Respectfully, if BN were in fact chasing the same type of players that DM did on a routine basis, and making the same miscalculations in his evaluations, I might concede your point to some extent. But clearly, that is not the case. And that is not an assumption, that is a statement of fact that is borne out by even a cursory examination of the recruits BN has gotten to commit to date, and those he has had on campus for a serious look at the program. I would also point out that quite a number of those 4* DM recruits you seem to be so impressed by have either been shown the door, for one reason or another, or will be shortly after the bowl game. I do agree with the boiler plate language re scheme, player development and utilization. I mean, who wouldn't? But not all 4 & 5* recruits are created equal, and when one looks at how poorly even some of the most recent DM recruits have acquitted themselves, I find it hard to understand why anyone would even argue the point. Now if this is about bashing Billy and defending DM, then fine, have at it. Just don't expect me to follow you down that particular rabbit hole.
As will better in-game coaching and game management. While I like the overall approach the program is taking, BN will have to look in the mirror and realize that it will take both better personnel and better coaching/player development.
I agree there's plenty of room for improvement, particularly with regard to game management and scheme considerations. But I don't really fault BN and staff for inadequate player development, especially in light of the massive improvement in Burni's play and the strong contributions from ETN and SJ. Even Dean has improved to some extent which is remarkable when you look at poorly he's played assignment football his entire career. If you're referring to AR's continuing struggles, I feel your pain, but I don't think that's on Billy. AR is who he is and there are some things that coaching cannot completely address, at least to this point anyway.
More talent makes all coaches better. We need great talented depth to really compete and that's what Billy has coming in next year. But we need that home-run QB1 to put us over the top... not matter how much talent we get. I saw that if we had that consistency at QB we win at least 3 more game this year alone. The Kentucky was a picks 6/7 loss difference. 14 point swing. Tennessee was blown coverage 7 point receiving TD that changed the ending of that game. LSU was winnable... But that was more on the defense than just the QB. Vanderbilt was completely winnable with an ace at QB. If we get that can't lose QB and keep all the players that we have committed. Then we still have 3 portal periods to get the couple or few positions of need. We should be a much better team, but we still have some growing pains to figure out on the coaching staff. We need more man/press on the back end and that requires a ton of good/great DBs and Safeties, which we are signing. Man/press takes it's toll and we need great plug and play DBs to rotate in and out, same with the D-lineman. We need a ton of D-lineman for the same reason we need more DBs and Safeties. We have to create pressure up front in order to get to the QBs, or the receiver will find a way to get open... even one man/press. The front end and back end have to work together for man/press to work properly. I hope we move to a 4-2-5 defensive scheme. I hope we get every D-lineman and more on signing day or we need them from the portal. We probably still need experienced ones from the portal.
Ok then, which top 200 recruits currently fit in the “will be a bust” category? Clearly you can identify them better than Mullen and all the recruiting services.
I’m not sure where you are taking this. You made the comment on how aggressive LSU was in the portal vs BN after taking their respective jobs. I was responding by pointing out that LSU had more urgent needs because their #s were so low. They had no choice because a recruiting class alone was not going to fill their roster. I don’t know where Perkins came into the picture. But a NOLA kid staying home to play for the state school and hour & a half away isn’t exactly a recruiting coup.
Actually our coach was fairly active in the portal wars. He just didn't land the big fish apart from his guys and Ricky P. Boils down to getting the job done is the point. Go back and watch Perkins commitment video. His mom wanted him to go to UF. Usually that wins out. But yes I do agree pulling Louisiana kids is hard. It was an opportunity though.
I mean I loved Dan, but for people to be even hinting that the recruiting was similar based on star rankings doesnt hold water when you look at the actual class rankings. Billy took a class from disaster in '22 and made it a top 20 class and now has a top 8 class lined up for this year. That '22 class was looking historically bad by UF standards for a while.
This is the defining statement of this season. We can endlessly debate QB, scheme, coaching etc. etc. And yes negating an interception or 2 and/or or 3 and out here and there would make a difference but the stout UF defense we had for decades has disappeared over the last few years and it will take a couple of years of A+ recruiting to get back to SEC top tier.
LSU is going to get 8 or 9 out of 10 of their instate guys against anyone other than Alabama. Hopefully, in time, that number will drop. People underestimate the power of the LSU brand in Louisiana.
Recruiting is better, but we’ve outrecruited 4 teams that we lost to. People are legitimately believing we have less talent than Vandy. It’s insane
People don’t underestimate the power of cash. It’s a free for all now, not just the select few. It’ll be interesting to see who consistently has the money to pay kids.
That is true. And we have a reputation for cheaping out. That will have to change if we want to have a chance at a playoff spot.
Billy could very well be the man we need. But unless he closes with a flourish, he’ll finish about where Mullen was at a similar juncture. And McElwain’s 2016 class was #3 in the nation.
No one said or believes we have less talent than Vandy. We are losing games because of holes in our team . You could have 15 five star qbs and have the highest numbers rating in the country but it wouldn’t help you win any games. Our roster needs work on those holes, not just talent.
