What do we need in the 2018 Football Class?

The 2018 class is important.

It is Coach Brohm’s first full time recruiting class, where he starts the process and finishes it. We are thin all over. It is looking like it will be a rather large class, if presumably, guys leave the program, which seems to always happen with a coaching change.

Coach Brohm isn’t here to make friends, he has openly said that he needs guys to buy in to what he is selling. Back in March, he said 5-10 guys still haven’t truly bought in. He is here to win games, either you are in or you’re not.

So what does this all important 2018 class need? Well, a lot, quite honestly. Coach Brohm and his staff has offered a ton of players for the 2018 class so far.

Quarterback: Middle Need

On Roster: David Blough Jr (RS), Elijah Sindelar Soph, Jared Sparks Fr (RS), Nick Sipe Fr, Griffin Alstott Fr

Thoughts: Blough will be the starter for the next two years. Both Nick Sipe and Griffin Alstott were commits to the Hazell staff, Coach Brohm must have liked them as he didn’t pull their scholarships. Has Sindelar improved though? It seems as if Jared Sparks is taking over the back up quarterback role. Coach Brohm will want to recruit a guy tha the thinks can start after Blough leaves and to promote competition, he is a quarterback guy and can evaluate the position better than anyone else.

Possible 2018 Commit(s): Kevin Doyle (3*), Tanner McKee (4*)

Running Back: Low Need

On Roster: Markell Jones Jr, Tario Fuller Soph, D.J. Knox Jr, Richie Worship Soph, Brian Lankford-Johnson Soph, Jack Wegher Soph, Derrick Barnes Fr

Thoughts: This is one of our deeper positions on the entire roster. Markell Jones can contribute for the next two years, as well as many sophomores on the roster for three years. It seems as if most of these guys have game experience and should be able to help the team right away. It isn’t as important to get someone in 2018, but, we will get at least one guy to groom for when Markell, Tario and DJ leave.

Possible 2018 Commit(s): Trenton Kennedy (3*), Anthony Grant (3*), Kirby Bennett (3*), Donovan Marshall (3*),

Wide Receiver: High Need

On Roster: Isaac Zico Jr, Terry Wright Jr, Terrance Landers Soph, Jackson Anthrop Fr (RS), DJ Edwards Fr, Tyler Hamilton Fr, Benaiah Franklin Fr (RS), Darius Pittman Fr, Greg Phillips Sr, Anthony Mahoungou Sr

Thoughts: Coach Brohm got a couple high profile JuCo wide outs to fill the gap for a couple years. They will help tremendously to stop the gaping hole. We lost our top 4 wide outs from last year. We have a lot of youth as well, but after the two JuCo guys leave, we won’t have depth left. We will need help here, drastically.

Possible 2018 Commit(s): Rondale Moore (3*), CJ Biggins (3*), Nikko Hall (3*)

Tight End: Middle Need

On Roster: Cole Herdman Jr, Brycen Hopkins Soph, Jess Trussel Soph, Darius Pittman Fr (Maybe a WR maybe a TE)

Thoughts: We will need to bring someone in this class as Herdman will be a senior. Hopkins and Trussel will both be juniors too, so you may see 2 commits at this position. Tight end seems like a position where Brohm will recruit very versatile guys.

Possible 2018 Commit(s): Keaton Upshaw (3*), Jack Cravaack (3*)

Offensive Line: HIGHEST NEED OF THEM ALL PLEASE GET BODIES

On Roster: Tanner Hawthorne Fr (RS), Eric Swingler Jr, Grant Hermanns Fr (RS), Peyton Truitt Soph, Mike Mendez Soph, Ethan Smart Jr, Matt McCann Soph, Kirk Barron Jr, Jalen Neal Sr, Mark Stickford Fr, Viktor Beach Fr, DeShon Washington Fr

Thoughts: There are a few other walk-ons I didn’t list. I think Beach can be an impact freshman this fall. Swingler, a former walk-on will get a ton of playing time, Hermanns and McCann should shore up the tackles and Mendez is another guard. We will need to get a center in this class to be next guy up after Barron leaves. Beach has been told he could be a center for us as well.

Possible 2018 Commit(s): Trey Stratford (3*), Jimmy McKenna (3*), Will Bramel, Josh Ezeudu, Wyatt Smock, Charles Allen, Carlos Vettorello

Defensive Line: 2ND HIGHEST NEED OF THEM ALL, PLEASE GET BODIES

On Roster: Gelen Robinson Sr, Rob Simmons Jr, Kai Higgins Soph, Alex Criddle Soph, Anthony Watts Fr (RS), Eddy Wilson Jr, Lorenzno Neal Soph, Fred Brown Soph, Keiwan Jones Jr, Jalen Jackson Fr, Allen Daniels Fr, Giovanni Hightower-Reviere Fr

Thoughts: Ya, we don’t have too much here. This upcoming class is extremely important on the defensive line. Madison Norris is the pass rusher we need and deserve, he is a stud from Hamilton Southeastern. Hopefully Coach Brohm trying to fix relationships with Indiana High Schools lands us Noris and Deen. Both could be impact guys from day one. Simmons & Wilson will be really good for the next two years for us.

Possible 2018 Commit(s): Madison Norris (3*), Gavin McCabe (3*), Branson Deen (3*), Lawrence Johnson (3*)

Linebackers: Middle Need

On Roster: Ja’Whaun Bentley Sr, Garrett Hudson Sr, Danny E Sr, Sawyer Dawson Soph, Markus Bailey Soph, Semisi Fakasiieiki Fr (RS), T.J. McCollum Sr, Cornell Jones Fr, Tobias Larry Fr, Robert McWilliams Fr

Thoughts: This senior class for 2017 is realy good. But what happens when they leave? Markus Bailey is a stud and will be All-B1G, in my opinion. I do think Sawyer Dawson is talented, but is just buried on the depth chart right now, he will be able to fill in nicely. The incoming freshman class was a surprise, Coach Brohm got them on signing day or really close to it, they are all fast and athletic. I think they can be really good.

Possible 2018 Commit(s): Justice Dingle (3*), Billy Joseph (3*), Yasir Abdullah (3*)

Defensive Backs: High Need

On Roster: Navon Mosely Soph, Mike Little Soph, Da’Wan Hunte Sr, Josh Hayes Soph, Simeon Smiley Fr (RS), TJ Jallow Jr, Tim Cason Jr, Brandon Shuman Soph, Dedrick Mackey Fr, Jacob abrams Fr, Kennth Major Fr

Thoughts: We seem to always need help here. We are in dire need of some depth. Dedrick Mackey is a guy that can have an impact right away. TJ Jallow helps fill the safety hole for a couple of years, but who will play free safety? Afetr Hunte leaves, who will be number 1 corner? We have a ton of questions here, and need a multiple bodies for 2018 class. We need to get Donald Johnson, an in state highly recruited corner.

Possible 2018 Commit(s): Donald Johnson (4*), Elijah Ball (3*), Donte Burton (3*), Cory Trice

This 2018 class is so important. Coach Brohm and his staff have been working their butts off to bring in guys that fit their mold. Look for some verbal commits this summer.