You all know I don't visit much anymore so I wouldn't know if this has been posted already. If so, please disregard...
Don't know who this guy is but he makes sense.
Question - Why was Auburn so unsuccessful in r ecruiting this year?
Answer - I'm not sure that they were unsuccessful. For sure, Alabama got
the vast majority of top-ranked recruits in Alabama, so from that Auburn
perspective, it's not good.
But the most important question is, did it meet Auburn's needs? With Cox
graduating and Field transferring, QB depth was needed. Auburn brings in a
top junior college transfer, along with the top QB in Alabama and in
Georgia, where Deron Furr's team went undefeated and won the state title.
No running backs needed . Tate, Lester, Fannin, Tristan Davis return . but
they signed the top RB in Alabama, along with the country's #4 fullback,
according to Rivals, plus 4-star McCalebb, who could also be a RB. Auburn
returns two tight ends and signed two more. There was virtually no need at
offensive line with nine of the top 10 returning, including two Freshmen
All-Americans. But, Auburn still signed arguably the top OL in the country,
Jermaine Johnson. Wide receiver? Returning next season - Smith, Hawthorne,
Billings, Dunn, Slaughter, Zachery (who am I leaving out?). But they still
signed at least three more, including possibly the fastest group ever
signed in any Auburn class. On the defensive side, Auburn needs defensive
line depth . returning quality is definitely no problem. So, they signed
four at DL including 5-star Raven Gray, plus Savage and Henderson, two
outstanding in-state guys. It would have been good to get more linebackers,
but if you can, watch film on LB Spencer Pybus from Dothan. He is only
ranked 2-stars, but after watching him, you'll wonder why. Auburn signed
four guys listed at DB, plus a couple of guys called "athletes" that could
play DB. There was no need for kickers since the entire kicking team last
season were freshmen and two of them made second-team Freshman
All-American. So, could this recruiting class have been
higher ranked . ab solutely. Did Auburn get beat on several outstanding
players . for sure. Did Auburn meet its needs with good players? Looks that
way to me.
Question - Why is Auburn's class ranked so low? Doesn't that prove how bad
the class is?
Answer - Ranked low depends on what you're comparing it with. For sure, if
you compare it to Alabama's class, it will be low since they are in the Top
3 of every recruiting service. But, take an objective look at the class
rankings. The numbers below are from Rivals since we (Lindy's) partner with
them on editorial and marketing things.
Rankings of SEC Teams (with national ranking)
1. Alabama (#1)
2. Florida (#3)
3. Georgia (#6)
4. LSU (#11)
5. Auburn (#20)
6. South Carolina (#22)
7. Mississippi (#24)
8. Tennessee (#36)
9. Arkansas (#37)
10. Mississippi State (#45)
11. Kentuck y (#57)
12. Vanderbilt (#89)
So, among SEC teams, Auburn is fifth. And, Auburn is in the Top 20, which
represents the top 10% of all teams nationally.
Don't just compare to Alabama and Florida. Compare to other traditional
national powers . Tennessee ranked #36 was able to get only 18 signees,
none ranked 5-star and only 15 ranked 3-star or above (by comparison,
Auburn signed two 5-stars and 22 ranked 3-star or above) . Penn State
ranked # 42 signed only 14 players, none 5-star . West Virginia followed up
its great season with the #44 class, none 5-star . Nebraska ranked #30,
Wisconsin ranked #41, Georgia Tech #49.
So, is Auburn's class really that poorly ranked? Maybe you will think so if
you insult yourself by listening to Finebaum and similar things. You know
what they say . Perception is reality. The anti-Auburn media will do its
best to create the perception that Auburn's football program is about to
collapse because Alabama got good high school players. You can buy into
that if you want to, but perception is NOT always reality.
Question - Why did Auburn get beat on so many players this year?
Answer - Auburn faced the perfect storm of recruiting challenges.
First, the defensive coordinator leaves just a few weeks before signing day
when relationships had been solidified. Several players listed that as a
primary reason. Second, the offense coordinator changed in late December
bringing a new system. Again, relationships had been built and at least two
indicated that the change to the spread was important in their change.
