SEC winners and losers of Signing Day 2020
Let me make this clear. Again.
By saying someone was a Signing Day “loser,” I’m no means saying that “Player X will fail” or “Team Y will struggle.” This is all relative. Did your team miss out on a big-time target? Or better yet, did your team miss out on several big-time targets? Your team probably lost the day.
Granted, there are exceptions. If you sign the No. 1 class, you didn’t lose the day even if there were more losses than wins Wednesday. The SEC finished with 7 of the top 10 classes nationally.
This is based on expectations going into the start of the day and where those expectations finished by day’s end. And to be clear, there were more winners than losers because when you have 7 of the top 10 classes like the SEC did, that’s a sign that things went pretty well.
So, with that, here are my SEC winners and losers of late Signing Day 2020:
WINNERS
South Carolina
For all the drama surrounding Jordan Burch’s past 6 weeks, Wednesday’s announcement really wasn’t much of an announcement.
The 5-star defensive end said that he’s staying home, which couldn’t have been better news for Will Muschamp after speculation that LSU would flip the Hammond School (S.C.) recruit. Just as we wrote after Burch’s December announcement, getting someone like that to stay on board could be massive for Muschamp heading into a make-or-break year. Burch could be the most crucial recruit of the Muschamp era, and ultimately, it seemed like that mattered to the future Gamecock.
He’s the program’s highest-rated recruit since Jadeveon Clowney, and like Clowney, Burch should get a chance to make an impact immediately. The Gamecocks need a new playmaker up front with the loss of Javon Kinlaw.
Muschamp won the day by avoiding what would have been the biggest loss of the recruiting cycle.
Texas A&M
Any time you beat Nick Saban for an elite defensive lineman, it’s a big deal. It’s an even bigger deal when you go into Mississippi and nab the state’s No. 1 recruit.
Four-star defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson was a major get for Jimbo Fisher for a variety of reasons. By finding off the likes of Alabama, Auburn and LSU, the Aggies also addressed a key area of need after the early departure of Justin Madubuike. The quickest way for Fisher to narrow the gap in the SEC West is to build up the interior, which Jackson’s addition will certainly help with.
A&M also landed a commitment from 3-star running back Darvon Hubbard, who was once committed to Ohio State. Hubbard also had late interest from LSU, and was once a Georgia target. Hubbard will add some much-needed depth to a backfield that had just 1 scholarship running back on the field for the Texas Bowl.
In Fisher’s second full recruiting cycle, he already signed a higher-ranked class than Texas. That’s a major win heading into key Year 3 in College Station.
Mizzou
I just wanted an excuse to post this video of Eli Drinkwitz finding out that he beat Alabama and Texas for Ennis Rakestraw:
“Coach, I’m coming home” – @EnnisRakestraw #MIZ x #NewZou20 🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/LPfNvWtmOh
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) February 5, 2020
Yeah, that won the day.
It’s clear how much that meant to Drinkwitz, who had his fair share of struggles with the Early Signing Period. There’s clearly an element of surprise there, which was probably partially because Rakestraw picked up the Texas hat first. That wasn’t the look of someone who thought he’d beat out Saban and Tom Herman, both of whom also got late visits from the Lone Star state defensive back.
Drinkwitz had a much better finish than start to his 2020 class, and understandably so. This was a fitting way for Drinkwitz to close after he built momentum down the stretch with commitments from coveted Alabama receiver Kris Abrams-Draine and 3-star Mississippi offensive lineman Dylan Spencer.
If you’re a Mizzou fan, you’re feeling much better about Drinkwitz’s long-term recruiting abilities after watching what he did the last month.
Arkansas
Holy cow, can Sam Pittman recruit.
I mean, we knew that based on his time stockpiling 5-star offensive linemen at Georgia, but what he did to land a top-30 class at Arkansas might’ve been even more impressive. If you would’ve told me a month ago that the Hogs were going to wind up with a top-30 class, I would’ve taken you to the doctor and demand you be prescribed crazy pills.
Pittman’s haul on Wednesday included getting the top uncommitted quarterback, Malik Hornsby, who is rated the No. 8 dual-threat signal-caller in the country. That was a major boost for Kendal Briles’ young quarterback room. And, in fitting Pittman fashion, he also signed Under Armour All-American offensive lineman Marcus Henderson. The 4-star offensive guard took visits to Mizzou and Ole Miss, and decided to skip an official visit to Athens.
