OL Recruiting

[jflores]

The big hogs hold a special place in our heart.

Current OL recruiting (committed and offered/talking to), overwhelmed or underwhelmed? Just right?

I haven't followed it real closely, but it would seem we're going to the development route rather than going after the "name" types in this position group. Still a ways to signing day, but right now it doesn't appear this is going to be a "splash" type of recruiting position for this team.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

I have no idea. Nor do most of us on here.

 

[bshirt73]

I have no idea. Nor do most of us on here.

Same here.....just clueless.

 

[Huzkers25]

I’m perfectly fine with getting those 2 and 3 star boys willing to work hard. This philosophy has made Wisconsin what they are. But seriously go back over the last 10-12 years and see how many guys they’ve put in the NFL that were 3 stars and below.

In a world of instant gratification I too wish we could base Rivals stars on what kind of player/ talent they will be... but O lineman arguably more than any other position usually takes 2 to 3 years (redshirt year) to see any results. I’ll sit back and enjoy the process.

 

[yunginsNU2]

Yeah im not sure exactly either but will be finally happy to get good coaching out of these guys moving forward.. pretty sure Mr Austin has a good understanding how to get the best out of his guys

 

[Denvrhuskr]

The big hogs hold a special place in our heart.

Current OL recruiting (committed and offered/talking to), overwhelmed or underwhelmed? Just right?

I haven't followed it real closely, but it would seem we're going to the development route rather than going after the "name" types in this position group. Still a ways to signing day, but right now it doesn't appear this is going to be a "splash" type of recruiting position for this team.

We are in on some 4 star talent. Not sure if we get them or not. Sounds like the coaches wanted Anderson from Louisiana badly. He’s light but long and is a mauler. We are looking really good for some top of the line talent in 19 and 20.

 

[Cidsports]

Wisconsin has the #1 player committed from Michigan. I don't believe it is simply 2* or 3* for the Badgers.

 

[TruHusker]

Ya know, I really never thought we would be compared to what another school is doing successfully that we used to excel at.

I think too many are over simplifying this process and applying success to the end product before the process even starts. Get an "overachieving" worker who wants to be here, no matter what the stars are, coach him up and it will be fine. Is that the standard company line?

I am not saying it doesn't work or hasn't worked but someone tell me the last NC team to have successfully done so with this formula. I understand we have to start somewhere, so I give you that. Eventually, it all falls on the coaches anyway.

 

[maplesyrup95]

Everything I have heard about Greg Austin has been music to my ears. I'm not too worried about OL recruiting. He will get the right guys for Frost's offense, and Zach Duval will build those guys up limber and hulk-like.

 

[Huzkers25]

Wisconsin has the #1 player committed from Michigan. I don't believe it is simply 2* or 3* for the Badgers.

That’s a BIG negative, you can’t take an outliner of one player like that and apply it across the board. I lived in WI for a lot of years so I have a good gage on recruiting. I’m definitely not going to go through every year. My point in a nutshell- WI played in 3 straight rose bowls 2010, 2011 and 2012...I’ll Focus on the 2009 class..which all likely contributed in 2011 and 2012.

“2009 class- two recruits who received a four-star rating, 11 ranked as three-star recruits and eight recruits who received two stars, according to Scout.com. intriguing two-star recruits is Dezmen Southward, a 6-foot-1-inch safety from St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Wisconsin’s other two-star recruits include linebacker Chris Borland of Ohio, offensive tackle Travis Frederick and defensive tackle tight end Jacob Pedersen from Michigan.

Frederick, who plans to major in either aerospace or computer engineering There’s that support there that people have been through that and they know how to handle it,” Frederick said. “Gabe Carimi’s an engineer, I believe, and he’s offered some help and let me know that it can be done.”

Southward- 3rd round draft pick
Borland- 3rd round draft pick
Fredrick- 1st round draft pick
Pedersen- Made NFL team
Carimi- 2006 3 Star recruit- NFL 1st rounder.

