Another way to look at the incoming class.

[JasonB]

We lost 4 players who were recruited by BCS schools to transfer or graduation.

10 in the incoming class were offered by BCS schools.

Also, let's do a comparison with last years great class. Last year, we gave 25 ships, this year we gave 19. If you look at last year's class, there were 13 scholarships given to players who only received offers from CUSA or WAC schools. This year, there were only 9 such players (two of those are the JUCO QBs, and one is the JUCO WR). A higher percentage of the class last year (13 of 25 is abover half) went to lesser recruited players - this year, only 9 of the 19 were lesser recruited, which is less than half of the class. And you add in the fact that three of the players are JUCO transfers, which are better than the typical lesser recruited HS player, and you definately have better numbers on that side of the equation from this year's class.

Last years class had two players who could have gone anywhere - Sturdivant and Massey. This year has one. So we are about even there.

The total number of players recruited by BCS schools is also surprisingly close - last year there were 12, this year 10. The major difference is that the players from last year had a more generous rating system from rivals and were marked as three star players, and there were a few more that made top 100 lists (more public accolades).

What I am getting at is that although last year's class was absolutely fantastic, I would venture to say that this one has more depth and is more consistant. Last year's was definately a top-heavy class.

[Stallion]

well while I love Sturdivant and think he can become a Cary Brabham type its not really accurate to say he could have gone anywhere. He had his sights set high last year at schools like Fla St, Georgia Tech and others of those types. Probably set his sights a little too high. Most backed off and tried to get him to walk-on and he was actually not left with a lot of offers other than SMU and Georgia Tech. Don't get me wrong he's a great prospect for SMU but he really did not have his pick of schools unless he was willing to walk-on. I agree though that the talent level is similar this year as to last year but just not as large and not as well distributed across the field. Last year we met needs at QB, RB, DLM, OLM, LB, DE, S and CB with good talent-that's pretty outstanding. This year we met needs with real quality at RB, CB, and TE and a lot of hope at other positions.

<small>[ 02-04-2004, 09:10 PM: Message edited by: Stallion ]</small>

[JasonB]

Obviously this years class has a lot of talent in two positions, RB and CB. But those were the two positions looking at the roster that we had the most holes to fill - we only had two true running backs coming into this year - Brown and Fitz, and had to add several more. And they are all good.

At Corner, in order to be three deep in the nickel we had to add a ton of players. And that we did. We also added depth at QB, and got a much needed tight end.

I think the class was targeted correctly. You can only plug so many holes at one time, and we certainly have a ton to fill. I think we did a good job at filling the ones that were most desperately needed. We might not have highly recruited players at the other positions, but at least they aren't walkons. This class might not make as much noise as last years, but it is still better than any overall class that Cavan had, even his first class which had some star players like cunningham, but for the most part was filled with nobodys.

Not claiming greatness , but I think it was a very solid class for SMU. If last year's class got a B, this would have to come in at a B-.

[JasonB]

Also, with Sturdivant, didn't Florida State and Michigan both finally offer him at the end? I know he waited for a long time and they gave him the walk on story, but I thought that at the end of the recruiting season both had offered him...

[Mike Damone]

But those were the two positions looking at the roster that we had the most holes to fill - we only had two true running backs coming into this year - Brown and Fitz, and had to add several more.

Uhhh, Massey ain't too shabby either.

[Stallion]

JasonB I see what your saying-your looking at it from a slotting perspective ie. I need 4 CBs here and 2 WRs here to fill bodies into a 4 deep this year. I look at it from a QUALITY depth perspective-where are the positions at which we need the greatest talent upgrade to reach the next level in the years in the future and from that perspective I really feel that those positions are OLM, DLM, LB, WR, and S. And to prove my point I'll point to the fact that Bennett would have been dancin' like a lunatic if he could have picked up a Massey, Williams, Mims, Rollman, McClinton, or that Regaie Johnson kid that turned out to be a mistake by Texas Football. BTW I apologize for keeping the coaches and a couple of you up late last night with that little deadend-but it was in black in white in a recent article so I thought I ought to report it. Isn't the proof in the offers. They wanted these kids bad. And I know more than anyone you don't ever get what you really want in recruiting. But your slotting perspective doesn't account for what really was going on. Superstar prospects almost always trump the slotting goal 99% of the time.

<small>[ 02-04-2004, 09:54 PM: Message edited by: Stallion ]</small>

[Corso]

Originally posted by JasonB:
.... we only had two true running backs coming into this year - Brown and Fitz ....

Is Kincade not a true RB in your eyes? He was pretty good, as I recall. Or if you mean coming into 2004, give me Massey, Munlin and Dorsey, who is drawing raves from coaches for his scout-team work this year.

[JasonB]

Obviously if some incredible players wanted to come to SMU, we would have snatched them up regardless of position. And, sure, like anyone, we offered more players than we got.

However, if you look at the patterns of the positions we offered at, it is obvious that we didn't recruit the linemen heavily this year - the vast majority of our offers were to Safteys, DBs, and WR.

And sorry, I forgot Massey, it was late . Didn't mean to leave him out, but still, we needed more backs and went out and got them.

[FloridaMustang]

Obviously, the coaches have faith in the recievers we DO have... and their focus is on the defensive side of the ball where we struggled so much with depth and speed, especially at CB and S.

What's the word on Anthony Barnett? Is he supposed to challenge for a CB spot this spring? That Akinyemi kid is supposed to be awfully skilled, but I imagine everything will be pretty wide open going into spring. I'm excited with the depth we're going to have in the secondary... we've been burned so bad the past few years.

And yeah.. Henderson EXCITES me. I think we might be surprised with our JUCO QB's as well... not quite as mobile as Phillips though, and with our thin line, that might just keep Phillips his job.

Wasn't Kincade more of an H-back? He had what.. 4.6 speed? He was a hard nosed runner, not the turf burner that Henderson can be at the TB position. I think he's the only true TB we have still brought in thus far.

<small>[ 02-06-2004, 12:32 AM: Message edited by: FloridaMustang ]</small>

[PonyFan]

Munlin and Massey probably are the leaders, but Cedric Dorsey also is supposed to be a stud. When asked about the logjam at RB (those three, plus Martin, Henderson, McKinney, etc.), one assistant coach I recently ran into started his answer with Dorsey -- called him "the real deal, the whole package."
Should be an interesting spring, to say the least.