How Recruiting and Results Work ( jmo )

[crazyraginmomma]

No one is more frustrated than the players, coaches and their families. I would have lost the ranch if anyone would have told me this is what our first season at UL was going to be like. But I will bet the ranch on next year.

FYI-the top 50 D1's can afford to put all their recruits on Rivals. It makes then look even more powerful.

[Turbine]

. . . But I will bet the ranch on next year.

Me too.

[Etowncajun]

I just don't see were we are going to be so much better next year, when all this youth playing now is not performing well. Are they truly going to perform better in the new system next year? Is there that much talent reshirted or riding the pine to allow older players their time? If so, why would coach not put his best out there knowing we are a step slow and getting pounded weekly? I do hope that next year is great for all of us. Geaux cajuns!!

[CajunAmos]

Experience does tend to improve ones play. College is a large step up from most high school situations, both academically and athletically. You're trying to learn new systems, usually multiple ones, which are vastly more complicated than anything they are used to running. You want players to know the system so well that they can just react to what they're seeing, and not have to think about if they're in the right place. You can take a team of the best five star prospects from high school and they can't compete with a normal college team with experienced players, just like you can take the best college team and compete with a poor professional team. It takes experience to learn the system, and it takes experience to know what to expect from the other players on your team. Even if all the players were first timers, but athletically what you feel can be competitive, they'll be better the next year by virtue of the experience they've gained by playing.

[CajunShocker]

_ You can take a team of the best five star prospects from high school and they can't compete with a normal college team with experienced players, just like you can take the best college team and compete with a poor professional team.

I disagree, if you field a team of the best 5 star prospects in the country and give them a good coach, I think they would end up being one of the top 40 or 50 teams in the country. That's better than any team in the SBC right now, except for Troy. JMO

Although I don't agree with some on this board that think we have unbelievable talent waiting in the wings, I do think we have enough to compete in our conference. I think I know what is holding us back, and his name rhymes with "Hustle". Since this season is pretty much lost, I would like to see a lot of young guys get a chance to play in these last few games.

[Clutch0364]

_ I disagree, if you field a team of the best 5 star prospects in the country and give them a good coach, I think they would end up being one of the top 40 or 50 teams in the country. That's better than any team in the SBC right now, except for Troy. JMO

Although I don't agree with some on this board that think we have unbelievable talent waiting in the wings, I do think we have enough to compete in our conference. I think I know what is holding us back, and his name rhymes with "Hustle". Since this season is pretty much lost, I would like to see a lot of young guys get a chance to play in these last few games. _

I couldn'y agree more...I dont see us getting anywhere under Bustle. What happened last year, we had talent we were 4-2 and had just beat Houston who i believe ended up winning conference usa. Why did we only end up 6-6? It's all about coaching and i will argue that point with anybody. I don't see us ever being any better than a 6-6 team under Buslte and if that the best we can hope for go get a new coach who will not settle for 6-6.

[blackjack]

Well i really would like to know who the bust players are from florida. Better yet lets compare the talent recruited from florida and from louisiana. Derrick smith big time player, jason cherry big time player, johnathan decoaster solid player, chris mason said to be the best qb on the team, fred davis solid player. Ok lets talk about louisana guys. Brent burkhalter avg., mark risher avg., john huntley gave it up, mike d big time player, grant flemming solid player. as you can see on an average the florida kids are producing a little better for this program. The cajuns need to keep recruiting fla, but they also have do a much better job in state on picking the right talent from what i can see.n look bottom line cajuns are having a bad year. They are young and will be better next year. its amazing Bustle was the same coach that took this program to a conferance championship a year or two ago. Now he is not the guy. Wow its amazing how we change collors so fast. Last thing does the players in state have the grades to survive at ULL. Something to think about

[Just1More]

FYI-the top 50 D1's can afford to put all their recruits on Rivals. It makes then look even more powerful. _

Correct. And it lends to the relatively accurate comparisons at the 50 and up level. However, I will never use rivals.com as a guide to whether UL had a successful recruiting class (unless, until we get in and maintain ourselves inside the top 50). There have been some supporting studies done of rivals top 20 recruiting classes, on a running 4 year average, and the comparison to top 20 teams rankings. There are some correlations that are undeniable. Outside the top 50, the correlation to rival recruit rankings and program success starts to unravel.