Not bad for a bunch of 2 stars and a 3....Facts are facts.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

That’s a BIG negative, you can’t take an outliner of one player like that and apply it across the board. I lived in WI for a lot of years so I have a good gage on recruiting. I’m definitely not going to go through every year. My point in a nutshell- WI played in 3 straight rose bowls 2010, 2011 and 2012...I’ll Focus on the 2009 class..which all likely contributed in 2011 and 2012.

“2009 class- two recruits who received a four-star rating, 11 ranked as three-star recruits and eight recruits who received two stars, according to Scout.com. intriguing two-star recruits is Dezmen Southward, a 6-foot-1-inch safety from St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Wisconsin’s other two-star recruits include linebacker Chris Borland of Ohio, offensive tackle Travis Frederick and defensive tackle tight end Jacob Pedersen from Michigan.

Frederick, who plans to major in either aerospace or computer engineering There’s that support there that people have been through that and they know how to handle it,” Frederick said. “Gabe Carimi’s an engineer, I believe, and he’s offered some help and let me know that it can be done.”

Southward- 3rd round draft pick
Borland- 3rd round draft pick
Fredrick- 1st round draft pick
Pedersen- Made NFL team
Carimi- 2006 3 Star recruit- NFL 1st rounder.

Not bad for a bunch of 2 stars and a 3....Facts are facts.

Wisconsin can definitely identify and develop underrated offensive line talent -- does that mean we can?

This staff did an amazing job at UCF getting the most out of those players. The vast majority of those players were not recruited by this staff.
Can someone break down the recruiting history of Greg Austin showing he can identify 2* and 3* talent and develop them into NFL draft choices like Wisconsin does. Maybe he can - but to point out what Wisconsin has done and just assume Austin is going to do this isn't a valid assumption.

This staff as a group may be a recruiting machine - but at present this staff collectively hasn't shown they can recruit players that will translate into an elite team. They have proven they can coach a bunch of players that others have recruited and maximize their talent.

This staff did an amazing job at UCF - they did not, however, recruit the majority of those kids. They did recruit Milton so they have demonstrated the ability to get the most important position on the field right.

Again doesn't mean they aren't going to be great at identifying and recruiting talent - they just haven't demonstrated it collectively as yet.

 

[WestCoastCornhusker2]

I’m perfectly fine with getting those 2 and 3 star boys willing to work hard. This philosophy has made Wisconsin what they are. But seriously go back over the last 10-12 years and see how many guys they’ve put in the NFL that were 3 stars and below.

In a world of instant gratification I too wish we could base Rivals stars on what kind of player/ talent they will be... but O lineman arguably more than any other position usually takes 2 to 3 years (redshirt year) to see any results. I’ll sit back and enjoy the process.

Exactly, I trust Frost to get very athletic 6 6' 250 - 270 lb 17 - 18 yr olds and get them strong 295+lbs in a couple years.

 

[NikkiSixx_rivals269993]

That’s a BIG negative, you can’t take an outliner of one player like that and apply it across the board. I lived in WI for a lot of years so I have a good gage on recruiting. I’m definitely not going to go through every year. My point in a nutshell- WI played in 3 straight rose bowls 2010, 2011 and 2012...I’ll Focus on the 2009 class..which all likely contributed in 2011 and 2012.

“2009 class- two recruits who received a four-star rating, 11 ranked as three-star recruits and eight recruits who received two stars, according to Scout.com. intriguing two-star recruits is Dezmen Southward, a 6-foot-1-inch safety from St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Wisconsin’s other two-star recruits include linebacker Chris Borland of Ohio, offensive tackle Travis Frederick and defensive tackle tight end Jacob Pedersen from Michigan.

Frederick, who plans to major in either aerospace or computer engineering There’s that support there that people have been through that and they know how to handle it,” Frederick said. “Gabe Carimi’s an engineer, I believe, and he’s offered some help and let me know that it can be done.”

