Before diving into some specifics, was curious if people's opinion on taking JUCOs has changed much over the past couple of years and what JUCOs (position, personality, etc) do you prefer KU takes going forward?
When it comes to JUCOs, I think these guys put under the microscope much more than other prospects. I think that could be due to a number of things - their background, their hit/miss rate, the fact they have only a couple of years to produce before they move on, and a lot more.
Now given our current roster, and the past few years, I think perception about JUCOs have taken a hit. I think some of it is definitely justified - if we take double-digit JUCOs again in a future class I think people will (and understandably so...as I will be one of them...) lose it. But JUCOs are vital to the success of KU. JUCOs provide a way of getting kids to KU that they can't typically get in addition to the idea that they will fill spaces of immediate need.
In particular, I am a big fan of JUCO defensive lineman. KU has had some success here and again they provide us with guys we aren't typically able to get. I think this perception may have been biased some recently with the additions of Marquel Combs, Chris Martin, and Andrew Bolton. But there have also been some success recently with guys like Junior Tavai, Tedarian Johnson, and Keon Stowers. Historically it hasn't been that bad either with the likes of Charlton Keith, Jermial Ashley, Wayne Wilder, and Rodney Allen.
Going forward, I am hoping we target a DL or two per year from the JUCO ranks. A JUCO DB when needed. A JUCO OL as well when needed. And any other type of recruit that we can't typically get. I am hoping we soon get past the times of taking a JUCO guy to fill a need and take them more because they are guys we can't typically get from the HS ranks. That will likely take a few years, but at the same time some of the JUCO guys I see us taking are on the DL, a safety, and OL for the 2017 class.
What I hope most will be supportive of going forward is that taking JUCOs isn't a bad thing. Don't be careless like we have been the past few years, but also remember we have landed some quality JUCOs recently and historically.
When it comes to JUCOs, I think these guys put under the microscope much more than other prospects. I think that could be due to a number of things - their background, their hit/miss rate, the fact they have only a couple of years to produce before they move on, and a lot more.
Now given our current roster, and the past few years, I think perception about JUCOs have taken a hit. I think some of it is definitely justified - if we take double-digit JUCOs again in a future class I think people will (and understandably so...as I will be one of them...) lose it. But JUCOs are vital to the success of KU. JUCOs provide a way of getting kids to KU that they can't typically get in addition to the idea that they will fill spaces of immediate need.
In particular, I am a big fan of JUCO defensive lineman. KU has had some success here and again they provide us with guys we aren't typically able to get. I think this perception may have been biased some recently with the additions of Marquel Combs, Chris Martin, and Andrew Bolton. But there have also been some success recently with guys like Junior Tavai, Tedarian Johnson, and Keon Stowers. Historically it hasn't been that bad either with the likes of Charlton Keith, Jermial Ashley, Wayne Wilder, and Rodney Allen.
Going forward, I am hoping we target a DL or two per year from the JUCO ranks. A JUCO DB when needed. A JUCO OL as well when needed. And any other type of recruit that we can't typically get. I am hoping we soon get past the times of taking a JUCO guy to fill a need and take them more because they are guys we can't typically get from the HS ranks. That will likely take a few years, but at the same time some of the JUCO guys I see us taking are on the DL, a safety, and OL for the 2017 class.
What I hope most will be supportive of going forward is that taking JUCOs isn't a bad thing. Don't be careless like we have been the past few years, but also remember we have landed some quality JUCOs recently and historically.
