5 Stars

[welchog]

Can this staff land any?

Scout has 4 listed as interested, but have not seen them discussed here (Jefferson, Marshall, Cowart, Lodge)

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

At this time Gustin is the only 5 star I believe our coaches are have any constant contact with.

Of course things can always change once the coaching changes start

[The_Iceman]

Can this staff land any?

Scout has 4 listed as interested, but have not seen them discussed here (Jefferson, Marshall, Cowart, Lodge)

How many stars were Spaight and Flowers?

[Hoggish1]

How many stars were Spaight and Flowers?

Nice.  As we know, not all stars are created equally...

[Oklahawg]

Different business model.

Coaches want someone who is god-like in year 4 and 5, not right out of the chute. They want the slow build, recruiting players they can mold into their system...not someone already believing they are ready for the NFL. Many 5-star athletes come with a one-star mindset.

[swinesation]

Mmmm, pretty sure we'll take the call if a 5 star shows interest.

[Wildhog]

In the real world, we'll take any 5-star we can get.

There aren't many, though, so it's not easy.

[OLDHOG]

I think we had a 5 star cornerback once. How did that work out? I don't put much faith in stars other than for gazing. Just sayin.

[Hog Fan...DOH!]

I think we had a 5 star cornerback once. How did that work out? I don't put much faith in stars other than for gazing. Just sayin.

Would have been nice to have Clay Jennings coach him. 

Then again, you never know how some kids react when the competition and pressure increases.  I'll take another D-mac any day. 

[Vantage 8 dude]

How many stars were Spaight and Flowers?

Not sure about Spaight; however, I do know that Flowers was a 3*. My "gut" tells me that Spaight was no higher than that.

[The_Iceman]

Different business model.

Coaches want someone who is god-like in year 4 and 5, not right out of the chute. They want the slow build, recruiting players they can mold into their system...not someone already believing they are ready for the NFL. Many 5-star athletes come with a one-star mindset.

See Texas.

[Been10Hog]

Bielema, Chaney, Pittman, Smith, Shannon will turn our uncommon men into stars

[greenie]

Lots of examples of 5 stars failing and 2 stars succeeding, but the fact of the matter is it's a gamble because you truly don't know exactly what you're getting until you get time with them in your program.  However, I bet the percentage of 5 stars who totally wash out is much lower than the percentage of 3 stars who do so.  You take a 5 star if you can get him, as long as the background check clears.

Gustin is the only 5 star (or near 5 star) that I know of that is a possibility at this point...but who knows; there are still a few out there uncommitted.

Bottom line...I trust this staff to find what we need...and get 'em.

[pigroots]

The thing about CBB is he knows how to find and develop players. See how many Wisconsin guys were drafted....for the first time in a while I really don't care how many stars they have as much as I care "What does CBB think of them?" We will get and develop players as long as this staff is here

[OLDHOG]

Would have been nice to have Clay Jennings coach him. 

Then again, you never know how some kids react when the competition and pressure increases.  I'll take another D-mac any day. 

Yea, that would have probably made a big difference, but u just never know their heart tho. And yes I'll take D-mac in a heartbeat. Few and far between in my opinion

[greenie]

The thing about CBB is he knows how to find and develop players. See how many Wisconsin guys were drafted....for the first time in a while I really don't care how many stars they have as much as I care "What does CBB think of them?" We will get and develop players as long as this staff is here

^^^^^ Bingo

[Oklahawg]

Yea, that would have probably made a big difference, but u just never know their heart tho. And yes I'll take D-mac in a heartbeat. Few and far between in my opinion

DMac was a warrior. Many recruits lack that heart. Hard to know for sure as a fan (highlight reels are, well, highlights) but the coaches can figure it out.

[sowmonella]

I think we had a 5 star cornerback once. How did that work out? I don't put much faith in stars other than for gazing. Just sayin.

If you are talking about Batman, he had a pretty good career on the hill.

[incHOGnito]

Different business model.

Coaches want someone who is god-like in year 4 and 5, not right out of the chute. They want the slow build, recruiting players they can mold into their system...not someone already believing they are ready for the NFL. Many 5-star athletes come with a one-star mindset.

That's about as succinctly as I have ever seen it put. I try to explain this to people all of the time but have had trouble saying it concisely. I will have to use this in the future.

[incHOGnito]

If you are talking about Batman, he had a pretty good career on the hill.

He was talking about Darius Winston.

[cbhawg03]

If you are talking about Batman, he had a pretty good career on the hill.

Kid from West Memphis area. Winston

[The_Iceman]

He was talking about Darius Winston.

See how easily his career was forgotten....

[Tusks]

how about lets take the first hog recruiting class EVER that might be half 4* & half 3*.

then win some and move onto the 5*.

