[TrumpCard]

I understand the angst over the DL depth, but it may be excessive. 

Both Jackson and Annan have solid offers from power-5 conference schools and have composite ratings on 247 Sports in the low- to mid-600s.  Those recruiting profiles are in the same range as Harrison Phillips and Henry Anderson.  Yes, it's true that Eddie Plantaric had similar ratings and didn't pan out.  Nevertheless, it is not a stretch to say that Jackson and Annan have the talent level required to become major contributors.  It won't take nearly the level of luck Stanford had with the 2009 DL class to get major contributions from Annan and Jackson.  There are still depth issues and there will continue to be little margin for error in developing quality recruits, but I'd venture to say that Stanford has 4 legit young DL in the pipeline and a DL coach that will make the best of the situation. 

The depth may also increase if a current interior lineman can move inside.  Our discussion has focused on Fanaika, but Burkett, Wilson, and Chaffin all also have the body type to excel at NT. 

[TrumpCard]

I understand the angst over the DL depth, but it may be excessive. 

Both Jackson and Annan have solid offers from power-5 conference schools and have composite ratings on 247 Sports in the low- to mid-600s.  Those recruiting profiles are in the same range as Harrison Phillips and Henry Anderson.  Yes, it's true that Eddie Plantaric had similar ratings and didn't pan out.  Nevertheless, it is not a stretch to say that Jackson and Annan have the talent level required to become major contributors.  It won't take nearly the level of luck Stanford had with the 2009 DL class to get major contributions from Annan and Jackson.  There are still depth issues and there will continue to be little margin for error in developing quality recruits, but I'd venture to say that Stanford has 4 legit young DL in the pipeline and a DL coach that will make the best of the situation. 

The depth may also increase if a current interior lineman can move inside.  Our discussion has focused on Fanaika, but Burkett, Wilson, and Chaffin all also have the body type to excel at NT. 

[CrazedZooChimp]

Apparently we're not out of it for Zach Abercrumbia in this class as well.  While not as highly rated as the DTs we missed out on, he is a 3 star DT (although he'll need to put on a lot of weight).

[CrazedZooChimp]

Apparently we're not out of it for Zach Abercrumbia in this class as well.  While not as highly rated as the DTs we missed out on, he is a 3 star DT (although he'll need to put on a lot of weight).

[CornFed]

[quote author=Papa John link=topic=7902.msg111998#msg111998 date=1422485123]
[quote author=Hank 91 link=topic=7902.msg111978#msg111978 date=1422476260]
[quote author=kuz link=topic=7902.msg111977#msg111977 date=1422476075]
You can watch up close here:
http://www.campusinsiders.com/live/the-f...m-decision
He commits at 2:17ish, I think.

I encourage everyone to watch this. If you haven't seen him interviewed before, it's worth it. This kid is going to take advantage of everything Stanford has to offer and then change the world. Really impressive.
[/quote]


I watched it live, but with the sound off because I was giving a midterm. With any luck Campus Insiders will archive the video file so that I can watch it avec le son at a later date.
[/quote]

Video now available: http://campusinsiders.com/videos/hat_tip...1_28_21_01
[/quote]

Saw the highlight tape.  This fella can truly ball.  But he is a "real deal" nerd if this video is representative.  That is so wonderful.

[CornFed]

[quote author=Papa John link=topic=7902.msg111998#msg111998 date=1422485123]
[quote author=Hank 91 link=topic=7902.msg111978#msg111978 date=1422476260]
[quote author=kuz link=topic=7902.msg111977#msg111977 date=1422476075]
You can watch up close here:
http://www.campusinsiders.com/live/the-f...m-decision
He commits at 2:17ish, I think.

I encourage everyone to watch this. If you haven't seen him interviewed before, it's worth it. This kid is going to take advantage of everything Stanford has to offer and then change the world. Really impressive.
[/quote]


I watched it live, but with the sound off because I was giving a midterm. With any luck Campus Insiders will archive the video file so that I can watch it avec le son at a later date.
[/quote]

Video now available: http://campusinsiders.com/videos/hat_tip...1_28_21_01
[/quote]

Saw the highlight tape.  This fella can truly ball.  But he is a "real deal" nerd if this video is representative.  That is so wonderful.

