I think that we can all agree for our team to be elite or as close to elite as we can be, we need to have better play in the trenches. I truly believe that Mike Riley and Co. want to be a physical football team and be able to run the ball and set up the run. Yes, I know we are recruiting wide receivers like crazy, but that is also to try to fill a hole that will be left by this years graduating class. Here is a look at the OL class from 2012 until 2016:
2012
Paul Thurston(no longer here)
Corey Whitaker-Backup
2013
Gabe Miller-Believe he was a long snapper?
Zach Hannon-Non contributor
David Knevel-Has started some, but underwhelming
Matt Finnin-Non contributor-No longer on team
Chongo Kondolo-JUCO who lost his starting job.
Dwayne Johnson-Non Contributor
2014
Tanner Farmer-Starter
Mick Stoltenburg-Moved to DL
DJ Foster-Starter
Nick Gates-Starter
2015
Christian Gaylord-TBD
Michael Decker-TBD
Jalin Barnett-TBD
Jordan Ober-Long Snapper
2016
Brian Brokop-TBD
John Raridon-TBD
Boe Wilson-TBD
Matt Farniok-TBD
Looking at this, the 2012 and 2013 classes were a complete disaster from OL recruiting standpoint and I believe has directly led to some of the issues we currently have on the OL. We basically got 2 or 3 backups from these classes and that is it. The recruits from these two classes are the ones that you would expect to be starting right now. The ship was righted some in 2014 with a class of good contributors. It looks to me like the current staff understands how important it is to win in the trenches and put together a couple good OL classes(on paper) and are trying to do this again this year. Tackle is the most pressing need in this class IMO. We can't afford misses like 2012 and 2013 if we are going to try to get back to championship status again.
Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.
2012
Paul Thurston(no longer here)
Corey Whitaker-Backup
2013
Gabe Miller-Believe he was a long snapper?
Zach Hannon-Non contributor
David Knevel-Has started some, but underwhelming
Matt Finnin-Non contributor-No longer on team
Chongo Kondolo-JUCO who lost his starting job.
Dwayne Johnson-Non Contributor
2014
Tanner Farmer-Starter
Mick Stoltenburg-Moved to DL
DJ Foster-Starter
Nick Gates-Starter
2015
Christian Gaylord-TBD
Michael Decker-TBD
Jalin Barnett-TBD
Jordan Ober-Long Snapper
2016
Brian Brokop-TBD
John Raridon-TBD
Boe Wilson-TBD
Matt Farniok-TBD
Looking at this, the 2012 and 2013 classes were a complete disaster from OL recruiting standpoint and I believe has directly led to some of the issues we currently have on the OL. We basically got 2 or 3 backups from these classes and that is it. The recruits from these two classes are the ones that you would expect to be starting right now. The ship was righted some in 2014 with a class of good contributors. It looks to me like the current staff understands how important it is to win in the trenches and put together a couple good OL classes(on paper) and are trying to do this again this year. Tackle is the most pressing need in this class IMO. We can't afford misses like 2012 and 2013 if we are going to try to get back to championship status again.
Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.