Rockie, Jay and others who watch recruiting

[Archaea]

We lose a lot from this defense. What do we have coming in to replace them.

Kehl and others will be tough to replace. Do we have key linebackers with speed?

I believe the line should be fine and we seem to have some corners but what about safeties.

What did we recruit on offense? A tight end.

[jay santos]

Originally Posted by Archaea

We lose a lot from this defense. What do we have coming in to replace them.

Kehl and others will be tough to replace. Do we have key linebackers with speed?

I believe the line should be fine and we seem to have some corners but what about safeties.

What did we recruit on offense? A tight end.

Projected starting linebackers

Nixon, Hooks, Bauman, Doman

They have the possibility to be as good or at least close to as good as the group we have now.

We're recruiting at least a couple JC LB's. Not sure what the hype on them is or if people think they'll beat out the returning guys for a starting job.

[TheSizzle36]

Originally Posted by jay santos

Projected starting linebackers

Nixon, Hooks, Bauman, Doman

They have the possibility to be as good or at least close to as good as the group we have now.

We're recruiting at least a couple JC LB's. Not sure what the hype on them is or if people think they'll beat out the returning guys for a starting job.

I am more worried about the losses in the secondary than the losses at LB. Bauman and Nixon are absolute studs, and I think Doman and Hooks should be solid starters. I am more worried that Brandon Howard is our most proven returning player in the secondary. I'm not sold on Tafuna, and I'm skeptical about Bradley. I think the talent is there, but the inexperience will hurt us. The good news is we return enough talent on offense to more than make up for those losses.

[MikeWaters]

We are trying to recruit a 2nd tier JC QB. In other words, someone who knows they won't see the field as long as Hall doesn't get hurt. Ironically the top JC QB is Sam Bower. And he is not coming (back) to BYU.

[TheSizzle36]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Ironically the top JC QB is Sam Bower. And he is not coming (back) to BYU.

You mean Jacob (don't call me Jack) Bauer?

[RockyBalboa]

This is what we're looking at right now: I'll be putting the year they'll be in eligibity for 08'

D-LINEMAN:

Russell Tialavea (SOPH.....took a medical redshirt this year)
Kyle Leukenga (JUN.....took a medical redshirt this year)
Matt Putnam (FROSH....Redshirted this year after back from mission)
David Angilau (FROSH..Redshirted this year)
Rick Wolfley (SOPH)
Ian Dulan...Maybe...there are conflicting reports of his mission status.
Jan Jorgensen (JUN)
Mosese Foketi (SEN)
Brett Denney (JUN)
Steven Fendry (FROSH, transfer from Colorado)
Matangi Tonga (SOPH,....this is firmly in the We'll see department)
Magnum Mauga (JUN...Original 07' 4 star JUCO Signee)
Tevita Hola (JUN...08' Verbal 4 Star JUCO Commit from Snow College)

LINEBACKERS:

Matt Bauman (JUN)
Grant Nelson (SOPH)
Shawn Doman (JUN)
David Nixon (SEN)
Dan Van Sweeden (JUN)
Terrance Hooks (JUN)
Jadon Wagner (FROSH, Took a medical redshirt this season)
Tyler Beck (FROSH,,,redshirted in 07'..mission status is unknown at this time)
Tolu Moala (08 Verbal Commit from a California JUCO)

A few other considerations: Jordan Pendleton who redshirted this year has put on a lot of muscle and might be moved to LB as well and would be a Redshirt Freshman either way.

Also a few other signees in terms of whether they'll be on missions first or redshirt are up in the air, such as: 08' Verbal Kevan Bills, 08' Verbal Jerry Bruner, 08' Masi Tuitama (Willie Tuitama's 1st cousin), 08' Verbal Iona Pritchard..in my opinion he'll eventually end up at fullback, but who knows?

DEFENSIVE BACKS/ BOTH CORNERS AND SAFETIES:

Brandon Howard (JUN)
Brandon Bradley (SOPH...lots of speculation he'll get moved to Safety)
Brannon Brooks (FROSH...redshirted this season)
Kellen Fowler (SEN....a chance he might go to law school instead)
Greg Pittman (FROSH...medical redshirt after early injury in 2nd game)
Chris Warner (JUN.....took medical redshirt after blowing knee out in Spring)
Aaron Attig (JUN)
Gary Nagy (FROSH..redshirted this season, mission status a question)
David Tafuna (SEN....medical redshirt)
Jordan Pendleton (FROSH..redshirt...possible move to Linebacker)
Scott Johnson (JUN...on field during U's final drive yesterday)
Stephen Covey (FROSH...back from mission, could play different position)
Rhen Brown (FROSH....back from mission...might play WR instead)
Shiloah Te'o (FROSH...08' verbal....major potential..we'll see if redshirts)
Garrett Nicholson (FRSOH....08' verbal)
Daniel Sorenson (FROSH....08' verbal...mission plans, but not sure when)
Cameron Comer (FROSH....08' verbal...probable redshirt candidate)

BYU is currently going after a couple of JC Safeties as well.

[livecoug]

How were we able to replace Jensen and Wagner? We did fine and I'm not worried about LB's next year. We should be great the next few years.

[RockyBalboa]

Likely Starters next year if I were to just throw out my guesses are this:

DE -- Jan Jorgensen
DT -- Russell Tialavea
DE -- Brett Denney
LB -- David Nixon
LB -- Matt Bauman
LB -- Terrance Hooks
LB -- Shawn Doman
CB -- Brandon Howard
S -- Brandon Bradley
S -- Kellen Fowler
CB -- Greg Pittman

[TheSizzle36]

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

Likely Starters next year if I were to just throw out my guesses are this:

DE -- Jan Jorgensen
DT -- Russell Tialavea
DE -- Brett Denney
LB -- David Nixon
LB -- Matt Bauman
LB -- Terrance Hooks
LB -- Shawn Doman
CB -- Brandon Howard
S -- Brandon Bradley
S -- Kellen Fowler
CB -- Greg Pittman

I think it's hard to disagree with this. Our front 7 should be solid, which they'll need to be to help out our inexperienced DBs. The talent should be there, the biggest question is inexperience IMO. I know a lot of people are really really high on both Pittman and Bradley, but I get nervous starting two guys at DB who have no D1 experience, and 2 more with limited experience in Fowler and Howard. At least Howard and Fowler have shown some potential this year.