Linebackers

Where art thou?

By vk on 12.18.19 6:43pm

I thought we signed an OLB?

Kiersten Lee
6-2 OLB from Marietta HS.

By Plan Man on 12.19.19 6:00am

This is a good recruiting class

In fact, we have traditionally had recruiting classes averaging solidly in the 20s. How about we parlay that into a team with a top 25 ranking? That’s what we used to do regularly. Waiting for it.

By Jeff Tarnungus on 12.19.19 1:44pm

Defensive Tackle remains a problem

Setting aside questions of talent, the Stanford roster of returning players for 2020 lists 3 freshman inside linebackers and 3 sophomore inside linebackers. It also lists 1 freshman outside linebacker, 4 sophomores, and 1 junior. There should be 4 starters somewhere in this 12.

The safety list includes 4 freshmen, 1 sophomore, 2 juniors, and 1 senior. If you add in the one incoming freshman, that means 9 players competing for 2 starting slots.

Defensive end, you have 1 freshman, 2 sophomores, 2 juniors, 1 senior, and 1 incoming freshman. Assuming Booker has one slot locked down, that leaves six fighting for the other.

That brings us to Defensive Tackle, where there is 1 returning junior and 2 incoming freshmen. Although Stanford expects to sign a few more recruits for next year, it seems like a good time to scour the transfer portal for some immediate help here.

By SU74 on 12.19.19 2:54pm

transfer portal

Has Stanford successfully recruited anyone from the transfer portal since Brennan Scarlett came in 2015? If not, why not? We’re losing a lot of people through that portal. How do we equalize the flow?

By brandtjl1 on 12.20.19 2:02pm

When Scarlett transferred

there was no portal. He was a grad transfer, which was a different program at the time (right after the 2014 season). In fact, back then, Sonny Dykes could have impeded Scarlett from transferring within the Pac-12, but did not contest the move. This is the second full season of the "portal". I don’t believe we have reeled anybody in with this player exchange: it appears to be only an exit option for Cardinal players, not an entrance vehicle.

By Jeff Tarnungus on 12.20.19 2:36pm

I think it must be pretty hard to transfer into Stanford

from an admissions POV. It makes sense to me that for us the Portal will likely be a net loser.

By Brendan Ross on 12.21.19 6:00am

Grad transfers are a tough ask.

Brennan Scarlett was a rare, fortunate fit. As a UCB undergrad, he’d had ready knowledge of Stanford grad school opportunities in his fields of academic interest and the proximity to assess them. Stanford grad school is a separate operation from the undergrad system; admissions is local to research departments and programs, not via the central admissions office which serves undergrad acceptance. Brennan had to find an academic home in order to be a transfer to LSJU. It also helped that Brennan was motivated by the freshman arrival of his brother Cam.

Stanford’s admission differs for grads versus undergrad but the filtering is fierce anyway. Plus, a defensive player has more plug-and-play opportunities than offensive players, especially QBs. This is partly why transfer Jucos are almost unknown at Stanford. Not only is Stanford an academic admissions challenge, but the Stanford offense and play book tends to require a redshirt year to learn.

Stanford senior players, who have remaining eligibility when they graduate, must have an academic grad school place to land for a 5th-year player. It’s not a given that a Stanford undergrad can find such a grad school home. Such issues are why guys will register in the transfer portal while exploring their multiple options, athletic and academic. They might find that their options are more limited than they knew. Decisions will be resolved during their exploration period.

In reading the LSJU President’s report on the University’s response to the "Operation Varsity Blues" admissions scandal, it’s clear that the Athletic Department does not have much to say about undergrad admissions. This means that Stanford is a tougher recruiting challenge than most sports fans want to believe.

Also, the NCAA Transfer Portal is new, instituted in 2018. It’s not yet a familiar process. How to navigate its processes and its repercussions is still on everyone’s learning curve.

By Candid One on 12.20.19 2:45pm

Others rate Miles Hinton

as 5-star. I am really excited about the O-line potential next year. 2 upper classmen 5 stars, a bunch of sophomores who got fabulous experience this year (and hopefully bulk and strengthen up properly over this coming year) and a bunch of would be but injured other starters.

By jafco99 on 12.22.19 12:29pm

Strong Class!

And great to see that Tanner McKee is actually going to show up. I hope that Shaw gets him ready to go soon!

I also hold out some hope for a potential graduate transfer to stay. Shaw seems to be going out of his way to be constructive on the issue – leaving the door open.

By hoyaparanoia on 12.23.19 7:00pm

Good news

5th year Scooter Harrington is staying next year.
A defensive end, Lance Keneley of Mission Viejo High School in Orange County, California, is a commitment and will sign in February. He had 13 sacks this season. He is 6’5" 220 lbs. He had 24 offers. 3-star.

By gaffman on 12.24.19 10:54am

Good interview with Shaw on 247Sports.

He’s high on this class, Tanner, the O line, and the D. Can’t hear the ?s, but his answers bring them out. Hope it comes together next season – Rose Bowl at a minimum.

https://247sports.com/college/stanford/LongFormArticle/Shaw-Talks-Early-Signees-21-QB-Timetable-Transfer-Portal—140805828/

By jafco99 on 12.26.19 7:09pm

Nice class! but..

a little weak on defense imo…. you all agree?

By Slot_Man22 on 01.15.20 5:24pm