[redeye]

Can this staff land any?

Scout has 4 listed as interested, but have not seen them discussed here (Jefferson, Marshall, Cowart, Lodge)

Budda wants a word with you.

[Cresthog]

The difference between a 4 and 5 is minimal.

Odell B and Jarvis Landry were both 4s....

It comes down to work ethic, development and mentality. Half the NFL is late bloomers and played at smaller schools simply because of late physical development.

[Pavlov's Hog]

Different business model.

Coaches want someone who is god-like in year 4 and 5, not right out of the chute. They want the slow build, recruiting players they can mold into their system...not someone already believing they are ready for the NFL. Many 5-star athletes come with a one-star mindset.

Very well stated.

[hollywood hog]

See how easily his career was forgotten....

I thought that only happened if you left the state.  But he did stay home and play for the Hogs.  Now according to many on here he's entitled to a 6 figure salary for staying home.  It will be interesting to see how well he is taken care of.

[redleg]

Lots of stars are nice, and look good an paper. But, i don't think Bielema is too worried about how many stars a guy has next to his name.
Bielema is known for signing guys that have the heart, size, and speed, but are undeveloped as far as overall skill.
Some guys peak in high school (Mitch Mustain, Darius Winston) and get a 5* ranking, but are duds in college. Some guys are good enough to get a fourth or fifth star and develop even more in college, where they peak. Then there are some guys who are under-the-radar, rated a 2 or 3 star player, go to college, develop, get bigger, stronger, faster, learn the position, and end up being an All-American (Brandon Burlsworth).

[kodiakisland]

First off, I've never heard anyone complain about signing too many 5 stars.  Ever.  Maybe signing kids that don't fit their system is a problem, but signing 5 stars is not a bad thing.  Lots of rationalizing going on in this thread.

Yes, some 5 stars are major busts.  Far more 3 stars are busts than 5 stars though.  I see the star rating as an indicator of who is ready to play early verses late.  Chances are a 5 star can contribute within a year or two whereas a 3 star may need a few years before he reaches that level.  It's no indication of who will make it and who won't, just an indication of current ability.

[ricepig]

We take/want the best athletes as this staff wants. AC was a 5* on some services, but that doesn't matter, they want the best person, student, football player that wants to be here. Seriously, consider the OP's track record on this staff, enough said.

[Paul]

Kid from West Memphis area. Winston

i thought he was from Helena 

[Wildhog]

  i thought he was from Helena 

That is in the W Memphis 'area.'

[pondwater jack]

Bret is takin kids that have a solid ground underneath em.  A kid who's whole id ain't just about football.  High character kids that aren't paralized by the idea of failure on a big stage to the point that they won't compete.  For these pre-madona kids their identity is so wrapped up in football that the minute they look up and a Rohan Gaines knocks them in the dirt on national tv and they don't catch a pass for the first 30 minutes, they start to question themselves and then their teammates who arent getting them the ball.  They don't know another roll other than being the star.

Cody Hollister don't catch a pass?  He keeps coming....wearing you down with less talent but tons more of sticktooitiveness.  You need him to clean the toilets?  "Where are the mops and brushes?" 

The kids that Bret is making a living off of will do the dirty work.  Not only are they not afraid of it, they expect it. 

Brets less talented team right now will look across the field and say, "you may beat me, but you aren't going to do it from the comfort of the locker room.  Get out here in the rain and lets get muddy and one of us make an a$$ out of the other on national tv!" 

that's waht happened saturday. 

You want to whip us?  You've got it to do. 

I love it. Like eating a piece of steel wool....Gritty from the top to the bottom just like Jack Blasingame.

PWJ

[Vantage 8 dude]

Bret is takin kids that have a solid ground underneath em.  A kid who's whole id ain't just about football.  High character kids that aren't paralized by the idea of failure on a big stage to the point that they won't compete.  For these pre-madona kids their identity is so wrapped up in football that the minute they look up and a Rohan Gaines knocks them in the dirt on national tv and they don't catch a pass for the first 30 minutes, they start to question themselves and then their teammates who arent getting them the ball.  They don't know another roll other than being the star.

Cody Hollister don't catch a pass?  He keeps coming....wearing you down with less talent but tons more of sticktooitiveness.  You need him to clean the toilets?  "Where are the mops and brushes?" 

The kids that Bret is making a living off of will do the dirty work.  Not only are they not afraid of it, they expect it. 

Brets less talented team right now will look across the field and say, "you may beat me, but you aren't going to do it from the comfort of the locker room.  Get out here in the rain and lets get muddy and one of us make an a$$ out of the other on national tv!" 

that's waht happened saturday. 