[BostonCard]

The problem is that our needs on the defensive line are immediate, while the benefits from this recruiting class are not going to be evident for at least another year, barring a total stud emerging, or a disaster necessitating bringing a redshirt up quickly.

Lombardi, whose stuff has gotten better lately, has a nice article on it...

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/...t-stanford

How it can be fixed: This is a particularly critical offseason for revered sports performance director Shannon Turley and defensive line coach Randy Hart. If Stanford is going to have enough capable bodies to maintain success up front, Turley and Hart must succeed in further developing rising sophomores Phillips and Solomon Thomas, both of whom were touted recruits. They'll also have to maximize the productivity of seniors Aziz Shittu and Luke Kaumatule, two physical specimens who haven't yet blossomed to their full potential.

BC

[BostonCard]

The problem is that our needs on the defensive line are immediate, while the benefits from this recruiting class are not going to be evident for at least another year, barring a total stud emerging, or a disaster necessitating bringing a redshirt up quickly.

Lombardi, whose stuff has gotten better lately, has a nice article on it...

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/...t-stanford

How it can be fixed: This is a particularly critical offseason for revered sports performance director Shannon Turley and defensive line coach Randy Hart. If Stanford is going to have enough capable bodies to maintain success up front, Turley and Hart must succeed in further developing rising sophomores Phillips and Solomon Thomas, both of whom were touted recruits. They'll also have to maximize the productivity of seniors Aziz Shittu and Luke Kaumatule, two physical specimens who haven't yet blossomed to their full potential.

BC

[TrumpCard]

I would only very rarely assume that a true freshman DL will materially contribute.  Maybe Christian Wilkins.  Certainly not Ross Donelly, who seems like a good guy and a nice football player, but who has some extra pounds that he needs to shed.  Therefore, I should have specified that my post related mostly to 2016 depth at DL.

In 2015, assuming all players with eligibility return, the team will have 9 DL who are not true freshmen.  They are Shittu, Kaumatule, Callihan, Yazdi, Salem, Watkins, Lohn, Phillips, and Thomas.  That's not a deep unit, but it's okay, especially if one of the current OL moves over to NT.  No one is likely to fully replace Parry at NT, but I think the group will be able to hold up. 

Based on the current list of commits for this class, there would be only 6 DL who are not true freshmen in 2016.  They are Watkins, Lohn, Phillips, Thomas, Jackson, and Annan.  Therefore, it is critical that those 6 guys contribute materially in 2016.  (The margin for error increases a bit if you include Abercrumbia and one of the current OL.)  I was just saying that Jackson and Annan appear to have sufficient talent so that it's realistic to think they might be ready to contribute.  Obviously, there are counterexamples, but guys rated similarly to Jackson and Annan have become contributors with some frequency.

[TrumpCard]

I would only very rarely assume that a true freshman DL will materially contribute.  Maybe Christian Wilkins.  Certainly not Ross Donelly, who seems like a good guy and a nice football player, but who has some extra pounds that he needs to shed.  Therefore, I should have specified that my post related mostly to 2016 depth at DL.

In 2015, assuming all players with eligibility return, the team will have 9 DL who are not true freshmen.  They are Shittu, Kaumatule, Callihan, Yazdi, Salem, Watkins, Lohn, Phillips, and Thomas.  That's not a deep unit, but it's okay, especially if one of the current OL moves over to NT.  No one is likely to fully replace Parry at NT, but I think the group will be able to hold up. 

Based on the current list of commits for this class, there would be only 6 DL who are not true freshmen in 2016.  They are Watkins, Lohn, Phillips, Thomas, Jackson, and Annan.  Therefore, it is critical that those 6 guys contribute materially in 2016.  (The margin for error increases a bit if you include Abercrumbia and one of the current OL.)  I was just saying that Jackson and Annan appear to have sufficient talent so that it's realistic to think they might be ready to contribute.  Obviously, there are counterexamples, but guys rated similarly to Jackson and Annan have become contributors with some frequency.

