SMU lands first 2012 commitment

by **The PonyGrad** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:28 am

Lewis listed as 3* on Scout.

by **Peruna 2K5** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:12 pm

We have had many other recruits who have decided to come to SMU despite having BCS offers. No, they are not in the "150" or "250" or any other numerical ranking but are still great players who have decided to come to a small, private, non-AQ school over the "big boys."

Take for example Conner Preston. Not a "150" or "250" etc. But still chose us over Colorado, Cincinnati, Maryland, etc. How is that not a national recruiting battle??

by **jpe747** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:19 pm

The Pony Grad is right. The more SMU wins and the better our reputation becomes the easier recruiting will be.

by **Pony_Law** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:18 pm

Maybe i'm not being clear on my point so I'll try again. We have not had a competition for one of the top athletes yet (ie espn 150). I do not view a good player like preston, dontae, or moreland as being in the same situation as a player in the 150 would be. For instance these players can come to SMU with the understanding that they will be the jewels in the class. What does that mean? it means the fans and coaches are excited for them. This means they will be given every oppertunity and will likely suceseed as they are the best players going into the competition for starting spots. If one of these players went to one of the places they had BCS offers to they would be the also rands of the recruiting class and up against tougher competition for playing time even at non BCS powers like MD and CO. For instance would preston have a realistic shot of climbing the depth chart at a school that every year has a legitamate chance to get the best HS QB in the country? So while these type of players are good and could possibly excell at the larger schools SMU is a safer pick for them because they will be given every oppertunity to make it. At larger schools they will not be given this oppertunity and hence SMU is a more attractive school and can beat the bigger schools. Now lets raise the calabre player to and ESPN 150, each of the 150 is expected to have an impact on then highest levels of College football ie being a starter at least by their Junior or senoir season at the top football powers in the country. Thus they get the bonus of being the recruit players and coaches are excited about having and ae given every oppertunity, not to mention the risk of recruiting a superior player at their position still exists but is less likely. For these types of Players they will be considered a big Fish in a Small pond wherever they go eliminating the biggest advantage SMU can offer to higher talented guys. I mean if you are told you have a real chance of being a 3 year starter at UT are you going to take that or the assurance of being a 3 year starter at SMU? SMU has not had that battle yet which wasmy origional point, and until they do and we win I won't be opptamisitc about our chances. Why? becuase this is how every top 15 program remains a top 15 program over the long term they win these battles. Why do they win they can say things SMU can't like national tv every week, at least 3 or 4 guys into the NFL every year, 100k people in the stadium, ect ect.
Schools like TCU and Boise still don't win these battles and likely never will until they get into the major conferences, what they do is get good players that want to be jewles of their class and out coach their opponents in all phases of the game. I think we have that level of coaching to follow this model but we won't be in a position to sign the biggest prospects. If i turn out to be incorrect about SMU ability to get top players that's great, but I don't think that is how our success will come about

by **One Trick Pony** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:45 pm

Could you try one more time I didn't get it lol.

Also keep in mind prospective student athletes that are of the 4 star caliber will not only shine at SMU but will glisten in CUSA.

by **The PonyGrad** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:14 pm

Let me see, there are 64, give or take, BCS schools. So if you are not in the top 150, avg 2.5 approx. players per BCS school, then you are an also ran??? That is soooo wrong.

by **One Trick Pony** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:33 pm

Shine and glisten? Only if they hang out at the Spearmint Rhino!

[/quote]

I know right? Makes you wonder if I'm going to break dance to show tunes! Lol

by **RGV Pony** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:46 pm

I applaud OTP on his post. Shine & glisten indeed.

by **SMU2007** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:48 pm

there's about 400 guys in espn's top 150 watch list. let's see what happens, where he ends up, who else wants him, and who we are battling to keep the guy. either way, a great pick up so early in the season

by **expony18** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 5:06 pm

Pony_Law wrote:Maybe i'm not being clear on my point so I'll try again. We have not had a competition for one of the top athletes yet (ie espn 150). I do not view a good player like preston, dontae, or moreland as being in the same situation as a player in the 150 would be.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/rec ... class/2007

#143 ?

by **Junior** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 5:22 pm

expony18 wrote:
Pony_Law wrote:Maybe i'm not being clear on my point so I'll try again. We have not had a competition for one of the top athletes yet (ie espn 150). I do not view a good player like preston, dontae, or moreland as being in the same situation as a player in the 150 would be.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/rec ... class/2007

#143 ?

Well played.

by **SMU 86** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:16 pm

Pony_Law wrote:Guys I don't want to be a downer but we have really only won 1 recruiting battle against the big boys out west and that was for Moreland who was a good recruit but still well below the 150 level. the reports I heard was he wanted to be a big fish in a smaller pool than just an average recruit, someone in the 150 probablt won't have this issue. Klemm is a great recruiter but we haven't won a battle like this would be(not saying we can't and are chances are better than others would have because we do have Klemm). I'll get excited about this guy in October when he has other offers and from the Big Pac-12 schools and he remains firmly committed.

Oregon has offered him and he still has not budged from SMU. And Colorado has offer as well. I think Coach Klemm really did well in identifying him early and building the relationship with Robert and his family. Nice job Coach Klemm.

by **SMULaxer** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 10:34 pm

This kid is going to be money in the CUSA.