I look and see if we picked up anyone that did make a national splash out of pure curiosity... but beyond that... not a gauge IMO.

_ I disagree, if you field a team of the best 5 star prospects in the country and give them a good coach, I think they would end up being one of the top 40 or 50 teams in the country. That's better than any team in the SBC right now, except for Troy. JMO

Although I don't agree with some on this board that think we have unbelievable talent waiting in the wings, I do think we have enough to compete in our conference. I think I know what is holding us back, and his name rhymes with "Hustle". Since this season is pretty much lost, I would like to see a lot of young guys get a chance to play in these last few games. _

I understand you didn't bring it up, but discussing 5 star prospects and their impact right out of school, etc... is a moot point at UL. The talk of young talent being a potential excuse is a legitimately "potential" excuse. However, have we seen enough evidence that this is the single reason for our problems this year? I have come to the conclusion, personally, that coaching has played just as big a factor in our lack of success this year.

I do buy into the concept that UL perhaps recruited significantly better in the past couple of years, and those individuals experience curve could be the cause of some existing issues. And, that next year, we could see that start to turn around in our favor.

I just have a problem with having to accept that as the entire excuse, and "wait til next year... again". If the school buys into the "youth theory" due to improved recruiting... then we will see Bustle some more. He better start figuring out how to make that young talent excel quickly and supply evidence of the "talented youth theory".

[Clutch0364]

_ I understand you didn't bring it up, but discussing 5 star prospects and their impact right out of school, etc... is a moot point at UL. The talk of young talent being a potential excuse is a legitimately "potential" excuse. However, have we seen enough evidence that this is the single reason for our problems this year? I have come to the conclusion, personally, that coaching has played just as big a factor in our lack of success this year.

I do buy into the concept that UL perhaps recruited significantly better in the past couple of years, and those individuals experience curve could be the cause of some existing issues. And, that next year, we could see that start to turn around in our favor.

I just have a problem with having to accept that as the entire excuse, and "wait til next year... again". If the school buys into the "youth theory" due to improved recruiting... then we will see Bustle some more. He better start figuring out how to make that young talent excel quickly and supply evidence of the "talented youth theory". _

Youth can be a valid excuse but whats the excuse for falling apart after a 4-2 start last year? I think like many I am just tired of hearing the same thing

[MissingMandy]

CajunShocker...you don't even have a tiny concept of what I am talking about. If you are still in the diaper phase of your life then you are way to young to understand where I'm coming from. Have a nice Thanksgiving and fun shopping at Circuit City. I am sure you are a very nice guy.

[CajunShocker]

[I put some stock in their ratings because they work hard to provide a service that can be useful to both fans and coaches].............


I'll say this once again, THEY CANNOT RATE YOU IF YOU DO NOT SIGN UP WITH THEM. That being said AGAIN, you cannot rate every member from the last recruiting class by how Rivals or Scout rated them, because not all of them signed up.

MM, I don't think next year can get here fast enough for either or us or our sons!!!

I believe we covered this. I would not bet my life savings on rivals ratings, but the ratings do have SOME validity.

I hope as much as you that next years team is loaded. But I will have to see it first.

[CajunShocker]

CajunShocker...you don't even have a tiny concept of what I am talking about. If you are still in the diaper phase of your life then you are way to young to understand where I'm coming from. Have a nice Thanksgiving and fun shopping at Circuit City. I am sure you are a very nice guy.

May I ask why you are taking this so personally?

Apparently, since I have no experience in the recruiting process and that my kid is too young, I have no business speaking on this subject. Sorry to anyone I offended. In the future I will try to keep my opinions to myself.

I guess we will just have to wait until next year ....... again! Is anyone else tired of hearing that? Oh sorry, that was dangerously close to an opinion.

My love and respect to all cajun athletes and all they go through for us fans. Remember, it is not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. As long as everyone has fun.

That felt good.