College Football Teams Loading Up at Certain Positions
Balance is something every head coach wants in his recruiting class; however, he also has to know where his roster needs more depth.
Recruiting is about projecting as much as it is about evaluating talent. Coaches have to project where their rosters will lack bodies in future years, and they have to make sure crucial units have higher numbers than others. Also, based on the type of schemes teams run, they need more players at certain positions.
Examining many BCS teams' recruiting classes, it can be seen that several programs are loading up at certain positions. Alabama wants to stock bodies in the trenches, while Baylor is adding more offensive firepower on the perimeter. Plus, Arizona State will add a lot of players to its secondary.
Texas Tech
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Texas Tech is known as a program that scores a ton of points. It is also known as a program that gives up a ton of points.
The latter reputation is something head coach Kliff Kingsbury wants to change, evidenced by him having seven commitments from defensive backs. The safety position in particular is the focus, as five players in the Red Raiders' class will defend the seams.
Florida State
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Florida State has 24 commitments, but it's clear to see where head coach Jimbo Fisher wants to add depth.
The Seminoles have four commitments from defensive tackle prospects, with 4-star recruit Demarcus Christmas leading the way. He's one of six total defensive linemen in this class, as adding bodies in the trenches for defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt appears to be a priority.
Missouri
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Missouri may have fallen short in the SEC title game, but don't feel bad for the Tigers. Head coach Gary Pinkel has a solid recruiting class coming to campus in 2014, with the offensive line being the focus.
Pinkel is beefing things up in the offensive trenches for Mizzou, as he has six commitments from offensive linemen. Andy Bauer leads the way, and the 4-star blocker is also the best overall player in the Tigers' class.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Texas
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The offensive scheme has varied in recent years at Texas, as it can't decide if it wants to spread people out, be balanced or be a run-oriented team.
Perhaps the Longhorns have settled on running a spread offense in the future, as they have six commitments from receivers in their 22-man class. The best receiver in the class is 4-star prospect Armanti Foreman.
Miami
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Head coach Al Golden has done a good job of infusing Miami's roster with new talent since he arrived in Coral Gables. This year, he's focusing on the defensive line.
Golden's 28-man class has eight defensive linemen who are split evenly between ends and tackles. Chad Thomas, a 4-star recruit, leads the defensive end class, while 4-star defensive tackle Travonte Valentine is the top player at his position in the Hurricanes' recruiting class.
West Virginia
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With 18 commitments, West Virginia is enjoying a solid year of recruiting. Head coach Dana Holgorsen is an offensive-minded leader, so he knows how important it is to have blockers up front.
That's why it's not too surprising that the Mountaineers have six commitments from offensive linemen. Holgorsen's dynamic spread offense needs players who can keep the quarterback clean, and most of his 2014 class is full of these types of recruits.
Louisville
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Whoever replaces quarterback Teddy Bridgewater at Louisville is going to have some weapons on the outside.
Head coach Charlie Strong's class has seven players who play either receiver or tight end. With 24 total commitments, nearly a third of the class' recruits are players who catch passes. Strong is setting up things nicely for his future quarterback.
Notre Dame
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It's clear that head coach Brian Kelly learned his lesson in the national title game versus Alabama last year. This year, Notre Dame has a 19-man recruiting class with six defensive linemen.
Kelly knows that he is going to face SEC teams more times than not in future playoff games. The key for the Irish to have a chance will be their ability to control the line of scrimmage, hence Kelly loading up on those who play in the defensive trenches this year.
UCLA
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UCLA is led by Jim Mora, who made a name for himself through the years as a defensive back coach. Mora also knows that for his team to survive in the (mostly) pass-happy Pac-12, his secondary will need to be sharp.
The Bruins have several young and talented defensive backs on their roster, but Mora is adding more. Half of UCLA's 14-man recruiting class are men who play in the secondary.
Baylor
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Baylor had an outstanding season this year, thanks to its wonderful offense. Head coach Art Briles runs a spread scheme that can light up scoreboards all throughout the Big 12.
That probably will not be changing anytime soon since Briles has gotten six more players who can catch passes. His class of 25 commitments features four receivers and two tight ends.
It should also be mentioned that Baylor has six offensive line pledges.
Arizona State
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Arizona State has a good class of 21 commitments, so give head coach Todd Graham some credit. Also, give him some credit for recognizing his need for defensive backs in future years.
Graham has seven commitments from defensive backs, with five being safeties. The Sun Devils should have more than enough bodies to defend the seams for years to come in Tempe.
Alabama
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Alabama is simply loading up in the trenches this year. With six offensive linemen and four defensive tackles, the Crimson Tide have 10 players who can help them continue to control the line of scrimmage.
The group is led by 5-star offensive tackle Cameron Robinson, while 4-star defensive tackle Josh Frazier is the top player at his position in 'Bama's class. Head coach Nick Saban may be a defensive backs coach at heart, but he knows where his program makes its hay.
Wisconsin
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Head coach Gary Andersen is not changing much at Wisconsin, as the Badgers are still going to run the football.
Andersen, however, knows the key to Wisconsin's successful rushing attack has been having a ton of talented offensive linemen, so all Andersen has done during this 2014 cycle is load up on blockers, as his 25-man group has five offensive linemen.
Andersen is also adding more firepower to the perimeter, as Wisconsin has commitments from four receivers.
Kentucky
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Head coach Mark Stoops has Neal Brown as his offensive coordinator, so Kentucky clearly is going to be throwing the ball a lot in future seasons.
Drew Barker, a 4-star quarterback, is the future of the program. Stoops and Brown got Barker to pledge in May, then made sure he would be surrounded by great weapons.
Kentucky's 24-man class has five receivers.
Arizona
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It's probably tempting for head coach Rich Rodriguez to only recruit and sign dual-threat quarterbacks and speedy running backs for his innovative spread-option offense; however, Rodriguez knows Arizona has other needs. Apparently one of them is adding more players who can defend the perimeter, as 4-star recruits Cameron Denson and Naijiel Hale lead a 5-man class of cornerbacks.
'Zona has 27 total pledges.
Vanderbilt
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Vanderbilt has one of the most thorough recruiters in the business as head coach in James Franklin. He and his staff attack the trail, and that approach has generated a buzz for the Commodores.
Franklin has secured pledges from 20 prospects this year, but the secondary and offensive line have gotten specific attention. Vandy has seven defensive backs committed in its class, while it will also be getting six new blockers next season.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
