It’s still far too soon to get a complete idea of how the 2008 class turned out, through Grambling got important early contributions from a trio of youngsters on offense.
Good thing: GSU had worn down up front in 2007, losing its final three games. That made second-year GSU coach Rod Broadway’s mission clear as the following National Signing Day approached: Offensive linemen.
Grambling signed three from Louisiana – including Marksville’s Demetrius Porter and Darius Rose and Julian Wyndon, both of Captain Shreve – along with Georgia product Sanford Banks and Alabama native Quint Roberts. Also added were behemoths Chris Beardon, a 6-8, 300-pounder out of Georgia; and Greg McGrue, a 6-8, 260-pound Alabama native.
This focus up front meant that 15 of Grambling 21 signees in 2008 were on offense, with just 6 on defense.
In this way, Broadway took a different approach than his predecessor, signing a smaller, more targeted class. He said he wanted depth a several positions, most notably on the offensive line, and the class perfectly mirrored that focus.
McGrue and Roberts immediately started, and should remain a pivotal part on a GSU offensive line that finished on the uptick in 2008.
Grambling signed five receivers, and saw immediate contributions from Van Phillips – who, like McGrue and Roberts, is another in a long line of Alabama recruits to make important contributions to the program.
GSU also signed six other defenders, three up front and three more at linebacker and defensive back, but none have yet seen the field.
Justin Higgins, the celebrated Rayville, La., quarterback, is expected to compete at that position, though sophomore Greg Dillon – an MVP in the season-ending Bayou Classic and SWAC Championship games in 2008 – enters the spring as the starter.
Higgins earned District 1-3A MVP honors in 2007, passing for 2,100 yards while running for another 1,000.
What I said about them on signing day in 2008:
Greg McGrue, 6-8, 260, Huffman (Birmingham, Ala.) HS: A two-star Scout.com prospect, and ranked No. 34 overall in Alabama by Rivals.
Van Phillips Jr., 6-2, 205, Shades Valley (Irondale, Ala.) HS: Lettered in four sports; tight end as a sophomore, he then switched to receiver.
Quint Roberts, 6-6, 325, Anniston (Ala.) HS: Member of one of the top Alabama prep lines; participated in the 2007 Atlanta NIKE Rivals.com Combine.
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