Blog Bag Answers: Coaches and Recruits

Here are the best answers I could find for this week’s Blog Bag. Lots of good questions on football coaches and the players they’re recruiting. Now, I have to go find a new dishwasher. Enjoy.

Q: What is the latest status on recruit QB Tyler Russell?
A: As you probably heard, he’s affirmed his desire to play for MSU, as reported by Scout.com earlier this week.

Q: Have you heard anything on recruits RB LaDarius Perkins, RB Dennis Thames and WR Chad Bumphis?
A: Nothing new yet. A lot of guys are taking visits right now, so some waiting and seeing.

Q: How about Jarvis Varnado’s ankle?
A: Varnado’s numbers were down the other night against Western Kentucky – 6 points, 1 block – but coach Rick Stansbury said that was a product of the guards shooting well. Doesn’t appear to be a serious injury.

Q: Can you tell us where you think Sylvester Croom will end up?
A: We’ve heard rumors – nothing that could be substantiated – but I expect he’ll wind up as a position coach for a college program.

Q: Any word on the last few scholarships open and if Dan Mullen may land another surprise recruit?
A: Assistant Frank Wilson, the recruiting coordinator, said, “I think our needs were identified, and even with the previous staff, that got us on the right track.” I think the biggest fish out there is Bumphis, and all things considered, that would be considered a surprise even with Mullen’s move to Starkville. I say that because before Mullen left Florida, that was Bumphis’ leading school. And the Gators just won the national title. So it’ll come down to whether Bumphis wants to be part of a program that’s winning now, or join a rebuilding one where he’ll likely get more playing time, sooner.

Q: Any updates on what the final pieces of the coaching staff will look like and who may hold what positions?
A: Now that Mullen is done at Florida, expect more hires to be announced very soon. Mullen has said position titles will be determined when everyone is in place, but if I had to guess, I’d say of the new coaches: Mark Hudspeth as passing game coordinator; Carl Torbush as defensive coordinator; Wilson as running backs coach or run game coordinator; Les Koenning … who knows. As for the holdovers, I expect we’ll see things shuffled a bit, but not drastically.

Q: When is national signing day?
A: Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Q: Florida backup QB Cameron Newton is transferring. Any chance he’ll follow Mullen?
A: He is reportedly transferring to a junior college in Texas.

Q: How does Coach Mullen feel about the offensive linemen on scholarship and in the current recruiting class?
A: I know that his offense requires athleticism from the linemen, but I don’t really know how much of that quality the current crop possesses. As for the 2009 class, he seems to be sticking with what Croom went after.

Q: When will they announce where the signing day parties are?
A: No idea.