SMU Legacy R.J. Washington Commits to OU

[jtstang]

we don't have a chance with any of these guys because we are NOT BCS. Anybody with any objective view of why we are not BCS will have to admit that it is primarily because of our small fan base. That's our sad reality...we did it to ourselves. Well, WE didn't do it...it happened because there aren't enough of US. Period. Long live the 1500

That's exactly right. If we were to go for the non-Div 1 quality legacy, a la Craig James's kid, everybody would be saying we were bottom-fishing and they'd be right. The ones that are good enough to get recruited by OU we have no shot at anyway, so all of this is a moot point.

[SMU88]

I wander if he will stay committed to OU if Stoops leaves?? It is rumored that Stoops is interested in the Miami job.

[RGV Pony]

I wander if he will stay committed to OU if Stoops leaves?? It is rumored that Stoops is interested in the Miami job.

That would be interesting. Facilities at Miami are a long, long way from the facilities at OU. So is the fan base.

[SMU88]

I wander if he will stay committed to OU if Stoops leaves?? It is rumored that Stoops is interested in the Miami job.

That would be interesting. Facilities at Miami are a long, long way from the facilities at OU. So is the fan base.

I am sure if Miami was able to pull Stoops there would be some stipulation for upgrading the facilities. As far as the fans....Miami fans are fair weather fans whether it for the U or the Dolphins or Marlins. They show up when the teams are winning and stay home when they are not.

[originaloverthehilltop1]

charleston pony is on to something there, boys. why does stallion think we should be outrecruiting a&m, and ou for kids every year?

[Me]

Ok. This is my second post today which is some kind of record for me. I posted on Hillcrest High recruit Derrius Bell who I was around while I coached at Wilmer-Hutchins a couple of years ago and SMU can count themselves lucky if they get him.

After leaving "The Hutch," I took over for another SMU alum by the name of Brannon Kidd as the offensive line coach at Fossil Ridge HS in Keller for the 05 season. Since I coached offensive line there I consider myself pretty knowledgable on R.J. Washington and believe me what Big Ten has to say about this young man is exactly right. I too was at the Aledo game and RJ gave up on countless plays. You see, RJ thinks VERY highly of himself and listens to everyone pump him up. Does he have a seeminly bottomless pit of talent....yes, you better believe it. However, RJ will be the first to throw in the towel and curse his coaches. To me, just to much trouble to deal with.

I don't mean to talk bad about the kid and want to aknowledge his talent but I think he as well as SMU is better off with him at OU. You need to look at a player's head just as much as his body. That's what I believe at least. With all of this said, I wish him luck.

[Stallion]

where did I ever say that SMU should get this guy? I said the only way SMU would ever have a chance at this type of legacy was if he was a lifetime SMU fan from birth. I've said repeatedly SMU could achieve exactly what TCU has done by annually recruiting in the range of Top 50-60 classes (certainly not BCS range) instead of the 85-107 range of classes in the country. Recruiting is relative to your competition-one of my favorite sayings,

[mrydel]

where did I ever say that SMU should get this guy? I said the only way SMU would ever have a chance at this type of legacy was if he was a lifetime SMU fan from birth. I've said repeatedly SMU could achieve exactly what TCU has done by annually recruiting in the range of Top 50-60 classes (certainly not BCS range) instead of the 85-107 range of classes in the country. Recruiting is relative to your competition-one of my favorite sayings,

Not many seem to understand this. In the old SWC days we could compete, whether we were successful or not, with all of the big boys in recruiting. Today we are a mid major school and we are going to have to sign the best mid major recruits we are able. The ones at the very top will not even look at us unless there is some kind of tie beyond the field. It is possible that we could get a great Dallas kid because he wants to stay near home for example, but anything like that will be few and far between. However, when it does happen, we need to be able to beat out TCU for that kid. We are not going to be able to get the ones that could not get into UT because of grades or majors. We need to know our capibilites and get the best we are able. That does not mean not to try, but do not expect to get the top 10 players in the nation or the state or the area. Get the best you can by recruiting with the tools you have (and we have good tools) and build a great mid major. If we could ever get to dominance in CUSA, it is then possible that we we could attract a major player on occasion. But those kids are going for the exposure, the glory, and the big show.

[Charleston Pony]

but the point Stallion also makes is that we need to at least let these top guys know that if it doesn't work out for them at Glory U, we'd love them to consider SMU if they are looking for a place close to home, where they can get a good education and compete for playing time. We've picked up a few transfers in recent years, but I'd like to see more because guys are always bailing out of Big XII and SEC schools once they realize they aren't going to see the playing time they'd hoped for

[Ponymon]

I wander if he will stay committed to OU if Stoops leaves?? It is rumored that Stoops is interested in the Miami job.

That would be interesting. Facilities at Miami are a long, long way from the facilities at OU. So is the fan base.

I am sure if Miami was able to pull Stoops there would be some stipulation for upgrading the facilities. As far as the fans....Miami fans are fair weather fans whether it for the U or the Dolphins or Marlins. They show up when the teams are winning and stay home when they are not.

My experience tells me that most fans are "fair weather" fans. The State schools have the advantage in numbers, but even those numbers drop down significantly if the team is NOT competitive. It also happens in pro ball. Just the nature of "fans".

[SmartAsymptote]

umm do you realize that tulsa has 4000 students and pulls bigger crowds? its not because there arent enough of us... its because no one wants to see a team lose...... continuously......... for 23 years ...

[EP Pony Fan]

If you live in Tulsa and you're a sports fan, what else are you going to do?

Trust me -- I lived in Dallas and now I live in El Freaking Paso. I know of what I speak.

[Mexmustang]

Once more...isn't it funny that the Big 12 has no schools in Houston or Dallas? Four big city SWC teams were eliminated in favor of Waco! Dont' tell me that UT's recruiting desires have something to do with establishing a monopoly!