JuCo signees

[Just1More]

I don't think anyone would disagree with you that our program has fallen. This is why we made a change correct? What I don't agree with is that this could be a wasted recruiting period. The entire month of January is available official visits after the Dead Period. A few key JC and Grad transfers could easily help this staff win a few more games in the SBC in get back to a bowl game.

Making a change in staff is a process and this is just the beginning. Coach Napier's first class will lay a foundation for his tenure, but more importantly fill immediate needs for this season. It's been seven years since we as fans went through this process and no one thought we would win 9 football games in Hudspeth's first season. It's way too early to predict another dismal season.

T, with early signing haven taken a lot of talent off the shelf... are the majority of talent accessible to Napier and his staff going to come from talent they were recruiting and familiar with at their last places of employment (mostly)? Is there a lot of unsigned talent all over this area within our reach?

I was told the other day that one of the local HS coaching gripes with Hud was that Hud told them that if a local kid were graded out equal to a Texas or Miss kid... Hud told them "I will offer the Texas/Miss kid a scholarship and expect you to encourage the local kid to walk on at UL.". If that's true... Hud must have upset our local pipelines. Do you think Napier can repair those connections... and maybe even pull some surprise signings in our own back yard at this point?

[CajunT]

T, with early signing haven taken a lot of talent off the shelf... are the majority of talent accessible to Napier and his staff going to come from talent they were recruiting and familiar with at their last places of employment (mostly)? Is there a lot of unsigned talent all over this area within our reach?

I was told the other day that one of the local HS coaching gripes with Hud was that Hud told them that if a local kid were graded out equal to a Texas or Miss kid... Hud told them "I will offer the Texas/Miss kid a scholarship and expect you to encourage the local kid to walk on at UL.". If that's true... Hud must have upset our local pipelines. Do you think Napier can repair those connections... and maybe even pull some surprise signings in our own back yard at this point?

I think the early signing period was not a big loss for UL because most of the athletes signed out of Louisiana were not going to come to UL because of the uncertainty with the staff and our lack of success on the football field this past season. But the answer to your question is yes, these coaches are going to use their contacts in areas that they have recruited, but also in areas that they have had contacts in the past like Texas and Louisiana. Napier, Sale, Desormeaux and Scott has all recruited in Louisiana and Texas. Napier, Sale and Scott have recruited the California JC's and Texas JC's.

Keeping Desormeaux and Trichel was the first step in repairing the damage with local and state HS coaches. Napier and his staff will have to hit the ground hard around the Acadiana area and state during the spring evaluation period and hosting Junior Day.

[CajunNation]

I don't care if we sign all JCs.

Plug the leaks. That is all we need to do right now.

There are going to be several guys make gigantic leaps in performance next season from our current roster.

Some of Napier's best discoveries are already here.

[talktomewillis]

When you sign an overload of JUCO's, you are committing to nearly always signing an overload of JUCO's.

Frankly, I don't care about the number as much as I care about the quality.

If we're signing a JUCO, he needs to be an immediate contributor. Stress the word immediate.

We've signed too many in the past who either contributed minimally, or contributed only in their final year.

You can't afford to make a mistake with JUCO's.

[Turbine]

I don't care if we sign all JCs.

Plug the leaks. That is all we need to do right now.

There are going to be several guys make gigantic leaps in performance next season from our current roster.

Some of Napier's best discoveries are already here.

JC transfers still don't know the system. Their biggest impact is in year two and after that you're back to square one.

Balanced HC recruiting will always be your best bet, but never over HC it or you are back at square one every 5 years.

[CharlieK]

JC transfers still don't know the system. Their biggest impact is in year two and after that you're back to square one.

Balanced HC recruiting will always be your best bet, but never over HC it or you are back at square one every 5 years.

Yeah, I remember when Harry Peoples only contributed his second year.

[MetryCajun]

I don't think anyone would disagree with you that our program has fallen. This is why we made a change correct? What I don't agree with is that this could be a wasted recruiting period. The entire month of January is available official visits after the Dead Period. A few key JC and Grad transfers could easily help this staff win a few more games in the SBC in get back to a bowl game.

Making a change in staff is a process and this is just the beginning. Coach Napier's first class will lay a foundation for his tenure, but more importantly fill immediate needs for this season. It's been seven years since we as fans went through this process and no one thought we would win 9 football games in Hudspeth's first season. It's way too early to predict another dismal season.

Guys on WWL we’re talking about how most new coaches hit their recruiting stride in year 2. Year 1 is usually a new staff scrambling to get their bearings. This makes sense to me. This year is all about laying a foundation and keeping positive momentum. Obviously, scheme alone cannot make our defense good, but I like the idea of getting some Juco and grad transfers in to stop the bleeding. If we can get an Otha Peters style LB and run stuffing DL, we may be able to pull off the drastic turnaround we all want.

[CajunT]

When you sign an overload of JUCO's, you are committing to nearly always signing an overload of JUCO's.

Frankly, I don't care about the number as much as I care about the quality.

If we're signing a JUCO, he needs to be an immediate contributor. Stress the word immediate.

We've signed too many in the past who either contributed minimally, or contributed only in their final year.

You can't afford to make a mistake with JUCO's.

I agree, that's why I stated key JC and Grad transfers. You target specific positions that are thin or not talented and then sign HS talent to develop behind them.

[MetryCajun]

I agree, that's why I stated key JC and Grad transfers. You target specific positions that are thin or not talented and then sign HS talent to develop behind them.

What specific positions would you include as not talented? I’m coming up with quite a few.

[anhil8tor]

All of you know waaaaay more than me on recruiting obviously. Lots of experts here. I hope Napier is taking notes.

[CajunT]

What specific positions would you include as not talented? I'm coming up with quite a few.

On offense, I'm not certain if they think the 2018 QB is on the roster now or not. If they don't, you could see a Grad transfer or Juco signed. The most glaring need on offense in my opinion is the offensive tackle position. We need to get a little more athletic at that position.

On defense, we need DL that can get up the field. Preferably at the DE or edge position. We need help at the MLB position. We have kids on the roster that can play WLB, but we definately need help at the MLB position.

We also need help at the CB position. We really don't have many kids that project at the corner back position. We do have a number that can play safety including Crawford returning.

And we also need a experienced punter. Someone that can come in and play consistently.


QB? (Maybe), OT,DL, MLB,CB and Punter.

[Turbine]

Yeah, I remember when Harry Peoples only contributed his second year.

I didn't say "only" I said biggest, and I didn't say wouldn't contribute in year one, I said their biggest impact would be in year two.

This isn't true across the board but it was true of Harry Peoples.


HP went from 697 yards and 1 TD in year one, to 817 yards and 5 TDs in year two.