[BostonCard]

The question, though, is can they become solid contributors as true sophomores/redshirt freshmen.

BC

[BostonCard]

The question, though, is can they become solid contributors as true sophomores/redshirt freshmen.

BC

[socalstanfan1]

Regarding the DL, I feel fairly good about Kaumatule and Shittu, provided Shittu can recover from his injury to play at the level he did last year, pre-injury. And, I also feel optimistic about Harrison Phillips, based on his spot duty last year. Given an off season of growth plus Spring and August practices, perhaps he can develop into a Jack of all trades DL who can relieve different positions along the line as necessary.  Solomon Thomas needs to make the jump to being a solid player to give us 4 reliable DL. But the guys we really need to step up are Yazdi, Lohn, and Watkins. Watkins in particular came in as a 4star recruit and needs to develop at least enough of his potential to be a role player and spot the other guys along the line. If Lohn and Yazdi can contribute, we have sufficient depth to hold our own, but only if we don't suffer major injuries. Maybe versatility is the name of the game here. Thomas played DT and DE in HS, maybe like Phillips he can be trained at both positions.

[socalstanfan1]

Regarding the DL, I feel fairly good about Kaumatule and Shittu, provided Shittu can recover from his injury to play at the level he did last year, pre-injury. And, I also feel optimistic about Harrison Phillips, based on his spot duty last year. Given an off season of growth plus Spring and August practices, perhaps he can develop into a Jack of all trades DL who can relieve different positions along the line as necessary.  Solomon Thomas needs to make the jump to being a solid player to give us 4 reliable DL. But the guys we really need to step up are Yazdi, Lohn, and Watkins. Watkins in particular came in as a 4star recruit and needs to develop at least enough of his potential to be a role player and spot the other guys along the line. If Lohn and Yazdi can contribute, we have sufficient depth to hold our own, but only if we don't suffer major injuries. Maybe versatility is the name of the game here. Thomas played DT and DE in HS, maybe like Phillips he can be trained at both positions.

[StannyBoy]

No chance Salem is back next season.

[StannyBoy]

No chance Salem is back next season.

[Papa John]

And this from Quenton Meeks:

[tweet]560680628970991616[/tweet]

Is that third hashtag a not-so-subtle shoutout to Vandy?

[Papa John]

And this from Quenton Meeks:

[tweet]560680628970991616[/tweet]

Is that third hashtag a not-so-subtle shoutout to Vandy?

[socalstanfan1]

And this from Quenton Meeks:

[tweet]560680628970991616[/tweet]

Is that third hashtag a not-so-subtle shoutout to Vandy?

I have some troubles accessing Twitter here behind the Great Fire Wall...is that a hashtag associated with Vandy? Do both Stanford and Vandy use the same motto in recruiting? (Wouldn't surprise me with Mason being the coach)

[socalstanfan1]

And this from Quenton Meeks:

[tweet]560680628970991616[/tweet]

Is that third hashtag a not-so-subtle shoutout to Vandy?

I have some troubles accessing Twitter here behind the Great Fire Wall...is that a hashtag associated with Vandy? Do both Stanford and Vandy use the same motto in recruiting? (Wouldn't surprise me with Mason being the coach)

[chicard]

Regarding the DL, I feel fairly good about Kaumatule and Shittu, provided Shittu can recover from his injury to play at the level he did last year, pre-injury.

Did we ever find out the story behind those tweets from Shittu a couple of weeks ago?  Is/was he really considering graduating early and moving on?

[chicard]

Regarding the DL, I feel fairly good about Kaumatule and Shittu, provided Shittu can recover from his injury to play at the level he did last year, pre-injury.

Did we ever find out the story behind those tweets from Shittu a couple of weeks ago?  Is/was he really considering graduating early and moving on?