Southward- 3rd round draft pick
Borland- 3rd round draft pick
Fredrick- 1st round draft pick
Pedersen- Made NFL team
Carimi- 2006 3 Star recruit- NFL 1st rounder.

Not bad for a bunch of 2 stars and a 3....Facts are facts.

This matches my perception of what Wisconsin line recruiting is. You recruit the frame and personality, then develop them. Nebraska used to do this too. I'm not worried about our line recruiting at this point. It's been, what 7 months? In an era of instant gratification, I just want to see serious effort all 4 qtrs. We supposedly have a great strength coach, so give them time, it will come.

 

[Dean Pope]

Wisconsin has the #1 player committed from Michigan. I don't believe it is simply 2* or 3* for the Badgers.

You're right. They also have a couple former walk on linemen starting in the NFL, but starting offensive line this year is entirely made up of three stars though.

Wisconsin, as any unbiased observer would see, has been far more intelligent in recruiting offensive linemen than NU is recent years. While Coach Cav was taking timeout from coaching his five guys and going star gazing after guys like Foster Sarell, Wisconsin has been stockpiling large framed, 6'6" & above kids and redshirting them. The staff knows how to develop linemen and what to look for. They don't give two licks what some 25 year old behind a computer screen gives as a rating.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

That’s a BIG negative, you can’t take an outliner of one player like that and apply it across the board. I lived in WI for a lot of years so I have a good gage on recruiting. I’m definitely not going to go through every year. My point in a nutshell- WI played in 3 straight rose bowls 2010, 2011 and 2012...I’ll Focus on the 2009 class..which all likely contributed in 2011 and 2012.

“2009 class- two recruits who received a four-star rating, 11 ranked as three-star recruits and eight recruits who received two stars, according to Scout.com. intriguing two-star recruits is Dezmen Southward, a 6-foot-1-inch safety from St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Wisconsin’s other two-star recruits include linebacker Chris Borland of Ohio, offensive tackle Travis Frederick and defensive tackle tight end Jacob Pedersen from Michigan.

Frederick, who plans to major in either aerospace or computer engineering There’s that support there that people have been through that and they know how to handle it,” Frederick said. “Gabe Carimi’s an engineer, I believe, and he’s offered some help and let me know that it can be done.”

Southward- 3rd round draft pick
Borland- 3rd round draft pick
Fredrick- 1st round draft pick
Pedersen- Made NFL team
Carimi- 2006 3 Star recruit- NFL 1st rounder.

Not bad for a bunch of 2 stars and a 3....Facts are facts.

And this is my point in a nutshell. They have never really been in contention for a national title because more of their players have to maximize to reach that elite level. Both Alvarez and Bielema had multiple 6 loss seasons. Why? Because, in those years, those 2 and 3 star players didn't max out. Andersen was only there 2 seasons and Chryst only 3, so it is too early to see if he will also have that issue.

He recruits very similarly to his predecessors, smaller classes because they redshirt large portions of each class and have small amounts of attrition, and very few 4 star players. It gets you a B1G west title.....for now

 

[WestCoastCornhusker2]

And this is my point in a nutshell. They have never really been in contention for a national title because more of their players have to maximize to reach that elite level. Both Alvarez and Bielema had multiple 6 loss seasons. Why? Because, in those years, those 2 and 3 star players didn't max out. Andersen was only there 2 seasons and Chryst only 3, so it is too early to see if he will also have that issue.

He recruits very similarly to his predecessors, smaller classes because they redshirt large portions of each class and have small amounts of attrition, and very few 4 star players. It gets you a B1G west title.....for now

Wisconsin's problem getting to a National Title game hasn't been OL recruiting/development, but rather, the lack of talent and below average recruiting of skill positions, i.e. DBs, WRs, QBs. Although, they have recruited and developed RBs at an above average level. They also needed a ittle more overall team speed.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

Wisconsin's problem getting to a National Title game hasn't been OL recruiting/development, but rather, the lack of talent and below average recruiting of skill positions, i.e. DBs, WRs, QBs. Although, they have recruited and developed RBs at an above average level. They also needed a ittle more overall team speed.

