what would 11-2 do for recruiting?

[MiamiCajun32]

I know it is getting way ahead of the game, but we are the fans and we can do that, as long as the team stays focused on the task at hand:

If Cajuns ran the table, including a New Orleans Bowl win (and this is quite possible, even if a difficult challenge), then do you think recruiting would see immediate across the board substantial hit?

Seems like even in the best recruiting years Cajuns can only hope for a couple of star players who somehow fall through the cracks of major programs' recruitng or pick Cajuns for location or playing time, while having mostly one star prospects. I know that the star rating system is surely problematic and it is not possible to really predict these players' success, especially while they are still growing. However, a team full of one star prospects almost always loses to a team full of 3 star prospects, so it is an indication of talent.

Would many talented players come to UL that is dominating the sunbelt, rather than to bottom tier BCS teams or top tier conference usa / wac / MWest / mac teams? Or would it just be disgruntled or troubled BCS type players who are looking to transfer and then would have cajuns on radar more so than other mid major teams?

Do you think there is a ceiling on what Cajuns can do in recruiting, based on sunbelt?

I am not being negative, just asking for opinions?

Certainly beating Houston and the upcoming national TV game will help exposure. New Orleans Bowl would be fantastic. However, I think that in order to take it to the next level, Cajuns need to fill the stands on consistent basis, and find ways to raise money from fans, due to state not providing much. Then when there is another conference realignment, things might work out for cajuns to move up. Or, even better, if UL becomes a well supported and funded top sunbelt program, then the inevitable success coming for FIU and FAU (due to their deep pockets and location) will help sunbelt and cajuns get more respect.

If the Cajuns are to continue this great run in sunbelt and win a few titles (quite possible) over the next few years, then the program has to get more out of it than North Texas did. North Texas' winning in Sunbelt for a few years put them on a small national stage but very little came out of it, unfortunately, for that program, as they have fallen again.

[CAJUNJUDO]

I think you're correct....going 11-2 would make a big impact on recruiting. Several years in a row with 2 or 3 losses would be tremendous!!

Boise St. .....always gets a nice handful of 3 sometimes 4 star players from California....and it wasn't long ago that they were Div 1-AA. Why on Earth would you want to leave California to go to Idaho??????? To play on a winning team?? To get more playing time?? Kids will go anywhere if they think they can be a winner.

You're also right about not being able to predict players performances when they are coming out of high school.... Remember A. Broussard and J. Vincent were 4 and 5 star recruits respectively....they both started off strong, but now look at what they're doing.

Geauxxxx Cajuns!!

[MiamiCajun32]

I think you're correct....going 11-2 would make a big impact on recruiting. Several years in a row with 2 or 3 losses would be tremendous!!

Boise St. .....always gets a nice handful of 3 sometimes 4 star players from California....and it wasn't long ago that they were Div 1-AA. Why on Earth would you want to leave California to go to Idaho??????? To play on a winning team?? To get more playing time?? Kids will go anywhere if they think they can be a winner.

You're also right about not being able to predict players performances when they are coming out of high school.... Remember A. Broussard and J. Vincent were 4 and 5 star recruits respectively....they both started off strong, but now look at what they're doing.

Geauxxxx Cajuns!!

Good analagy with Boise St. Also, Boise St. has helped make the WAC a decent conference. Kids would not go to Boise St. if they were the only decent team in a bottom dwelling conference, but WAC also has Hawaii and Fresno St. Cajuns can help make the sunbelt more respectable, but they need two other teams to step up too. I live in Miami and it seems obvious that FIU and FAU are going to improve, based mainly on dollars in the program. FIU and FAU are going to get to the level of USF nad UCF in next 5 to 7 years, no doubt. If they are still in sunbelt by that time, then sunbelt may have some swagger.

But think about if Boise St. was in sunbelt conference today. I don't think they would get the same recruits. Boise is playing on a national level, something they accomplished on their own, as well as through the efforts of the WAC and their bowl tie ins.

[ATXCajun]

I try to put myself in the shoes of a recruit when answering these questions, but I'm not 18 years old. Who knows what factors into their decisions. Hopefully, they ask themselves a few questions, in no particular order:

Will I enjoy attending this school?
Do they have the curriculum that I am interested in?
Is the weather generally favorable or is it warmer/colder than what I like?
Do they have quality coaches and facilities?
What kind of crowd will I be playing for?
Does conference travel add to the difficulty, or does the team generally play within their region?
Has the program demonstrated an ability to develop player ability such that it offers an opportunity to play in the NFL?
Does the program already have a lot of young talent at the position I play, or do I have a reasonble chance to start immediately or after a redshirt season?
Is the program offering me a scholarship?