[chicard]

I have some troubles accessing Twitter here behind the Great Fire Wall...is that a hashtag associated with Vandy? Do both Stanford and Vandy use the same motto in recruiting? (Wouldn't surprise me with Mason being the coach)

When I click on the hashtag, all the tweets that pop up do seem to relate to Vandy football.  I guess props to them for claiming the hashtag.

As for the "40-year decision" concept, I believe quite a few schools use some variation of it.

[chicard]

I have some troubles accessing Twitter here behind the Great Fire Wall...is that a hashtag associated with Vandy? Do both Stanford and Vandy use the same motto in recruiting? (Wouldn't surprise me with Mason being the coach)

When I click on the hashtag, all the tweets that pop up do seem to relate to Vandy football.  I guess props to them for claiming the hashtag.

As for the "40-year decision" concept, I believe quite a few schools use some variation of it.

[socalstanfan1]

Ah well, I was really thinking Meeks would join us once he was accepted, but now I won't expect too much. The only slight consolations: we won't be facing him any time soon, and I do like Mason so he's going to work with a coach I respect. Hopefully he can do his part to help Mason rebuild.

[socalstanfan1]

Ah well, I was really thinking Meeks would join us once he was accepted, but now I won't expect too much. The only slight consolations: we won't be facing him any time soon, and I do like Mason so he's going to work with a coach I respect. Hopefully he can do his part to help Mason rebuild.

[scorecard]

Meeks also tweeted this, so I wouldn't read too much into #40not4

https://twitter.com/ShowtimeQM/status/56...1327238144

[scorecard]

Meeks also tweeted this, so I wouldn't read too much into #40not4

https://twitter.com/ShowtimeQM/status/56...1327238144

[socalstanfan1]

Hahaha...either Meeks is still truly torn between these programs, or he has a bit of Aziz in him, and is playing with the fans. 

Hope he comes here to play with Frank, and with one of the great DB coaches in the nation.

[socalstanfan1]

Hahaha...either Meeks is still truly torn between these programs, or he has a bit of Aziz in him, and is playing with the fans. 

Hope he comes here to play with Frank, and with one of the great DB coaches in the nation.

[BobK]

I'll bet we get Meeks

As to Shittu he has tweeted looking forward to spring FB and 2-3 weeks ago tweeted running again

[BobK]

I'll bet we get Meeks

As to Shittu he has tweeted looking forward to spring FB and 2-3 weeks ago tweeted running again

[Mick]

Irony doesn't always translate well to message boards.  Mick's tongue was planted firmly in cheek, I am almost certain.

BC

You are 100% correct, sir. 

[Mick]

Irony doesn't always translate well to message boards.  Mick's tongue was planted firmly in cheek, I am almost certain.

BC

You are 100% correct, sir. 

[larkinforever]

Meeks also tweeted this, so I wouldn't read too much into #40not4

https://twitter.com/ShowtimeQM/status/56...1327238144

Interestingly, since two of Buncom's finalists were Vandy and Stanford, Meeks may have been not only coy but also fairly safe in saying maybe they'll be teammates.

[larkinforever]

Meeks also tweeted this, so I wouldn't read too much into #40not4

https://twitter.com/ShowtimeQM/status/56...1327238144

Interestingly, since two of Buncom's finalists were Vandy and Stanford, Meeks may have been not only coy but also fairly safe in saying maybe they'll be teammates.

[pcgoode]

Hard to take some of this stuff on twitter seriously, but query whether the emoticon that Meeks put in his tweet with the sunglasses means anything - playing in sunny California, for example?

[pcgoode]

Hard to take some of this stuff on twitter seriously, but query whether the emoticon that Meeks put in his tweet with the sunglasses means anything - playing in sunny California, for example?

[CompSci87]

Hard to take some of this stuff on twitter seriously, but query whether the emoticon that Meeks put in his tweet with the sunglasses means anything

Twitter needs a tea leaf emoticon, for those who like to read them.

[CompSci87]

Hard to take some of this stuff on twitter seriously, but query whether the emoticon that Meeks put in his tweet with the sunglasses means anything

Twitter needs a tea leaf emoticon, for those who like to read them.