How I'd like to see us close out the C/O 2026

[jvols1999]

OL Micah Smith
IDL Jaylen Thomas (JUCO)
IDL Carter Gooden
SDE Jordan Carter
Edge Dre Quinn

....and a reclassified RB David Gabriel George

Thoughts?

Cc: @allvolrecruiting

Updating this with more of a 11/21 board:

IOL G'Nivre Carr (OV 11/29)
IOL Micah Smith
OT Joseph Muya (OV 11/29 - tentative)
IDL Jaylen Thomas (OV 11/29)
IDL JJ Finch
IDL Nic Simmons (OV 11/29)
Edge/SDE Jordan Carter
Edge/SDE Carter Gooden (OV 11/29)
RB Amari Latimer

 

[jvols1999]

Looking like we have a great chance to land ALL of Finch, Carter, Simmons and Gooden. And in turn not taking Thomas. Even signing 3 of those 4 would be an incredible close at make for one of the best front 4 hauls (and front 7 when including the two Top 75 LBs Rouse and White) in a very long time. We'll absolutely still need to add 2-3 IDL from the portal because with losing 20/51/90/42 you need to add experience, grown man strength, and talent that's ready to play right away. Bolt this high school front 4 class and a bigtime portal haul onto elite returning talent like 18/9/39 at SDE, 29/31/44 at Edge, and 5/94/17/47/99 and you're right back to having a 2024-level DL

At the same time, also looking like we'll miss on ALL of Carr, Smith and Muya on the OL. I would have liked to have added one of the first two as I think we need to keep adding stud IOL and both of those profile as such. That said, the class of Osenda/Blair/Baker is very good and keeps building on the classes of 24/25

I don't really care one way or the other on Latimer. I don't think he moves the needle for 2026 even if 2 portals, as I think you're more than fine with 18/19/20 and a Star Thomas-type portal add (i.e., a cheap experienced guy with a high floor).

 

[SmyrnaATLVolisback]

Looking like we have a great chance to land ALL of Finch, Carter, Simmons and Gooden. And in turn not taking Thomas. Even signing 3 of those 4 would be an incredible close at make for one of the best front 4 hauls (and front 7 when including the two Top 75 LBs Rouse and White) in a very long time. We'll absolutely still need to add 2-3 IDL from the portal because with losing 20/51/90/42 you need to add experience, grown man strength, and talent that's ready to play right away. Bolt this high school front 4 class and a bigtime portal haul onto elite returning talent like 18/9/39 at SDE, 29/31/44 at Edge, and 5/94/17/47/99 and you're right back to having a 2024-level DL

At the same time, also looking like we'll miss on ALL of Carr, Smith and Muya on the OL. I would have liked to have added one of the first two as I think we need to keep adding stud IOL and both of those profile as such. That said, the class of Osenda/Blair/Baker is very good and keeps building on the classes of 24/25

I don't really care one way or the other on Latimer. I don't think he moves the needle for 2026 even if 2 portals, as I think you're more than fine with 18/19/20 and a Star Thomas-type portal add (i.e., a cheap experienced guy with a high floor).

We likely retain our starting five on OL and have depth. If depth leaves, then portal for more proven players.

 

[jvols1999]

We likely retain our starting five on OL and have depth. If depth leaves, then portal for more proven players.

Getting Lance Heard back would be a huge win.

 

[ndubvols]

Getting Lance Heard back would be a huge win.

We likely retain our starting five on OL and have depth. If depth leaves, then portal for more proven players.

I’d be surprised if Heard returned. Feels like going to the draft was the plan from the get go when he transferred here based on AP and other’s comments. 2nd round in most mocks