With the news that KU has missed out on Trevor Lacey and signed Jamari Traylor, many Jayhawk fans are upset with this season's recruiting results, as well as the future of the team. Despite missing out on Lacey and potentially losing DeAndre Daniels to Texas, Kansas has a recruiting class most schools would envy. Let's also not forget that the Jayhawks have a pretty good team returning as well.
Many fans feel KU's recent recruiting class is weak and not up to Jayhawk standards, but Bill Self and his staff should be commended for the job they have done. Self was able to land yet another five star prospect in Ben Mclemore, and also added a four star point guard in Naadir Tharpe. Both could contribute next season, and have the potential to develop into great players. The Jayhawks also needed to add some depth in the post, and Self was able to sign three star prospects Braedon Anderson and Jamari Traylor. With the success assistant coach Danny Manning has had developing bigs, KU fans should be excited about grabbing big men with high ceilings that could develop into future contributors. At the very least, KU added some much-needed depth to the post.
Kansas also has several open scholarships available for the 2012 class, and now has a lot of time to start recruiting the best prep talent in the country. In the past, Self has landed monster classes when he has had playing time to offer, and there is no reason to think that Kansas won't bring in a top recruiting class next year. A strong class next season, plus the talent joining Kansas this fall, should give Kansas a great building block for the future.
The Jayhawks are also returning several experienced players and should contend for another Big 12 championship next season. Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson have proven they can perform at a high level, and their veteran presence will be key for the Jayhawks. KU also returns guard Elijah Johnson and Travis Releford who have shown flashes of brilliance at times. Kansas certainly has talent, as well as players who have logged quite a few minutes in a Jayhawk uniform. The situation next year is quite different than the 2005-2006 season, when Kansas was forced to play several inexperienced freshman and sophomores and experience growing pains.
It is easy to get caught up in the recruiting hype surrounding the prep stars, but Kansas fans need not worry. Their team will be a force to be reckoned with - both next season and into the future - no matter whom the Jayhawks sign.