Zeon Chriss

[Big Buds]

That might be the case, but 478 of those players remained on the sideline. You're only as good as your best players. Somehow STM just beat LCA who had a whole slew of high level talent. Maybe it's the coaching. I really don't know.

Exactly only 22-30 actually play and they whip dat ass.

It’s a mixture of top tier coaching, off season preparation and a culture of winning that starts in the feeder schools.

[Cajun Forever]

I feel that in this new age of college athletics that we are going to just be a minor league to the P4/5. And same thing with us, to pick from the FCS and some schools in the G5 when players are looking to get out of their current situations. It makes me think that maybe we should look at more local talent instead of always looking outside. At least you have a hope of keeping them since they have a tie to the area. Why not if the talent is equal or close to it with a HS player that can be coached up. Isn’t that what our teams in the 90s were like with? I just don’t know how you can invest in a player anymore with them always being able to get a payday and more exposure when you get that type of player. It also makes me wonder if Napier would have been able to get some of the players he had with NIL and free transfers in place.

[moorecajun]

The root of all evil.

[KACajun]

Exactly only 22-30 actually play and they whip dat ass.

It’s a mixture of top tier coaching, off season preparation and a culture of winning that starts in the feeder schools.

100%

[Duckster]

While its a bummer to see someone with Chriss' potential go portal on us, this doesn't get me down too much. Maybe he becomes above average or just spreads mediocrity elsewhere. However this is nowhere near the level of say Coastal losing their three time all conference QB McCall to the portal. That is meltdown worthy. Besides having other QB's on roster, shouldn't we be focused on building up the team in the trenches and defense?

[Big Buds]

Guys, I loved having Zeon and wish he was QB1. But let’s not forget he went 3-3 as a starter and frankly looked worse as more tape of him was put out there. Definitely not saying he isn’t a generational talent…but he has work to do.

[RaisingCajun08]

I always wondered how good STM players would look in college. Very few of them get a chance to play in the FBS, and the ones that do haven't really panned out. Yet, STM's teams are always wildly successful. Are the coaches that good or should we also give some credit to the players?

STM is just like Notre Dame. They have a team of good players. Very few outstanding players that go to the next level. They win by not making mistakes and outcoaching their opponent.

[zeppelincajun]

Do you think saying no to the non-studs is helping our case to get ever their top talent?

I don’t think turning away guys with legit D1 (FBS or FCS) talent is a good practice for our program. If guys have FBS talent they should be offered. If they are more borderline, PWOs exist for a reason.

I also don’t think signing guys who don’t have said talent just in hopes that some future blue chipper from non-D1 guy’s school will want to play here is wise.

People love to point the finger at UL and say we don’t recruit from xyz school, but when you point out the laundry list of guys from our area at P5 programs, people get in their feelings and say “well not those guys.” We need to recruit the local schools in a way that is beneficial to both parties.

[ULGrad@HOU]

I with you guys on this. Chriss had potential, especially with his size and athleticism. The reality is, he had a ways to go to be what we are all imagining he could be. I think it's more sad than anything, just for the fact that he seemed to be the one to give our team stability at the most important position on the team. We will have Ben and Lunch, and they may be fine, but then it's only a year left with Ben and Lunch could leave if he plays and is productive. It's the wild west out there for college football, and it's killing most teams that aren't at the top.

[CajunRage]

I don’t think turning away guys with legit D1 (FBS or FCS) talent is a good practice for our program. If guys have FBS talent they should be offered. If they are more borderline, PWOs exist for a reason.

I also don’t think signing guys who don’t have said talent just in hopes that some future blue chipper from non-D1 guy’s school will want to play here is wise.

People love to point the finger at UL and say we don’t recruit from xyz school, but when you point out the laundry list of guys from our area at P5 programs, people get in their feelings and say “well not those guys.” We need to recruit the local schools in a way that is beneficial to both parties.

I don't know of a laundry list of p5 athletes coming out of STM football. Can you name some? Sincerely asking.