I know with what we had coming back before last years season I was very excited about KSU football. I thought anything less than 9-3 was a let down. We had minimal holes and maybe, just maybe if we swung for the fences with talented JUCO kids we could be in the national championship hunt? Think about if every one of the JUCOs worked out? AJ Allen and Luke Hayes - the thought recruiting them was Luke Hayes LT and AJ Allen RT leaving Whitehair at guard where he is best suited. Hayes didn't have the quickness to play LT at Division 1 and Allen showed up late...thus derailing this idea on the offensive line and we "made do" with what we had. Andre Davis - one of the top JUCO WR - had he worked out we have one of the best 3 WR sets in all of college football. Clinkscale - one of the top DT prospects coming out of JUCO. He doesn't show up until right before fall camp starts and derails himself before he ever gets going. Thought was an inside push with Clinkscale and outside push from Mueller makes a strong pash rush. Sadly, Clinkscale comes to camp out of shape and undisiciplined. Riddle and Derricott - again both show up late and don't have the discipline to run the defense...all the talent in the world but can't live up to coaches schematics. Danziel McDaniel - comes to camp during spring ball and locks down a starting position only JUCO that truly lives up to expectations.
I truly think the coaches swung for the fences and had we hit on 50% of the JUCO players last year we are looking at a possible national championship team or a 11-1 team. I know we had some huge running game problems but I think we could've covered the issue. Sadly Allen, Derricott, Riddle and Clinkscale all showed up too late to make a difference. The coaching staff misdiagnosed Hayes as a starting left tackle at the Big 12 level and Andre Davis needed more time to work on his hands. Took a chance and lost.
Yes I may be drinking the purple kool-aid but I think I understand what the coaches were thinking. Elite qb, exceptional WRs, and a lot returning on the defensive line. We met my expectations last year but didn't exceed them like I hoped and I think the coaches hoped. Took one last chance before LHCBS retired at a run and it didn't work out. I applaude their efforts and luckily we aren't too worse for wear. Most of the JUCO kids have moved on and I'm not thrilled they left but if they were going to be a distraction or cause the team to split it's probably best they move on. Personally I wanted to see what Clinkscale and Derricott could do on the field rather than hearing the stories from others however I trust in our coaches expectations for the players. Not meeting the expectation time to move on.
I think going forward or at least until LHCBS retires, we take 3 no more than 4 JUCO kids per year and "build the cupboard" up for the next coach and continue with greyshirts and redshirting as much as possible. Hopefully the team keeps making progress and we have another successful year.
Until next time! EMAW!
I truly think the coaches swung for the fences and had we hit on 50% of the JUCO players last year we are looking at a possible national championship team or a 11-1 team. I know we had some huge running game problems but I think we could've covered the issue. Sadly Allen, Derricott, Riddle and Clinkscale all showed up too late to make a difference. The coaching staff misdiagnosed Hayes as a starting left tackle at the Big 12 level and Andre Davis needed more time to work on his hands. Took a chance and lost.
Yes I may be drinking the purple kool-aid but I think I understand what the coaches were thinking. Elite qb, exceptional WRs, and a lot returning on the defensive line. We met my expectations last year but didn't exceed them like I hoped and I think the coaches hoped. Took one last chance before LHCBS retired at a run and it didn't work out. I applaude their efforts and luckily we aren't too worse for wear. Most of the JUCO kids have moved on and I'm not thrilled they left but if they were going to be a distraction or cause the team to split it's probably best they move on. Personally I wanted to see what Clinkscale and Derricott could do on the field rather than hearing the stories from others however I trust in our coaches expectations for the players. Not meeting the expectation time to move on.
I think going forward or at least until LHCBS retires, we take 3 no more than 4 JUCO kids per year and "build the cupboard" up for the next coach and continue with greyshirts and redshirting as much as possible. Hopefully the team keeps making progress and we have another successful year.
Until next time! EMAW!
