Recruiting

I'm not going to write much on recruiting until it's over as I have absolutely no inside information to offer and anything I could write will be someone else's opinion.

But, with a month to go, I like the way this class is shaping up.

Anthony Summers threw his name in the ring yesterday as the latest to offer his verbal commitment to State. That adds another impressive playmaker to this class.

Check this list:

Courtney Jones, RB
Kenny Ashley, RB
Anthony Summers, DB
Anthony Johnson, DB
Alex Carpenter, WR/DB/RB
Tony Burks, WR
Ryan Mason, WR

Every one of these guys runs a 4.6 or better. Most under 4.5. All of them but Ashley and Johnson are over 6'0, with Burks, Mason and Summers being 6'3 or taller. And Johnson is the only one under 200 pounds.

And not only that...they are all playmakers. Exactly what this team needs.

Croom's script is starting to become clearer.

Class 1:
Goal: Build a defense on speed
Outcome: The class has been largely a bust, especially on offense, but it was heavy on linebackers and defensive backs.
Key players so far: Thornton, Henig, Brown, Littlejohn, Akines, Bobo, Glanton.

Class 2:
Goal: Need Offensive Speed and OL Help and impact players on defense
Outcome: Offensive speed has been a bust so far with no impact players - OL recruiting we will find out in the next couple years, but pretty good start with three players getting significant PT - adding impact players on defense was a success
Key players so far from this class - 1st year impact: Wilson, Dunning, Gates, Johnson, Chaney, Pegues, Fitzhugh

Class 3:
Goal: Offensive Talent and Playmakers on both sides of the ball
Outcome: ??
Key verbals: see list above, plus Glover, Wicker, Hughes
Other key skill recruits with State in Top 2: Anthony Dixon, Jamere Holland, Latarrius Thomas

So far I like this class. It has the potential to close strong and it has the playmakers we need. Hopefully the hogs in the '05 class all pan out, otherwise it won't matter how much skill we have on the outside.