Fresno State Offensive Recruiting Grades

Fresno State Recruit Ryan Mathews

Rivals gave Fresno State's recruiting class an A. The Fresno Bee thought the Bulldogs recruiting class warranted a B+. However, the Fresno State Football Blog is the only source that takes into account what you as readers think of our recruiting class. Although Rivals is a reputable source for recruiting information, they do not consider what we as a city think of the recruits that we have brought into the program for the next four years. I realize that our opinions do not mean much when it comes to how these players perform on the field for Fresno State but we as true fans know what this team needed coming into 2007. We as true Fresno State fans know exactly what can help this team reach that level that we had become used to between the years of 2001-2005. Instead of grading the recruiting as a whole I am going to look at each position and give a grade with respect to what I know Fresno State needed to improve their team for the future.

Quarterback: The Bulldogs signed two players during the recruiting season that in time could help to solidify the QB position. The first is Matt Faulkner out of Texas. Faulkner comes from a similar system to Fresno State and looks to have all the skills that the Bulldogs covet in a QB. He is tall, has a strong arm, is patient in the pocket and can check down with respect to receivers. Tim Lang is the opposite of what we would expect at QB. He is speedy and can thrill you with the run or the throw. While Lang is an athlete chances are he will not be a QB during his time at State. Overall Grade: B-

Running Backs: Fresno State did not have a glaring need at RB with two returning RB's who will carry the load in 2007. However, they did acquire two very strong RB's in the 2007 recruiting class. Ryan Mathews led the nation in rushing as he compiled over 3300 yards and Bryson Hodges is a smaller version of Marice Jones-Drew of Jacksonville. Both will heavily contribute to Fresno State in the coming years with Mathews having a shot of making a difference right away. Overall Grade: A

Wide Receivers: Fresno State has a group of returning WR's meaning that the need for more did not concern the coaching staff. With Moore, Crawley, Ajirotutu, and West returning the Bulldogs have plenty of experience at the WR position. The 2007 recruiting class will add Matt Lindsay and Devon Wylie to the receiving corp. Lindsay however will be recovering from an injury he endured during basketball. Overall the Bulldogs did not need much with the WR position and unless they plan on using Devon Wylie at receiver often they did very little to improve this area. Overall Grade: D

Offensive Line: Fresno State's Offensive Line tends to be the one common link that keeps this offense potent regardless of how the QB's play. In 2007 the Bulldogs were able to bring in Devan Cunningham, Porter Hill, Eric Sproal, and Kyle Ranier. Each of these men have the size to play right from day one with Cunningham having the chance to become a starter as a true Freshman. Although the Bulldogs did not need to replace their line they did a fine job in finding a young nucleus that will keep the offensive line in tact for years to come. Overall Grade: A

Special Teams: Devon Wylie may be the most explosive player in the 2007 recruiting class. The Bulldogs do not have a strong kick returner and chances are Wylie will have every chance to earn this job during his first year at Fresno State. At the same time Bulldogs were able to land Kevin Goessling as the next heir apparent to Clint Stitser. Goessling comes in as a three star recruit who will more than likely redshirt and take over the kicking duties in 2008 when Stitser moves on. Overall our special teams needs someone to ignite them once again as this unit regressed in 2006. Wylie is the type of player who can add instant fire to a kick returning game that suffered in 2006. Overall Grade: A-

Fresno State's Offensive additions will only help the Dogs to become much stronger in the coming years. Tomorrow I will give my grades with respect to defensive players who are coming into the program. Overall offensively the Dogs seemed to fill most of the holes they needed to make sure they could better compete in 2007. Most of the additions to this team will be seen on defense and that is where Fresno State may have a chance to make the biggest improvement. As a whole the offensive recruits that were brought in are exactly what the Bulldogs needed with respect to speed and play making ability (Devon Wylie, Ryan Mathews). From here on we can only wait and see if these players develop the way we all hope they will.

Offensive Overall Grade: B