2008 Recruiting Wars

[CajunT]

_ I'm not here to bust your chops VO; the proof is in the pudding as they say!

I just wanted someone to comment on the report from the Monroe Newstar on the following potential recruits for UL. Are they possibilities if Ambrose chooses another school?

http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080121/SPORTS/801210332/1006 _

Both are potential fall backs, no problem with that. But there are other options before those kids. Ambrose is close to a decision, we should know something before Feb.6th. The Cajuns, like the Cowboys will have to fight to hold on to a few others already committed. Mitchell is an option, as is Zeke Jones. Jones had offers from Oklahoma St., but he insisted on playing RB, so they pulled it early in the fall. He had offers from the Cajuns and LaTech, but he kept holding out because Ole Miss. former staff was stringing him along. Now his left with other state schools, and no offer today from either Tech or UL. Some of these kids get the BCS dreams and their options start to close after a while.

[rhineaux]

_ _

Cajun T, according to this article, the Cajuns pulled their offer from Joe Duhon. Is this true. The way I understood it yesterday, he was only thinking about changing his mind. do you know the real story?

[gorcajun]

The above sign seems great enough to put it on the digital billboards for everyone in a vehicle to see, along with the newspaper, radio, tv and other media outlets.

[Just1More]

_ Well now everyone is saying its ok to go out of state and get players. I rember just a couple of weeks ago people started drilling our coaching staff about why we are taking Florida players and how they are the low level players from that state. Well Lewis was a top selection player from that state is he low level. Also to add he was offerred by Ncst, Uconn and others " just wanted to mention that because it was once said that we should look at who else is looking at the kid before we offer him". You should recruite to get the best players to fit your needs regardless of location. Here is something to exam ,area players UL would love to have wr and the db from northside, wr and db from B. Bridge, rb from the crow. Thats five area impact players at the position UL needs help at. ALL HAVE NO GRADES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can get kids from the area to fill the stands but you wont be watching area kids play because they wont be qualified. Thats why UL goes out of state and gets players like Derrick Smith our leading rec. Jason Cherry a true play maker, Fred Davis a solid defensive player, Verlin Moorer upcoming talent in the program, Johnathan Decoaster force on the Oline and more to come. Plus UL recruites more kids in state then we think, but those kids choose to go out of state instead to programs like WVU, USC, etc. _

You are right blackjack, but it is only one or two people that keep bringing up this local kid thing all of the time. I understand their desire to have local talent considerations a priority, coupled with all of the benefits it brings... but, it is totally unreasonable to think you should force feed yourself with locals... for a bunch of reasons. One or two exceptions over the years, where we supposedly goofed up on a local kid, does not make a rule. We have had a lot of local talent year in and year out. We have also had huge contributions from out of state kids. We are not unique at UL in having a bunch of local people yelling that we are stupid for passing on some kid from some local high school. I could tell you stories that would have you crying laughing about people who think their kid or cousin, or themselves, would have been a "star" at UL. It happens everywhere.

The biggest bottom line that I like is... we get to talk our butts off... and the coaches who do this for a living (and have much more at stake) are making the decisions. Thank goodness.

[Cowboy Up]

Thanks, Cajun T. Yeah it's sort of sad how the BCS "dream" can get in players heads. Zeke Jones is a solid commit to SLU right now and that may be his only option. The Cowboys looked at him as a fullback and he lost interest in that proposition. Now, we have no offers available for fullback position. With limited scholarships, it gets harder to look for extra players.

In the end, the kids can't see the opportunity in front of them and settle for fallbacks that they never seem to get. I hope ZJ finds his dream but it seems to be getting foggier. Sad!

[jdebaillon]

Well now everyone is saying its ok to go out of state and get players. I rember just a couple of weeks ago people started drilling our coaching staff about why we are taking Florida players and how they are the low level players from that state. Well Lewis was a top selection player from that state is he low level. Also to add he was offerred by Ncst, Uconn and others " just wanted to mention that because it was once said that we should look at who else is looking at the kid before we offer him". You should recruite to get the best players to fit your needs regardless of location. Here is something to exam ,area players UL would love to have wr and the db from northside, wr and db from B. Bridge, rb from the crow. Thats five area impact players at the position UL needs help at. ALL HAVE NO GRADES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can get kids from the area to fill the stands but you wont be watching area kids play because they wont be qualified. Thats why UL goes out of state and gets players like Derrick Smith our leading rec. Jason Cherry a true play maker, Fred Davis a solid defensive player, Verlin Moorer upcoming talent in the program, Johnathan Decoaster force on the Oline and more to come. Plus UL recruites more kids in state then we think, but those kids choose to go out of state instead to programs like WVU, USC, etc.

You just don't get it. I AM NOT SAYING RECRUIT LESSER QUALITY PLAYERS (ATHLETIC OR ACADEMIC). If there is not a single quality player in the state with the grades to play, then I stand corrected. By all means go out of state and get those recruits. I'll say it again, I don't want a player from Florida or Texas when we can get one of the same quality out of Louisiana.

[Zeebart21]

You just don't get it. I AM NOT SAYING RECRUIT LESSER QUALITY PLAYERS (ATHLETIC OR ACADEMIC). If there is not a single quality player in the state with the grades to play, then I stand corrected. By all means go out of state and get those recruits. I'll say it again, I don't want a player from Florida or Texas when we can get one of the same quality out of Louisiana.

JD, NO doubt you are a Cajun Fan!!! I just took issue with your co-workers coming to a game to see a local guy for the other team. Those cats obviously aren't real Cajun fans.

Hope to see you at the signing day Bash!

Z

[CajunProud]

_ The above sign seems great enough to put it on the digital billboards for everyone in a vehicle to see, along with the newspaper, radio, tv and other media outlets. _

I agree. They need to start running ads now though.

[VObserver]

_ I'm not here to bust your chops VO; the proof is in the pudding as they say!

I just wanted someone to comment on the report from the Monroe Newstar on the following potential recruits for UL. Are they possibilities if Ambrose chooses another school?

http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080121/SPORTS/801210332/1006 _

You are correct. The proof is in the pudding. Last time I checked, UL is a run oriented offense, and MD was the leading rusher among QB's in the highest division of college football, despite missing two games, and was the undisputed leader of the nation's 7th best rushing attack. Thanks for pointing that out.

Also, thanks for the link.

[snote]

The Cajuns also lost a commitment in Washington-Marion center Joe Duhon, who switched to Southern Miss last weekend after UL pulled its offer. Duhon will join former UL offensive coordinator Blake Anderson, who is Southern Miss' new quarterbacks coach.

With Duhon's change of heart, UL's 2008 recruiting class now includes 15 players, including commitments from 11 high school players.