Lost another top in-state recruit

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Agreed, but it's also August. Let's see how it shakes out. There were meltdowns last year and we ended up with Plan B's that were better than our Plan A's.

We have a commitment and a likely commitment from two really, really good linebackers for next year. I'd rather have that than Hurst. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have Hurst, but Leach is going to find OL, so I'm not overly concerned about it.

Exactly I would only add two things. First, we seem to be looking outside of Mississippi to fill these misses which can be good and bad. We also have to start winning or at least look like a better offense than we did last year. I'm betting we see some improvement that will help recruit players. At least I hope we are.

 

[Cooterpoot]

We've only got about half our enrollment numbers in our Bulldog Club. That's pathetic. And I'm probably preaching to the choir on here to a point, but that's got to change. There's no reason we can't be a top 25 program every year. But without support, won't happen.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

Last year was 3/10, 2020 was 3/10, 2017 was 3/10, 2016 was 3/10 - that's going back the last 10 years. I also ask you to go back and look at who was in the top 10 in MS the last 10 years and see how many duds there were. If you do that, you'll see that there is no need to freak out

 

[Cooterpoot]

Last year was 3/10, 2020 was 3/10, 2017 was 3/10, 2016 was 3/10 - that's going back the last 10 years. I also ask you to go back and look at who was in the top 10 in MS the last 10 years and see how many duds there were. If you do that, you'll see that there is no need to freak out

So 3 losing seasons of the last 6. Things are fine...like I was saying, our fans are fine with that. No interest in improving it. You've proven my point.

 

[Smoked Toag]

We've only got about half our enrollment numbers in our Bulldog Club. That's pathetic. And I'm probably preaching to the choir on here to a point, but that's got to change. There's no reason we can't be a top 25 program every year. But without support, won't happen.

GTFO of here with that. That line held water in 2005 maybe, but our fanbase punches well above our weight in football most of the time. While I agree that I'd love to see the BDC participation go way up (of course we need more money), the people you are screaming out won't make much of a difference. As far as money goes, the big donors and TV money dwarf everyone else.

The main way the common folk can help MSU is butts in seats at games. Bottom line. We need to sell out the stadium like Clemson does, that's the blueprint. And if not sold out, at least be among the biggest percentages out there, which creates atmosphere.

And an even bigger part of that needs to be aimed at students.

I am in the BDC by the way.

ETA: We just won a national championship largely due to the fact that our fanbase goes above and beyond what is expected, and this is what has attracted recruits to MSU throughout our history. I'd say our commitment is just fine. The only way to improve our standing in football is to one, get more fans, but that happens slowly over time, and two, hire an unconventional coach and try to match that with the talent we typically get. Is Leach the answer? We will see. I prefer more of a run-based dual threat QB sort of deal, and an easy offense to run.

 

[Cooterpoot]

GTFO of here with that. That line held water in 2005 maybe, but our fanbase punches well above our weight in football most of the time. While I agree that I'd love to see the BDC participation go way up (of course we need more money), the people you are screaming out won't make much of a difference. As far as money goes, the big donors and TV money dwarf everyone else.

The main way the common folk can help MSU is butts in seats at games. Bottom line. We need to sell out the stadium like Clemson does, that's the blueprint. And if not sold out, at least be among the biggest percentages out there, which creates atmosphere.

And an even bigger part of that needs to be aimed at students.

I am in the BDC by the way.

The smallest athletics group in the conference and the smallest recruiting budget in the conference. It matters. Buy season tickets is great, but dropping more money is even better. And those tickets etc. are going to count on at least a good portion on wins. Other schools are talking NIL setups. We're saying only a very few players will benefit. We make excuses. Ok, rant over. See you at our 7 wins and our crappy bowl.

 

[patdog]

See you at our 7 wins and our crappy bowl.

I think you're being optimistic.

 

[thatsbaseball]

Well it is only gonna take 5 wins in the future **

 

[Ralph Cramden]

3 losing seasons in the last 6 years and 3 coaches also. Inconsistencies are not good. Can't change coaches like underwear and expect to win. Especially if its drastically different ideologies

 

[InTheIttaBenaHotSun]

Still can't catch Bivens in a phone booth.....for the younger gen. on here - a phone booth was really really small.

 

[Smoked Toag]

3 losing seasons in the last 6 years and 3 coaches also. Inconsistencies are not good. Can't change coaches like underwear and expect to win. Especially if its drastically different ideologies

That's the one good thing about our situation, is that we know we're likely going to have Leach until he either retires or is fired. We can at least preach consistency to recruits, on the offensive side anyway. DC is likely going to be a 2 year max deal every year, like it always has been (I have no delusions about keeping Arnett past this season).

