How do feel about your class? Who will make the biggest early impact? Any late surprises to the class?

This one will sound like a loaded question or a flame and to be fair, I guess it is loaded but how do you feel about so many juco's in this class? Is it too many? Are you at all concerned or do you think it's needed to fill the needs in 2013? I think the talent is there (or will be after this class) at most spots but it just needs developing. My personal preference would be to struggle with FR or younger developing players than I would with a bunch of juco's. 2 or so, no problem especially if your just plugging a hole or two to compete for a title but when you're rebuilding, rebuild. Thinking longer term seems more prudent.

Again, no flame meant and sorry for the loaded question but I wanted to get your honest thoughts on the subject.

Of course it is a flaming question but we recognize and accept it for what it is. You would say the same if we came to the bama board and asked. I have no problem with the JUCO`s if they can compete; that`s all I want from any recruit. Some of these have 3 years eligibility left so that helps. Bama fans haven`t had a problem with JUCO`s in the past to fill a need so why should we. I agree that long term is better but in some cases you fill needs and then try to look to the future as well.  

We have been signing 4 and 5 star 'long term' recruits in the last few years.   Many have not panned out.   Our jucos have panned out.   We were also heavy in the frosh/soph classes so jucos in the right spots are OK by me.   

This post was edited on 1/28 3:56 PM by Sanctions Stand

I may be wrong, but I think the juco signing is a short-term tactical deal and not a long-term cultural change in recruiting philosophy. We played with 75 % sophomores and freshmen last season, and you cannot survive in this league doing that unless the other 25 % are NFL material or veteran offensive and defensive linemen. I suspect our staff is shoring up some critical needs and/or defected areas: QB (Moseley), RB (Dyer), OG (Westerman), DT, LB (Bates/Evans), and DB (Bell) in this signing class and will revert to signing high school talent in 2014. I would like to see us ink a juco WR, such as Markeith Ambles or Jatavius Stewart. We have only one receiver returning with more than 10 catches. 

The 3 year guys aren't a bad deal at all, I agree.

With so many FR and SO's last year, bringing in so many juco's may also create another bubble like you guys had in 2010 with all the SR's and a few JR's leaving. You can manage that to some degree with red shirting and by making sure you have guys who stick in this class and the next one. I also would go easy on juco's next year.

The jucos were at a position of need. Linebackers, quarterbacks, and safeties have been horrible the last two years. I think we have talent at defensive line but they underachieved last year. I also like Tre Mason, but we probably needed a bigger running back size wise. That accounts for most of the jucos.

To your point ohs, Blakely leaving created a need at RB depth as well.

Does anyone know the story on Blakely? Why he left?