My Thoughts on Strong & Recruiting...

[fakepunt]

All you people that are jumping off the cliff need to slow down. There are a lot of different reasons why recruits make decisions to play college football for one school or another.

Let's analyze our recent 2014 recruiting changes:

DT -- We lost Henderson, LMFAO & Garnett. We gain (potentially) Ford & Nelson. In addition, we are most likely moving to a 3-3-5 which will require us to have less defensive lineman. The main reason most of these guys switched because Davis was not retained. More importantly, Ford & Nelson had developed a relationship with Strong, and by all accounts, it appears that Strong really likes those 2 guys. If we like Strong as a coach, this is at worst a push.

WR -- We lost Porter to TCU. We gain (potentially) Porter who is visiting this weekend. There is some speculation that Foreman and/or Gray might go elsewhere. I hope we can sign Porter because I like his potential, and I hope we can keep Foreman and Gray. Either way, signing 6 receivers is a tad bit excessive so imo it isn't that big of a deal if we only sign 3-4 WR. If that happens, it does open up some slots for strong to use elsewhere. If we lost Foreman & Porter, it might sting a bit but it isn't the end of the world.

DB -- It appears we might lose Bonney to Baylor. Hopefully we can hold onto him, but if not I'm sure we can replace him with Johnson or someone else comparable. In addition, if that is the case, Strong will be picking the guys he wants instead of signing the guy Mack or his staff wanted. Worst case imo = push.

LB -- Alaka hurts, but it is offset somewhat due to the commitment of Freeman. Both guys are similar imo. I would rather have both, but it didn't work out. It appears we will use this slot on Kolin Hill, a guy who Strong will be choosing... I'm not saying this replaces Alaka, but it truly isn't the end of the world.

There might be some other flips to/from us, but either way it will work itself out if Strong is the right guy for the job. Everything I have seen so far is that he is the right guy for the job. High school kids change their minds on just about everything multiple times per minute/hour/day/month... Let's chill the eff out and let Strong do his thing. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't, but no matter what happens between now and February 5, 2014, we won't know that answer.

TLDR -- The sky is not falling. Chill out.

 

[echeese]

Listen you mindless sunshine pumper. . .how dare you bring logic and facts to a chicken little party . ..by golly next you are going to tell us that 2 is half of 41. . .

Listen to the wise words of fred thompson. . texas is a dumpster fire right now. . .the end is near. ..



Hopefully you realized that was sarcasm.. .(though there really is an idiot on this board who claimed 2 was half of 41. . and I enjoy mocking such stupidity)... .

Well done. . .you left out a good chance to flip Hill at DE and by keeping Robinson. .I think Strong will improve the DL recruiting class. . .

However. . I'll wager we see a great deal of 4-2-5 as well . . .

Wanted both Alaka and Freeman but agree. .we should be OK there. ..the JUCO TE might keep Beck on D. . .but I think he might be best suited at TE. .who knows. . .

The NO OT is a big pickup at a big need position. . .

It's not done yet. . .will be a fun week and a half but I'll wager CS finishes with a strong class than the day he arrived. .

 

[Brasky]

Give me 3* and a coach over 5* and no coaching every day of the week. I like everything about Strong so far. Guy is going to be awesome here!

 

[jesserson]

There are tons of 3 star kids that get coached into being 5 star kids. Stars should be the least of our concerns. We have a coach that will develop and get the most out of whoever we recruit. History proves that programs rise and fall all the time. This isn't some fancy lawnmower that turns on a dime. It's going to take some time (more than 3 weeks...) to turn this thing around. We still recruit the best out of anyone in our conference. If we win our conference we have a great shot at being in the playoff. I would wait to freak out after this next season.

 

[Davharjac]

Hill could very well be the same type of player as Olaka so there is that. I think the class is better than most on the boards tend to though.

 

[Topstarr]

Every thing will work out and HOOK'EM

 

[Chapalahorn]

I think that all the guys who started looking elsewhere after meeting with a coach or coaches were probably encouraged to do so because they weren't really what Coach Strong wanted. Overall, I'd say we're better off if that indeed is the case.

 

[mesoHorny]

I think that all the guys who started looking elsewhere after meeting with a coach or coaches were probably encouraged to do so because they weren't really what Coach Strong wanted. Overall, I'd say we're better off if that indeed is the case.

