2008 Recruiting Wars

[Clutch0364]

_ When you have a guy at DE who weighs 210 pounds, what intangibles are going to make up for that?? Even if he has a great motor, he's going to get pancaked by a TE much less a Tackle. His "intangibles" can't be too great if he wasn't recruited by any D-1 teams.

BTW, everybody mentions Kwarteng and I loved what he brought to our team. You have to remember, he only really made a big impact his senior year. I'm hoping for these guys that will come here and be all-conference players earlier in their career. I think this point is worthless anyway because we have some talent at DE who are all young. Richardson is going to be a beast and Cook or S. Moore have some promise. _

A lot of DE's do good at the college level at a low weight. He will redshirt and possibly put on 15-20 lbs in the offseason. a 6'4 230lbs DE isn't that small for a speed rusher.

[ULGrad@HOU]

Good one J1M. I think what we have here is a lack of confidence in our coaching staff that the kids they are finding translate into more wins. If we were winning, you can bet we would all be satisfied with whoever gets signed. I admit, I don't have that confident feeling, although I'm hopeful because I support and like Coach Bustle. So much depends on getting the right kid to fit the system that you want to run. Many teams rise out of the dust with kids that weren't highly rated. Look at Kansas or Boise and the classes they had leading up to last year. They weren't all big stars. This coaching staff must be sharp enough to raise our level of play above what is expected. Only then will we begin to get the ball rolling and the attention of "higher" graded athletes. I have a friend here that is a huge fan of Nebraska. During the recent Callahan years, they were able to sign some very highly rated recruits (look them up). This never translated to enough wins (5 this past year). He's no longer a big star watcher. I believe the group this year for the Cajuns is really a catch-up class for the defense because this is the first class our Def Cord. has had a chance to pick kids that fit his scheme. For the offense, the one thing we could use more of is God given speed, this is where we sure could use Demaris or Ambrose. Hope they want to be Cajuns.

Geaux UL

[Just1More]

_ Good one J1M. I think what we have here is a lack of confidence in our coaching staff that the kids they are finding translate into more wins. If we were winning, you can bet we would all be satisfied with whoever gets signed. I admit, I don't have that confident feeling, although I'm hopeful because I support and like Coach Bustle. So much depends on getting the right kid to fit the system that you want to run. Many teams rise out of the dust with kids that weren't highly rated. Look at Kansas or Boise and the classes they had leading up to last year. They weren't all big stars. This coaching staff must be sharp enough to raise our level of play above what is expected. Only then will we begin to get the ball rolling and the attention of "higher" graded athletes. I have a friend here that is a huge fan of Nebraska. During the recent Callahan years, they were able to sign some very highly rated recruits (look them up). This never translated to enough wins (5 this past year). He's no longer a big star watcher. I believe the group this year for the Cajuns is really a catch-up class for the defense because this is the first class our Def Cord. has had a chance to pick kids that fit his scheme. For the offense, the one thing we could use more of is God given speed, this is where we sure could use Demaris or Ambrose. Hope they want to be Cajuns.

Geaux UL _

Hi Good Friend. You are dead on. A lot of focus is on defensive select fits. In the equation that measures every single position player, UL should double the SPEED function. I'm not talking about the 40 (except WR and DB). I would rather those clever athletes that have good speed, great instincts, and a huge heart over taking a guy that cast the shadow of a hallmark player, but is a step slower on the field.

As for your skill player hopes... me too.

It's been far too slow a process for me, but I do believe UL is on the cusp of putting greater fuel into the football program. It isn't as easy for those in charge or those in opposition to hide out, go out in public, enjoy their lives, as it used to be. No one buys the excuses and it shows. They've done it the hard way and can barely keep the ship moving. It is time to do it the softer, easier way. Give a greater piece over to pure privatization and let the natural fan inertia do the rest.

[DestinCajun]

Hi Good Friend. You are dead on. A lot of focus is on defensive select fits. In the equation that measures every single position player, UL should double the SPEED function. I'm not talking about the 40 (except WR and DB). I would rather those clever athletes that have good speed, great instincts, and a huge heart over taking a guy that cast the shadow of a hallmark player, but is a step slower on the field.

He's not a perfect match with your description but Michael Adams came to mind as I read the above part of your post.

[Just1More]

_ He's not a perfect match with your description but Michael Adams came to mind as I read the above part of your post. _

Indeed. Michael Adams is as undersized and massively talented as they come. The Goliaths overlook guys like Michael during recruiting. But, the NFL (Cardinals) didn't. We are required to work within those gaps for exceptional talent. A Rivals is going to overlook these guys as well.

It requires a keener eye for talent from our staff, but it is the way we will incrementally ratchet up our program.

[waterboy]

They were at Zea. It appeared there were some parents with the recruits. One kid had on a high school letterman jacket, blue, with the name Jones on the back.

[Pirogue]

_ They were at Zea. It appeared there were some parents with the recruits. One kid had on a high school letterman jacket, blue, with the name Jones on the back. _

Did he remind you of Kenyon Cotton?

[waterboy]

Yes, he did.

[MissingMandy]

_ That he is doing it the right way is what is scaring me. We continue to lose with the players he recruits, to 1AA programs like McNeese, 5 0f the last 6 years to ULM, and still a losing record. This MUST BE the year for Bustle. I only hope these kind of recruits will help us get over the hump. _

I am sure Coach Bustle knows that and remember MOST of these recruits will not play this year, at least not on the offensive side, they will take a redshirt so they have time to learn. I think he is recruiting the depth we need on the defensive side and players that can make an immediate impact there. We have a great bunch of experienced players coming back on the offensive side. Should be a good year. Have faith. I could be wrong but unfortunately I think we lose good players to McNeese because the players can't make the grades academically at UL. We have no control over that and they have that advantage.

[MissingMandy]

_ Was it a nice place???

CT, I remember a couple years ago, Colorado had problems with recruits and girls and parties and so forth, and it got them in some hot water. After that, their administration said that parents would be invited (or maybe even required) to take the trips with the recruits. Does UL also invite parents, or is it suggested that they come along too? Does UL help subsidize their visits? I'm not sure how it works on that end. I know you talked about something like this on BEV the other day...How the kids look at the program more, whereas the parents look at the education and the dorm facilities more. _

From experience I can tell you that parents are invited to come along. I wanted to see where my son would live for the next 5 years, wouldn't most parents. I wanted to see the campus and ask questions about the college and academics. You have a million questions in your mind and the coaches are great in helping both parent and athlete. The university does not pay for your visit in any way, not even a cup of coffee. Each player also receives a home visit.