The Hogs, who were sitting on roughly 6 verbal commitments into the Early Signing Period, hit 21 in such a short time period. That’s darn impressive. Credit Pittman and this Mizzou-filled staff that he surrounded himself with.
Speaking of that, Drinkwitz even appeared to call out Arkansas at day’s end by saying to the media “a school south of us kept seeming to recruit every player we offered.”
RIVALRY ON.
Tennessee
The Vols won the day by winning battles with multiple Florida schools. That in itself served as music to Tennessee fans’ ears.
In addition to signing No. 18 athlete Dee Beckwith over Florida, the Vols got some big news in the afternoon that 4-star receiver Malachi Wideman flipped his commitment from Florida State to Tennessee. Granted, Wideman was committed to FSU during the Willie Taggart era and wasn’t expected to choose the Seminoles. Tennessee ultimately beat out the likes of Ole Miss and Oregon.
That moved Jeremy Pruitt’s class all the way up to No. 10. It’s an improvement off the No. 13 class that Pruitt signed in his first full cycle last year.
That also doesn’t include the transfer of 5-star offensive lineman Cade Mays, who left Georgia following the departure of Sam Pittman.
It’s safe to say Pruitt’s reputation as an elite recruiter is only gaining steam at the conclusion of his second full cycle in Knoxville.
Georgia
Yeah, the team with the No. 1 recruiting class in America (for the 2nd time in 3 years) won the day. That wasn’t a given, either.
Keeping 5-star offensive lineman commit Broderick Jones was huge for the obvious reason that the Dawgs have some massive holes to fill up front. It would have been brutal to watch Jones postpone his announcement after the Sam Pittman departure and then watch Auburn swoop in. That, however, didn’t happen.
What else didn’t happen? Georgia didn’t lose out on Sedrick Van Pran, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 center. He took late visits to Florida and Alabama but stayed committed and signed with the Dawgs.
What did that mean? Georgia’s biggest question mark — how big would Pittman’s departure be — was answered by keeping 2 of the top offensive linemen in the country committed. To recap, Georgia signed:
- No. 2 OT Broderick Jones
- No. 3 OT Tate Ratledge
- No. 13 OT Chad Lindberg
- No. 1 OC Sedrick Van Pran
Considering how big of a loss it felt like Pittman was a month ago, that’s not a bad offensive line haul at all. Matt Luke deserves a lot of credit for that.
And as Kirby Smart has been known to do, he also flipped Ole Miss cornerback commit Daran Branch on Wednesday.
What a close it was for Smart, who managed to move into that top spot last week when he got a commitment from 4-star running back Daijun Edwards. What’s the best way to respond to an offseason storyline that your rival is narrowing the gap? Go out and recruit your tail off to sign the No. 1 class. That’s what Georgia did.
LOSERS
Florida
Well, Wednesday wasn’t ideal for Dan Mullen. Besides watching Georgia sign the top-ranked class for the 2nd time in 3 years, Florida had miss after miss Wednesday. They came in a variety of ways, and perhaps even worse was who wound up with each target.
Four-star safety Avantae Williams was 100% to Florida in the 247sports Crystal Ball. But the former Oregon commit ultimately went with Miami. That hurts because not only was that the No. 7 recruit from the Sunshine State, but he would have been Florida’s 2nd-highest rated signee.
There was also Florida’s inability to pull off some late flips. No. 1 center Sedrick Van Pran was committed to Georgia but pushed back his signing after the Pittman news. The Gators, along with Alabama, hoped to make a late push to sign the 4-star offensive lineman, but he stuck with the Dawgs. Florida had a chance to take a major step forward on the offensive line with Georgia in flux, but instead, the Dawgs signed twice as many 4/5-star recruits on the offensive line as Florida.
The Gators also whiffed on flipping 4-star New Orleans running back Ashaad Clayton from Colorado. There was hope that after a late-January visit to Gainesville that Clayton would fill a need in this 2020 class. But that didn’t happen. The “we couldn’t even flip a Colorado commit” frustration among Gators fans was evident.
And just in case that wasn’t enough, the Gators whiffed on 3-star athlete Dee Beckwith, who chose Tennessee … and did so by faking out Florida:
It’s official!
4⭐️ @beckwith2_ has signed with the @Vol_Football!@Florence_Sports @UTVolRecruiting @GoVols247 @UTKnoxville @_VR2_ #GBO #Vols pic.twitter.com/Xf2ogapZiw
— Charity Chambers (@CharityCSports) February 5, 2020
In other words, Florida missed out on 3 top targets to rival schools and 1 to Colorado.