So in those multiple 6 loss seasons they had outstanding Oline play and they lost 6 or 7 games due to a lack of play makers? It is simply a matter of getting all of the 2 and 3 stars to max out, regardless of position. The reputation of their overachieving linemen gives people the perception that every linemen they have is a 2 star walk on turned NFL star.

AGAIN, you can survive and flourish with diamonds in the rough and low rated guys, but you won't win national championships. AND you will have occasional .500 seasons when that coal doesn't process into a diamond.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

We are holding up Wisconsin as the model for offensive line recruiting- when the overwhelming majority of nonelite programs are trying to do exactly what Wisconsin is doing (take 2 and 3* kids and turn them into NFL draftees) and failing. We are citing one program of like 30 or 40 power 5 schools that is succeeding with this approach and concluding we'll be fine recruiting underrated recruits.

Once again we are citing the exception to the rule and concluding we'll be fine.

 

[WestCoastCornhusker2]

We are holding up Wisconsin as the model for offensive line recruiting- when the overwhelming majority of nonelite programs are trying to do exactly what Wisconsin is doing (take 2 and 3* kids and turn them into NFL draftees) and failing. We are citing one program of like 30 or 40 power 5 schools that is succeeding with this approach and concluding we'll be fine recruiting underrated recruits.

Once again we are citing the exception to the rule and concluding we'll be fine.

I would say Wisconsin knows what they are looking for and has almost 1st dips, picks for those 2-3 star OL recruits. The other programs take whatever 2-3 star recruits they can get.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

I would say Wisconsin knows what they are looking for and has almost 1st dips, picks for those 2-3 star OL recruits. The other programs take whatever 2-3 star recruits they can get.

I would still rather have first dibs on the 4 star recruits than the 2 star.

 

[inWV]

For the 2019 class, Bland was recruited to play right away. Piper and Anderson are development guys, with Anderson seeming to have a lot of upside. I would think NU has a good chance at Treiber, who is just up the road in Sioux Falls. Lynn out of CO is an NU lean according to 247. That would be five guys there: 5.8 4*, 5.5 3*, 3* per 247, 5.6 3* and 5.6 3*.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

I would say Wisconsin knows what they are looking for and has almost 1st dips, picks for those 2-3 star OL recruits. The other programs take whatever 2-3 star recruits they can get.

Yes maybe ... but what evidence exists that we have the capability of projecting future success for underrated recruits like Wisconsin does for offensive lineman. That is extremely rare

 

[WestCoastCornhusker2]

I would still rather have first dibs on the 4 star recruits than the 2 star.

Assuming you're blind and deaf, yeah I would too.

 

[inWV]

Wisconsin has the #4 2019 OT as a commit per Rivals. For NU, Bland doesn't have a national ranking from Rivals (idk if they psn rank JUCOs), but 247 has him as the #14 JUCO prospect and the #1 OG.

 

[TheBeav815]

Wisconsin and Iowa are the two teams you can think of that are consistently putting together pretty strong lines out of mostly mid-tier HS talent.

Two teams out of 128.

If something is successful for 01.56% of teams, would you say it's a solid bet as a philosophy?

Iowa hasn't won the conference in 14 years. Wisconsin hasn't done it since OSU got off probation. Don't forget they wouldn't have been there to begin the end of Bo's career if Urban's squad was eligible to be in a CCG that last year. They finished 8-6 that year.

Yes, they had two 11 win seasons right before that. They lost the Rose Bowl all three years. Once to Oregon. Once to Stanford. Know any coaches from those teams?

The game plan of becoming Wisconsin is a loser's mentality. That's a goal of being the 3rd best team in the B1G most years behind OSU, PSU and Michigan. Those three teams are beating the **** out of the rest of the conference at recruiting.