Third, the Tuberville toArkansas/Texas A&M non-controversy, which the media
did its best to foster in order to hurt Auburn recruiting. It was used
against Auburn by other coaches. Fourth, the power of what Alabama has to
sell this year. Here's the pitch . Come here and you can play quickly. Our
team has lost 13 games the past two years and has a losing SEC record over
the past five years. Surely, you can beat out some of these guys. We used
to have tradition before you were born and you can be a part of bringing it
back.We are getting great media coverage, so you'll be on television and in
print a lot. Come and be a part of something great, bringing back a
program. Or would you rather go to Auburn or LSU or Georgia or Florida
where they are already loaded with quality depth and you won't get to play
as often or as soon? Now, if somebody can't sell that to players, they need
to quit their jobs. Surely, if you pay somebody $4 million and he loses six
games, including to Louisiana-Monroe, you should expect him to be able to
succeed with that sales pitch. If you couldn't sell that this year, when
would you ever be able to sell it?
So, there were a lot of factors working against Auburn. There is a
di fference in an "excuse" and a "reason." There's still no "excuse" for
losing so many head-to-head considerations with Alabama, and losing several
last minute defections to other schools, but it does give some "reasons"
that contributed.
Question - Does this mean Alabama will start dominating on the field, too?
Answer - It hasn't happened in the last 25 years, so why should it happen
soon?
From Auburn's perspective, look back at the first answer for the returning
quality depth for next season. Auburn still has Coach Tuberville and the
core staff that has been with him since the beginning at Auburn. The
schedule turns in Auburn's favor with LSU, Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas
at home, plus Bama in Tuscaloosa where they've never won.
From Alabama's perspective, they return fewer players than Auburn, which
could be a good thing since they are 13-13 in the last two seasons. They
play on the road at LSU, Geo rgia and Tennessee. Do we think any of those
teams are going to roll over and play dead because Alabama recruited good
high school players? They open against Clemson, which also signed a great
recruiting class. If you watched Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and
watched Alabama in the Independence Bowl, do you really think Clemson
should lose
that game?
In the long run, if Alabama continues to dominate in-state recruiting like
this year and Auburn again loses defections of good players at the last
minute, it could make a big enough impact that the balance of power could
turn. Auburn coaches need to realize the recruiting threat posed by this
renewed Alabama situation and not let this happen again to this magnitude.
Alabama will probably finally start winning a few against Tennessee, LSU
andAuburn . they are 4-20 against those three teams this decade . but I
don't think it will happen consistently for a while, if it happens.
Question - Are you losing confidence in Coach Tuberville and his staff?
Answer - No. I think this Auburn staff is the best in the SEC in evaluating
talent, then getting the most of it when it gets on the field. How many
under-ranked all-stars have been at Auburn during Tuberville's highly
successful time at Auburn? It has been a common thing. I think they put a
high priority on getting players that really want to come to Auburn, not
arm-twisting players that are stringing Auburn out. I trust that this staff
will continue to put a high priority on good behavior and citizenship. I
don't think Auburn will have many players arrested in bars or in fights or
have our team captains arrested in the middle of highways. And, if that
does happen, I'm proud that based on past history, the consequences will be
swift and firm and made public, even if it is your best linebacker and
you're getting ready to play a national championship co ntender. I'm glad
that the coaches are willing to take a chance on guys that may not be the
greatest students in high school, giving them a chance to prepare elsewhere
and then come to Auburn . and that when players do enroll at Auburn, they
demand satisfactory academics and have consequences if that fails. I'm glad
that our coaches won't lie to players, virtually guaranteeing them freshmen
playing time in order to sway their decision. I'm glad that this coaching
staff conducts itself in a way that makes Auburn proud and requires that
same thing from its players. Let other coaching staffs be investigated for
improper recruiting contacts. Let other coaching staffs have to continually
apologize for the actions of their
players. I'll take what Auburn people get from their coaching staff any
day.
