3 we MUST sign

[dawgs]

Biggest issue we have had recruiting wise was one cycle that didn't pan out on the OL. Yeah we can change some things in recruiting to help nationally. But it has to begin with how us as fun approach the team and recruiting

The problem is an overwhelming number of our OL recruits tend to rate in the bottom 25-30% of our class according to 247 composite ratings. Say what you will about busts and diamonds in the rough, but overall, the better the ranking, the better chance a guy has of being a quality player. When we consistently sign OL rated <85 on the 247 composite rankings, it shouldn't be a surprise when the OL don't pan out from a cycle or 2.

[dawg27]

yep- and we are in a fight until the end

He did not metcalf oxford has been committed all year not considering state.Or no other school two 4 stars in our back yard both have considered ole miss, something is wrong.

[ElitedawgRecruiting]

The problem is an overwhelming number of our OL recruits tend to rate in the bottom 25-30% of our class according to 247 composite ratings. Say what you will about busts and diamonds in the rough, but overall, the better the ranking, the better chance a guy has of being a quality player. When we consistently sign OL rated <85 on the 247 composite rankings, it shouldn't be a surprise when the OL don't pan out from a cycle or 2.

I agree with some of that but it also depends on who is doing the rankings. Scout by and large has been more accurate when it comes down to what the ranked and who became a star player. Each network has its pros and cons. One of the things you nailed was who we were after. One class that had a couple of four stars in it turned out to be a bust. While it's not ever going to be an exact science I think we can all agree that it's about finding kids that can play and compete early. The 4 year to get there plan is not working and we need to nail a few classes. That's why losing a kid that has been committed to us for a long time isn't a big deal as long as he is similar to what we have swung at and missed with in the past

[HancockCountyDog]

He did not metcalf oxford has been committed all year not considering state.Or no other school two 4 stars in our back yard both have considered ole miss, something is wrong.

They have a family connection with Metcalf, like we do with Lashley. You don't see Lashley considering the bears. They just got lucky with the connection, and we get AJ in the end.

[Coach34]

Yeah- Metcalf's Dad played at OM- going to State was never an option. Same for Lashley at West Point- no chance of him going to Oxford

[Dawg-gone-dawgs]

No it's in our playbook too...we just never seal the deal..we offered Khane Pass hoping to get brother Jawon..both went to the Ville. And who was the twin brothers from Florida we offered a few years back? One was a stud the others dud and we missed on both.

[preachermatt83]

No it's in our playbook too...we just never seal the deal..we offered Khane Pass hoping to get brother Jawon..both went to the Ville. And who was the twin brothers from Florida we offered a few years back? One was a stud the others dud and we missed on both.

We pulled the older brothers offer. We could have had both had we signed the older. We don't play the game.

[Homedawg]

I learned a hard lesson about MSU recruiting a very long time ago........

We CAN most certainly lose recruits in our own backyard. It isn't ideal for a school to have that happen. Yes, you want to sign those guys but.......little Ol, poor, pitiful MSU.

The first recruiting heart break I recall was mid 80s. Of course I was just a kid then and didn't know anything other what I heard at the barber shop. But all I heard was how West Point had these two stud players.....Sykes...I think. Anyway...State was getting thier signature. They were going to be awesome Bulldogs. Then Ole Brewer sweeps in with who knows what. Moma changed her mind and they ended up being good players at OM. ...from West Point! One brother was better than the other but yall get the point.

THen a decade later....Friend and Milons from Starkville. Now, losing a kid from the GTR to ALabama is one thing. Losing a kid to OM is another. The GTR is very much a Alabama/MSU area and OM in the rear. But it is probably more Alabama today (because of their success lately) then State. So, if Alabama comes calling on any of those guys....I would be shocked if we acquired their signature. So as long as Bama has targets elsewhere, I like our chances at 50/50 on the kids outside Starkville. THe kids in Starkville.....75%. Maybe someone else can speak on what is going on in Macon. But the LAST big time player they had that both OM/State wanted really bad........well, I hear we never had a chance. Just what I heard though.......but I am not optimistic on signing that guy. I hope we do! He is very good. But......the Bears just have their $#%^ together much better in recruiting. NOt to mention, fans that are heavily involved. ....making up fake twitter accounts and tweeting ad nause at the recruits from the covert and their overt accounts. Hell, I know a middle aged, good looking blonde Ole Miss woman. I saw her freakout, at the sight of a current OM player, like a 1950s teenage girl running into Elvis. I thought she was going to take her panties off and put them around the guys neck. Seriously. We may have fans like that......but I have never seen one. Anyway......if we CAN NOT lose guys in the GTR, our big boy money guys that are going to Keenum and bitching about Dan better refocus their efforts and get their women to throw some panties (jk on the panties part).

