Hmmm....regarding annual recruiting rankings...

[the-iceman]

Our 5 game winning streak from 2009-2013 followed these four rankings: #23 in 2005, #24 in 2006, #6 in 2007, and #22 in 2008. Average ranking #19. Clemson over that span was 17, 16, 16, and 12 for an average of #15.

From 09 to today, we have finished 12, 24, 18, 19, 16,16, and 18 an average of #18. Clemson over than span was 37, 19, 8, 14, 14, 13, and 4 -- an average of #16. (So over the last 11 years they average close to 16 and we average close to 18 -- 2 spots, INCLUDING this year's disparity)

That same average is what produced our best years and this past subpar year. It's not some dip in recruiting that caused this bad year. Attitude, coaching, who knows, but not recruiting. And ain't it great that 7-6 is now a subpar year? Did you know in the 20 years prior to "the streak", you will find only 3 seasons (Spurrier's second year and Holtz's two Outback years) where we had more than 7 wins? 7 wins used to be a good year, now we all think it sucks.

That ain't sunshine blowin' up your rear end, that's facts. Yeah, we coulda shoulda woulda gotten 6 more 4 stars and been a top 10 class this year. Didn't happen. If you must moan about it, how about wait until after the ink dries on today's LOIs and at least for today celebrate the 30 kids who made the biggest decision of their young lives so far in favor of your University.

Looking forward to cheering for these guys for the next 4-5 years, and can't wait to see improvement on the field and the sideline this year!

Go Cocks!!

 

[Laziness]

I appreciate your level headed post. I am sure I would be labeled a bit negative, though I have not been critical of our staff or the players we have signed. I am happy they chose SC, and I pray they all have great careers, and are the cornerstones on something special. That doesn't change the fact in order to win the SEC and possibly a national title, we need to have better recruiting classes.

Your stats prove two things. Given two equal teams, Spurrier is a million times better a coach than Dabo. We already knew that. Keep in mind, we have been beating Clemson, but they aren't bringing in a lot of hardware yet either. And they are stepping up their recruiting, many of us just want to see us do the same. However, we don't just compete against them.

Secondly, averaging 18th in recruiting won't win the SEC. We have proven that now too. Even with a coach as good as Spurrier, we have to have many elite players to compete and win in this conference. Which I believe is the goal, and what all of us want. The fact we spend less than anyone in the SEC on recruiting is a bit frustrating to me. Yes we are doing well given what we spend, but imagine how well we could do if we spent what the rest spend. This year was particularly frustrating to many of us because we were in a position to land one of those difference making classes that would give us a real shot for years to come, and many elite players slipped away after we had already convinced them this was the place for them.

 

[gamecoxfan]

I agree with you and I also think people should look at more than just Clemson in regards to the value of recruiting rankings. From 2007 to 2014 Florida was ranked 1,3, 11, 2, 12, 3, 4, 8 for an average of 5.5. Georgia was ranked 9, 7, 6, 15, 5, 12, 12, 7 for an average of 9.1. Note that their lowest ranked years are higher than our average. Looking at the results on the field from 2010 to 2014 when those recruits played, we went 4-1 against both teams. So recruiting rankings are nice but they don't absolutely dictate outcomes on the field.

 

[Rollerdude123]

Disagree.


It was a major dip in recruiting because some of the defensive players we signed in the past few years turned out to have the lowest sack total in years at South Carolina and at the bottom of the SEC.

 

[cockynSC66]

They are gonna destroy us in recruiting until we fire Ward.

 

[Rollerdude123]

I am not a fan of Ward- but I don't think he's the problem in recruiting- maybe coaching- but not recruiting.

Biggest overall problem is kids are being told Spurrier will only be here another year or two - and schools are using that very heavily.


It doesn't mean we can't get decent players. It does mean we are going to have a very hard time improving or getting the elite guys.




Originally posted by cockynSC66:
They are gonna destroy us in recruiting until we fire Ward.

 

[Irmo Cock]

Originally posted by cockynSC66:
They are gonna destroy us in recruiting until we fire Ward.

Ignorance is bliss

 

[Cackdiesel]

Originally posted by Irmo Cock:

Originally posted by cockynSC66:
They are gonna destroy us in recruiting until we fire Ward.

Ignorance is bliss

Post of the day!

 

[cockynSC66]

I think you're right in that. Spurrier only hurt us when he said that. However, I don't think Ward is a good at judging talent. If recruits are worried about SOS only being here two more years, maybe we should put a head coach in waiting tag on someone. Would you guys be opposed to having Jr. take over after his Dad retires?

 

[bitemeiptay]

The problem lies within. When we have recruiters telling recruits that we have a "mess down here" we can do without them. What mess? A winning season including wins over Georgia and Miami? There are a lot of other teams that would love to say they beat Georgia, Florida, and Clemson 80% of the time since 2009. The difference between where we are and where the Tillmanites are is that we play teams like Kentucky or Georgia every year and win most of the time. If they can beat someone like that, they throw a party and hand out gaudy rings with orange glass in the middle.If you win 10,11, or even 12 games with a schedule like theirs you still wouldn't make the top twenty five in the power ratings. They love those "cupcakes" and the fools up there will pay big ticket prices to watch a blowout against a Wake Forest, Wofford, or SC State. So easily amused.

 

[Judson1]

Ill give you seven guys who had a huge part in that 5 spot. And you tell me if you wouldn't trade for them now versus anyone on our current team. Marcus, Devonte, Alshon, Stephon, Kelcy, DJ, Jadeveon. Until we sign some more of those you can forget Atlanta the first Sat in Dec and probably Florida for a bowl game too!

 

[Gamecock Lifer]

Originally posted by Judson1:
Ill give you seven guys who had a huge part in that 5 spot. And you tell me if you wouldn't trade for them now versus anyone on our current team. Marcus, Devonte, Alshon, Stephon, Kelcy, DJ, Jadeveon. Until we sign some more of those you can forget Atlanta the first Sat in Dec and probably Florida for a bowl game too!

By all indications we landed a BUNCH of players in this class who could be successful on that kind of level for us! Lewis, Sawyer, Christian, Blackshear, Johnson...

they all all have that kind of potential. No team gets 100% success from recruits like that! nobody expects it! nobody gets it! but we added so many guys who are considered to be big time potential difference makers... A certain percentage WILL work out and will make early impacts and will be the next stars for us.

We we also added a transfer OL who was a Fr ALL AMERICAN, we are still trying to lure another transfer or two that might be able to help us, and we added a proven, successful defensive coach with NFL clout which can sure help a lot with recruiting.

we have some RS guys from last year's class who should be ready to contribute, plenty of second year guys ready to shine... We do not have a talent deficiency. We should be able to make some noise with these guys. Only time will tell though.