When Kiffin bails, I hope we speed dial their MS prospects on their commitment list.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

Like the thing your principal stood in to grab cash blowing all around him to encourage you to sell candy bars and other crap to your neighbors. Only smaller.

 

[oxfordrebel22]

I expect Leach (and Kiffin, and everyone else) to use the transfer portal quite heavily. But the problem for schools like MSU and OM is that is just a form of treading water. If you aren’t at the top of the food chain, the transfer portal is merely a stop gap to stay on the same rung of the ladder, not climb it. You’re either bringing in guys that weren’t good enough to play at a program better than yours (the guys you have to beat to raise your profile), or they excelled at a lower level but at the same time weren’t good enough to cut it at an LSU or Texas A&M or Auburn. And over time, that gain/loss has to be in your favor so that you offset the players you lose to bigger programs.

Every now and again, there may be a rare case of a 5* kid from MS goes off to the bright lights of the wild blue yonder, has a sick relative or something he wants to get back home to see, and maybe an MSU or OM is lucky to get him that way. But that’s going to be rare, and neither school is going to be able to rely on that level of luck consistently. The schools that continue to land the elite talent out of high school consistently are going to continue to be the schools in the hunt for the natty and P4 conference championships. And that is now going to be harder than ever for the non blue bloods.

Hard to dispute any of this. I agree with you, 100%.

I think the portal can be an asset to schools like MSU and OM, if IF they use it effectively and sparingly. For example - Ole Miss will likely have a very young and inexperienced QB room next year, assuming Corral goes pro. Which, if we have a season like we hope to, he will be gone. So, you can use the one-time transfer rule to go get a guy like Jack Miller from Ohio State, who has Ole Miss ties, lost a QB battle to a 5-star, and wants to come start. BUT.. you better not miss, because it can mess you up quick if you do.

I think this was an atypical offseason for Leach because of the attrition from last years team. If it’s not, though, bringing in 5+ transfers a year is a risky strategy.

In short, if you use the portal as a stop gap or a tool to bring in experience at certain positions, it can work. But high school recruiting is still going to be the life blood of your program.

But heck, the more I’ve thought on it.. we’ve been just as active in the portal. But I think both programs have used it well.. it’s been mostly used to address glaring areas of need. We brought in Otis Reese (Georgia) and Jacob Springer (Navy) in the secondary. Chance Campbell, LB (Maryland) 2 Canadian DE’s, a Canadian CB, a backup swing Off Tackle, Jordan Rhodes (South Carolina) and also Jachour Pearson, slot WR (western KY) and Mark Robinson, OLB (some directional Missouri school). Pearson and Robinson are walk-on’s, but both are expected to play a lot. And Reese is probably our best or second best defensive player (a low bar) and Springer and Campbell will both start. It’s a new world, for sure

 

[Ralph Cramden]

I don't think we should count on Lane leaving. I bet he sticks around a few years and unless its a real sweet job offer I wouldn't be too sure Arnett doesn't hang around 4 or 5 years. Leach seems to do pretty well at keeping coaches but he is bound to get the right offer eventually. This class will be typical and just fine. Esp if we play well. Its only August. We will land some more big fish

 

[Smoked Toag]

I don't think we should count on Lane leaving. I bet he sticks around a few years and unless its a real sweet job offer I wouldn't be too sure Arnett doesn't hang around 4 or 5 years. Leach seems to do pretty well at keeping coaches but he is bound to get the right offer eventually. This class will be typical and just fine. Esp if we play well. Its only August. We will land some more big fish

We almost lost him last year - to lame duck LSU. And remember, he was the same guy who took the job at Syracuse then bolted to us.

Forgive me if I do not trust anything that comes out of these coaches' mouths, especially after a decade with Mullen (and his defensive coordinators).

 

[OliveBranchDAWG]

I don't think we should count on Lane leaving. I bet he sticks around a few years and unless its a real sweet job offer I wouldn't be too sure Arnett doesn't hang around 4 or 5 years. Leach seems to do pretty well at keeping coaches but he is bound to get the right offer eventually. This class will be typical and just fine. Esp if we play well. Its only August. We will land some more big fish

I don’t see Lane leaving, he’s got the perfect stress free situation, at a school that will continually boost his ego. Arnett on the other hand will be gone after this season.

