Okay so then here's another question...
Yes we have 25 spots. But we have so much quality athletic depth on the d-line right now, shouldn't we take that scholarship and use it for as low as a 3star offensive lineman instead? I mean we lose 4 of them next year... we don't lose any D'Linemen. And offensive line was our weakness last year. There is a good chance we will be getting Tyler Moore, Ryne Reeves, and Dylan Admire (who has us high and was blown away on his visit) I think we get those 3 for sure. I know Derek Farniok really wants to play for NU, but has not yet received an offer... the kid is huge though... 6'9" 320. And Jacob Welter is a huge NU fan, he is specifically working hard out in Cali hoping to get an NU offer. He's 6'5" 280 and is said to be getting a lot of DI looks lately. So there's 2 kids with the size to come to NU and passion to come to NU... they are a sure get if NU offers them. I think we will end up losing Garrett Greenlea and Christian Westerman to UT... but with the offers we have out now, we have a guaranteed 5 guys we could get if we wanted all of them. It's only February. That says a lot!!
Our recruiting to replace the 4 we lose after this year is done. It was done in the 2009 and 2010 class. Very rarely does a freshman have an imediate impact - especially on the lines, so what we will be recruiting for the 11 class will be projected 2-3 years out. In this years class we need to be thinking about replacing Caputo (Reeves), Hardrick (Moore), M. Jones. Our Current sophmore class has no real contributers yet. The RFr. class has QVale and Sirles that should be contributing this year. A-Rod and Moudy will fit into this as well. Depth on the offensive line is imporant, but we are past worrying about the 4 we lose this year and we have a lot of quality OL that have been in the program for a year or more. With that sophmore class being small on OL, it means this class doesn't have to be that big. I say we stick with 3-4, unless a difference maker (westerman) wants on board.
Anyone know how quick Farniok is? IMHO, as our offense migrates towards a more run based attack with QB's who will be moving outside of the pocket - we'll be looking for quicker, more mobile offensive linemen. The days of parking a fat-a$ at guard to pass block in his 3 foot radius is over, and Farnoik is huge. Dobson could probably get him down to 310 lean him out a bit though.
As for DT. We'll be losing Stein, Moore, & Crick when this class comes in. In their place will be Guy & Rome, but after that there isn't much else in-waiting at DT. Some of the other guys like Pensick & Randle are kind of small. We are definately stocked at DE, so maybe someone will move inside? You've got to assume some of our DT recruits will be busts, so it looks to me like we actually might be a little thin at DT.
Regardless, always take a difference maker. I don't care what position it is, if they can have an impact Pelini will make room. He'll fill the spots we have needs at, and if a couple of stars want to join us then we find a way to fit em in.