What do we need?

[oldrunner]

All of our coaches are out on the recruiting trail right now. It's a good time to talk about what our needs are.

To me, the biggest needs, no pun intended, are in the trenches. Both lines need to be upgraded. Some of that can be addressed in recruiting but, IMHO, most will come from better conditioning and development. We could see a few transfers to bolster those positions. A good O line makes the RBs, WRs, and QBs look way better. Likewise, a good D line makes the LBs and DBs look that much better.

I feel like we have some very talented LBs and DBs in the program, but could add some depth and players for future development.

We have some good WRs in the program, but seem to lack depth. I think that will also be an area of emphasis.

Fullback is another area where we can use a transfer or at least a top recruit.

We already have commitments from high level QB, RB, and TE.

 

[Chex]

The lines need help, but I think we need receivers, too. It looks like the FG kicking game improved, but no long ones were ever attempted in close games…so a kicker may be needed…need the option of 45 plus yard FGs.

Weber State may need to find some LB help.

Lastly, everyone knows I’m not seeing Barron pan out. He is slow, makes bad judgements, gets sacked a lot, doesn’t see wide open receivers, and under throws them when he does see them. He puts the team in many 3rd and longs and that is a big reason an offense can’t move the ball consistently. He is not durable and can’t stay healthy despite a decent frame. His best game was his first and he has only digressed since. He has played enough games that you should be seeing marked improvement…not there.

Honestly, with the exception of Cantwell, Hill has not had a strong QB, and in the Big Sky, a QB is a necessity, not a luxury.

Go get a good FBS portal transfer while the new Idaho recruit is groomed. If not, the depth chart should be Weisser, Cooper, Barron, and Johnson.

I would scheme an offense designed to support Cooper’s running with quick passes before I put the same scheme from this year with Barron. At least that way, you wouldn’t have so many 3 and outs or 3rd and 20s, but I think Weisser still has the best run/pass balance.

It may sound blunt, but that is an honest viewpoint, generally you see the improvement happening if you want to build a freshman and long term QB. Really, the talent is either there or not. Cantwell only started one year, and that awesome player didn’t get enough game time to be “groomed”.

It’s not a slight on Barron, I’m sure he is a great person, but he is not the team leader type and struggles against any decent defense. He should have had 2 picks in the Northern Colorado game and the last second TD was so poorly thrown that it threw the DB off…most still would have picked it off. Basically the defense was the dominant turnover creating machine it used to be in the SUU and UNC games.

It’s the elephant in the room…new QB and new OC…neither will change in my opinion. If that is the case, get used to 4-7 to 6-5 records for the next three years or so.