Until I see evidence to the contrary, I see no reason to begin doubting the
Auburn coaching staff's judgment about players and their relationship with
them
Don't know who this guy is but he makes sense.
Question - Why was Auburn so unsuccessful in r ecruiting this year?
Answer - I'm not sure that they were unsuccessful. For sure, Alabama got
the vast majority of top-ranked recruits in Alabama, so from that Auburn
perspective, it's not good.
But the most important question is, did it meet Auburn's needs? With Cox
graduating and Field transferring, QB depth was needed. Auburn brings in a
top junior college transfer, along with the top QB in Alabama and in
Georgia, where Deron Furr's team went undefeated and won the state title.
No running backs needed . Tate, Lester, Fannin, Tristan Davis return . but
they signed the top RB in Alabama, along with the country's #4 fullback,
according to Rivals, plus 4-star McCalebb, who could also be a RB. Auburn
returns two tight ends and signed two more. There was virtually no need at
offensive line with nine of the top 10 returning, including two Freshmen
All-Americans. But, Auburn still signed arguably the top OL in the country,
Jermaine Johnson. Wide receiver? Returning next season - Smith, Hawthorne,
Billings, Dunn, Slaughter, Zachery (who am I leaving out?). But they still
signed at least three more, including possibly the fastest group ever
signed in any Auburn class. On the defensive side, Auburn needs defensive
line depth . returning quality is definitely no problem. So, they signed
four at DL including 5-star Raven Gray, plus Savage and Henderson, two
outstanding in-state guys. It would have been good to get more linebackers,
but if you can, watch film on LB Spencer Pybus from Dothan. He is only
ranked 2-stars, but after watching him, you'll wonder why. Auburn signed
four guys listed at DB, plus a couple of guys called "athletes" that could
play DB. There was no need for kickers since the entire kicking team last
season were freshmen and two of them made second-team Freshman
All-American. So, could this recruiting class have been
higher ranked . ab solutely. Did Auburn get beat on several outstanding
players . for sure. Did Auburn meet its needs with good players? Looks that
way to me.
Question - Why is Auburn's class ranked so low? Doesn't that prove how bad
the class is?
Answer - Ranked low depends on what you're comparing it with. For sure, if
you compare it to Alabama's class, it will be low since they are in the Top
3 of every recruiting service. But, take an objective look at the class
rankings. The numbers below are from Rivals since we (Lindy's) partner with
them on editorial and marketing things.
Rankings of SEC Teams (with national ranking)
1. Alabama (#1)
2. Florida (#3)
3. Georgia (#6)
4. LSU (#11)
5. Auburn (#20)
6. South Carolina (#22)
7. Mississippi (#24)
8. Tennessee (#36)
9. Arkansas (#37)
10. Mississippi State (#45)
11. Kentuck y (#57)
12. Vanderbilt (#89)
So, among SEC teams, Auburn is fifth. And, Auburn is in the Top 20, which
represents the top 10% of all teams nationally.
Don't just compare to Alabama and Florida. Compare to other traditional
national powers . Tennessee ranked #36 was able to get only 18 signees,
none ranked 5-star and only 15 ranked 3-star or above (by comparison,
Auburn signed two 5-stars and 22 ranked 3-star or above) . Penn State
ranked # 42 signed only 14 players, none 5-star . West Virginia followed up
its great season with the #44 class, none 5-star . Nebraska ranked #30,
Wisconsin ranked #41, Georgia Tech #49.
So, is Auburn's class really that poorly ranked? Maybe you will think so if
you insult yourself by listening to Finebaum and similar things. You know
what they say . Perception is reality. The anti-Auburn media will do its
best to create the perception that Auburn's football program is about to
collapse because Alabama got good high school players. You can buy into
that if you want to, but perception is NOT always reality.
Question - Why did Auburn get beat on so many players this year?
Answer - Auburn faced the perfect storm of recruiting challenges.
First, the defensive coordinator leaves just a few weeks before signing day
when relationships had been solidified. Several players listed that as a
primary reason. Second, the offense coordinator changed in late December
bringing a new system. Again, relationships had been built and at least two
indicated that the change to the spread was important in their change.
