I've been seeing quite a few posters (or maybe the same posters repeating themselves) complaining about the tight end recruiting, and I just can't get that worried about it.
First, we'll have two seniors and two juniors next year at the position. Obviously, you'd like at least one freshman on the roster next year learning and getting used to college life, but I don't think it's imperative.
Second, Todd Graham isn't our head coach. Unlike Graham, almost all coaches (Chaney included) will adapt their offense to fit what they have. If the talent isn't there at tight end or is limited, they will run one tight end sets and put more receivers on the field.
Third, tight end and offensive line recruiting are mentioned hand-in-hand by a lot of posters. This is ridiculous. You have to play with five offensive linemen, and if you're not constantly loading up on the OL, you can go from a very deep and talented position group (like we have now) to a young and inexperienced one quickly. I just can't get too worried about tight end recruiting - definitely not in the same stratosphere as offensive line.
This year, we were in on a lot of tight ends early. Most of them came off the board pretty early. I'm sure the staff will re-evaluate after senior film and get one guy, but they don't have to. You can afford to strike out on tight end recruiting and try to go hard after it the next year. You cannot afford to strikeout on offensive line recruiting and just address it next year like you can with tight ends.
First, we'll have two seniors and two juniors next year at the position. Obviously, you'd like at least one freshman on the roster next year learning and getting used to college life, but I don't think it's imperative.
Second, Todd Graham isn't our head coach. Unlike Graham, almost all coaches (Chaney included) will adapt their offense to fit what they have. If the talent isn't there at tight end or is limited, they will run one tight end sets and put more receivers on the field.
Third, tight end and offensive line recruiting are mentioned hand-in-hand by a lot of posters. This is ridiculous. You have to play with five offensive linemen, and if you're not constantly loading up on the OL, you can go from a very deep and talented position group (like we have now) to a young and inexperienced one quickly. I just can't get too worried about tight end recruiting - definitely not in the same stratosphere as offensive line.
This year, we were in on a lot of tight ends early. Most of them came off the board pretty early. I'm sure the staff will re-evaluate after senior film and get one guy, but they don't have to. You can afford to strike out on tight end recruiting and try to go hard after it the next year. You cannot afford to strikeout on offensive line recruiting and just address it next year like you can with tight ends.