A couple of things that can be shared:
- Dykes feels that the talent gap between Stanford and Cal is closing. He's well aware of the need to beat an in state rival and cited that it's rare that all four teams are talented at the same time which is his view of how it is today.
- Really likes the trajectory of recruiting. Spoke to the gap between offensive talent and defensive talent in recruiting. Said that he feels that star ratings are far more accurate on offense than defense simply because it's easy to evaluate a great RB/WR and QB. Much harder to evaluate a CB who is rarely thrown at. He implied that our defensive staff are getting their first choices quite a lot even though many are not highly rated. They know what they want and are finding it was his quote. Said the challenging area is DL recruiting. The most critical position on the field other than the OL and Cal needs to do a better job there. Not many stud players who are also good students making it tougher. Talked up the incoming DL class as one that he feels will be very good.
- Finally have a full time recruiting director. Only one other Pac 12 team doesn't have one and 90% of Power 5 teams have had them for years.
- Pretty happy with the budget for his assistants, though could be better. Dollars just don't stretch as far in Bay Area so they have to want to live here. Staff continues to get better and implied that will continue to be the case. Donations make up a huge part of the pay the staff receives (as much for internal political reasons as they are for the need for more total dollars)
- Talked about SDSU being a tough game this year, returning a lot of talent, long win streak, revenge factor, on the road. Also tempered it with "It's nice to play in the MWC if you want to win a lot of games" and "their OL is being rebuilt and that's a big challenge for them"
- Reiterated that OL is the strength of the team and that he's never coached on a team where the OL being good didn't lead to the offense being good.
- Says defense is bigger, faster, stronger and more athletic. Very good depth.
- He shares folks here (and made me reconsider my views) that LB is the position with the most concern in terms of depth
- I talked to five of the assistants at length and Dykes for quite awhile. Common theme that came up was managing players health. When we see a RB have a great game and yet the next game he doesn't get as many carries, that's because he's dinged up. Dykes has an approach of optimizing for freshness and healthy bodies, thus the need for depth. 4 RBs will play this year with McCrary having the early inside track on slot 4 and Echols and Clark getting their shot
- We try and hit in pads every other practice. That's way more than other teams. However, we limit it to 50 plays a practice which is far less than other teams. Dykes has tracked over the years injuries in practice and found that fatigue + hitting = injuries. He also believes that if you only hit once a week, your players bodies don't adjust and it impacts the physicality of the team. He believes we're in the top 10% in fewest injuries as a result
- Shout out to Marloshawn Franklin who he clearly believes will be a very good CB. Says they are really impressed with how athletic and tough he is. Implied that he will play early and a lot. They are clearly counting on Jordan K at MLB given depth issues. The returning LBs are ready for prime time in terms of experience, S&C and overall athleticism. The challenge? Their health.
- We will see some position switches from NB and CB to safety
- Starting QB will be decided based on scrimmage performance. Who can move the team the best when the bullets are live. Got some good insight on how each of the candidates are viewed and will be evaluated.
- Going with 8-12 WRs. 20 candidates. Deepest WR corps in country. Said Chad Hansen got a lot better in Spring and still doesn't realize how good he can be. Singleton, Robertson, Wharton and Hansen will be our burners. Wharton is healthy. This will be a far better blocking WR group
- Tempo is increasing for one reason - Goff is gone and Goff didn't like to go fast
- WR competition is fierce. Even Hansen will be fighting for reps.
- OL is set at 4 spots. Big competition is at center. Top 2 backups on OL will play a lot this year. Some young talent emerging that they really like. Jones is a stud OL coach
- Talked a lot about culture, changing it when they arrived and evolving it since. Said that is #1 reason APR has increased. Feels very good about culture today.
- Dykes was as relaxed and confident as I've seen
- Cochran has big time NFL potential, Moore will be honors candidate this year.
- Look out for Wallace as an immovable object in pass protection, they really like him
- They think Rambo has big time upside at safety. Love Trey Turner as well.
- They expect Looney to get P12 and National Honors this year.
