Remedy: Have a weekend party in Gainesville and lock them out of touch with other teams, and make sure our NIL brings bonus "gifts" so that they don't get tempted to take other bags. Let them sign in Gainesville while on a weekend party retreat with their families.
Auburn had 3 losses that were worse than any of our losses over the past 2 years. I don't see a lot of room for optimism if I am a Auburn fan, much less a recruit with little connection to Auburn.
Imo, I think a difference is that AU identified QUICKLY, much like FSU with Taggart, that Bryan Harsin wasn’t the man for the job and quickly axed him because of the downward trajectory of the football program. Taggart and Harsin weren’t trending up and since Freeze showed he already could coach in the SEC, he’s got a better selling point in that to sell recruits than Napier has. you know….their 2024 recruiting class isn’t that far off from our 2023 class points wise. Had we actually signed Rashada, we’d had finished with a top 10 class in 2023 too i’ll tell you what though….it will be interesting to see how AU fans act if they miss a bowl game this upcoming season
Auburn is ‘chasing’ Ole Miss to be the team that is most desperate and willing to do whatever it takes to rocket up the charts of success. They are spending that yellow wood money like it’ll never end.
And this ultimately is why I believe Saben decided to ride into the Sunset. The playing field no longer favored the Alabama program, as it had in the past where he was enabled to acquire all the best talent. All I can say is "Cry me a river Alabama football fan!" Better get used to coaching them up!
Maybe they should look at all the players they got on early signing day because Saban hadn't announced his retirement plan until after they signed. Maybe consider other schools could have gotten those player on signing day. Bama fans are nuts.
Tommy, you are of course correct, but I also agree with ror - I suspect Saban wanted to finish on top (well very near it) and was not too excited about the current status of college football going forward. Of course this is merely speculative on my part. I am glad he is gone because I think Bama will "go down" in stature a bit. How much, I don't know but I do not see anyone sustaining the Saban pace or championship production outside of Kirby Smart.
Yea no way Bama is Bama without Saban. I would be shocked if they maintain Bama status here in the next couple of years.
We did technically “sign” Rashada. We just tore up the paperwork afterwards. They should just do away with LOI’s. Instead of signing a letter of intent on signing day, you enroll. The LOI’s are no longer enforced and aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.
You’re right about Kelvin. Maybe it’s more fans comparing than teammates. Or maybe even fans have short of memories. I don’t mind correcting that viewpoint.