Any defensive tackles in there?
Just because the news of committed incoming freshmen is starting to dry up, it doesn't mean our current unofficial list of 28 players is complete.
I have more than two sources telling me that work is still ongoing on getting a few more players to join the class of 2017. That work is being focused on the positions that seem underrepresented in the class so far.
Here's the list again with a position-by-position breakdown below that:
1. Nicholas Annabi, DB 6-1 200 lbs. Coronado HS, Lubbock, TX
2. Michael Bigach, OL 6-6 245 lbs. St. Ignatius HS, Cleveland, OH
3. Tony Bonadies, OL 6-5 315 lbs. Leonia HS, Leonia, NJ
2. Michael Bigach, OL 6-6 245 lbs. St. Ignatius HS, Cleveland, OH
3. Tony Bonadies, OL 6-5 315 lbs. Leonia HS, Leonia, NJ
4. LJ Bradford, DB 5-9, 180 lbs. Red Mountain HS, Mesa, AZ
5. Keith Brady, LB 6-2 205 lbs. Lakota East HS, Liberty Township, OH
6. Billy Carson, DL 6-3 280 lbs. Lexington HS, Lexington, SC
7. Toure Douglas, WR 6-4 188 lbs. Vineland HS, Vineland, NJ
5. Keith Brady, LB 6-2 205 lbs. Lakota East HS, Liberty Township, OH
6. Billy Carson, DL 6-3 280 lbs. Lexington HS, Lexington, SC
7. Toure Douglas, WR 6-4 188 lbs. Vineland HS, Vineland, NJ
8. Cameron Dunn, WR 6-3 210 lbs. St. Xavier HS, Cincinnati, OH
9. Colinn Early, DB 5-9 170 lbs. Karr HS, New Orleans, LA
10. Nathan Gibbs, OL 6-4, 285 lbs. Hickory HS, Hickory, NC
11. Kelly Hilinski, QB 6-6 220 lbs. Notre Dame HS, Sherman Oaks, CA
12. Denzel Hill, WR 6-3 185 lbs. North Point HS, Waldorf, MD
13. John Hunton, TE 6-5 235, lbs. Southside HS, Fort Smith AR
14. Ben Kaplan, WR 6-4 180 lbs. St. Charles North HS, St. Charles, IL
15. Jared Katz, DB 6-1 195 lbs. St, Anthony's HS, South Huntington, NY
16. Brock Kenyon, DB 6-1 190 lbs. Lake Travis HS Austin, TX
17. Tyler Kwiatkowski, LB 6-3 220 lbs. Mount Carmel HS, Mount Carmel, PA
18. Charles Melka, DL 6-4 238 lbs. Benet Academy, Lisle, IL
19. Eric Mourkakos, OL/DL 6-3, 235 lbs. Dwight-Englewood HS, Englewood, NJ
20. Cameron Nizialek, K/P 6-3 195 lbs. Freedom HS, South Riding, VA
*21. Brett Nottingham, QB 6-4 212 lbs. Monte Vista HS, Danville, CA
22. Kendall Pace, OL 6-5 250 lbs. Bishop McNamara HS, Forestville, MD
23. Will Peoples, DB 6-1 190 lbs. Buckingham, Browne & Nichols, Cambridge, MA
24. Gianmarco Rea, FB/LB 6-2 215 lbs. Detroit Country Day, Beverly Hills, MI
25. Connor Spears, WR 6-6 205 lbs. Bishop Heelan HS, Sioux City, IA
26. Parker Tobia, LB 6-1 200 lbs. Bergen Catholic HS, Oradell, NJ
27. G. Alan Watson, RB 5-9 170 lbs. New Albany HS Columbus, OH
28. Richard Wolff, OL 6-3 254 lbs. Crespi HS Encino, CA
*=Transfer from Stanford University, junior status
Defensive Backs
Incoming: 6
Returning veterans: 10* (11 possible if Steven Grassa takes a 5th year)
TOTAL: 16/17
Defensive Linemen
Incoming: 2 (possibly 3 if OL/DL Eric Mourkakos plays defense)
Returning veterans: 7
TOTAL: 9/10
Fullbacks
Incoming: 1* (If FB/LB Giamarco Rea plays offense)
Returning veterans: 2* (possibly 3 if Andrew McHugh is reinstated)
TOTAL: 2/4
Kicking Specialists
Incoming: 1
Returning veterans: 3
TOTAL: 4
Linebackers
Incoming: 3* (possibly 4 if FB/LB Giamarco Rea plays defense)
Returning veterans: 7
TOTAL: 10/11
Offensive Linemen
Incoming: 5* (possibly 6 if OL/DL Eric Mourkakos plays offense)
Returning veterans: 12
TOTAL: 17/18
Quarterbacks
Incoming: 2
Returning veterans: 2
TOTAL: 4
Running Backs
Incoming: 1
Returning veterans: 5
TOTAL: 6
Tight Ends
Incoming: 1
Returning veterans: 5
TOTAL: 6
Wide Receivers
Incoming: 5
Returning veterans: 13
TOTAL: 18 (!)
