I think we ARE still recruiting Konate.
Konate and Manigault, while similar in size, are different players. Konate is raw and perhaps a better athlete with more upside. Manigault has performed against much better competition and appears to be a little taller. He would probably be ready to contribute earlier.
Basically, if we sign one or both of them in the 2016 class, unless we have unexpected attrition from the current junior-to-be class of Young, Artis, Jeter and Nix, neither would likely be expected to be major contributors as freshmen. They would be in a similar position as Ryan Luther, having some talent but being blocked by older, more experienced players.
They are really being recruited to be the backbone of the front line in the 2017-2018 season, when our current starters have graduated. We will need more than one big man at that time. Depending upon how Manigault or Konate develop, either could play at 4 or at 5 in two seasons. With the current group, we stand to lose 6 guys at one time when Young, Artis, etc leave. Jamie has to have multiple guys prepared to step in.
Until Levi Cook tore his ACL, he was in the plans as a developmental big man to contribute by then, but after the experience with Uchebo, I think the staff is leary of tying up a scarce scholarship on an injured player right now.
Obviously, all of those plans could change. Roster management is always tricky and it seems particularly in flux right now. Diallo is still in play. We are talking with some 5th year players and at least one juco. Other names will emerge, in the '15 class or '16 class.
Juggling available scholarships and signing the right kids to fill them will be an interesting challenge for the staff.