Third, the Tuberville toArkansas/Texas A&M non-controversy, which the media
did its best to foster in order to hurt Auburn recruiting. It was used
against Auburn by other coaches. Fourth, the power of what Alabama has to
sell this year. Here's the pitch . Come here and you can play quickly. Our
team has lost 13 games the past two years and has a losing SEC record over
the past five years. Surely, you can beat out some of these guys. We used
to have tradition before you were born and you can be a part of bringing it
back.We are getting great media coverage, so you'll be on television and in
print a lot. Come and be a part of something great, bringing back a
program. Or would you rather go to Auburn or LSU or Georgia or Florida
where they are already loaded with quality depth and you won't get to play
as often or as soon? Now, if somebody can't sell that to players, they need
to quit their jobs. Surely, if you pay somebody $4 million and he loses six
games, including to Louisiana-Monroe, you should expect him to be able to
succeed with that sales pitch. If you couldn't sell that this year, when
would you ever be able to sell it?
So, there were a lot of factors working against Auburn. There is a
di fference in an "excuse" and a "reason." There's still no "excuse" for
losing so many head-to-head considerations with Alabama, and losing several
last minute defections to other schools, but it does give some "reasons"
that contributed.
Question - Does this mean Alabama will start dominating on the field, too?
Answer - It hasn't happened in the last 25 years, so why should it happen
soon?
From Auburn's perspective, look back at the first answer for the returning
quality depth for next season. Auburn still has Coach Tuberville and the
core staff that has been with him since the beginning at Auburn. The
schedule turns in Auburn's favor with LSU, Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas
at home, plus Bama in Tuscaloosa where they've never won.
From Alabama's perspective, they return fewer players than Auburn, which
could be a good thing since they are 13-13 in the last two seasons. They
play on the road at LSU, Geo rgia and Tennessee. Do we think any of those
teams are going to roll over and play dead because Alabama recruited good
high school players? They open against Clemson, which also signed a great
recruiting class. If you watched Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and
watched Alabama in the Independence Bowl, do you really think Clemson
should lose
that game?
In the long run, if Alabama continues to dominate in-state recruiting like
this year and Auburn again loses defections of good players at the last
minute, it could make a big enough impact that the balance of power could
turn. Auburn coaches need to realize the recruiting threat posed by this
renewed Alabama situation and not let this happen again to this magnitude.
Alabama will probably finally start winning a few against Tennessee, LSU
andAuburn . they are 4-20 against those three teams this decade . but I
don't think it will happen consistently for a while, if it happens.
Question - Are you losing confidence in Coach Tuberville and his staff?
Answer - No. I think this Auburn staff is the best in the SEC in evaluating
talent, then getting the most of it when it gets on the field. How many
under-ranked all-stars have been at Auburn during Tuberville's highly
successful time at Auburn? It has been a common thing. I think they put a
high priority on getting players that really want to come to Auburn, not
arm-twisting players that are stringing Auburn out. I trust that this staff
will continue to put a high priority on good behavior and citizenship. I
don't think Auburn will have many players arrested in bars or in fights or
have our team captains arrested in the middle of highways. And, if that
does happen, I'm proud that based on past history, the consequences will be
swift and firm and made public, even if it is your best linebacker and
you're getting ready to play a national championship co ntender. I'm glad
that the coaches are willing to take a chance on guys that may not be the
greatest students in high school, giving them a chance to prepare elsewhere
and then come to Auburn . and that when players do enroll at Auburn, they
demand satisfactory academics and have consequences if that fails. I'm glad
that our coaches won't lie to players, virtually guaranteeing them freshmen
playing time in order to sway their decision. I'm glad that this coaching
staff conducts itself in a way that makes Auburn proud and requires that
same thing from its players. Let other coaching staffs be investigated for
improper recruiting contacts. Let other coaching staffs have to continually
apologize for the actions of their
players. I'll take what Auburn people get from their coaching staff any
day.
Until I see evidence to the contrary, I see no reason to begin doubting the
Auburn coaching staff's judgment about players and their relationship with
them
