Postby Po Monkey Lounger » Tue Feb 21, 2006 1:39 pm
Bigwater, these early commits are no longer unique ---except for maybe in Mississippi. For example, Urban Meyer at Florida already has several 2007 commits. And I think after several of the SEC schools, including MSU, holds their junior days this spring, you will see even more early commits around the SEC. Players who already pretty much know where they would like to go to college are making sure that they have a spot.
As to UM's surprising large number of early commits, I just think it is a result of applying this new approach by Orgeron. Evaluate early in the process, and get out early offers to the ones you believe are sure things. Coach O, per my understanding, has sent out 107 plus early offers to players that Coach O considers "elite" type players. If even a few choose to accept early, then such is a good thing and helps build early momentum for the class. And with respect to the ones who will not sign early, it gets your school into that recruits's mindset for consideration very early in the game.
Yes, they can change their mind before signing day, which is a long time away. But, even if 25 percent change their minds, or Ole Miss changes its mind based upon lack of fall performance on the field and in the classroom, it still results in solidifying your recruiting base early with those who most want to attend Ole Miss. Except for monitoring these guys and staying in contact, the recruiting emphasis can then shift toward players who are going to require more work and convincing. And it allows you to focus even more on unmet needs ---for UM, that would be OLs ---lots of them.
I like the new approach. It can't be any worse than what we had been doing. Because what we had been doing has not resulted in any SEC titles since the late sixties. So, where is the real risk?
Coach O may not have come into the UM job as the most polished X and O type of head coach ---he still has much to learn on the job in that area--- but he did come in to this job knowing how to recruit. And I think he has proven that, and is still proving that every month he is on the job. There is no "off-season" for Coach O.
The programs that do not engage in this type of recruiting effort will be left behind. Why do you think MSU brought back Melvin Smith, a CB coach, when the current coaching opening was for a RB coach? RECRUITING. Coach Croom needs help in this regard, and Templeton knows it. I will be willing to bet money that, due in large part to the competition from Coach O, MSU will have more early commits this year than at any other time in history. And I think this extra effort will make both schools better and make it harder for the OOS schools to steal our state's best athletes. Just my opinion.
