It’s never too early to go shopping.

Johnson C. Smith’s football wish list is simple: Recruit players who can improve on a 3-7 campaign, especially when it improves depth in critical areas like quarterback and offensive and defensive lines. Some areas, like linebacker and running back, are stocked with young talent that is putting JCSU coach Kermit Blount’s stamp on the program.

The following is based on observation of performance and classification of rotation players as well as long-term prospects. Each position group is assigned a recruiting priority grade from l (lowest) to 5 (highest).

Quarterback: 5
No doubt this is going to dominate the recruiting board. The Golden Bulls averaged 134.3 yards per game, near the bottom of the CIAA. Losing Jordan Lane with a broken leg in the third game set off a chain of events that highlighted the need for depth at the position.

As a team, JCSU completed 43.9 percent of its passes, which isn’t going to put much fear in defenses. Don’t be surprised if Blount pushes for a junior college transfer who has a grasp of the pro-style offense he prefers.

Offensive line: 4
The problems at quarterback were rivaled only by injuries that decimated JCSU’s already-thin line rotation.

The left side is manned by sophomores Darrol Hall at tackle and Da’Quan Brown at guard. Jordan Shaw, who was pressed into duty at right tackle when the injury wave hit, will return to center for his senior campaign with Keyon Handley graduating.

If Blount can land more recruits like tackle Raqwon Niles, a 6-4, 315-pound freshman who earned honorable mention all-CIAA, the Golden Bulls are heading in the right direction.

Receivers: 2
This group had relatively few chances to shine with the issues at quarterback, but there’s good potential.

Junior Eugene Holmes led JCSU with 24 receptions for 305 yards, while junior Gabe Yuille (19 catches, 258 yards), who was forced into quarterback duties over the final two weeks, scored a team-high four receiving touchdowns. Senior Roderick Carter has another season of eligibility and sophomore Demarcus Berry had the best yards-per-catch average with 17.6 on 12 receptions.

Running back: 3
Freshman Braxton Gambrell was a revelation when given an opportunity, earning CIAA all-rookie honors and second-team all-conference as a kick returner with 24 for 561 yards.

Gambrell led JCSU in rushing with 92 carries for 345 yards and a couple of scores. He also proved handy as a receiver, catching 22 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Gambrell excelled on special teams .

Sophomores Desean Binyard (61 carries, 244 yards, 2 TDs) and Tromecio Summers were limited by injuries and will have to compete for touches in 2017.

Defensive line: 5
You know there’s a problem when only one lineman is among the top 10 tacklers on a defense that allowed an average of 213.6 yards rushing per game.  

Some of those issues could be addressed with more seasoning for tackles Marcus Bullock, Rashad Burney (26 tackles) and Bryant Wilson, but the Golden Bulls also need defenders who can improve on an anemic 12 sacks in 2016.

Defensive end Jamaal Tutt managed 1.5 sacks while battling injuries, but Joe Jones flashed some potential with 23 tackles and a pair of sacks.

Linebacker: 2
Youth didn’t prevent this group from putting in a solid season.

Freshman middle linebacker David Francis earned a spot on the CIAA all-freshman team and honorable mention all-conference with 48 tackles (26 solo) stops.
Sophomores Kennan Jones and Marcel Toran tallied 45 and 28 tackles respectively. Tahj Spivey, another sophomore, added 19 tackles in limited duty.

Secondary: 3
How can a seven-interception season qualify as an off year? When you’re all-CIAA safety Carlo Thomas, who led the nation with 12 picks in 2015.
Thomas, who was second among Golden Bulls with 69 tackles while leading JCSU with seven passes defensed, will return to anchor a veteran defensive backfield.
Sophomore Basir Wright, a second-team all-conference pick, led JCSU with 77 tackles and Kahj Huitt added another 54 stops. A better pass rush can only benefit this experienced group.

Special teams: 3
Freshman walk-on Brandon Howard may have earned himself a scholarship by converting 4-of-8 field goals, including a career-best 49-yarder, the second longest in school history.

It won’t hurt to add a specialist to replace second-team all-CIAA punter Matias Lambrecht, who averaged 40.9 yard per kick.

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