 

[WestCoastCornhusker2]

Wisconsin and Iowa are the two teams you can think of that are consistently putting together pretty strong lines out of mostly mid-tier HS talent.

Two teams out of 128.

If something is successful for 01.56% of teams, would you say it's a solid bet as a philosophy?

Iowa hasn't won the conference in 14 years. Wisconsin hasn't done it since OSU got off probation. Don't forget they wouldn't have been there to begin the end of Bo's career if Urban's squad was eligible to be in a CCG that last year. They finished 8-6 that year.

Yes, they had two 11 win seasons right before that. They lost the Rose Bowl all three years. Once to Oregon. Once to Stanford. Know any coaches from those teams?

The game plan of becoming Wisconsin is a loser's mentality. That's a goal of being the 3rd best team in the B1G most years behind OSU, PSU and Michigan. Those three teams are beating the **** out of the rest of the conference at recruiting.

Again, I'm not saying we want to be Wisconsin as a whole team. For goodness sakes, saying just their OL, and only their OL, has been good enough for a National Title team.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

Assuming you're blind and deaf, yeah I would too.

So you say.

 

[TheBeav815]

Again, I'm not saying we want to be Wisconsin as a whole team. For goodness sakes, saying just their OL, and only their OL, has been good enough for a National Title team.

The one year they lost to Oregon you could make a case since their offense put up 38 in the loss. Even that was a 3 loss year. In their other Rose Bowls they couldn't crack 20 points. The rest of the time the results are clear, their recruiting yields pretty-good-but-not-great teams that can do one thing well.

 

[WestCoastCornhusker2]

So you say.

Assuming perfect foresight, not blind random probability, most of your NFL OL would be 2-3 stars.

 

[Huzkers25]

And this is my point in a nutshell. They have never really been in contention for a national title because more of their players have to maximize to reach that elite level. Both Alvarez and Bielema had multiple 6 loss seasons. Why? Because, in those years, those 2 and 3 star players didn't max out. Andersen was only there 2 seasons and Chryst only 3, so it is too early to see if he will also have that issue.

He recruits very similarly to his predecessors, smaller classes because they redshirt large portions of each class and have small amounts of attrition, and very few 4 star players. It gets you a B1G west title.....for now

College football is completely cyclical. You are throwing (2) 6 loss seasons from WI in the last 10 years. Well lets take your argument and compare it to some of the recruiting darlings if you want to be a star gazer... Teams who have had (6) loss seasons over the last 10 years:

Florida state- (2)
USC- (2)
UCLA (6) and get this this includes mutiple (8) and (7) loss seasons.
Michigan (5)
Texas (5)
Florida (3)
Penn State (3)
Miami (4)

Your (6) loss reasoning has no significance. And now you're probably going to make the argument that the Big 10 West is weak and on and on. Well NU will always out recruit the big 10 West at skill positions, not a concern there. But going back to the original statement of Oline play...WI has become the premiere school (if not 1B) offensive lineman school in the country case closed. If they have lost a game (whether against a Purdue or a Ohio State) 99 out of 100 is was not due to the line play. What they have done with getting 3 star, 2 star and no star proves the point that Oline, MORE than any other position can not be projected easily in star rankings. Give me 4 and 5 star skill positions all day. O-linemen- I'm just as happy to get a 4 star as I am the 2 star.

