The one thing about CBB that everyone is overlooking

[ErieHog]

Here's a good article with some good facts:

https://www.arkansasfight.com/2017/8/24/16189826/how-well-is-bret-bielema-recruiting-in-state

I happen to agree with the author's conclusion - Bret Bielema is doing a pretty good job of keeping the best talent in-state.  For purposes of this discussion, it certainly looks like Arkansas has produced an average of at least 6 or 7 SEC caliber recruits over the last five years.  That's the average number of Arkansas high school players Arkansas has signed during that period, and the same number of Alabama high school players Alabama has signed.   

Not exactly apples to apples;  those Alabama kids are the pick of the state, and Alabama has more room to miss, in terms of roster.

Its also worth remembering that Auburn and other schools are much much more heavily invested in taking kids out of Alabama, than other programs are in taking the few kids out of Arkansas.   Yes, Alabama may only get 6 out of in-state recruiting, but there are  4 times as many top tier recruits in Alabama-- so even there, again, the floor is higher.  Heck, the #10 Arkansas 2017 recruit  would be ranked #50 in Alabama by the 24/7 service, for example.

[bphi11ips]

Not exactly apples to apples;  those Alabama kids are the pick of the state, and Alabama has more room to miss, in terms of roster.

Its also worth remembering that Auburn and other schools are much much more heavily invested in taking kids out of Alabama, than other programs are in taking the few kids out of Arkansas.   Yes, Alabama may only get 6 out of in-state recruiting, but there are  4 times as many top tier recruits in Alabama-- so even there, again, the floor is higher.  Heck, the #10 Arkansas 2017 recruit  would be ranked #50 in Alabama by the 24/7 service, for example.

Not sure whether I agree that we are not talking apples to apples, but that was not the point.  The point is that Alabama and Arkansas take about the same number of in-state players every year.  If you want to talk apples to apples, Alabama could arguably improve their class by taking NO in-state players. Saban has done nothing in the last few years but watch a lot of high school film, point, and click.  As soon as he offers, stars go through the roof.  Why?  Because most of these clowns at rating services don't know a football from a grapefruit.

Have you been to any of these swagfest beauty contests called "elite prospect camps"?  They have mushroomed into a very profitable cottage industry for intermediaries I will generously refer to as "player representatives".  These camps and reps are, by-and-large, where the ratings come from.  When a coach like Saban offers a recruit, you can bet he has watched film and couldn't care less about whether 247 or Rivals has the kid rated highly.  I've seen kids who look like Adonis in shorts and swag who can't tackle, catch or defend a lick.  Some of them don't even look like they want to play football or know which way is north once they put on pads.  And these are 3-star guys. Once you get to 4-stars the ratings become pretty reliable.  And there are a whole bunch of two-star guys like Drew Morgan and the Henry kid now at Arkansas who can flat out play.  Why do the services miss them?  Go to an "elite prospect camp" and you'll get it. 



 

[texhog22]

is his recruitment of in state kids.

You gotta give it to him. He's giving kids from all over the state a chance to play for the hogs. Before it was rare to see kids from small towns like Hope, Smackover, Dumas, Star City, Charleston, and Hardy Arkansas playing for the Hogs. You look at the roster now and it truly represents the state of Arkansas.

Thing ONE thing I see in CBB is his personality. LLLLOOOOOOwwwwww energy!!! Direct opposite of what I would like to see in my football coach. That's the ONE thing I really liked about Petrino. That and his practice scheme

[limitless]

John McDonnell figured this out really quick.  It's all about math.  If you want to win, you recruit the best where you can. The state of Arkansas doesn't have the numbers to produce the volume of athletes you need to compete at the national level.  McDonnell pursued the international group first because Arkansas track meant NOTHING to recruits at the time, but then the US guys saw the success and signed on.  Most Arkansas runners walked on, because they weren't fast.   There were a few exceptions - Brian Baker and Daniel Lincoln both multiple individual national champions and great team players,  but you get my drift. 

If you want to compete at the national level, you need the best athletes.  Right now, there are 30 plus other programs that are getting that talent. It's math, with the right character.  A VERY difficult landscape for CBB and crew.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

Not exactly apples to apples;  those Alabama kids are the pick of the state, and Alabama has more room to miss, in terms of roster.

Its also worth remembering that Auburn and other schools are much much more heavily invested in taking kids out of Alabama, than other programs are in taking the few kids out of Arkansas.   Yes, Alabama may only get 6 out of in-state recruiting, but there are  4 times as many top tier recruits in Alabama-- so even there, again, the floor is higher.  Heck, the #10 Arkansas 2017 recruit  would be ranked #50 in Alabama by the 24/7 service, for example.

No way, no how... Everybit of that criteria is subjective, and even though possible the plausibility of it is ludicrous at best...