- D Rob is 100% healthy yet they will be sensitive to hamstring
- Dykes feels that the talent gap between Stanford and Cal is closing. He's well aware of the need to beat an in state rival and cited that it's rare that all four teams are talented at the same time which is his view of how it is today.
- Really likes the trajectory of recruiting. Spoke to the gap between offensive talent and defensive talent in recruiting. Said that he feels that star ratings are far more accurate on offense than defense simply because it's easy to evaluate a great RB/WR and QB. Much harder to evaluate a CB who is rarely thrown at. He implied that our defensive staff are getting their first choices quite a lot even though many are not highly rated. They know what they want and are finding it was his quote. Said the challenging area is DL recruiting. The most critical position on the field other than the OL and Cal needs to do a better job there. Not many stud players who are also good students making it tougher. Talked up the incoming DL class as one that he feels will be very good.
- Finally have a full time recruiting director. Only one other Pac 12 team doesn't have one and 90% of Power 5 teams have had them for years.
- Pretty happy with the budget for his assistants, though could be better. Dollars just don't stretch as far in Bay Area so they have to want to live here. Staff continues to get better and implied that will continue to be the case. Donations make up a huge part of the pay the staff receives (as much for internal political reasons as they are for the need for more total dollars)
- Talked about SDSU being a tough game this year, returning a lot of talent, long win streak, revenge factor, on the road. Also tempered it with "It's nice to play in the MWC if you want to win a lot of games" and "their OL is being rebuilt and that's a big challenge for them"
- Reiterated that OL is the strength of the team and that he's never coached on a team where the OL being good didn't lead to the offense being good.
- Says defense is bigger, faster, stronger and more athletic. Very good depth.
- He shares folks here (and made me reconsider my views) that LB is the position with the most concern in terms of depth
- I talked to five of the assistants at length and Dykes for quite awhile. Common theme that came up was managing players health. When we see a RB have a great game and yet the next game he doesn't get as many carries, that's because he's dinged up. Dykes has an approach of optimizing for freshness and healthy bodies, thus the need for depth. 4 RBs will play this year with McCrary having the early inside track on slot 4 and Echols and Clark getting their shot
- We try and hit in pads every other practice. That's way more than other teams. However, we limit it to 50 plays a practice which is far less than other teams. Dykes has tracked over the years injuries in practice and found that fatigue + hitting = injuries. He also believes that if you only hit once a week, your players bodies don't adjust and it impacts the physicality of the team. He believes we're in the top 10% in fewest injuries as a result
- Shout out to Marloshawn Franklin who he clearly believes will be a very good CB. Says they are really impressed with how athletic and tough he is. Implied that he will play early and a lot. They are clearly counting on Jordan K at MLB given depth issues. The returning LBs are ready for prime time in terms of experience, S&C and overall athleticism. The challenge? Their health.
- We will see some position switches from NB and CB to safety
- Starting QB will be decided based on scrimmage performance. Who can move the team the best when the bullets are live. Got some good insight on how each of the candidates are viewed and will be evaluated.
- Going with 8-12 WRs. 20 candidates. Deepest WR corps in country. Said Chad Hansen got a lot better in Spring and still doesn't realize how good he can be. Singleton, Robertson, Wharton and Hansen will be our burners. Wharton is healthy. This will be a far better blocking WR group
- Tempo is increasing for one reason - Goff is gone and Goff didn't like to go fast
- WR competition is fierce. Even Hansen will be fighting for reps.
- OL is set at 4 spots. Big competition is at center. Top 2 backups on OL will play a lot this year. Some young talent emerging that they really like. Jones is a stud OL coach
- Talked a lot about culture, changing it when they arrived and evolving it since. Said that is #1 reason APR has increased. Feels very good about culture today.
- Dykes was as relaxed and confident as I've seen
- Cochran has big time NFL potential, Moore will be honors candidate this year.
- Look out for Wallace as an immovable object in pass protection, they really like him
- They think Rambo has big time upside at safety. Love Trey Turner as well.
- They expect Looney to get P12 and National Honors this year.
- D Rob is 100% healthy yet they will be sensitive to hamstring
