Tom Lemming's take on Sun Belt recruiting

[NewsCopy]

Tom Lemming, highly respected national recruiting analyst for CSTV, said that the respective 2007 recruiting classes for the Sun Belt Conference are very strong across the board. "The conference really looks like it is moving in a positive way, particularly this season," Lemming said in a story posted on the official Sun Belt Conference Web site . "I typically only interview players that are projected to go to the top six conferences (SEC, Big 12, ACC, Big East, Pac 10, Big 10), and a lot of these players were signed by Sun Belt schools. They signed a lot of talent. They appear to be mirroring the success of the SEC, in that they have some new coaches coming in who have raised the competitiveness." Lemming felt the conference’s eight football playing schools all signed solid classes, and he said the following about each school: Arkansas State – "They and Troy had the conference’s best classes in my opinion, and they signed a lot of players. They addressed their needs at quarterback and offensive line and probably signed the most athletic class for Arkansas State in years, a class that will go a long way in defining their program." Florida Atlantic – "They had a good, solid class and filled their needs particularly at running back. They signed a running back that was a national recruit who fell threw the cracks, and the kicker they signed was one of the top three in the state of Florida." Florida International – "They helped themselves by signing a lot of skilled players and got three good quarterbacks. They really filled their needs at quarterback and wide receiver." Louisiana-Lafayette – "They needed help at quarterback and the secondary and they got it. It looks like a very good class, particularly on the offensive side of the ball." Louisiana-Monroe – "The state of Louisiana is one of the most underrated states for high school football talent, and they got of lot of good ball players from Louisiana. They helped themselves with every single position with this class." Middle Tennessee – "They had a good year, and they got some of their best players from the state of Florida. Most of their top players were on the defensive side of the ball. They signed a big-time defensive lineman, an athletic quarterback and a very talented receiver." North Texas – "They had a good, solid class and got most of their players from the traditionally strong state of Texas. They got a late start because of their coaching change, but Todd Dodge is a good recruiter with connections and still was able to land a strong class." Troy – "They had without a doubt the best class in the conference. I interviewed half the guys they signed. Every single position on their team was helped. This class should make Troy difficult to beat in the future." link broken

[J-Town Cajun]

I can't believe someone would pay for this analysis. You can't tell me everyone had a good class. Other than him saying Troy had the best class the rest is worthless.

[VObserver]

I can't believe someone would pay for this analysis. You can't tell me everyone had a good class. Other than him saying Troy had the best class the rest is worthless.

I think his analysis is spot on. Every school in the Sunbelt got a good group of players which addressed known needs. These players, by and large were the quality of players who would not have considered Sunbelt schools 3 to 5 years ago, or maybe even last year.

He did not say that the Sunbelt had magically become a power conference; he said that the level of play, the public image and therefore the quality of recruits is going up conference-wide. Every school signed a class that, by comparison with their historical classes, was pretty good to outstanding.

[Cajun Express]

I can't believe someone would pay for this analysis. You can't tell me everyone had a good class. Other than him saying Troy had the best class the rest is worthless.

It is what it is, and it is a short article highlighting the teams. He said we had a very solid class that filled our needs at quarterback and defensive backs. Something we all knew already. Perhaps the typical sports reader did not know that. I do not think the Troy evaluation was any better than any of the others.

[DestinCajun]

I think his analysis is spot on. Every school in the Sunbelt got a good group of players which addressed known needs. These players, by and large were the quality of players who would not have considered Sunbelt schools 3 to 5 years ago, or maybe even last year.

He did not say that the Sunbelt had magically become a power conference; he said that the level of play, the public image and therefore the quality of recruits is going up conference-wide. Every school signed a class that, by comparison with their historical classes, was pretty good to outstanding.

It's the lack of detail that I don't like. At least the USA article I saw earlier this week mentioned a few of the new players coming into the league by name. Nothing compared to what I want to see but better than average.

What surprises me is the positive approach here as opposed to the typical national media/other reports that begin with something about the SBC being the laughing stock of D1A football etc. etc. etc. We've all seen them.

So, if this is an indication of what's happening in the league, the "SBC haters" will be really upset over this.

[MissingMandy]

I think it is a good thing to have any exposure on a higher level. Lemming may not always be right on but many respect his opinion and recognition is a good thing. Hopefully things are moving forward.

