sepia5;1198702; said:
So now that we know Longo has his offer, is there any chance we take 5 OL this season? I just can't see it, especially with another great OL crop in Ohio and elsewhere next year. Not to mention new suggestions that earlier transfer rumors on Clifford will not materialize and that Whitner may have a scholarship waiting for him. I know no one wants to say it, but does this provide insight on the Watt situation?
EDIT - Those who I would expect to know are suggesting this doesn't affect the Watt situation and the staff may indeed want to take 5 OLS.
1) Who does that leave out? Obviously I think we're done at TE, ATH, and DB. Does this mean no more DL? Is there any chance we move away from Berry? That would be very disappointing, in my opinion.
2) I'm not sure I would understand taking 5 OL this year. We had a good crop last season and would be taking four really quality OL this year (assuming either Watt or Long and Hall). Plus, all reports are that the '10 crop is going to be incredible. Heck, we already have one verbal offer out there to Henderson.
Thoughts? Insight?
1. Good question, and anybody's guess right now. Berry is really the only sure thing right now imo, and I think Watt picks OSU from all I've heard. Then again, Watt's commitment in the next couple weeks will let us know a lot. That would mean we land Watt and Longo, which puts at 25. Most think we won't go over 27. Add Berry, that makes 26. In my own opinion, we will save 1 spot for big name guys that wish to wait, like McGee, Adams, etc. I am still holding out hope that Corey Adams picks OSU later on in the process. My ideal final 4 guys we get would be Longo, Watt, Berry, and Adams personally.
2. OL are hard to project. Longo is a bit of a project but has tremendous upside and athleticism that's hard to pass up. He has a great frame to add good weight and good punch. The 3 we got last year were great but think of '07...all we got that year was Blankenship, he's been injured, and the jury is still out on Evan. So 5 OL this year doesn't seem ridiculous to go with the amazing 3 we got last year. In '10, there does seem to be a great crop of OL. I think Taylor Miller and Matt James are top 100 type players, with James maybe even a 5 star (depends on combines and junior film, still early). Henderson is an absolute stud and imo, the top player in the country for '10 right now. Even at that, I don't think the staff wanted to pass on Longo after seeing him in person, and I like the offer. I don't think 5 is excessive when you combine the depth chart of '07,'08, and '09:
LT: Mike Adams, Sam Longo
G: Justin Boren, Evan Blankenship, Chris Watt
C: Jack Mewhort
G: Michael Brewster, Cory Linsley
RT: J.B. Shugarts, Marcus Hall
P.S. That looks like one heck of a 2 deep to me
I also love the versatility...Mewhort and Brewster can play anywhere on the OL, which gives us even more depth. Hall could play guard or tackle and in a pinch, I think Watt could play RT. Gotta love the OL classes we're putting together.