 

[inWV]

Here are the Rivals rankings plus national psn rankings for nine guys on NU offensive line
Jaimes-5.7/61
Sichterman-5.6/70
Wilson-5.6/43
Farniok-5.7/35
Farmer-5.9/4
Foster-5.7/21
Raridon-5.9/9
Gaylord-5.7/44
Barnett-5.8/25
plus Conrad as an unranked walk on

A comparable list for Wisconsin
Kasl-5.6/47
Benzschawel-5.5 (converted TE)
Dietzen-5.6/52
Biadasz-5.6/50 (as a DT)
David Edwards-5.6/34 (listed as an ATH)
Van Lanen-5.8/17
Erdmann-NR
Connors-NR
Kapoi-5.3

Of course, just like Tuco, I would like to be able to salivate over a list of blue chip linemen that show strong interest in NU. But what if NU had recruited higher ranked talent into the program over the past few years? I suspect that line would still have underperformed relative to the Badger's list of kids who moved positions and were Rivals NRs. Oline development at NU was pretty damned pathetic during the Riley regime and I regret my defense of Cavanaugh.
The Stache and Garrison were consistently criticized for the play of the Oline. But yet somehow guys like Qvale (5.5), Long (NR), and Givens Price (5.5) have played in the league.
The Oline talent to get NU the B1G title game is on the roster right now. And going forward, a kid like Matt Anderson could be a real game changer at OT.

 

[Sporty]

O-Line success is as much or more about coaching and teamwork as star power. Teamwork on the O-Line is more important than at any other positions on the field! Which of course is a direct result of coaching.

 

[Harry Caray]

If you look at the offensive linemen that are drafted early, many were 4-star recruits out of high school. Sure you get the occasional Spencer Long who started as a walk-on, but that is still pretty rare.

And yes, we've had a fair number of highly-rated OL who didn't pan out too, but that is probably more reflective of poor coaching at that position. With good coaching, I'll still take the 4-star guy over the walk-on in most cases.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

College football is completely cyclical. You are throwing (2) 6 loss seasons from WI in the last 10 years. Well lets take your argument and compare it to some of the recruiting darlings if you want to be a star gazer... Teams who have had (6) loss seasons over the last 10 years:

Florida state- (2)
USC- (2)
UCLA (6) and get this this includes mutiple (8) and (7) loss seasons.
Michigan (5)
Texas (5)
Florida (3)
Penn State (3)
Miami (4)

Your (6) loss reasoning has no significance. And now you're probably going to make the argument that the Big 10 West is weak and on and on. Well NU will always out recruit the big 10 West at skill positions, not a concern there. But going back to the original statement of Oline play...WI has become the premiere school (if not 1B) offensive lineman school in the country case closed. If they have lost a game (whether against a Purdue or a Ohio State) 99 out of 100 is was not due to the line play. What they have done with getting 3 star, 2 star and no star proves the point that Oline, MORE than any other position can not be projected easily in star rankings. Give me 4 and 5 star skill positions all day. O-linemen- I'm just as happy to get a 4 star as I am the 2 star.

No, I am simply saying that Wisconsin, simililar to but not as drastic as Iowa and Northwestern, go through swings of success. They will get a class or 2 that overachieves and they build a successful team, then a couple of classes that don't overachieve and you see 6 win season. Then the cycle repeats.

The main difference in Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern in comparison to the teams you mentioned, is that the schools you mentioned all made poor coaching decisions. The poor coaching was the reason those teams had poor seasons, not the talent on the field. The three B1G West teams had those huge swings with the same coach.
Alvarez
1990 1–10
1991 5–6
1992 5–6
1993 10–1–1
1994 7–4–1
1995 4–5–2
1996 8–5
1997 8–5
1998 11–1
1999 10–2
2000 9–4
2001 5–7
2002 8–6
2003 7–6
2004 9–3
2005 10–3
Bielema
2006 12–1
2007 9–4
2008 7–6
2009 10–3
2010 11–2
2011 11–3
2012 8–6


The pattern for Iowa and Northwestern is very similar.

 

[Huzkers25]

No, I am simply saying that Wisconsin, simililar to but not as drastic as Iowa and Northwestern, go through swings of success. They will get a class or 2 that overachieves and they build a successful team, then a couple of classes that don't overachieve and you see 6 win season. Then the cycle repeats.

