The race to get to National Signing Day in good shape with recruits is always a frenzied and hectic time of year. Coaches really don’t get to rest during this part of the season. The time when they can at least somewhat relax is after their spring game and before Media Days in July, which lead into August camp and the start of the season. Getting recruits is a very precise business. A lot of factors go into it. Coaches have to be attentive to the details which can sell or turn off recruits. Here are some of the considerations that have to be kept in mind in the larger world of college football as National Signing Day approaches.
The USC Trojans Have Needs To Fill
The Trojans might have thought for a brief period of time that they would get some of their prime stars back for 2017. Make no mistake, there is a lot of returning talent, but USC’s offensive line will need to replace multiple dependable starters. That was always going to be the case. The hope for USC was that its best athletes on both offense and defense would stay. There was thought to be a chance for defensive back Adoree Jackson and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to return. However, both players declared for the NFL Draft. Therefore, USC will have to make some adjustments in terms of its offense. It will want to get top receivers and defensive backs on National Signing Day to provide quality depth. The recruiting need is always there on a general level, but it’s a little more acute for USC in 2017.
The Oregon Ducks Face Troubles On Its Coaching Staff
There was a stir caused when three Oregon football players had to receive medical care after strenuous offseason workouts under the new strength coach brought in by new head coach Willie Taggart. That strength coach was suspended for a period of time, but not fired. However, the drama was not over in Eugene. Oregon’s co-offensive coordinator, passing game coordinator David Reaves, was arrested for DUI (driving under the influence) and subsequently fired. This is a disruption that will force Taggart to have to look for a replacement instead of diving into the process of coaching his players and getting his new system installed. Co-offensive coordinator Mario Cristobal is the running game coordinator for Oregon. He might be given more responsibilities, but chances are the Ducks have to add another staffer based on how Taggart has structured his staff. Will any recruits be turned away on National Signing Day by this series of events, including athletes having to go to the hospital?
The Texas Tech Red Raiders Lose Legacy Recruit
When four-star defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko came to Texas Tech, it seemed that he was going to stick with the program. His two older brothers had gone to the school, so it appeared that the Red Raiders were getting an anchor on the defensive line which they needed. However, earlier this month, Fehoko decided to transfer out of the program. That leaves behind a big gap on the line and on the depth chart. This is a program in trouble because it needs to find some reinforcements on defense on National Signing Day, yet has less depth with this development.
The Arizona State Sun Devils, Kentucky Wildcats And Pitt Panthers Have The Biggest Remaining Gaps On Their Coaching Staffs
The reality of changes in coaching staffs creates adjustments head coaches have to make with filling vacancies they didn’t expect. Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee unexpectedly left, so head coach Gus Malzahn had to hire Chip Lindsey from Arizona State. This leaves the Sun Devils and Todd Graham without an offensive coordinator. That could harm recruiting. Colorado lost its defensive coordinator to Oregon and hired Kentucky’s defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot. Now the Wildcats have to fill that spot. Pittsburgh lost offensive coordinator Matt Canada to LSU. It still hasn’t replaced Canada. That is an urgent need. These matters have to be addressed before National Signing Day.
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