[VObserver]

It's the lack of detail that I don't like. At least the USA article I saw earlier this week mentioned a few of the new players coming into the league by name. Nothing compared to what I want to see but better than average.

What surprises me is the positive approach here as opposed to the typical national media/other reports that begin with something about the SBC being the laughing stock of D1A football etc. etc. etc. We've all seen them.

So, if this is an indication of what's happening in the league, the "SBC haters" will be really upset over this.

Des, any college football fan with half a brain or more knows that the Sunbelt is a conference on the rise. Partly because it HAD to rise or disappear, but mostly because it has now been around for a few years and the level of play has risen as players recruited to play for a Conference title and a Bowl Bid have matured. Witness the Conference's winning record against CUSA last year, something that could not have happened 5 years ago.

From now on, if ANY SBC team loses to a Playoff Division team, it will be an upset, and will be viewed as such, even by the media [Except maybe the News-Star or the Advertiger]. And if a Sunbelt team beats a WAC or MAC or CUSA team, the game will be judged on its merits, rather than being automatically considered an upset.

I hope [and believe] that another 5 years down the road will find the SBC in a position where victories over mid-level SEC, ACC, Big X or Big XII teams will not be automatically assumed to be upsets. In other words, I expect the SBC to be on a par with upper level CUSA, WAC and MAC teams, and the upper half of the MWC.

[DestinCajun]

Des, any college football fan with half a brain or more knows that the Sunbelt is a conference on the rise. Partly because it HAD to rise or disappear, but mostly because it has now been around for a few years and the level of play has risen as players recruited to play for a Conference title and a Bowl Bid have matured. Witness the Conference's winning record against CUSA last year, something that could not have happened 5 years ago.

From now on, if ANY SBC team loses to a Playoff Division team, it will be an upset, and will be viewed as such, even by the media [Except maybe the News-Star or the Advertiger]. And if a Sunbelt team beats a WAC or MAC or CUSA team, the game will be judged on its merits, rather than being automatically considered an upset.

I hope [and believe] that another 5 years down the road will find the SBC in a position where victories over mid-level SEC, ACC, Big X or Big XII teams will not be automatically assumed to be upsets. In other words, I expect the SBC to be on a par with upper level CUSA, WAC and MAC teams, and the upper half of the MWC.

All of which points to the need to expand and broaden the Ragin' Cajun football donor base. We will not keep up let alone make headway without greater financial support.

Awww hell, there I go talking like a "Cajun cultist" again.

[VObserver]

All of which points to the need to expand and broaden the Ragin' Cajun football donor base. We will not keep up let alone make headway without greater financial support.

Awww hell, there I go talking like a "Cajun cultist" again.

That wold be absolutely correct.

You kool-aid drinker, you!

[CajunCherokee]

Can't read the article: Error: Invalid article key (DI,20070329,UPDATES02,70329043,AR). Error: Invalid article key (DI,20070329,UPDATES02,70329043,AR).

Does anyone have a copy of it that they could post?

[NewsCopy]

Can't read the article: Error: Invalid article key (DI,20070329,UPDATES02,70329043,AR). Error: Invalid article key (DI,20070329,UPDATES02,70329043,AR).

Does anyone have a copy of it that they could post?

RaginPagin has the full text of every article -ever link to- by NewsCopy. The article with the broken link has been expanded. The full story

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[RCAJUN90]

All of which points to the need to expand and broaden the Ragin' Cajun football donor base. We will not keep up let alone make headway without greater financial support.

Awww hell, there I go talking like a "Cajun cultist" again.

The thing you don't seem to recognize or acknowledge is that it all depends on winning. You win and rears are in the seat. If Acadiana was part of the old USSR Dr. A could command attendance. There is no doubt in my mind that a winner will fill Cajun Field. You fill Cajun Field then you start to get major business that want to advertise etc... The IceGators (I know some Cajun fans hated them sorry) but they proved Acadiana is starving for a winner. How can anyone rationally argue against that? The potential is there and it has always been there but dang it we need to WIN! I know of many big money alumni here on the Northshore that have given up on the program. We knock off a USC and win the Belt they will wakeup.

I find this report very encouraging perhaps we will have the season we wished for last this year. Let's see how Troy does with the target on their back. Being predicted as the best team in a conference before the start of the season can make all the teams you play, play like it is the Superbowl. There you go you bunch of K-sips and cultists.