I listed these returning positional numbers to make the point that not only do I believe that a few more players are coming, but I think we can guess which positions they will play.
For example, I can't believe Head Coach Pete Mangurian will go into a football season with just six running backs, 10 defensive linemen and 18 players at wide receiver.
In the coming weeks, look for more incoming RB'S, DT's and more info on position changes for a few of the WR's.
13 comments:
Jake, great write-up, and I'm sure we all hope you're right, especially about the RB, FB, and DL positions. Another top-notch LB or two wouldn't hurt either!
Clearly we're a bit overloaded at WR, but the incoming group's accent on height and speed looks good for the future.
We'll be waiting for more good news!
Jake, amazingly great work by you on recent postings. Clearly a lot of time and effort. If everyone in the football program had this kind of commitment we'd have to join the NFL.
While I appreciate the excellent work Jake does, it's a bit out-of-bounds, to suggest people in the FB program have less of a commitment than he does. The coaching staff is recruiting, assembling this class, after all. And, by league (?) they rule can't make any official announcements about signees for some time.
I don't think the poster is really suggesting that Jake is more committed than people in the FB program. It's called hyperbole, exaggeration to make a point. Clearly Coach Mangurian, his staff and the CU faculty and others helping out are are very, very committed.
Sometimes WR move over and play DB, but does not look likely given the number of DB. It is amazing that 34 of the roughly 95 total players are at these two positions. With 51 offensive players, the proportion to total players becomes even larger. There should be some great competition for playing time at these positions from camp through the season.
Last year, Mangurian said he wanted a roster of about 87 players, so maybe he's expecting or trying to focus attrition at the WR/DB positions? They graduate 22, so with 28 coming in, a loss of six returing players would be necessary to maintain last year's numbers. (I'd prefer to see a revival of the JV schedule.)
And it could be that the numbers on the DL reflect an intention to go with three man front (maybe out of necessity). Similarly, the number of receivers could reflect a move to a spread offense with a limited backfield. Not sure what one would do with so many DBs, unless a safety or two has the size to move to an outside linebacker, like the "spurs" Wilson used in his first couple of years.
It's fun to speculate. We'll know for sure soon enough.
Everyone has made keen observations, however,it seems to me that the two 5 foot 9 inch DBs may be destined for offensive backfield duty or kick returns. Too many 6'3"+ WRs in the league to have 4 DBs under 6". Also the 6'6"? WR could easily grow into a TE. This is half the fun of being a FAN. We'll all know come early Oct.
I sometimes think we don't listen very well to what Coach M says ... he wants limited numbers ... 80-90 ... he wants competition ... he doesn't want to spend time on a JV team ... seems to me he is going to get his reduced numbers when kids at various positions that they can't compete ... 5'9" CBs can play if they are fast AND have good technique (remember Daryl Green) though they start with a (height) deficit ... he has a pretty good set of returning WRs, but the new crew will make them even stronger and several will probably hang it up ... the most DBs you ever see playing at one time in a game is 6 ... even with injuries, we probably don't need more than 10-12 DBs ... as far as I can tell, Coach M system is to let competition sort the 'wheat' from the 'chaff' ... did I hear him right ??? ...
Green ran a 4.09 40 in 86. None of the DBs are anywhere near that.
With 6'5" TEs in the end zone, blinding speed will not help stop a
high lob to the corner.
My feeling is that Coach M will look to capitalize on Columbia's outstanding new talent at the quarterback and wide receiver positions by having the offense throw the ball much more often and much deeper than last season. Columbia already has several very good wide receivers returning, but the incoming freshmen class should add at least three promising deep threats. I would expect the Lions to use a wide open offense balancing a much improved passing game with a powerful running game led by Garrett, Molina, Watson and at least two other speedy backs who will move into the offensive backfield from the wide receiver or defensive back positions.
In fact, I would not be surprised if there are numerous changes made at the skills positions as the coaching staff looks to find the optimum position for each player.
Just on the numbers, there is, of course, an important, pressing need to add several more strong interior linemen to the incoming class. This is important, yes, very important, to the Team's success next season.
Mangurian tweeted they start using the Campbell Center Monday.
Any news on a new DC ???
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