Here's the scholarship situation for 2017. We currently have 25 total commits. For 2017 we are allowed up to 27 total scholarships.
Mykelle McDaniel who was considered a 2016 signee & now is suspended just barely beat the deadline to be claimed as a 2016 commit. When I say barely I mean by only a few days. Otherwise, he would have went to the 2017 class but luckily that didn't happen.
With only 2 commits left things are going to be interesting to see how CBJ handles this as we get closer to NSD. As we know, CBJ has already parted ways with a few commits & allowed them to go elsewhere to play. Is he now finished doing that? My guess would be not. Maybe 2-3 more recruits could be let go to try & get some better recruits for NSD.
I'm sure CBJ wants to get as much confirmation as possible on other recruits before deciding to let more recruits go.
We are really in more need at certain positions. Positions like DL, LB, & DB are in need but especially DL & LB. I also think 4 OL isn't enough to have in a class.
I would like to have 5-6 every class but it appears CBJ may stick with what we already have because T.J. Moore looks to be out now as a commitment to us. With only 2 spots left right now we're really limited & have to watch who we go after to commit.
We really don't need a RB because we will have 4 of them come 2017. However, what if Fils-Aime or Coleman wants to leave/transfer? That would leave us with 3 RB's & that's really not enough.
Right now, we're still after both Etienne & Felix while things have cooled for Akers because it appears he's not coming to Knoxville. We don't need him in my opinion with RB's like Kelly & Chandler.
Bottom line is I feel we're going to have 4-5 more recruits to take come NSD because CBJ is going to let 2-3 more go. This is just my opinion though. We need a strong finish to even get into the top 10.
We should get a top 15 no matter what but to get a top 10 we're gonna have to get at least 2-3 more four* recruits or maybe even another 5* like we got in Trey Smith.
In the SEC, we can't settle for top 15 classes in order to become competitive or stay competitive. We need top 10's every class along with a top 5 class every 2-3 years. That's the only way we're going to get this done folks. Thanks!
Below are some of the recruits that I'd like for us to try & get from what's left out of the 2017 class:
1. 4* '17 NV S
Bubba Bolden
2. 4* '17 LA S
Todd Harris
3. 4* '17 LA CB
Brad Stewart
4. 3* '17 GA CB
Yusuf Corker
5. 4* '17 GA S
Xavier McKinney
6. 4* '17 MD OLB
Nathan Proctor
7. 4* '17 GA LB
Tyler Taylor
8. 4* '17 MS OLB
Willie Gay
9. 4* '17 GA OLB
Breon Dixon
10. 4* '17 NC DT
Xach Gill
11. 3* '17 NC DE
Matthew Butler
12. 4* '17 VA DE
Elijah Conliffe
13. 4* '17 MI DE
Deron Irving-Bey
14. 4* '17 LA DT
Phidarian Mathis
15. 3*
'17 VA DE Ryan Thaxton
16. 4* '17 OH WR
Jaylen Harris
17. 4* '17 LA WR
Devonta Smith
18. 4* 17 NC OL
T.J. Moore
19. 4* 17 LA OT
Adrian Ealy
20. 4* '17 OH OT
Thayer Munford
21. 4* '17 MD RB
Anthony McFarland Jr.
22. 4* '17 LA RB
Travis Etienne
23. 5* '17 MS RB
Cam Akers
24
. 3*'17 FL RB
Darrian Felix
Keep in mind those are just some of the choices we still have available. I included mostly 4* recruits because those are more realistic than what 5* recruits that are left.
A couple of 3* recruits are in there at QB just if we want to sign one for 2017 & not skip that position until 2018. I covered all positions except TE's because the 1 we have committed appears to be all we're going to sign.
We could move LaTrell Bumphus to TE in necessity even though CBJ plans was to move him to a pass rushing DE coming in as a freshman since he had 15 sacks his senior season. So, in reality we have a lot to choose from. CBJ just needs to work his magic. :wink: