Sorry in advance for being so long winded this morning, so much info this weekend!
With McNeal and Pickett both shutting down recruiting to lock in spots it seems like the staff is putting on some pressure for people to decide. If we have 10 spots left (9 if we count LB S-M as a lock), what position groups these spots go to will be very interesting.
TE is a huge need and we have to feel good about the NorCal connections between Popo, Falo (and LB H-L), and coach Joe. We could sure use another TE but there are not a lot of offers out.
There are so many DB and LB offers out to guys in Virginia and Florida (where JL says he is going), not to mention SoCal as well, that things should be much clearer by the end of the week. We have 11 LBs (counting S-M with Hollins and Young as LB's not DE's) and in a 3-4 considering special teams (where LB's and DB's are so involved) we might want as many as 16. Same with DB. We have 14 DB's counting Pickett. If Lenoir is close to in, how many more spots can we use in that position group? It will be quite a battle between the Florida and Cali contingents for the final spot or two.
Another interesting area is that of offensive athlete. WT has not backed of on Burch and Judson, so it seems he thinks highly of them (G. Johnson another Cali visitor this week who is listed as athlete). There are those who could be two-way players, but that is more of a recruiting promise than a reality--everyone thinks they can do it, but few are that gifted. Potential two-way guys add some flexibility in recruiting though. We also don't know how similar the slot and RB positions will be (a lot more 2 back sets?). I can't see us saying no to Richardson, even if we get Carr (I bet Felix and McNeal are slot receivers).
Final 10 guesses: LB S-M, H-L, Artis and/or Brooks. DB: Lenoir and one from Fla. (Gibson, Brinsi, Speed), TE: Falo, OL: Shear; DL: Tongomea; Ath/RB: Carr/Richardson. That is 9 or 10. I have to think we will find room for a couple of extra spots with all the people they seem serious about and visitors scheduled (unless some are cancelled).