Anyway, I could on and on...my rant for the week. On a positive, we are recruiting at a higher level that in the past. The problem is our fans are comparing our recruiting to a annual national championship program and a rogue, dirty program.

Friend didn't steer Milons to Alabama....that's not accurate. He was the coach at shs and his son played there, but he wasn't pushed that way, at all.

[Homedawg]

Some of you are only looking small picture when it comes to recruiting.when you look at the larger picture and tie everything together you will see why we are getting the results on field and in recruiting that we are. It's a cycle that has to be changed in order to reach the next level, but is has to be changed from Sept-December.

The biggest glaring issue, our current PT record and Developmental philosophy, is not only hurting our on field performance, it is also hurting on the recruiting trail. Dan's inability to identify and play the most talented players on our team, for whatever reason, right away as true freshman is detrimental. We brought along Chris Jones and left the training wheels on for 1.5 seasons. We redshirt other potential 3 and done guys. We don't play our best RB because of age. All of these things not only hurt W's and L's immediately, they also impact recruiting. Another school selling and showing immediate PT is much more appealing than possible PT, a possible RS, and training wheels for at least your first season playing. What top guy wants to come play for that, honestly?

Chris Jones should have been thrown in the mix from snap one (he didn't get significant snaps until around weeks 6-7). Along with Dear, Lewis, Green, Peters, Bryant, and so on and so forth. Only injuries forced our coaching staff to put most of these guys on the field. Until we change our coaching/playing time philosophy on the GD field, we will not be able to make many changes on the recruiting path with these upper recruits. Shit even Bama gets their impact true freshman more PT than we seem to be able to and they have a ton more talent than we do.

I don't have a problem w the general post, but Chris jones played on the second series of the Oklahoma at game. He got a ton of snaps from the start. Did he play as much as you wanted him to? I don't know but he played right out of the gate.

[Dawg-gone-dawgs]

yea....who wants a 4 star dual threat QB anyway....We got to have 3*

[Maroonthirteen]

I didn't say Milons was pushed there. I said Friend (the boy that played Center NOT the dad/coach) AND Milons went to Bama. Hence, we do lose kids from Starkville IF Bama wants them. Bama didn't want the younger Milons......guess where he played. That was my point.

[Homedawg]

I didn't say Milons was pushed there. I said Friend (the boy that played Center NOT the dad/coach) AND Milons went to Bama. Hence, we do lose kids from Starkville IF Bama wants them. Bama didn't want the younger Milons......guess where he played. That was my point.

Gotcha. My bad. I've just read that from people before and thought that's what you were saying...sorry for confusion.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

I didn't say Milons was pushed there. I said Friend (the boy that played Center NOT the dad/coach) AND Milons went to Bama. Hence, we do lose kids from Starkville IF Bama wants them. Bama didn't want the younger Milons......guess where he played. That was my point.

Will Friend didn't play at Starkville. So just Milons that Bama got from Starkville.

[HancockCountyDog]

I don't have a problem w the general post, but Chris jones played on the second series of the Oklahoma at game. He got a ton of snaps from the start. Did he play as much as you wanted him to? I don't know but he played right out of the gate.

I don't agree with everything in Rouge's post, but the overall point I think is spot on. If you think the bear propaganda is bad now, just wait until the first night of the draft.

If all of the bear five star commits from 2013 go in the first round, and Chris Jones doesn't go until the 2nd or 3rd round - we will have a major perception problem that they developed their five stars into first round picks, while our five star who I think was the most talented of the four players, didn't get drafted until the 2nd round.

[djaymsu5]

The thing that helps freeze with recruiting is he makes a promise to play these kids in year one and he keeps promise for the most part. Mullen doesn't hardly ever play a freshman. I'm sorry but kids don't want to go to a school where they have to redshirt their first year whether they think they need it or not. It's good for a developmental player like majority of what we sign but guys Simmons, Lashley, and Brown should be playing in year one. I understand Mullen doesn't make promises to kids but that's what is hurting him in the recruiting aspect. I've noticed that a lot of times unless it's an in state kid or someone we have ties to we don't even go after many big 4 and 5 star players out of state cause I honestly believe Mullen knows he can't get them. He's got to be confident and sell the program. Can't just live on 3 stars from MS, AL, LA, TN and GA and then every once in awhile snag a big talent in state and expect to compete against the big boys.

[djaymsu5]

Mullen needs to play the more talented players regardless if they are a freshman or senior. There is a reason they are rated a high 4 star or 5 star