Effects of UTEP game on recruiting?

[RGV Pony]

Obviously, an SMU win over UTEP would've been nice to help recruiting. A good showing would've helped also. With a woodshed whoopin' now in hand, how might/will this affect SMU's recruiting efforts? Anyone think we'll lose some guys who might've been on the fence?

[Corso]

Ready for a good giggle? I don't think this game hurts us in recruiting.

Think about where we've been for the last .... 15 years. Were we ever expected to beat a top-25 team? No. Look at last year - there were jokes made at our expense. Players who are considering SMU want (A) a great education and (B) to join a program on the rise that still has the opportunity for young players to play.

A lot of players don't even ask about specific games. But if they do ask about this, the response is: "hey, we stood in there with a nationally ranked team for the first half. A few more stud players and we can hang with those guys. Do you think you're good enough to be one of those players? Can you be a difference-maker?" There were a lot of folks who didn't think we'd win three games this year. Today's score stings a little, but it doesn't overshadow the growth the team has experienced this year.

Go Mustangs!
Recruit like madmen, coaches!!!!!!!

[Sam I Am]

Yeah, I think the coaches can spin the UTEP game to recruit quality defenders with the pitch that they could make the difference, etc.

[Stallion]

about 65-70% of the best recruits have already committed elsewhere-about 10-15% have eligibility issue which are keeping them from committing right now. The other 20% is generally not looking at SMU anyway-so no it probably won't hurt SMU's recruiting.

[BUS]

Lets not forget that SMU already has 5 commits at this time. So we are in on that 60 to 70 % already giving verbals.

Bring in the HERD.
Go Coaches

[Stallion]

None of SMU recruits are rated highly. We do have one kid rated 5.4 or a high 2 star but the scary part is we are in the running for very few recruits rated 5.4 or higher. I wouldn't get your hopes up too high for a highly rated class. Hopefully we can come up with some solid football players but they won't likely be highly rated. To make you feel better-go check out the picture of the SL Carroll TD celebration on the back page of the Sunday Sports Page Part II-that's Mitch Enright-No. 60-the kid has some meat hooks for arms for a high school senior.

[PonyFan]

I saw one list (FW Star-Telegram maybe?) that called Enright the best offensive lineman in the STATE. I call that highly rated. But again, I don't care how many stars or what lists a guy is on. How many stars did Allan Adami have coming out of high school? What about Alvin Nnabuife? Ryan Kennedy? Ro Humphrey?

[PonyFan]

And you're right, Stallion - Enright's got some PIPES!

[Charleston Pony]

Let's face it. SMU is a long ways from getting in on top recruits. Those who are talented enough to play wherever they want generally want to play in a BCS conference and at least have a chance at a national championship. Whether SMU wants to admit it or not, it is our lack of a large fan base (and the same problem at Rice, TCU & Houston) that caused the break up of the SWC and put us in this position. Now we just need to build back to where we are among the top non-BCS programs. The guys who have committed might not be top rated guys, but they look good for what SMU needs...more beef in the trenches and depth at LB. Cavan left things pretty bare. Bennett has done a nice job addressing needs. The rest is how much these guys work and develop during their 4-5 years in the program. I'm encouraged, but have to remind myself to be patient because not too many 19 yr old linemen are going to come right in and make a difference.