You want to whip us?  You've got it to do. 

I love it. Like eating a piece of steel wool....Gritty from the top to the bottom just like Jack Blasingame.

PWJ

Pondwater, double "props" for your sticktoitiveness!!

[The real Hogules]

See how easily his career was forgotten....

I think that Winston's issue was a lack of good coaching and not his lack of speed or willingness to make a hit. He lacked technique and that is more of a coaching
He came and did the best he could and he'll always have my respect and appreciation for that issue/player development.

[mhuff]

Lots of examples of 5 stars failing and 2 stars succeeding, but the fact of the matter is it's a gamble because you truly don't know exactly what you're getting until you get time with them in your program.  However, I bet the percentage of 5 stars who totally wash out is much lower than the percentage of 3 stars who do so.  You take a 5 star if you can get him, as long as the background check clears.

Gustin is the only 5 star (or near 5 star) that I know of that is a possibility at this point...but who knows; there are still a few out there uncommitted.

Bottom line...I trust this staff to find what we need...and get 'em.

Hey greenie , I tried the last couple of days to PM you with info. Your box is full and you will need to delete some messages before you can get mail.

[Boarmonger]

That is in the W Memphis 'area.'

Helena is a good 50 miles south of W. Memphis

[ricepig]

Helena is a good 50 miles south of W. Memphis

Well, that's closer than the LR area......

[Wildhog]

Helena is a good 50 miles south of W. Memphis

Hence, "in the area."

[redeye]

I thought that only happened if you left the state.  But he did stay home and play for the Hogs.  Now according to many on here he's entitled to a 6 figure salary for staying home.  It will be interesting to see how well he is taken care of.

Do you think he would have been taken care of better if he'd left the state?  If not, then you really don't have an argument, do you?  If you do, then how about some examples?

I think that Winston's issue was a lack of good coaching and not his lack of speed or willingness to make a hit. He lacked technique and that is more of a coaching
He came and did the best he could and he'll always have my respect and appreciation for that issue/player development.

I suspect you're right.  Winston may have been overrated some, but I suspect his potential was far greater then we ever saw, unfortunately.

[welchog]

Budda wants a word with you.

I'm talking about this year.

[passinghog]

Get the best players you can get.

[1highhog]

If you are talking about Batman, he had a pretty good career on the hill.

I bet he's talking about a certain guy that was recruited heavily to go to USC but stayed here, came out of Little Rock a few years ago, not gonna name names.

[Fort Dweller]

Hence, "in the area."

We'll argue about anything anymore huh?

[Dumb ole famrboy]

Come on - give me a break. If your recruiting focuses on the line, there just are not that many 5* recruits available.
Per Scouts

TE - 2015 2 @ 5*, 2014 0 @ 5*, 2013 2 @ 5*, Total 4 @ 5*
OT - 2015 3 @ 5*, 2014 4 @ 5*, 2013 2 @ 5*, Total 9 @ 5*
OG - 2015 0 @ 5*, 2014 2 @ 5*, 2013 1 @ 5*, Total 3 @ 5*
C - 2015 0 @ 5*, 2014 0 @ 5*, 2013 0 @ 5*, Total 0 @ 5*
So in the last 3 years there have only been 16 offensive line recruits rated at 5* and 4 of those were TEs.

Defensive line is somewhat better
DT - 2015 5 @ 5*, 2014 1 @ 5*, 2013 5 @ 5*, Total 11 @ 5*
DE - 2015 5 @ 5*, 2014 7 @ 5*, 2013 3 @ 5*, Total 16 @ 5*
So in the last 3 years there have been only 27 defensive line recruits rated @ 5*.

So who is the better target for recruiting? A 5* #20 rated WR or the 4* #1 rated OG?

[prattville pig]

Sticktoitiveness is a huge, huge get!!!!!

[hawgXi]

Would have been nice to have Clay Jennings coach him. 
 

agreed. hope jennings gets all the credit he's due.

major cpr on d backs who are now breaking up passes & intercepting.

it's been awesome to watch this turn around

[ldfergu]

Really hopin Jennings can land Haughton. We need to float that "Haughton Here" poster around again

[mshumate]

Mmmm, pretty sure we'll take the call if a 5 star shows interest.

I think it's the attitude they are looking for and sometimes a 5 star doesn't think they need to work as hard. They don't feel as if they have as much to prove. Not always the case, but the 'gift' they've been given to get them to a 5 star in high school has often led to a curse in college. WPS  :razorback:

[TDHawgs]

I agree, would love to have seen Darius Winston in this system, what a waste of talent, Petrino never did care about fielding a defense and it showed. I'll take my chances on a 5* recruit and our coaching staff to coach them!!!