As crazy as it may sound to us, some of these kids either grew up not liking LSU or wanting to leave the state. It happens, but we recruit well enough to be able to get talent from almost anywhere. there are some places that we won't get players, but every major state university goes through this as shown above.
Aren't they all "this year"? I concur with the recurring opinions on here about in-state kids. Understandably we judge things through our eyes and forget that not every kid grows up with parents; many don't have a father around that watched CFB with them on Saturdays; going to LSU games, etc. I've said that since Joe bolted for USC and never held it against him. If you know him or anyone who does they can tell you some of the unbelievable things he experienced from fellow Louisianans after his announcement.
I had totally forgotten about Devall, I have a feeling we had backed off him awhile ago. I think there will be a lot of guys on this board who look like idiots when Landon Collins commits to LSU, the whole sky is falling thing is very similar to Randle and Rasco the last few years.
I didn't get that from this thread at all. I actually found the response to be very level-headed...VERY. I was even proud to read the best wishes being sent. Another thing is "top recruits" according to recruiting services doesn't mean they'll (any kid not just these) amount to shyt, necessarily.
I think you also have to bring in the ESPN factor with these players.They have grown up watching Coach Saban being the greatest coach according to the ESPN team and now have the chance to play for him. Lou Holtz is still in denial that LSU won in OT
I don't know if we backed off Devall or not, but I do know the only reason he didn't come here was because he wanted to play in a 3-4. If we played a 3-4, he'd be here. Alabama didn't take the lead until A&M fired Mike Sherman. Prior to that, Bama was an afterthought. Saban can thank the A&M brass for Bama getting Devall. The kid likes getting after the QB. Rush OLB's win defensive MVPs (Cushing, Matthews, Harrison). Tackling machines don't, even though Patrick Willis is probably the best defensive player in football. Ray Lewis owned the NFL on defense for well over 10 years and "only" one two MVP awards, and both times were because he got after the QB more than normal. And I don't know about the sky falling, but Rueben legitimately was not coming here until the last minute. He might say differently down here, but we were never in the lead until the very end. Likewise, we were never in bad shape with him. It was never a matter of love or hate, same with Denzell. OU was in the lead for most of the process. But not winning that championship his senior year made him weigh huge stats (which he probably would've gotten in the Big 12-2) versus being legendary as a champion and backed off OU. The last few weeks it was a Bama-LSU fight to the finish. Michigan had a chance too, albeit small.
:geaux: Seems like Mingo & Montogmery get after the QB pretty well as DE's. Both probably have just as many sacks as anybody on 'Bama's defense does. Even Rasco has two or three sacks this year a third string DE. Just sayin......:LSU231:
He didn't want to play DE for one. For two, you're comparing him at 6'1 to 6'2 to guys that are 6'5 and up. Today, height makes a difference when you play rush end. All of our ends are at least 6'4. He'd come in at a disadvantage unless he sucked it up and played the more natural 4-3 position for him...MLB. Maybe he'll regret it. I hope not, except when we play Bama. Bottom line...and I'm only commenting on this kid because I know him...he wanted to play in a 3-4, not a 4-3. Nothing wrong with what we did recruiting him, nor with what he did. I applaud him actually. He could've come to LSU out of obligation, or followed his own dream of playing a particular position in a particular defense. He also knows that now...he's TigerBait...
:geaux: I hear ya. I know he's not a DE but figured he'd still get the opportunity to rush the QB in LSU's 4-3 if he proved to be a real threat doing it. I remember Kelvin Sheppard being a pretty adept pass rusher from the MLB position in addition to being a tackling machine. Remember the Alabama game last year. But you're right, he's just TigerBait now. :grin: Hope they're tough on him up there in Bastrop after the Tigers put it on 'Bama the next few years. :hihi: :LSU231:
Asignupe, you have good inside info and I believe and agree with you. Kudos to Devall for going out of state to a great program that will showcase his talents... ...as far as Randall goes, however His recruiting was manipulated by his dad, in my opinion Ruben's dad lost all credibility when he acted shocked that Deangelo Benton committed to LSU. Give me a freaking break, Benton was trying for three years to become eligible to enroll at LSU. The parents of the wide receivers at Venice high school were aware of that. Ruben Randle has been an exemplary Tiger...he's done everything asked of him and more....a great team player....but his dad ended up manipulating les Miles into his only black recruiting eye and it will never....ever.....happen again !! LSU not being in the lead with Randle ??? More like LSU and Miles weren't telling Ruben's dad what he wanted to hear. Cam Newton's dad is more believable.
