I was just looking at LSU's commitments on Rivals.com (pic below) and I'm wondering why even sign Jacob Hester a two star running back? Are signing these players guarantees that they will get the scholarship? What if all, half, or a forth of these players (below) want to come to LSU and we have already given out scholarships? Will they just drop some of the lower star athletes? Early Doucet, WR, 6'2", 200, ST Martinville Luke Sanders, LB, 6'4", 230, West Monroe Marlon Favorite, DT, 6'2", 300, West Jefferson Darryl Richard, DT, 6'4", 270, Destrehan Jeremy Jones, TE, 6'4", 260, West Jefferson Xavier Carter, WR, 6'2", 180, Palms Bay, Florida Jason Watkins, OL, 6'7", 290, Herman Johnson, 6'7", 360, Denton, Texas I am just concerned we may run out of scholarships to give to these outstanding players.
Some people, including Insiders.com rate Hester much higher. Saban must have liked what he saw. Hester has good size, speed and football savy, and can probably contribute in a lot of different ways. If he was only 2-star material why would OU, Texas, and LSU be after him?
When they sign their name it is a done deal. Committing may not guarantee anything, but I believe its first come, first served, for the most part. More than 25 players sign every year, but rarely do they all qualify immediately. I wouldnt expect this year to be different. Then through natural attrition, scholarships will free up, and guys will become eligible to pick them up, a la Nate Livings or Chad Lavalais.
Don't be STAR struck ... LSU staff has had three years to watch and evaluate most of these kids ... Hester is a keeper. You comment about running out of schollies is sad but true. We'd like to sign about 35 this year, but 27-28 looks like the most.
Nice thing about that list is how broad it is. Great players at a multitude of positions. Only thing we won't get is a QB but after landing Russel and Flynn last year I doubt that's a conern. And Mauck just might return for his final year.
I have this same problem on NCAA 2004 PS2.. I only sign 5 stars or higher, I even have to pull scholarships from 3 stars or lower If you are not a 5 star, you dont get an offer Seriously though, I asked the same question, where does he fit. However I will trust Saban on this one. Maybe this might just be an olive branch to that Evangel cult. Remember if I remember Josh Reed was not a highly recruited player as well. Dont ever remember hearing Roslithsburger either... Saban must know something we dont.
I believe Hester is grossly under-rated. Remember, he scored two long TD's in the State championship game. One on offense & the other on defense. He has a great heart & is the real deal. We are fortunate to get him.
I am thinking that he is a two star because 1) he didn't stack up the yardage this year. I read in the paper that he had 4.4 yards per carry, but only 880 yards, which means they didn't always give it to him to run and 2) Wasn't he a top LB before he switched? Maybe the position change bumped him down a bit? I dunno...just a guess
MARLON FAVORITE Marlon is a player that LSU would love to have but I beleive it was him I was reading about on a site that said he might have a qualifing problem. Last year LSU had 2 players that had a problem with grades and they will sign again this year and will count towards this years totals. You can not sign everyone you have to get the best that you can get and live with it. If a player thinks he can do better and waits to long then he will have to live with it too.