How can you know that? Its just speculation or worse hoping. Not saying your wrong but until we know for sure I don't have a problem with people being nervous about it.

 

[fakepunt]

So I did some research of the past 9 BCS champs...

8 out of 9 -- Each champion had a #1 or #2 ranked recruiting class (rivals) in the 4 previous year

(Cam Newton & Auburn is the exception)

9 out of 9 -- Each champion had a 4 year average rivals ranking of 13.5 or lower

(Texas was lowest at 13.5)

8 out of 9 -- Each champion had a lower 4 year average than their opponent

(Texas vs USC is the exception)

The average class ranking for all champions during their 4 year window: 7.1

The average class ranking for all runner ups during their 4 year window: 11.4

The good news...

Texas, Bama, FSU & Ohio State are the only teams to have a #1 or #2 ranked recruiting class going into next season. There is 91% chance one of these teams will play for the championship...

The bad news...

If Texas plays against one of those teams for the championship, Texas' 4 year average will be higher and therefore we will have a 91% chance of losing... That being said, Texas is the exception to that rule, therefore the odds should be 100% if Texas makes the championship game.

TLDR -- Texas is probably winning it all next year.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Hill could very well be the same type of player as Olaka so there is that. I think the class is better than most on the boards tend to though.

I watched tape on both and agree. Both look very quick off the edge on their highlight film, but Hill actually looks better taking on and beating a block. Given a choice, I'd take Hill.

 

[Brasky]

I watched tape on both and agree. Both look very quick off the edge on their highlight film, but Hill actually looks better taking on and beating a block. Given a choice, I'd take Hill.

I'm just glad to hear they're comparable and it's not a complete whiff.

 

[Davharjac]

I watched tape on both and agree. Both look very quick off the edge on their highlight film, but Hill actually looks better taking on and beating a block. Given a choice, I'd take Hill.

Well i would take both..Olaka has to get bigger, he is a very lean backer, but suits the (current) play in the Big 12 better than the SEC. I think Olaka may have more upside, Hill appears to be a tough guy with some speed to him. I also like the young man that Coach Strong has offered from Florida, 6'4 220 olb/de type guy. He looks fast as well.

 

[coolhorn]

I posted this on IT in response to a poster over there who implied that anyone who isn't criticizing Coach Strong right now over the recruiting losses is a "cheerleader", a "sunshine pumper"...I think what was said there is just as appropriate here, given how many people are prepared to jump off of the ledge, and take Coach Strong with them.

I doubt anybody remembers who was or wasn't a sunshine pumper several years ago. I can only speak for myself...after 5-7, and a team that seemed fractured right down the middle, and a coaching staff with members who were mailing it in, I was hardly "cheerleading" for Mack's retention. I went on record then, and stayed consistent that it was time for a change. I also stated publicly that we waited at least two years too long for that change.

Right now, NOBODY knows what the UT team is gonna look like a year or two down the road, except that they'll be in a lot better shape and not in the mood to take any crap from zero-u or anybody else. This coaching staff is too new to have any idea about their success or failure, other than looking at their track record at previous stops. Most of this staff needs a GPS device just to get out of Austin.

This is NOT sunshine pumping to say I've been impressed so far with Coach Strong and the staff. Anybody who thought that there wouldn't be recruiting losses with the turnover of an entire staff is naive, or doesn't understand a thing about psychology, or both. It sounds nice to say a player should commit to a school rather than a coach, but in reality, every one of the recruits finds a comfort level with one coach or another and chooses a school based somewhat on that relationship. THIS staff, because of the lateness of their hiring, and because of some questionable moves by Mack at burning several in-home visits while he HAD to know his lame duck status, has started the '14 recruiting cycle with maybe both hands tied behind their back, and yet they've done some impressive things in getting to know the high school coaches. Coach Strong and his staff have made it clear what is going to be expected physically, mentally, and academically of EVERY UT football player, and obviously, those who don't think that works for them have and are moving on. I want players who know what they're coming into and want to pay the price, and want to be at UT. The rest? Not so much. The short term recruiting losses may hurt, but it's like the pain you feel when you're taking the steps to get better from an illness or injury.