If I were personally answering these questions and the many questions that I left off, I would probably narrow my choices pretty quickly. It would be highly unlikely that I would go to the MAC. Lack of attendance and interest even for the best teams, cold, in a region of the country that just doesn't do much for me. The WAC would lose points on scheduling and travel. Assuming I was not a blue chipper, I'd be looking at CUSA or the SBC first and the opportunity to play would carry the most weight. You can't achieve your goals from the sidelines. Now, if I'm a role player that is lucky to be playing I-A, then I'm looking to steal a free ride to the best academic school on my list and enjoy the experience.

[CajunKate]

At first glance, I thought the title for this thread was What would YOU do for an 11-2 season? Immediately I thought, "How much are first born children going for this year?" (BTW, that's a joke...I don't even have kids. )

[shof]

At first glance, I thought the title for this thread was What would YOU do for an 11-2 season? Immediately I thought, "How much are first born children going for this year?" (BTW, that's a joke...I don't even have kids. )

Mom,

You're late with the allowance again. You know how much tacos are going for these days!

[Clutch0364]

I know it is getting way ahead of the game, but we are the fans and we can do that, as long as the team stays focused on the task at hand:

If Cajuns ran the table, including a New Orleans Bowl win (and this is quite possible, even if a difficult challenge), then do you think recruiting would see immediate across the board substantial hit?

Seems like even in the best recruiting years Cajuns can only hope for a couple of star players who somehow fall through the cracks of major programs' recruitng or pick Cajuns for location or playing time, while having mostly one star prospects. I know that the star rating system is surely problematic and it is not possible to really predict these players' success, especially while they are still growing. However, a team full of one star prospects almost always loses to a team full of 3 star prospects, so it is an indication of talent.

Would many talented players come to UL that is dominating the sunbelt, rather than to bottom tier BCS teams or top tier conference usa / wac / MWest / mac teams? Or would it just be disgruntled or troubled BCS type players who are looking to transfer and then would have cajuns on radar more so than other mid major teams?

Do you think there is a ceiling on what Cajuns can do in recruiting, based on sunbelt?

I am not being negative, just asking for opinions?

Certainly beating Houston and the upcoming national TV game will help exposure. New Orleans Bowl would be fantastic. However, I think that in order to take it to the next level, Cajuns need to fill the stands on consistent basis, and find ways to raise money from fans, due to state not providing much. Then when there is another conference realignment, things might work out for cajuns to move up. Or, even better, if UL becomes a well supported and funded top sunbelt program, then the inevitable success coming for FIU and FAU (due to their deep pockets and location) will help sunbelt and cajuns get more respect.

If the Cajuns are to continue this great run in sunbelt and win a few titles (quite possible) over the next few years, then the program has to get more out of it than North Texas did. North Texas' winning in Sunbelt for a few years put them on a small national stage but very little came out of it, unfortunately, for that program, as they have fallen again.

I think it might get a few to sway our way going 11-2 but sustained success is what gets you better and better recruits. Like say we got 11-2 and there is a 3 star guy choses between us and Houston well I think in that situation it would help a lot but I think sustained success is how you get recruits not just 1 big year.

[VObserver]

At first glance, I thought the title for this thread was What would YOU do for an 11-2 season? Immediately I thought, "How much are first born children going for this year?" (BTW, that's a joke...I don't even have kids. )

That's ok, you can play the futures market, or just "sell them short". lol

[ImperialCajun]

Going 11-2 or 10-3 will definitely help. Bustle has shown the ability to have his team improve every year. Now the biggest test will be our ability to take ou a few 2nd tier teams and make a game of it with 1st tier teams. We were 1/2 a man to a whole man short of making it a game with LSU on both sides of the ball. Being able to get all the pieces together to make a national exposure run will be tough for any school in our situation. Also, just throwing money at something like down in Florida is not going to get it done. There is more to it than that (i.e. Detroit vs NY). WE will see a bigger crowd after we knock off FAU. People love a winner (i.e. NY) See you at the games, win or lose.

[CajunKate]

That's ok, you can play the futures market, or just "sell them short". lol

ROFL

[UL_Cajuns]

Will Bustle stay around after a 11-2, or 10-3 season with a bowl appearance or win?

I am pretty sure that other schools will be calling his name with money in his face.

Man I hope Bustle stays!

[Clutch0364]

Will Bustle stay around after a 11-2, or 10-3 season with a bowl appearance or win?

I am pretty sure that other schools will be calling his name with money in his face.

Man I hope Bustle stays!

Coaches don't get offers to coach at bigger schools with 1 big season. Multiple winning seasons get attention for coachs