If Stars don't matter, does it matter what other schools are recruiting

[farmhawg]

The players?



Not arguing if stars matter or not but if we just look at what other schools are recruiting our commits it seems pretty low. Out of 19 commits, other sec schools are only recruiting 7 of them. Only two are being recruited by bama and auburn.

I am sure they are all great young men but it looks like we are just not going to be competitive again with this class.

[ricepig]

Well, they don't play each other on the first Wednesday in February, so time will tell. Most ever school in the West recruits better than we do/have, so that's not likely to change.

[arlhog]

If stars didn't matter they wouldn't exist.   When was the last time you remember hearing RD say that a 2 star player would come in and make an immediate impact??   It just is what it is.

[Deep Shoat]

If stars didn't matter they wouldn't exist.   

Stars exist.  And they matter. 

To the recruiting service who sells you a subscription to tell you what anyone can see.

I mean, seriously?  Who can't tell a 5 star?  The thing that separates coaches is the ability to project what a 3 star will be in 3-4 years.  And the recruiting services don't have a damn clue on that one.

[thefisher]

The players?



Not arguing if stars matter or not but if we just look at what other schools are recruiting our commits it seems pretty low. Out of 19 commits, other sec schools are only recruiting 7 of them. Only two are being recruited by bama and auburn.

I am sure they are all great young men but it looks like we are just not going to be competitive again with this class.

Stars matter GENERALLY.  They are general overall guidelines but not the be all and end all in EVERY situation.  Arkansas needs to recruit in a ranking of the top 15 in the country to compete for the SEC West.  They are currently recruiting in the top 25. Great chance to win another conference including the SEC East at that level ... but better overall general recruiting is needed to accomplish winning the West.

To date no one ....I mean NO ONE  (Nutt, CBP, CBB, etc.)has found a way to make that happen.  If you do then you have an immediate million dollar paycheck per year from the U of A coming.

[farmhawg]

Only seven are being recruited by other sec schools......seven. Why does that scare me?

[ricepig]

Only seven are being recruited by other sec schools......seven. Why does that scare me?

You're easily scared?

[jm]

Stars do not matter at all. Having better players is what is important. If any coach can find 3 star players that play better than 5 star players, they will win more games.

[Hawghiggs]

 When these rating services first started they missed on a lot of players. Fast forward 10-20 years. These same services have actually gotten really good at predicting athletic skill. They still don't factor in academics, and no one will ever be able to predict what's in the head of 17-18 year old.

[ThisTeetsTaken]

With the exception of a few true diamonds in the rough, most SEC caliber recruits are known by most all SEC schools and are recruited if the position need is there.  For the most part offers are indicative of talent IMO.  I'll add that schools like Bama and LSU, etc seem to have the advantage of being able to concentrate on talent that is field ready (5 stars) while schools like Arkansas have to rely on kids with talent (3 star) that needs to be developed before they can contribute on this level. 

[farmhawg]

You're easily scared?

i scare.

[farmhawg]

Stars do not matter at all. Having better players is what is important. If any coach can find 3 star players that play better than 5 star players, they will win more games.

So our evaluation is suspect?

[ricepig]

i scare.

I was afraid of that.....

[ricepig]

So our evaluation is suspect?

Isn't everyone's? I mean Bama misses on players all the time, the only difference is they have a 4* replacement. If you think we'll ever recruit on Bama, LSU, tOSU, or any of the perennial top 5/6, then you will be deeply disappointed.

[farmhawg]

Everyone misses, yes I get that. We start off with players the rest of the sec is not recruiting so we miss before we get started? Our probability of a miss is much higher than our probability of a hit.

We keep hearing that it's our recruiting is not great and they are correct.

[Jim Harris]

The players?



Not arguing if stars matter or not but if we just look at what other schools are recruiting our commits it seems pretty low. Out of 19 commits, other sec schools are only recruiting 7 of them. Only two are being recruited by bama and auburn.

I am sure they are all great young men but it looks like we are just not going to be competitive again with this class.

Arkansas reset its recruiting goals after last signing day.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

So our evaluation is suspect?

Not at all.  There's a distinct difference between evaluation and actually signing.

Arkansas reset its recruiting goals after last signing day.

Yes, the current class makes that very obvious.  Clearly not wasting time with many top players.  Going after the lower hanging fruit in an effort to actually fill a class.

[farmhawg]

Arkansas reset its recruiting goals after last signing day.

So we decided to recruit players that aren't being recruited in the sec?

[East TN HAWG]

Although each individual star may or may not be accurate, in totality they are accurate.  Schools that have high star ratings generally have better talent.  Stars matter

[Oklahawg]

So we decided to recruit players that aren't being recruited in the sec?

Yes, the current class makes that very obvious.  Clearly not wasting time with many top players.  Going after the lower hanging fruit in an effort to actually fill a class.

No, went after length/speed at DB and LB. Targeted specifically players with high football IQ.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

No, went after length/speed at DB and LB. Targeted specifically players with high football IQ.

And that changes nothing about my post, chief.  There are plenty of top recruits that fit your description.  We just aren't waisting our time with them.  We're learning to focus on and pursue what we actually have a chance to get.

[zebradynasty]

The only schools that make that argument are schools that don't have many. Boise State about the only program with success playing the BIG boys with all the big stars without having a lot big name recruits. However, that's misleading because Boise State doesn't have to play against that type talent every weekend.

[onebadrubi]

The only schools that make that argument are schools that don't have many. Boise State about the only program with success playing the BIG boys with all the big stars without having a lot big name recruits. However, that's misleading because Boise State doesn't have to play against that type talent every weekend.

The Boise st you are referring too is no more. You now are seeing that success at Washington and it was all the coach.

[SemperFi]

Arkansas reset its recruiting goals after last signing day.

Please elaborate.

Ask Ole Miss, Tenner, Georgia and Florida how those highly rated recruiting classes are working out. Development of the players is paramount. A coaches evaluation of a kid in HS weighs far more than that of a guy that is looking to sell subscriptions to a magazine. We've all been to watch HS football games and everyone here can identify a kid that is just better than the other kids on the field, but how many of us can identify that kid with a whole lot of upside that needs to be developed? This is where Arkansas finds itself and we're doing a good job of it as witnessed in the Florida game yesterday. 

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Please elaborate.

Ask Ole Miss, Tenner, Georgia and Florida how those highly rated recruiting classes are working out. Development of the players is paramount. A coaches evaluation of a kid in HS weighs far more than that of a guy that is looking to sell subscriptions to a magazine. We've all been to watch HS football games and everyone here can identify a kid that is just better than the other kids on the field, but how many of us can identify that kid with a whole lot of upside that needs to be developed? This where Arkansas finds itself and we're doing a good job of it as witnessed in the Florida game yesterday. 

This has been argued over and over.  You need both coaching and talent.  We aren't going to win anything of significance relying on developing diamonds in the rough.  It's no coincidence that the vast majority of Razorbacks we hold in high regard over say the last decade were not diamonds in the rough.  They were sought after recruits by good programs.  There are always exceptions to the rule, but the rule rules.

Now, I've also been a broken record with the argument that we won't get our fair share of the top talent, so we have to absolutely be effective as you describe.  It just won't likely win anything of significance.  At least not with the SECW as it is.  I don't like it, but I don't fault BB for it.

I believe Jim's point is that this idea is settling in with BB.  he's not wasting much time anymore, or at least not in this class, with pursuing these top players that we have little chance of signing.  He's getting what he can.  Players who are likely less talented, but who fit his system with the potential to be solid players after a period of development. 

[SemperFi]

Well said BB...good post