I have no more idea than anyone else if ultimately this head coach and staff will know success at UT, but I do like what I've seen, and I recognize the need for the hard medicine Coach Strong is providing. There's been so much talk about a "culture change" at UT. You don't get that by placing a Band-Aid on what's hurting. I can't believe that anyone here would want the same kind of "entitled" team that we've seen for the most part for the last five years. The recruiting losses to agricultural are entirely predictable...Sumlin's had a couple of years on the job in collie station, and he is a savvy and game-changing recruiter, much like Mack was a decade and a half ago. However, he's not without problems that Coach Strong and staff can exploit. I prefer to give this staff time, to see what they do in the next recruiting cycle or two at least, and to see if his tough love approach makes the UT football team tougher, more prepared to win, no matter who they're playing.

Yeah, I know he's NOT Coach Harbaugh (either one), or Coach Saban...but so far, to me at least, he seems like just the head coach UT needs at a crucial time, and I prefer to stay positive about him, rather than taking potshots at his hiring. Oh, and yeah...that's NOT sunshine pumping.

 

[TexasFirst1]

There are no major difference makers left in play in the 2014 recruiting class. Charlie and his staff just need to maximize the performance of the talent already on campus and win the Big 12 and make it to the final four in 2014 and recruiting will take care of itself. The aggy can have their mythical recruiting championship in 2014 while UT was in transition but they will still be aggy and that will never change.

 

[GetHooked]

All you people that are jumping off the cliff need to slow down. There are a lot of different reasons why recruits make decisions to play college football for one school or another.
Let's analyze our recent 2014 recruiting changes:

DT -- We lost Henderson, LMFAO & Garnett. We gain (potentially) Ford & Nelson. In addition, we are most likely moving to a 3-3-5 which will require us to have less defensive lineman. The main reason most of these guys switched because Davis was not retained. More importantly, Ford & Nelson had developed a relationship with Strong, and by all accounts, it appears that Strong really likes those 2 guys. If we like Strong as a coach, this is at worst a push.

WR -- We lost Porter to TCU. We gain (potentially) Porter who is visiting this weekend. There is some speculation that Foreman and/or Gray might go elsewhere. I hope we can sign Porter because I like his potential, and I hope we can keep Foreman and Gray. Either way, signing 6 receivers is a tad bit excessive so imo it isn't that big of a deal if we only sign 3-4 WR. If that happens, it does open up some slots for strong to use elsewhere. If we lost Foreman & Porter, it might sting a bit but it isn't the end of the world.

DB -- It appears we might lose Bonney to Baylor. Hopefully we can hold onto him, but if not I'm sure we can replace him with Johnson or someone else comparable. In addition, if that is the case, Strong will be picking the guys he wants instead of signing the guy Mack or his staff wanted. Worst case imo = push.

LB -- Alaka hurts, but it is offset somewhat due to the commitment of Freeman. Both guys are similar imo. I would rather have both, but it didn't work out. It appears we will use this slot on Kolin Hill, a guy who Strong will be choosing... I'm not saying this replaces Alaka, but it truly isn't the end of the world.

There might be some other flips to/from us, but either way it will work itself out if Strong is the right guy for the job. Everything I have seen so far is that he is the right guy for the job. High school kids change their minds on just about everything multiple times per minute/hour/day/month... Let's chill the eff out and let Strong do his thing. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't, but no matter what happens between now and February 5, 2014, we won't know that answer.

TLDR -- The sky is not falling. Chill out.

Sky is indeed falling. Wake up and smell the clouds.

 

[fakepunt]

Sky is indeed falling. Wake up and smell the clouds.

I disagree. Clearly the skies are cloudy right now, but they aren't falling. The number 1 thing we need right now is a QB. If we can find a decent QB, I think we will be in good shape going forward. Some additional work is required for us to be in great shape...

That being said, I think it really boils down to this...

If Coach Strong is the right guy for the job, we will win a lot of games on the field and recruiting will take care of itself. He will get the players that fit/buy into his system and he will coach them up, whether they start as a 3 star or a 5 star.

If Coach Strong isn't the right guy for the job, we will 8itch and complain for 3-4 years until we rinse and repeat the process all over again...

Clearly I am in the camp that believes in Coach Strong.