bhelmLSU - obviously you are the guru here and I am not trying to step on your toes, but I am just trying to keep it real. If you knock Peters out of the top 4 does he drop all the way out of the top 10 probably not. Either way we lost 6 of the top 10 and by your ratings 3 of the top 5. Will that kill us? No. Does that mean the sky is falling? No, but we should pay attention because this is not the road we want to go down next year. Have we found diamonds in the rough, hopefully so 3 stars like Mo C. and TM7 so time will only tell but this was not our best performance in recruiting no matter how anyone wants to slice it or who wants to admit it. We need to do a better job next year that is all I am saying.
This was considered a "down" year for Louisiana recruiting prospects, so the best "6 out of 10" this year might not even be in the top 20 in other years. You have to take that into consideration. IMHO, the only big loss was Landon Collins out of this year's "top 10" in state prospects. When it is a "down year", LSU has to expect a couple of things: Our overall rank by recruiting "experts" will drop because our "bread and butter" is less attractive We need to spend more effort on out of state prospects, which might translate to other schools having an opening to swoop in No recruiting year is perfect, even if you land one of the top 3 classes. LSU will undoubtedly do better next year because the talent level in next year's class is markedly better.
The problem with where LSU stands on February 2, 2012, seems very different from where it stood on January 8, 2012. January was one of the worst months for this program i can recall in recent years, which is all the more shocking given that the team went undefeated until the BCS title game and finished #2 in the country. I have to beleive that the fall-out from the horrible showing in the game, the harsh reaction from the fans, the rumors about discontent among the players and coaches had an impact on how recruting ended. I believe there are some great players in this class, and there are no doubt some players whose performance will far outstrip their star-ranking (Deion Jones comes to mind). However, their were enough disappointing misses to keep a top ranked program like LSU from filling a class, which is really unbelievable. Hopefully this will now mark the end of the wailing and attention can be turned to what we have - a top ranked team with an incredible wealth of talent. Winning will cure everything, and we will win a lot of games next year. If the offense can get a little sexier with Mett throwing the ball to free up even more space for our freakishly good RBs, recruiting will take care of itself. GEAUX TIGERS
Here is all you need to know about putting too much stock into star ratings. In 2009, Chris Davenport was a consensus 5-star defensive lineman. He can't crack the 2-deep chart and is well on his way to being labelled a bust. In 2009, Morris Claiborne was a 3-star athlete who was on the national radar for no "respected" scouting services. He just won the Jim Thorpe award and will be a high first round NFL draft choice this year. "Stars" can't measure how well a player will fit into the system he joins or how he will respond to the college coaching he'll receive.
Star gazing with the naked eye would not get you to discover those undiscovered, hidden, awesome ones in space right ? Now, give the task to the astronomer and voila! The best at that profession can find some pretty amazing ones in our vast planet. Sometimes anologies and metaphors can help put things in perspective.
I heard a stat last night that over the past 10 years only 47% of the 5 star high school kids got drafted into the NFL. So that goes to show you never know how these guys will play at this level and not to put a lot of stock into how the class ranks. I think it's a lot like the NFL draft you need 3 years to see if it was hit or miss
If you fill your needs in recruiting, you are going to be fine. We did and we will be! The stars don't measure integrity, character, and wherewithall. That is what champions need.
I agree completely. Now lets get them on campus and coach them into champions. We have a lot more to look forward to than regret!
