Recruiting Snapshot - Northeastern State

Needs - OL, QB, WR (lost 2 second team and 1 HM All-LSC OL, QB was a weakness last year, only 1 WR with more than 9 catches expected to return)

Depth - LB, DL, DB, RB (some good players return, especially DB Mondy and RB Lewis, but need more around them)

Okay - ST (first team kicker, HM punter to return)

Outside of Josh Lewis, the whole offense needs to be replenished or upgraded. The defense looks to be in better shape, but won't get the Riverhawks to the playoffs on their own.

New coach Kenny Evans addressed the Riverhawks offensive line needs by bringing in 8 linemen, including 4 JC transfers. QB was a problem last year, but D'Marquis Wilson should provide an immediate upgrade. Wilson comes to NSU by way of the North Texas (and before that Coffeyville CC, and he originally signed with Arkansas out of HS). Kenny Davis looks like a great recruit for the future. Darrin Allen and Tristan Thomas should step right into the mix at WR. The Riverhawks return 10 of their top 13 tacklers so there wasn't a lot of immediat needs, but 8 of them will be seniors so depth and future needs were a concern. Five LBs led by Beau Beathard were signed, and 4 of the 8 linemen signed could go either offense or defense. Josh Lewis is set to return for 2 more years at RB, but 3 more RB recruits were brought in for depth.

Overall Grade B+

The most glaring needs at QB and WR were addressed, but how good will the offensive line be? The Riverhawks look to be well stocked at LB for the future, but with so many seniors on defense next fall, extra HS recruits on the defensive line and in the secondary would have been welcome.