Just as I was saying that we need to be smart what JUCOs we go after, the reverse holds true in that JUCOs need to be smart about where they go...
More and more, I have noticed some JUCOs making really bad decisions on what programs they should go to. I know some of these bigger programs have that shine to them, but a lot of these JUCO guys get stuck in the grind and find themselves in backup roles. Now there has definitely been some JUCO guys that have shined at Bama and Auburn (among others), but a good chunk of these kids don't ever see much playing time.
One position in particular I find this to be true is the offensive line, specifically guys projected to play offensive tackle. The OT spot is a huge premium for college football programs, and because of that I think the position is often over recruited at the JUCO level. In particular, consider the 2014 class of JUCO OTs as an example. This was a loaded JUCO OT class. Now consider these JUCO OTs, guys that according to the offer database had offers from KU...
Dontavius Blair - highly recruited 4 star OT that went to Tennessee, redshirted last year, one magazine I have projects him to start at RT, the our lads website doesn't have him in the two deep
Chad Mavety - highly recruited 4 star OT that went to Florida State, redshirted last year because FSU returned 4 starting OL seniors last year (why would you go there if you were a JUCO guy in that case?), both the magazine I have and the our lads website have him as projected starter at RT
Jevonte Domond - highly recruited 4 star OT that went to LSU, arrested in the offseason, not on the two deep according to the our lads website
Luke Hayes - started much of last season for KSU, but started at guard and not tackle
Kelby Johnson - played sparingly and primarily on special teams for Louisville last year, but projected to be the starting LT this year
David Hedelin - started the last half of the season for Purdue and projected to be the starter at LT this season for them
Miguel Machado - redshirted this past year at Michigan State, projected to be the backup RT this year behind a fellow junior tackle
AJ Allen - redshirted this past year at Kansas State, projected as the backup right guard for this upcoming season
Dontae Levingston - started the majority of games at RT last year for ECU and projected to be the starter this year as well
Haniteli Lousi - was a backup guard last year for Oregon and projected to be a backup guard this year
Pearce Slater - started every game last year for San Diego State, named preseason first team all Mountain West by Phil Steele
For grins, consider a couple of 2013 guys. Matt Finnin is in his senior year and projected to be the third string RT according to our lads website. Josiah St John is finally projected to be the starting LT at OU after redshirting his first year and playing behind a couple of future NFL tackles last year.
A couple of general points here. Only Pearce Slater started every game last year at tackle from this group. The next most starts was from Luke Hayes, who moved to guard. More projected to start this year, but some had to redshirt or backup in their first year on campus. Most of these guys at higher profile schools had to redshirt and/or are in backup roles.
Again, some JUCO guys pan out at bigger places, but this small sample size from a highly regarded JUCO OT class has me wondering how many of these guys regret choosing a higher profile school. A huge priority for JUCO guys is playing time now because of their limited eligibility. While I do think a majority of JUCO guys need an adjustment year, so redshirting their first year on campus isn't the end of the world, I do think many of these guys would have changed their mind about their decision should they have known this. It's a sign to me that while playing for a higher profile school has it's perks, for a JUCO with limited eligibility these spots may not be the best landing sport for guys like this...
More and more, I have noticed some JUCOs making really bad decisions on what programs they should go to. I know some of these bigger programs have that shine to them, but a lot of these JUCO guys get stuck in the grind and find themselves in backup roles. Now there has definitely been some JUCO guys that have shined at Bama and Auburn (among others), but a good chunk of these kids don't ever see much playing time.
One position in particular I find this to be true is the offensive line, specifically guys projected to play offensive tackle. The OT spot is a huge premium for college football programs, and because of that I think the position is often over recruited at the JUCO level. In particular, consider the 2014 class of JUCO OTs as an example. This was a loaded JUCO OT class. Now consider these JUCO OTs, guys that according to the offer database had offers from KU...
Dontavius Blair - highly recruited 4 star OT that went to Tennessee, redshirted last year, one magazine I have projects him to start at RT, the our lads website doesn't have him in the two deep
Chad Mavety - highly recruited 4 star OT that went to Florida State, redshirted last year because FSU returned 4 starting OL seniors last year (why would you go there if you were a JUCO guy in that case?), both the magazine I have and the our lads website have him as projected starter at RT
Jevonte Domond - highly recruited 4 star OT that went to LSU, arrested in the offseason, not on the two deep according to the our lads website
Luke Hayes - started much of last season for KSU, but started at guard and not tackle
Kelby Johnson - played sparingly and primarily on special teams for Louisville last year, but projected to be the starting LT this year
David Hedelin - started the last half of the season for Purdue and projected to be the starter at LT this season for them
Miguel Machado - redshirted this past year at Michigan State, projected to be the backup RT this year behind a fellow junior tackle
AJ Allen - redshirted this past year at Kansas State, projected as the backup right guard for this upcoming season
Dontae Levingston - started the majority of games at RT last year for ECU and projected to be the starter this year as well
Haniteli Lousi - was a backup guard last year for Oregon and projected to be a backup guard this year
Pearce Slater - started every game last year for San Diego State, named preseason first team all Mountain West by Phil Steele
For grins, consider a couple of 2013 guys. Matt Finnin is in his senior year and projected to be the third string RT according to our lads website. Josiah St John is finally projected to be the starting LT at OU after redshirting his first year and playing behind a couple of future NFL tackles last year.
A couple of general points here. Only Pearce Slater started every game last year at tackle from this group. The next most starts was from Luke Hayes, who moved to guard. More projected to start this year, but some had to redshirt or backup in their first year on campus. Most of these guys at higher profile schools had to redshirt and/or are in backup roles.
Again, some JUCO guys pan out at bigger places, but this small sample size from a highly regarded JUCO OT class has me wondering how many of these guys regret choosing a higher profile school. A huge priority for JUCO guys is playing time now because of their limited eligibility. While I do think a majority of JUCO guys need an adjustment year, so redshirting their first year on campus isn't the end of the world, I do think many of these guys would have changed their mind about their decision should they have known this. It's a sign to me that while playing for a higher profile school has it's perks, for a JUCO with limited eligibility these spots may not be the best landing sport for guys like this...
