Early Look at 2016 IUFB Commits Roundup

[benfaunce 99]

So, you guys have had an opportunity to get a sneak peak at the crop of early commitments to the 2016 class. Granted, they still have an entire senior season of football to play, and like we saw last season - with Tommy Stevens (QB) flipping to Penn State and Titus Booker (RB) to Wisconsin after huge senior years - we don't know what we have quite yet.

 

But with what we know now, who are you guys most excited to see as future Hoosiers? Where do you think Wilson needs to focus on over the next five months of recruiting? 

 

I think the two most exciting verbals so far are the JUCO safety Jayme Thompson (the former four-star prospect and Ohio State player) and running back Cole Gest. I think Thompson has a chance to push for playing time right away, and I see Gest as being a great fit for Kevin Wilson's zone blocking scheme, which attracts the big play backs. 

 

So let's hear what you all think.

 

 

Here's links to the three articles on the 10 early commits:

 

Offensive Skill:

https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/football/recruiting/early-look-at-2016-iufb-commits-offensive-skil-r170

 

Secondary:

https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/football/recruiting/early-look-at-2016-iufb-commits-secondary-r174

 

Defensive Line:

https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/football/recruiting/early-look-at-2016-iufb-commits-defensive-line-r176

 

 

 

I'll continue to give updates on this current crop of committed players throughout the entire season. There's still a lot of development to be made with these players in their final high school seasons.

[ThompsonHoosier 3,416]

To be honest, it's hard to get excited about any of the 2016 commits so far. Except for JUCO safety Jayme Thompson, none of the current commits really stand out to me. I know the staff does a great job of developing guys but it would be nice to land a 4-star here and there. And although some people don't really believe in rankings, they are there for a reason. It's still early in the process and I'm hoping a good season attracts some of the 4-star recruits our way.

[BabyJandJDaddy 139]

To be honest, it's hard to get excited about any of the 2016 commits so far. Except for JUCO safety Jayme Thompson, none of the current commits really stand out to me. I know the staff does a great job of developing guys but it would be nice to land a 4-star here and there. And although some people don't really believe in rankings, they are there for a reason. It's still early in the process and I'm hoping a good season attracts some of the 4-star recruits our way.

Do you think there is some validity to the idea that other coaches are you using the idea of Coach Wilson being on the hot seat as a bargaining chip?  Is that potentially why some recruits have selected other schools?

[boog23 134]

Do you think there is some validity to the idea that other coaches are you using the idea of Coach Wilson being on the hot seat as a bargaining chip?  Is that potentially why some recruits have selected other schools?

 

Ding, ding, ding.  It's been reported that a couple of coaches in the B1G who have gotten commits that we were good with (you've gotta figure that out if you don't know who I'm talking about) have used Wilson's contract situation against us.  The line of "why go there when you don't know who your coach will be in a season or two" has been floated around our program by rival coaches.

[ThompsonHoosier 3,416]

Do you think there is some validity to the idea that other coaches are you using the idea of Coach Wilson being on the hot seat as a bargaining chip?  Is that potentially why some recruits have selected other schools?

I think that Wilson's contract has a little bit to do with it. I think it also has to do with our lack of success on the field. Yeah we've had some tough breaks (The Minnesota game a few seasons ago, Sudfeld last season, etc.), but at what point do recruits stop believing in the product you're creating? Bottom line is this is a very very important season for Wilson and the entire football program. We make a bowl game, extend Wilson's contract and recruiting will pick up; plus this staff always seems to flip one or two good commitments at the end of the season. But if we under perform again, no extension for Wilson, bottom of the Big Ten recruiting class, and we head to the 2017 season with a lot of uncertainty.

[boog23 134]

I think that Wilson's contract has a little bit to do with it. I think it also has to do with our lack of success on the field. Yeah we've had some tough breaks (The Minnesota game a few seasons ago, Sudfeld last season, etc.), but at what point do recruits stop believing in the product you're creating? Bottom line is this is a very very important season for Wilson and the entire football program. We make a bowl game, extend Wilson's contract and recruiting will pick up; plus this staff always seems to flip one or two good commitments at the end of the season. But if we under perform again, no extension for Wilson, bottom of the Big Ten recruiting class, and we head to the 2017 season with a lot of uncertainty.

If CKW doesn't get extended this off season, we'll probably be seeing a new head coach in Bloomington next year.

[benfaunce 99]

In order for Wilson to keep his job, I think he needs to start proving that he can finish the 'should win' games. Each season he has failed to win a key game in the 4th quarter. Bowling Green last season. Minnesota and Navy in 2013. Ball State, Michigan State, and again Navy in 2012. Virginia, North Texas and Penn State in 2011. 

 

While winning each of those games should not be an expectation, dropping every single one of them is borderline unacceptable. When looking back over the last three seasons, only three times was Wilson able to pull out a close game. In 2012, Indiana State (which shouldn't have been close) and a below average Iowa team. And then, of course, Wilson's only good win of his career at a ranked Missouri team last season.

 

So looking at this year's schedule, Wilson needs to win some key home games when recruits are visiting. This will both keep his job and help bring in some better talent. I see Rutgers and Iowa as the two big must-win games for Wilson this season in order to get that extension and help sign an extra four or five higher rated recruits.