The main difference in Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern in comparison to the teams you mentioned, is that the schools you mentioned all made poor coaching decisions. The poor coaching was the reason those teams had poor seasons, not the talent on the field. The three B1G West teams had those huge swings with the same coach.
Alvarez
1990 1–10
1991 5–6
1992 5–6
1993 10–1–1
1994 7–4–1
1995 4–5–2
1996 8–5
1997 8–5
1998 11–1
1999 10–2
2000 9–4
2001 5–7
2002 8–6
2003 7–6
2004 9–3
2005 10–3
Bielema
2006 12–1
2007 9–4
2008 7–6
2009 10–3
2010 11–2
2011 11–3
2012 8–6


The pattern for Iowa and Northwestern is very similar.

I agree there are some swings no doubt and honestly I can't recall every year for Bucky. Whether is was lack of talent, new QB/bad QB play, tough schedule injuries etc. I guess my point (agree or disagree) is that lineman are a bit tougher to project. WI has won almost solely on the big uglies and few stud running backs. Other than that they play hard as a team and don't make it easy on D. Nebraska has been head and shoulders above the Big 10 West in terms of speed/skill positions but obviously we haven't had much to show for it. I like where the future is headed bottom line. Let's just embrace these recruits that Frosty gets no matter what we think. In 3 years from now we can gripe if results are translated to W's.

 

[PeliniTheCrutch_rivals294365]

Cavanaugh sucks.

 

[WestCoastCornhusker2]

Cavanaugh sucks.

Stache?

 

[spinner4_rivals42045]

O-line is the one position that I don't necessarily completely buy into the star rankings. Too many kids get written off because of they are too small, while too many 4-star recruits are hyped because of their size. Size & strength is something that can be developed and it can also be misleading for HS kids that have peaked. Also, so many kids that end up being all conference on the O-line came in recruited to be other positions. TE or DE recruits that 247 or rivals didn't rank or had as low 3 stars that end up becoming athletic O-lineman. Also look at how many 4 star recruits NU landed that sucked. NU actually has done reasonably well are recruiting 4 star O-lineman and yet our O-line is a weakness every year.

Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of "can't miss" O-Line recruits. But look at the 2017 NFL All- Pro team. Only one O-lineman ranked as a 4-star or better and none were rivals top 100 guys. The one 4-star, Zack Martin was barely ranked a 4-star. And I get you can't compare rankings to how the do in the NFL. But I bet if you have a lot of guys who end up ALL PRO in the NFL your going to be pretty dam good in college.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

I agree there are some swings no doubt and honestly I can't recall every year for Bucky. Whether is was lack of talent, new QB/bad QB play, tough schedule injuries etc. I guess my point (agree or disagree) is that lineman are a bit tougher to project. WI has won almost solely on the big uglies and few stud running backs. Other than that they play hard as a team and don't make it easy on D. Nebraska has been head and shoulders above the Big 10 West in terms of speed/skill positions but obviously we haven't had much to show for it. I like where the future is headed bottom line. Let's just embrace these recruits that Frosty gets no matter what we think. In 3 years from now we can gripe if results are translated to W's.

I don't disagree with anything you wrote. I am not necessarily griping, I just don't like the recruiting strategy that other B1G West schools incorporate. I think it puts a self-imposed ceiling on results and it leads to subpar years based on nothing but talent not overachieving.

Not to belabor the issue, but since this is a message board, and I have very little to do this summer, except vacation, I will belabor it a bit.

Wisconsin and Iowa have an offensive philosophy that is slow paced and eats clock. They limit possessions and rely on solid defense to keep them in games. Nebraska will not be that. If you are going to rely on athletes to win games, IMHO, you have to get the best athletes you can.

As far as offensive line recruiting goes, for Nebraska, I think that we can get by with lesser players that we can develop. We will not rely on winning a bunch of one on one matchups in the trenches, this offense takes some of the pressure off of the offensive line because the passes are quick hitting, and the run reads are based on how the defense attacks. Sometimes getting in the way will be enough. Now if you are able to develop some really good offensive linemen, that makes the offense even more dangerous.

