Someone rationalize for me..

[RGV Pony]

Admittedly, this post results from a compilation of already-mentioned possibilities and realities. For the past few months, I bought into the notion that since we only had 13 or so scholarships to dole out, the lack of HS committs reflected the larger JuCo class we were likely to see. Didn't happen (yet). Yes, Haywood came in the summer last year..but wouldn't it be nice to get these guys on campus in January?

If the low (hs) commit number doesn't reflect a larger JuCo class (and it doesn't), can anyone rationalize for me how things are looking up? Where are the fruits of PB's "recruiting's never been better" (loosely translated) boast?

Finally, and once again this has already been addressed...who are our starting LBs? QB? At LB now I guess the new Navarro kid (inside), McCray (outside)...maybe Sturdivant will gain 20 pounds and move up. And while I tend to agree with what someone else said that I guess Willis will be our QB, my suspicion is that not unlike two years ago around June we'll hear about two bottom-rung JC qbs signing.

[Lotus]

.... Didn't happen (yet). Yes, Haywood came in the summer last year..but wouldn't it be nice to get these guys on campus in January?

Sure it would. But remember, the JUCO signing period runs through Jan. 15, and even after that they can sign (see Haywood) .... so I guess that means there's an additional signing period?

.... If the low (hs) commit number doesn't reflect a larger JuCo class (and it doesn't), can anyone rationalize for me how things are looking up? Where are the fruits of PB's "recruiting's never been better" (loosely translated) boast?

I don't know that I'm ready to go with a "never been better" claim, but I promise you it's going better than it might seem. I don't see Eric Dickerson, Jr., coming this year, but hang in there.

.... Finally, and once again this has already been addressed...who are our starting LBs? QB? At LB now I guess the new Navarro kid (inside), McCray (outside)...maybe Sturdivant will gain 20 pounds and move up. And while I tend to agree with what someone else said that I guess Willis will be our QB, my suspicion is that not unlike two years ago around June we'll hear about two bottom-rung JC qbs signing.

Eckert and Romo weren't bottom-rung guys. As for the LBs .... I would say the starters likely will be Reggie Carrington inside, with McCray and perhaps the new guy, Hurst, starting outside. No way Sturdivant moves from the strong safety position he played so well this year. My guess would be that if anyone bulks up and plays LB, it could be Bryce Hudman.

I'm not saying we need to dance in the streets yet over this class, but there also is no need to be wringing our hands, either.

[SMU Football Blog]

I have little to no interest (and neither should anyone else) in bringing in a junior college QB over the summer. A junior college QB needs to be here in the spring to learn the offense and participate in Spring drills. In other words, if there isn't a JuCo QB announcement before 1/15, we better start focusing all our attention on Willis. Which, I think is crazy.

But I won't be surprised if there is an announcement in January.

[BUS]

To look at out needs, I too would like to see a few more JUCO players. We do need some help at LB and DBack.

I am almost ready to say Willis will be the QB. This is because I have heard too many praises from coaches and players about how he runs the huddle and KNOWS the offense. He has the skills to get it done.

That said, I would have likes to have the Danna guy.


Question, If PB never recruits very well, No top 100, no Rivals big time studs, etc, etc,etc, How did we win 5 games against pretty good teams this year?

( and how did we lose to some BS teams is another story )

PB is working his rump off to make SMU better.

Keep the faith and donate money - " What a sunshine statement "

Help pull the wagon or leave -

[Mexmustang]

This year was like a roller-coaster. It began with a loss to Baylor, which could have really made a statement regarding recruiting. I thought the coaches planned well, but made some poor game-time decisions, including personnel at RB. About the time I was ready hang the coaches as well as Copeland, we upset TCU. As good a win as it was, I felt our offense simply "bored TCU to sleep", except at running back, I still felt our offense was lifeless.

I was not at the Tulane game, but again I was ready to throw in the towel, but then something happened, the coaches seemed to be more relaxed, make better game-time decisions and of course we started a single quarterback that with the exception of one game, seemed to really make things click.

No question the fans and the press had all but given up on the team and the coaches by the time we began our run.

I really believe, our coaches are having a difficult time getting recruits to see the program in a new light...like alot of us they gave up in October.
I am very proud of the team and like to believe our coaches learned a great deal this year.

As I have said, Copeland needs to go, his heart and energy is not with the school or the job. Wrong man to challenge the system, challenge the faculty or Pres. Turner. It is too late to reach out to SMU alumns, he has been too exclusive in his contacts, while ignoring the rest.

While I am optimistic about the future, embrace Phil Bennett and still stongly beleive in him, changes must be made. Perhaps at the offesive coaching position, but definately at the AD level.

I believe Coach Bennett, has learned about managing the quarterback position and putting the best people on the field. Quarterback has become so much more important in the current college game than ever before--you can't treat the position as the Rangers treat pitchers, chose one and stick with him. The entire recruiting season begins and ends with getting a talented JC quarterback this yhear.

That's my summary and I am sticking to it!

[EastStang]

After the 0-12 year, I think our recruiting fell off a bit and then followed by a 3-8 year, we were clearly in need of something positive to sell recruits. Luckily, our late run and win over TCU this year are positives that Bennett can point to for potential recruits. Chase's catch made national news and great plays of the year reels (too bad that Alabama player decided to make that catch on the back of that defender this year which was clearly one of the greatest catches I've ever seen). That said, by the team the team really started winning, many stud recruits had committed elsewhere. I think we are starting to get some second looks from some of them who might be having second thoughts or buyers remorse. I am hoping PB pulls a few signing day surprises.

[Pony Fan]

To look at out needs, I too would like to see a few more JUCO players. We do need some help at LB and DBack.

I am almost ready to say Willis will be the QB. This is because I have heard too many praises from coaches and players about how he runs the huddle and KNOWS the offense. He has the skills to get it done.

That said, I would have likes to have the Danna guy.


Question, If PB never recruits very well, No top 100, no Rivals big time studs, etc, etc,etc, How did we win 5 games against pretty good teams this year?

( and how did we lose to some BS teams is another story )

PB is working his rump off to make SMU better.

Keep the faith and donate money - " What a sunshine statement "

Help pull the wagon or leave -

__________________

Great comment!

[mustangbill67]

Fully agree and we still have over a month to go.