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Sutherland

I've re-evaluated my view of Tim Skipper. I try to be restrained with criticism, so I supposed buried here in a thread about a de-committed TE is a good place to only speak to serious UNLVfb fans...

First, (and I see now others here have made the same point...) how ugly would last season's defense have looked without Rayshad Jackson showing up during the summer. That Florida pipeline would be 3 years removed now and had likely dried up.

Second, notice that none of the five Skipper commits for the '20 class made the final cut? Looking at that group now and the other "targets" that were in the picture, it's looking like the '20 defensive class would have been another weak one. They were:
  • DB Justin Pinkney - sounded impressive because of the Auburn "offer", but he was one of 66 DB/ATH '20 players that announced Auburn offers, and only five of them signed; all five were 4-star recruits.
  • OLB Iopu Tauiliili - no offers other than UNLV
  • CB Kobe Jenkins - no offers other than UNLV; I believe Jenkins is the son of one of Skipper's friends and former teammates.
  • OLB Jabaz Myles - signed with FCS Ark-Pine Bluff; only other offer Northwestern State
  • DT Tai Tuinei - no offers other than UNLV
Pinkney is the only one in that group that would have been in the top 10 of signed players (247Sports would have had him at #6).

Agree...

There were injuries on defense. Would be unfair not to mention it. But there were bad losses before the attrition kicked in.

Best defensive performances of the year were against Vandy and SDSU, both of whom were in the 100s in total offense. Hawaii was a solid showing but the defense bled a ton of yards in that game. To their credit they kept UH out of the endzone.

I'm not sure another year would have changed what we were seeing.
 
Bull - you kind of proved my point when you referred to losing Jackson. Rayshad Jackson was a low 3 star rated player out of high school who was a graduate transfer from Florida who by himself made a huge impact for UNLV in one season. We now have a hand full of high level 3* players. We also have Adam Plant who was a high 3* rated player from TCU who has the potential to have a much bigger impact than Jackson. UNLV had a bad defense in the past because they had undersized and slower players being outclassed by the offense of the other team, with the improvements in size and speed, that will change. One or two skilled players could totally change the dynamic of the UNLV defense and make it much harder for other teams to burn us on a regular basis on third and long.

I get that but Jackson was a grad transfer. He was mature, 21 or 22 year old man. Not an 18 year old fresh out of high school. There is a huge difference. It's a big reason why many coaches like to red shirt guys a year to develop.

If I want an immediate turn around or improvement, give me a bunch of 'Low' 3* guys that are juniors or seniors with playing time (like Jackson) over a bunch of 'high' end 3* freshman.

If we're talking down the road, sure I want the higher rated players, with more supposed upside.

I like the types of players we brought in. Definitely an upgrade, but asking true freshman to turn around a defense immediately is a lot to ask...

Not saying they can't, but there will likely be growing pains if a lot of true freshman are forced to play major roles.

I try not to get wrapped up in stars. Viramontes was one of UNLVs highest recruits ever and struggled to see the field. (For whatever reason)

I'm optimistic about the future, I'm just not sure the defense will suddenly turn around. Its definitely possible. Just a lot to ask..

Hopefully practices will be open..Get a better feel during Spring.
 
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We signed some players with few offers also. But they played on high level teams with strong leagues providing good opposition. Personally, I think there are hundreds if not thousands of athletes who could play if they were in a good high school program, surrounded by high level athletes that make them better. Unfortunately, coaches can't see everyone, they defer to their high school coaching network. I hope our staff has great high school contacts. That is where it starts. Stars are for fans, speed, agility, two sport athletes are what we need.,
 
We signed some players with few offers also. But they played on high level teams with strong leagues providing good opposition. Personally, I think there are hundreds if not thousands of athletes who could play if they were in a good high school program, surrounded by high level athletes that make them better. Unfortunately, coaches can't see everyone, they defer to their high school coaching network. I hope our staff has great high school contacts. That is where it starts. Stars are for fans, speed, agility, two sport athletes are what we need.,
We had a good high school recruiter very briefly but we lost him to Oregon.
 
Hey Trip, does that mean they should all just stop working out? It was a one in a million shot for a kid with a hidden heart issue. Hank Gathers comes to mind but obviously that was fatal.
That kind of intensity will expose the major weakness
 
I like that kind of intensity. Back when Tark was still roaming the sideline, you see players run in 110 degrees heat all over campus.
 
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