PonyFans.com

The DMN is running the new Rivals.com Top 100 lists. Considering SMU's record, and the lopsided score in a few of the losses, the Ponies have more players considering them than I would expect (and keep in mind, these things aren't updated too regularly, and you can bet your last dollar that the coaches have been hitting the recruiting trail hard during the bye week).

From the state list:

#48 Stephen Hodge
Athlete
5-11, 180
Tatum, Texas
Baylor, Houston, Louisiana-Monroe, Missouri, SMU, TCU, Texas A&M

#81 Alex Odiari
Defensive end
6-0, 225
Lewisville (Hebron), Texas
Arkansas, Kansas, Kansas State, SMU, TCU, Texas Tech

#100 Quinton Johnson
Offensive lineman
6-3, 315
Port Arthur (Memorial), Texas
Houston, Arizona, LSU, New Mexico, SMU


From the area list:

#29 Alex Odiari

#48 Josh Burris
Defensive back
5-11, 180
Garland (South Garland), Texas
Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado State, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, SMU, TCU, Tulane, Tulsa

#58 J.D. Walton
Offensive lineman
6-3, 288
Allen, Texas
Arizona State, Colorado State, Houston, Rice, SMU, Utah

#60 Wayne McKnight
Running back
5-9, 175
Cedar Hill, Texas
Colorado, Houston, Louisiana-Monroe, SMU, UTEP, Utah

#66 Kyle Hawari
Defensive end
6-5, 245
Plano (Plano West), Texas
Colorado, Harvard, Kansas, Rice, SMU, Utah, Yale

#70 Mitch Enright
Offensive lineman
6-1, 282
Southlake (Carroll), Texas
COMMITTED to SMU

#73 Cedric Godfrey
Linebacker
6-2, 230
Cedar Hill, Texas
Baylor, Kansas, SMU, UTEP

#75 Carl Taylor
Running back
6-2, 185
Dallas (Carter), Texas
Duke, Minnesota, SMU, TCU, Tennessee

#76 Sean Carney
Defensive end
6-3, 240
Dallas (Jesuit), Texas
Baylor, Colorado, Duke, Northwestern, SMU, Utah

#82 Justin Willis
Quarterback
6-1, 195
Denton (Ryan), Texas
New Mexico, Iowa State, Nebraska, Northwestern, SMU, Tulsa, Utah

#85 Darius Warner
Defensive end
6-4, 250
Grapevine, Texas
SMU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State

#88 John Stathas
Defensive tackle
6-4, 270
Dallas (St. Mark's), Texas
Northwestern, Stanford, Notre Dame, Rice, SMU, TCU, Utah, Vanderbilt, Wisconson

#89 Ray Sims
Defensive back
6-0, 208
Corsicana, Texas
Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana Tech, SMU, Tulsa, UTEP, Utah

#97 Chris Gilbert
Wide receiver
5-10, 170
Dallas (Hillcrest), Texas
Houston, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas A&M

#98 Josh Hickman
Offensive lineman
6-3, 280
Rowlett, Texas
COMMITTED to SMU

#100 Ryan Polite
Running back
6-0, 200
Carrollton (American Heritage), Texas
Baylor, Florida, Iowa State, SMU, TCU, Yale

we ain't prominently involved with any of those Top 100 players and SMU will never win big selecting from the Bottom 50 of the DFW list.

I also is important to remember our competition brings in a few JUCO and has policies in place to make it easy for transfers, i.e. TCU, N. Texas, La. Tech, UTEP, etc. The recruiting lists you see in the papers are only half of the story. SMU also has trouble keeping the kids they recruit to stay around for four/five years. There is a reason we are the so-called youngest team in the country. (This is not a good thing by the way) It is troubling SMU has not received more interest from the state's top 100. I am not suprised but Bennett sure has seemed to lost any recruiting momentum he had.

I disagree. Considering our record over the past two seasons, it would be understandable if every decent player looked elsewhere. They haven't. The Ponies will sign a few JUCO guys again this year, and there will be some HS players who choose us over big programs, as was the case in recent years when players like DeMyron Martin chose us over A&M and Kyle Griffin chose us over Notre Dame. We all want to see SMU on the wish list of every top player in Texas .... well, the competition is stiff. These coaches are doing a terrific job getting us in the door with players who can help us turn the corner. Now we just need more like 'em.

I disagree with your statement the coaches are doing a terrific job. We have yet to get a commitment from a QB and we lost our highest rated recruit to Oklahoma State. We also have yet to sign a Texas top 100. Not good at all.

Johnny, of course you see the down side. It's the way you think.

Given the poor record and SMU recruiting extra steps and higher requirements.... These coaches are doing GREAT.

Bring in a herd of big men.
Go Coaches.

Thought. If SMU did business like most all other schools - THINK who and how much better recruiting could be.

" RFC "

I'd rather see a QB commitment in February than in October.
Say something supportive about the team, Johnny. Just once. It won't hurt.

I would love to say something supportive regarding the team. I am still waiting for the school to give me a reason to say something positive. I call them like I see them. When SMU does something positive then I will certainly acknowledge it.

Texas Tech's Texas haul is more impressive than Texas'. I guess it pays to run up the score.

A great line makes an average QB or RB look like an All American. Time to throw or a gaping hole makes for big plays. A great defensive line keeps the other team's offense on the run. I'm with BUS- load up on Big Men, feed them lots of rare roast beef and potatos and start controlling the line of scrimmage.