Locksley says they thank a number of people on campus for their help with selling the university and helping recruit this class. Also mentions this class isn't finished yet.
Says the two major areas that were addressed were the pass rush and at WR. Felt they hit the mark with both of those needs and this class offers a lot of balance. Says while they want to keep the top players home, getting the right players is most important. Also says the Mid-Atlantic in general is their footprint and they recruited the entire Mid-Atlantic well including North Carolina.
Says 8 players will early enroll and some will take part in bowl prep.
Considers this another foundational class with the numbers due to COVID. Says they now expect to lose at least 1/3 of the roster every year now between the NFL and the portal.
They will continue to search for o-linemen whether they be through the portal or hs prospects as that remains a need.
They wanted to add some athletic, fast-twitch guys at the rush edge. Says the guys they are bringing in are extremely athletic and Rico Walker could possibly even come in and play immediately at LB. Says Walker will start at the TE side but if he can help as an edge rusher they will try to use him there but his flexibility helps the program.
Says the last 48 hours get crazy. One thing he says to help close is that while others sell fluff, he sells relationships and they will make them the best versions of themselves.
Says this area used to be under recruited but that isn't the case any longer. Says this area has some of the best youth football in the country and then you look at Caleb Williams winning the Heisman and he's from this area.
Locks is rockin' a red and green checked sport coat and says he's trying to step up his game to be on the list of top 50 coaches with swag. lol
Says they aren't bringing in guys to sit. They want to bring in guys who want to compete and come in and play early and can hopefully do that. But they also aren't going to just throw someone out there who isn't ready.
Says the goal is to build this program through high school recruiting classes. They will fill in needs through the portal, but he does not want half the class to be from the portal each year. Says you need to bring in mostly high school prospects in order to have the type of team culture he wants to have.
Says the two major areas that were addressed were the pass rush and at WR. Felt they hit the mark with both of those needs and this class offers a lot of balance. Says while they want to keep the top players home, getting the right players is most important. Also says the Mid-Atlantic in general is their footprint and they recruited the entire Mid-Atlantic well including North Carolina.
Says 8 players will early enroll and some will take part in bowl prep.
Considers this another foundational class with the numbers due to COVID. Says they now expect to lose at least 1/3 of the roster every year now between the NFL and the portal.
They will continue to search for o-linemen whether they be through the portal or hs prospects as that remains a need.
They wanted to add some athletic, fast-twitch guys at the rush edge. Says the guys they are bringing in are extremely athletic and Rico Walker could possibly even come in and play immediately at LB. Says Walker will start at the TE side but if he can help as an edge rusher they will try to use him there but his flexibility helps the program.
Says the last 48 hours get crazy. One thing he says to help close is that while others sell fluff, he sells relationships and they will make them the best versions of themselves.
Says this area used to be under recruited but that isn't the case any longer. Says this area has some of the best youth football in the country and then you look at Caleb Williams winning the Heisman and he's from this area.
Locks is rockin' a red and green checked sport coat and says he's trying to step up his game to be on the list of top 50 coaches with swag. lol
Says they aren't bringing in guys to sit. They want to bring in guys who want to compete and come in and play early and can hopefully do that. But they also aren't going to just throw someone out there who isn't ready.
Says the goal is to build this program through high school recruiting classes. They will fill in needs through the portal, but he does not want half the class to be from the portal each year. Says you need to bring in mostly high school prospects in order to have the type of team culture he wants to have.
