With everything that's happened, I expected us to struggle in recruiting. As far as the ESP is concerned, we didn't struggle as much as expected, and I'm happy for that, but we still struggled. Clearly, simply stating we are "struggling with recruiting" triggers some people. It isn't an indictment on the coaches as many of the "whys" are beyond their control, but it doesn't change that we are struggling with recruiting. This staff targets players they want and they pursue. We've struck out three times in the portal thus far. That is the very definition of struggling. Again, that does not mean I'm saying Heupel is a bad coach or that he needs to be fired. I don't believe that at all. But surely you, and others, agree that our recruiting needs to get better. We're being honest, right? In order to continue moving forward, recruiting has to improve. And I honestly believe every coach on this staff would agree with that statement which is why I fail to understand why some posters act so offended by such a simple truth. I have to believe this is a lingering effect of BVS, that stating simple truths can cause so many such pain.
With the risk of going back and forth again, and junking up the thread, I'll just say I think it comes down to how one looks at life in general...for lack of a better metaphor, is one a glass half full or empty kind of person. I think where some see success, others are always going to see struggle, and vice versa...no matter what evidence is presented on both sides.
If you see a #11 to #15 class as "still struggling", after years and years of Lane Kiffin, Derek Dooley, Butch Jones, Jeremy Pruitt, Mike Hamilton, Dave Hart, John Currie, Phillip Fulmer; headline after headline of "Toxic", "Laughable", "Dumpster Fire", "Debacle", "New Low", "TRASH"; being absolutely drug on social media (where recruits hang out night and day) day after day; 73-75 over the last decade plus, absolute sh!t product...one no better than Vanderbilt...think about that; Heupel not even being here a year yet, so no relationships; NCAA investigation; scholarship restrictions...damn, there I go presenting evidence again.
Yeah, I think it's just how one views life, period. No, I don't see us struggling in recruiting, at all. Before the season, if someone would have told me we'd be sitting here with the #11 to #15 class in the country, with a chance to add even more to it, I would have laughed at them. He landed Addison Nichols over UGA and Ohio St; held off UGA for Squirrel White; beat out Michigan (college football playoff) for Kaleb Webb; beat out UGA for James Pierce; beat out UGA and FSU for Tyre West; beat out Auburn for Justin Williams. The close they had leading up to, and on, esd is the best thing we have seen in recruiting in awhile...up there with the Darnell Wright, Henry T close. If that's "struggling", I'll take it...especially right now.
Now, the portal: we've missed on Jared Verse and Isaiah Neyor...Evans was NEVER! coming here, GIbbs was NEVER!!!!!! coming here, thanks again Jeremy Pruitt. Yes, missing Verse and Neyor sucks, and they are misses; and, yes, it can be said we are "struggling" with the portal at the moment. However, we have landed 3 players from the portal: one that will more than likely start at RT for us next year, and the two others could become solid back up's for us. Yes, we need more, absolutely. I would LOVE a DB or two, and a LB. Good thing we have 3 more months!!! Again, Velus and Payton did not arrive until AFTER THE SPRING. Also, again, we are in an ABSOLUTE numbers crunch right now...
Damn, there I go again, presenting evidence.
I'm not "triggered", and it's not BVS (I don't believe in BVS)...like all half empty people, I just feel sorry, sad, disgusted for; and, get sick and tired of reading the same miserable sh!t over and over again. In this, I KNOW I'm not alone.