Food for thought-maybe not so good news in recruiting

[TiderinVA]

I'm sure I'll get flamed here but I was looking at the www.theinsiders.com hot 100 and I went through almost all of the players profiles on there where it lists the schools they're interested in. Out of 100, it appears that Alabama is only listed with one player, Tommy Trott and he's supposedly an Auburn lean right now.

I know these recruiting services aren't the "gospel" and are sometimes wrong and at times, VERY wrong. I also know that things can change with these kids and let's face it, they ARE kids.

However, it's kind of worrisome that it looks like Alabama is a day late and a dollar short in the recruiting race. I'm sure Coach Shula knows more about evaluating talent than I ever will but to the outside looking in, it's discouraging.

Before anyone flames me for putting too much stock in this, think about this. It's no coincidence that LSU and USC have gone from modestly successful teams in the the last decade to 2 of the best teams in the last 2-3 years. Much of their success can be attributed to great recruiting. They both have good coaches to be sure but great recruiting played a big part also.

Even Coach Bryant once said that to make chicken salad, you have to have chicken.

OK, flame away.

 

[RollTideinGA]

I would like to see a study of how many of those Hot-100's end up being any good.

Kind of like those # 1 draft picks in the NFL that never pan out, but that guy that was drafted in the last round is still playing and has 3 Super Bowl rings. What does any of that stuff mean until they hit the field?

 

[Alanbama27]

Actually Coach Bryant more importantly said>>>

"I can take mine and beat his and I can take his and beat mine!"

What most of this means is this. Yes, you have to have players, but more importantly you have to have the RIGHT players who fit your system and meet your needs!

Also, look for there to be plenty of players in the top 100 by the end of the process. Also, recruiting today, is totally different than recruiting after the season. Especially if we're able to surprise some people and win 8 or 9 games! People want to come to schools like Alabama, but they don't want to come to a school if that school is on probation and not winning games, regardless of the tradition of the school!

 

[ddsmit]

Wasn't Chris Samuels a one star recruit? Wish we had a busload like him.

 

[Spot Dailey]

Re: Chris Samuels

I believe that Chris Samuels had a neck injury in H.S. that caused a lot of schools to not look at him closely. Fortunately someone at Bama did. I agree. I wish we had another half dozen of him.

 

[JessN]

Chris Samuels was one of the lowest-rated recruits in his class. He did, however, have a neck fracture or something equally serious as a prep player, which left him without many offers.

USAToday did a study of these "hot 100" lists a few years back and the number of players who made it was somewhere between 55-62 percent, if my memory is correct. Just for kicks, I pulled some our old NARCAS lists the other night and looked at our success rates, and they weren't any better.

The key issue here, though, is what time of the year it is. This time last year, Alabama fans barely knew who Keith Brown was, and considered it a longshot dream that D.J. Hall would ever sign here. Alabama closed very well in 2004 and that should be remembered.

 

[TommyMac]

Alan,

That quote wasn't Coach Bryant's. Jake Gaither, ex-HC of Fla. A&M made that quote back in the 60's.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

A lot of players don't start really developing (physically or mentally) until they get INTO college. I played highschool baseball with three guys who were "decent" highschool players and were only offered scholarships to community colleges out of highschool. One is now in the Mets farm system, one is in the Indians farm system and the other is in the Marlins farm system.

A lot of your "three/four star" athletes coming out of college have just developed faster than the others and have a physical advantage. That is why you have so many guys that weren't on the cover of the top highschool recruit magazines turn out to be very good players and even some become superstars. They just develop later. You have to remember we're dealing with 18-19 yr old kids who are still growing and changing at a fast rate.

 

[chris]

yeah.i know...........

our recruitin sux. after all,these boys that play ball in Alabama ain't got a clue,huh?!

 

[runtheoption22]

if it makes you feel any better, i think we will get Terrell Smith and he's on the rivals 100 :biggrin2:

 

[BamaBuc]

My personal observation is.....................

I would rather have a player that truly wanted to be here than 3 of those top 100 guys that just wanted a way to the next level! :rolleye2:
I'd be pretty damn sure that if the kid who wanted to be here hurt his pinky he would still be out there playing! :BigA:
While I'd be just as sure that the top 100 guy that you had to woo & court would be on the sideline with a splint on his pinky! :frown:

"Bryant can take his'n and beat your'n, and then he can turn around and take your'n and beat his'n." -- Houston Oiler head coach Bum Phillips, a former player under Coach Bryant.

 

[davefrat]

Gurus Schmooru's

A kid from my hometown was rated a 3 star qb recruit on rivals and didn't get one football offer. Instead, he took a scholarship to play baseball at James Madison. So much for the wisdom of the folks "in the know"

 

[GAMEFACE]

Two words....

Albert Means. If he was one of the top 10 recruits in the nation when he came out which he was listed as, then there goes a lot of their credibility in my book. Fact is they over look a ton of kids, some because they are from smaller schools, like Bryant and Odom, but some of these like Phillip Rivers turn out to be pretty dang good. But some of the higher ones never pan out. I remember lectron williams an allbarn recruit was supposed to be the next coming but never played much. Now dont get me wrong most of the top 100 are real good football players, but just because they are on the list doesnt mean they are a shoe in. It is better to have 25 of them than not to though in my opinion but it doesnt assure victory just look at how many Texas gets and what they do with them. :rolleye2: :wink:

 

[Vertical]

How many top 100 recruits played on our 1992 team? What about our 1999 team? I honestly don't know the answer, I'm just curious.

 

[Capstone46]

The coaches know who and what they are looking for and they will get them and fill our needs. Screw the ranking services.

 

[TideRollsInVa]

Once again

These reports are no more than a prognosis, based on high school level talent, and I should add 11th and earlier grade accomplishments. Oh, I’ll be the first to admit, we bubble over with excitement when a top 100 signs with The Tide but best not put lots of stock in so called “Blue Chip” till proven, then he’s only a hit away from out for the season or a draft pick away from leaving early. I want to believe more not listed in that elite 100 contribute more to most teams and I hope the Tide than those listed, percentage wise. JMHO

 

[LTBamaFan]

I think Coach Bryant also said "you can't make chicken salad out of chicken s,,," :