I worry more about the matchups on the outside, speed is awesome, especially when the other team doesn't have it. In the Big 10, especially in the East, the best teams have it. If we are relying on 5 star speed with 3 star skills, and the opponents have 4 star speed with 4 star skill, they win. Urban Meyer, James Franklin and yes even Harbaugh are good at developing players. When you recruit better players and still develop them, you win. We are so accustomed to not seeing our talent developed that we find ourselves envious of teams, like Iowa and Wisconsin, that basically survive on simply developing players.

As of right now, the 2019 class is going to be around 20-22 players, we are half way full and have 2 players ranked 2 star or less and 2 players ranked 4 star (one of which is a JUCO linemen). I simply don't understand the strategy, Now maybe Grayson and Anderson blow up and become 4 star guys, perhaps McCaffery will as well. Maybe the next 11 commitments will all be 4 star players. I hope so, but I don't think that is going to be the case based on what Frost has said.

As I have said countless times, I think Frost is definitely a great young coach. I think the improvement starts this year and I think he and his staff get this team to 8 regular season wins. I simply don't understand the strategy of loading up on 3 star talent in June when there are still higher rated players still available. Those 3 star players would more than likely still be there in September. Now if Frost hadn't said that he won't pull scholarship offers from committed players if a higher rated player decides he wants to be in the class, I wouldn't be as leery. But he has said that, and he won't pull offers from committed players.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

I don't disagree with anything you wrote. I am not necessarily griping, I just don't like the recruiting strategy that other B1G West schools incorporate. I think it puts a self-imposed ceiling on results and it leads to subpar years based on nothing but talent not overachieving.

Not to belabor the issue, but since this is a message board, and I have very little to do this summer, except vacation, I will belabor it a bit.

Wisconsin and Iowa have an offensive philosophy that is slow paced and eats clock. They limit possessions and rely on solid defense to keep them in games. Nebraska will not be that. If you are going to rely on athletes to win games, IMHO, you have to get the best athletes you can.

As far as offensive line recruiting goes, for Nebraska, I think that we can get by with lesser players that we can develop. We will not rely on winning a bunch of one on one matchups in the trenches, this offense takes some of the pressure off of the offensive line because the passes are quick hitting, and the run reads are based on how the defense attacks. Sometimes getting in the way will be enough. Now if you are able to develop some really good offensive linemen, that makes the offense even more dangerous.

I worry more about the matchups on the outside, speed is awesome, especially when the other team doesn't have it. In the Big 10, especially in the East, the best teams have it. If we are relying on 5 star speed with 3 star skills, and the opponents have 4 star speed with 4 star skill, they win. Urban Meyer, James Franklin and yes even Harbaugh are good at developing players. When you recruit better players and still develop them, you win. We are so accustomed to not seeing our talent developed that we find ourselves envious of teams, like Iowa and Wisconsin, that basically survive on simply developing players.

As of right now, the 2019 class is going to be around 20-22 players, we are half way full and have 2 players ranked 2 star or less and 2 players ranked 4 star (one of which is a JUCO linemen). I simply don't understand the strategy, Now maybe Grayson and Anderson blow up and become 4 star guys, perhaps McCaffery will as well. Maybe the next 11 commitments will all be 4 star players. I hope so, but I don't think that is going to be the case based on what Frost has said.

As I have said countless times, I think Frost is definitely a great young coach. I think the improvement starts this year and I think he and his staff get this team to 8 regular season wins. I simply don't understand the strategy of loading up on 3 star talent in June when there are still higher rated players still available. Those 3 star players would more than likely still be there in September. Now if Frost hadn't said that he won't pull scholarship offers from committed players if a higher rated player decides he wants to be in the class, I wouldn't be as leery. But he has said that, and he won't pull offers from committed players.

Great post. Spot on.