae65ca9920d80a708b1
DL RJ Oben: Genetics are certainly on his side and he could grow into a very large human. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4412012/5a282c3d578d9e116c3f8797
DL Ruke Orhorhoro: Similar to Oben, but higher physical upside from what I can tell. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9490253/5a11a4f596803c0860beb7a6
DL/OL Jackson Ness: Very large young man who has potential on both sides of the ball, but could very easily grow into an OT. He's a big kid. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5163571/59bffe7415f6200d68c7a0c6
LB Nick Jackson: NU seems in a good position after an early visit, but he's going to get a lot of traction during spring. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5425971/5a1799b10c53d82738507fb5
DB Tyler Nubin: Would bring length and athleticism to our DB room that we seldom see. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5394381/59b7e524478cf60ba42873f6
There's also a long list of guys with whom NU could be in good position, but I need to see take a visit or otherwise confirm continued interest to really consider a viable prospect for NU (Wandale Robinson, Damari Roberson, Cornelius Johnson, Jake Hornibrook, Keith Maguire, Jestin Jacobs, Adam Berghorst, Beau Robbins, Kendall Abdur-Rahman, etc.).
The "longshot" list has some guys who could be interested (Osita Ekwonu, etc.), but are long shots by definition.
Overview
While @corbi296 's "backwards counting" method is probably better, I think we have up to 20-23 scholarships available this cycle:
- ~16 graduating seniors (Nagel, Vault, Roberts, Brown, Thorson, Hartage, Hall, McGee, Prather, Butler, Doles, Hance, Oxley, Klock, Wyatt, and Thompson; Brown could very well come back on a "med red" if it works out that way)
- Up to 4 additional graduating seniors, mostly fifth-year walk-on's who may or may not be on scholarship (Kubiuk, Hanaoka, Lutzen, Reineke; my guess is Bousky isn't on scholarship)
- 2-3 potential "four year players" (not going to name those names, but can probably be guessed relatively easily)
Add it all together and we could be looking at a pretty large class when it's all said and done.
Positional Breakdown
This is how I would break down those scholarships by position:
QB: 1 (Millen)
RB: 1 (TBD)
WR: 3-4 (TBD)
SB: 1 (Gordon)
OL: 4-5 (Rowley, D'Antonio)
DL: 3-4 (TBD)
LB: 2-3 (Gallagher)
DB: 3-4 (Heard, Mitchell)
The Commits
Going to go with more of a "tape repository" than commentary here, but everyone should take a look at our commits' tape for themselves. While I'll surely be accused of rampant homerism, I think they're all interesting prospects in their own rights.
QB Cale Millen:
SB Thomas Gordon:
OL Dominick D'Antonio:
OL Conrad Rowley:
LB Bryce Gallagher (only sophomore tape):
DB Rod Heard:
DB Cam Mitchell (only sophomore tape):
The Targets
With the class off to a decent start, the coaches seem to have decided to remain selective with the remaining scholarships. I think this is a good approach, but we shouldn't be hesitant to extend additional offers if we unearth kids during the upcoming spring Evaluation Period.
This isn't intended to be an exhaustive list, but more kids with whom I think NU has a legitimate shot and would fill a need.
RB Jirehl Brock: Go get 'em, Lou. Great looking RB prospect.
WR Bryce Kirtz: Speedy kid who would bring some explosion, but haven't heard much from him since his visit.
TE/OL Connor Foster: Similar to Ness below, but even bigger frame. He's going to be a big kid, though perhaps a bit of a project as an OT prospect.
OL Zach Carpenter: NU seems in a good position with his visit and NU ties via Thompson, but doesn't seem in any particular hurry. Big, physical kid we need in our OL room.
OL Preston Wilson: Spring visits are always a good sign, but also always difficult to pull a kid from Texas with Texas offers.
DL Josiah Miamen: Seemed to be an NU lean, but ND offer (and probably more to come) certainly throws a wrench into the situation. Good player whose offer list is just now catching up with his tape for whatever reason. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6088041/59ef4c77dfd9660fbce97a33
DL Mosai Newsom: I actually like him to grow into a DT, but good player on tape who's already visited. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6028903/5a110ae65ca9920d80a708b1
DL RJ Oben: Genetics are certainly on his side and he could grow into a very large human. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4412012/5a282c3d578d9e116c3f8797
DL Ruke Orhorhoro: Similar to Oben, but higher physical upside from what I can tell. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9490253/5a11a4f596803c0860beb7a6
DL/OL Jackson Ness: Very large young man who has potential on both sides of the ball, but could very easily grow into an OT. He's a big kid. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5163571/59bffe7415f6200d68c7a0c6
LB Nick Jackson: NU seems in a good position after an early visit, but he's going to get a lot of traction during spring. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5425971/5a1799b10c53d82738507fb5
DB Tyler Nubin: Would bring length and athleticism to our DB room that we seldom see. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5394381/59b7e524478cf60ba42873f6
There's also a long list of guys with whom NU could be in good position, but I need to see take a visit or otherwise confirm continued interest to really consider a viable prospect for NU (Wandale Robinson, Damari Roberson, Cornelius Johnson, Jake Hornibrook, Keith Maguire, Jestin Jacobs, Adam Berghorst, Beau Robbins, Kendall Abdur-Rahman, etc.).
The "longshot" list has some guys who could be interested (Osita Ekwonu, etc.), but are long shots by definition.
