[washingtonismoney]

I need a little perspective, WiM. When are most offers handed out? How might this compare with the 2013 offer list at this time of year?

As to question 1) you see a lot of offers right now to perceived top-tier targets, followed by another flood after junior days, followed by some more after camps...and that should take care of the vast majority of the class, with maybe some mop-up offers in the fall.

2) We've picked up the pace of offers considerably. We were very picky about handing out offers for 2013 because of the lack of space; I'd speculate we also figured we'd be a hot property. Unfortunately, we ran head-on into a trend wherein players commit much more quickly than they used to -- so we were laggards doubly so. Not filling the pipeline in the beginning contributed to the poor class at the end; that was the problem more than the "close" of the class.

So being around average-ish right now is probably right. Looking at the offer list you can see a clear bias towards defensive backs in the 2014 class -- by far the main need. Second on the list is defensive line. Then, basically, the coaches should emphasize going after quality (though they need to bring in their minimum of OL.)

EDIT: forgot running backs. Clear priorities are DB, DL, OL, RB. You still want to stock the pipeline at other positions (with quality), but the class is in trouble if the numbers aren't there for those four positions. We look like we're in good shape for DB and DL. RB you have McCaffrey and a power back, so decent shape. OL is a bit more mysterious at the moment.

[washingtonismoney]

I need a little perspective, WiM. When are most offers handed out? How might this compare with the 2013 offer list at this time of year?

As to question 1) you see a lot of offers right now to perceived top-tier targets, followed by another flood after junior days, followed by some more after camps...and that should take care of the vast majority of the class, with maybe some mop-up offers in the fall.

2) We've picked up the pace of offers considerably. We were very picky about handing out offers for 2013 because of the lack of space; I'd speculate we also figured we'd be a hot property. Unfortunately, we ran head-on into a trend wherein players commit much more quickly than they used to -- so we were laggards doubly so. Not filling the pipeline in the beginning contributed to the poor class at the end; that was the problem more than the "close" of the class.

So being around average-ish right now is probably right. Looking at the offer list you can see a clear bias towards defensive backs in the 2014 class -- by far the main need. Second on the list is defensive line. Then, basically, the coaches should emphasize going after quality (though they need to bring in their minimum of OL.)

EDIT: forgot running backs. Clear priorities are DB, DL, OL, RB. You still want to stock the pipeline at other positions (with quality), but the class is in trouble if the numbers aren't there for those four positions. We look like we're in good shape for DB and DL. RB you have McCaffrey and a power back, so decent shape. OL is a bit more mysterious at the moment.