Needs assessment.
Every business, if it wants to stay in business, goes through this process at least once a year - more if it is serious about providing the best service for its customers.
That is one way fans should look at the West Virginia University football team's 2011 recruiting class.
No, you won't find the list of 16-22 if one includes the six players that elected to enroll early and will be available when head coach Bill Stewart begins his fourth, and final, spring drills with the old gold and blue in late March-listed among the Top 10 classes in the country. You won't even find it listed among the Top 50 according to Scout.com.
But, that doesn't mean the players won't help the Mountaineers return to the top of the Big East and, hopefully, lead WVU back into the national limelight.
So, does the class of 2011 meet the needs most Mountaineer fans expressed concern about following WVU's loss in the Champs Sports Bowl?
However, the early enrollment of Paul Millard and Brian Athey should help the head-coach-in-waiting install enough of his attack to make the full transition a little easier when summer drills begin in August.
Help should be on the way, however, with the signing of Russell Haughton-James and Marquis Lucas. The staff also added a little depth at the guard slots with Parkersburg's Justin Johnson and Euclid, Ohio's Brandon Jackson.
That should not be the case, however, as the pickup of junior college standouts Joshua Francis (linebacker) and Shaq Rowell (tackle) may very well be this year's Bruce Irvin. Both possess the talent to make immediate impacts.
Francis and cornerback Vance Roberts are among the six who are on campus and will participate this spring.
Added to the other six recruits, the defense should be in good order.
With the additions in other areas, WVU fans can take faith in the fact that Stewart and his staff filled those needs many felt were most important.
Contact Jim Butta at jbutta@newsandsentinel.com
