There have been several threads that have expressed concerns about the plans for a small class in 2021. Putting aside for a moment the debate about what the actual class size will be, I want to cover a few points around this topic:
--The CATS have lost a lot of starters this last year. Most commentators expect us to take a step back and not vie for a West Division title in 2021. Looking for quality depth in the portal is the quickest way to get back into contention in the West.
--With the NCAA allowing essentially a free year of eligibility, this is the year to stock up on proven talent in the portal.
--Recruits out of HS take some time to develop to be able to play at a BIG Ten level. Not all of them are a "sure thing". They won't all make the two-deep.
--I believe Fitz's philosophy of "best players play" also probably translates into recruiting HS and the transfer market. At the moment this is a bit like the pros free agent market. Let's go get the best available and WIN now.
--The downside is by not taking as many HS recruits you risk some relationships with schools who have sent multiple recruits to your program. I don't think this is as big an issue the next two years as it appears that this will be an overall phenomena for the classes of 2022 & 2023. That is most unfortunate for those players and I am sympathetic to them. But, the NCAA has made the rules and I think that Fitz is right to make them work to the program's best advantage.
--Several folks on this board have lamented the fact that this class may only be taking 3 OL. I understand the concern. With the West division title, the Citrus bowl win over Auburn, the great draft class NU had this year, we have a lot of recruiting momentum. Why not scoop up potential talent at the HS level and be stocked for the next several years. I think that question may come down to whether Fitz's view is WIN now or WIN in a year or two. Putting aside all of this discussion, I think all of us want to WIN now. WIN now allows the recruiting momentum to continue for multiple years. A season where the CATS take a step back erases a lot of that momentum.
So I've opened this thread to allow folks to post their thoughts in one place. Please chime in.
Of course, what do I know about anything......
--The CATS have lost a lot of starters this last year. Most commentators expect us to take a step back and not vie for a West Division title in 2021. Looking for quality depth in the portal is the quickest way to get back into contention in the West.
--With the NCAA allowing essentially a free year of eligibility, this is the year to stock up on proven talent in the portal.
--Recruits out of HS take some time to develop to be able to play at a BIG Ten level. Not all of them are a "sure thing". They won't all make the two-deep.
--I believe Fitz's philosophy of "best players play" also probably translates into recruiting HS and the transfer market. At the moment this is a bit like the pros free agent market. Let's go get the best available and WIN now.
--The downside is by not taking as many HS recruits you risk some relationships with schools who have sent multiple recruits to your program. I don't think this is as big an issue the next two years as it appears that this will be an overall phenomena for the classes of 2022 & 2023. That is most unfortunate for those players and I am sympathetic to them. But, the NCAA has made the rules and I think that Fitz is right to make them work to the program's best advantage.
--Several folks on this board have lamented the fact that this class may only be taking 3 OL. I understand the concern. With the West division title, the Citrus bowl win over Auburn, the great draft class NU had this year, we have a lot of recruiting momentum. Why not scoop up potential talent at the HS level and be stocked for the next several years. I think that question may come down to whether Fitz's view is WIN now or WIN in a year or two. Putting aside all of this discussion, I think all of us want to WIN now. WIN now allows the recruiting momentum to continue for multiple years. A season where the CATS take a step back erases a lot of that momentum.
So I've opened this thread to allow folks to post their thoughts in one place. Please chime in.
Of course, what do I know about anything......