 

[patdog]

But he can't win a national championship at Mississippi. If a bigger job comes along, he'll take it. That said, like Mullen, it may take him several good years to get that bigger job. I'm expecting he'll be in Oxford for at least a couple more years, if not longer.

 

[Smoked Toag]

But he can't win a national championship at Mississippi. If a bigger job comes along, he'll take it. That said, like Mullen, it may take him several good years to get that bigger job. I'm expecting he'll be in Oxford for at least a couple more years, if not longer.

While I agree about how most coaches view our job, I'm not sure I believe it myself. We were a Cam Newton away in 2010, close to the playoff in 2014, an AJ Brown (and a non-dumb coach the second year) away from making serious noise in 2017/2018. Ole Miss was a fluke play away from an SEC championship in 2015, and a Paidwell ankle break away in 2014 themselves.

 

[aTotal360]

Hate to break it to you, but without a billion dollar injection of money, nothing is going to change. History is written. If you are expecting MSU to become a national power in football, you're going to die a sad man.

 

[OliveBranchDAWG]

But he can't win a national championship at Mississippi. If a bigger job comes along, he'll take it. That said, like Mullen, it may take him several good years to get that bigger job. I'm expecting he'll be in Oxford for at least a couple more years, if not longer.

I don’t think he can run a national championship caliber program. He’s in a great situation where all he has to do is reach bowl games, continue to act like a douche, and the entire OM fanbase will suck him off. Why would he leave for Bama if they ever offered? He’d be canned in a few years and have to work his way back which he just got done doing the previous 7 years after the USC debacle.

Edited to add: Kiffin’s been to the mountaintop a few times already: NFL HC, Tennessee (a top 10 job when he took over) and USC. And he failed. Why would he leave OM? It’s a place perfectly suited for his ego, I really think he’s just happy to be there.

 

[DoggieDaddy13]

Boys, I think we all know what's really going on here:

Leach has never needed top recruits to win. He doesn't need top recruits to win in the SEC and he's gonna prove it.

Enjoy the Ride!!!

 

[thatsbaseball]

Wow, in two posts, Kiffen won't leave OM and Leach is gonna prove you don't need you don't big time talent to win in the SEC. God I love August.

 

[The Usual Suspect]

Agreed, but it's also August. Let's see how it shakes out. There were meltdowns last year and we ended up with Plan B's that were better than our Plan A's.

We have a commitment and a likely commitment from two really, really good linebackers for next year. I'd rather have that than Hurst. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have Hurst, but Leach is going to find OL, so I'm not overly concerned about it.

My biggest concern is not just August recruiting, it is the health of the FB program in general, and it just feels like there is not a lot of positives for the fan base. I don't see our administration doing anything to improve at all.

 

[Bulldawg77]

LOL, he's legit & we don't have other HS guys above him. We've got a couple Juco guys, but we're taking a couple those no matter all this.

We actually do.and yes we have JUCO tackle prospects You have to remember that road graders don't fit this scheme

 

[Cooterpoot]

We actually do.and yes we have JUCO tackle prospects You have to remember that road graders don't fit this scheme

The kid is legit. He was the top HS guy on the board. We'll sign the MGCCC kid. We won't get the top Juco kid. We'll sign the kid that had a nice camp but few offers for the HS spot. It's all plan B (not that plan B) guys. A second Juco will sign as well but not sure who.
And looky here...a real recruiting thread on the pack! Miracles happen when you least expect them.

 

[Ralph Cramden]

A lot of people were yapping about how Leach couldn't recruit and its not lights out but I think they have done a good job of getting what they need. If the top Ms kids don't wanna come here they will go out of state and get kids to play. Im fairly happy so far. All the coaches have been commenting on how it is night and day from last year, hopefully that will show up on the field and it will turn some heads

 

[maroonmania]

Leach or not, I can't believe any of you were thinking we were going to fare well in this new world order where NIL has made it legal to buy recruits. We just don't have enough 'all in' boosters willing to work the system for us to keep up with the neighborhood we live in. I know buying players has always been a big factor but now the floodgates are wide open. At least before people had to try to keep things under wraps. OM on the other hand, who has a lot of boosters much more interested in recruiting wins than football wins, should do pretty well. I doubt you will ever see a school go on probation again for paying recruits to sign unless it can somehow be proven that a coach was directly involved. I've tapped out on worrying about recruiting at this point and my general interest in college football has already started to wane greatly. Probably my last year to get season tickets. If I was just going to root for a team full of mercenaries I might as well just move over to being primarily an NFL fan.

 

[thatsbaseball]

A really good HC is our only hope IMO...and even then it's gonna be tough at best.