The good news? Mullen got a nice late addition with 4-star defensive end Princely Umanmielen picking Florida over the likes of Auburn, Baylor and Texas.
It’s still a top 10 class, and one that Mullen can build with, but even he would admit it wasn’t the day he was hoping for.
Alabama
Again, this isn’t just about the final rankings. Obviously Alabama had an elite class, and inevitably, it’s loaded with future 1st-round picks.
But as for Wednesday? It wasn’t great.
The Crimson Tide made late pushes for a pair of 4-star talents in Jackson and Van Pran, and both chose other SEC schools. It seems rare that an elite defensive lineman turns down Alabama at the last minute like that, and Saban was hoping to capitalize on the Pittman departure to flip Van Pran.
The aforementioned Rakeshaw might not have been Alabama’s top target, but he took an official visit to Tuscaloosa 2 weeks ago, and the 247sports Crystal Ball had 88% Alabama. It’s not the first time that Alabama whiffed on a kid who probably saw a clearer path to playing time at a less successful program, but it still mattered Wednesday.
It didn’t help matters that late in the day, Alabama watched longtime commit Jayson Jones flip to Oregon to play for Mario Cristobal.
Even if things had gone perfectly, Alabama might not have been able to catch Georgia for the top class after the day the Dawgs had. The Crimson Tide at least got a couple of victories by getting commit Jamil Burroughs to sign after an academic issue postponed his December signing, and they held off Georgia Tech to sign 4-star receiver Javon Baker.
And hey, it’s still the No. 2 class in America. Life could be worse.
LSU
Again, another extremely solid class was signed by Ed Orgeron. But the whiffs stood out.
LSU most notably missed out on Burch, who went on an LSU official visit after he delayed signing his National Letter of Intent with South Carolina. There was speculation that the Tigers could flip the 5-star defensive lineman, and that potentially some Wednesday drama would happen. It would have been an impressive way for Ed Orgeron to cap off an incredible 2019-20 year. But LSU didn’t even get a hat at the table.
The Tigers also missed on a pair of targets to Texas A&M. Jackson chose the Aggies over LSU, as did Hubbard, who would have added some backfield depth after the loss of Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Wednesday could have been an exclamation point on the year of the Tiger. Instead, there wasn’t much drama that fell LSU’s way.
Having said that, I bet Orgeron won’t lose sleep over signing a top 5 class for the 2nd consecutive year.
SC has to be an incomplete. Burch has not signed his LOI. There is drama there, and if they lose Burch…can you still call the Gamecocks winners? I would say, NO.
Dawg fans have to be happy. I know I am.
Mullen…lol. You lost a recruit to Colorado!
Colorado has better weed…
the best*
Id go with California Sens myself. Is there a college in Humboldt Co?
Why do you think they call it the Rocky Mountain high? Weed in the Rockies, beer & bourbon in the South.
We did not lose a recruit to Colorado, the kid was committed there to begin with. We failed to flip him, different story. But whatever makes you feel better
The only people other than gaytor fans to think that mullet was closing the gap was you guys at SDS.
…and pretty much every non-biased reporter at all the major networks.
When all the professionals with no dog in the fight are saying something different than a fan-base (who seems to think every year is their can’t-miss year), you have to at least suspect that maybe you are seeing things through Dawg-shaped glasses.
Every evidence out there clearly says they are. Did you study math in school? Do some homework smart guy before attempting to be clever. The gap is a lot smaller than it was 26 months ago.
102-41 would say otherwise, and that’s more substantial “evidence” than a recruiting #, or what some desk jockey says. You all forget that these teams play each other every year. This past season was Florida’s best shot at UGA. We were 12-18 on a third and grantham defense that surely didn’t get better after the end of the season. UGA’s pedestrian offense; 12-18. 21 yds rushing speaks for itself from a defense that returns 9 of 11 starters. You are wrong. There is no substantial evidence that says Mullen is even in the ball park of what Kirby has at UGA. He’s going to need at least 3 more years to even hope to make a dent, all while Kirby is building the deepest team in the conference. But keep buying into those Neil Blackmon articles.
Your snarky comments can’t hide facts dummy. You can’t use recruiting data & figures to help support your team’s talent on the roster and then try and discredit those same numbers that support UF’s. Doesn’t work that way. The gap in talent that existed 3 cycles ago, is now about a third of what it once was.
@upsetgator, I’m not sure math is in your wheel house. The scores and game stats from 3 previous years are in deed facts and don’t lie. And if you wanna look at purely recruiting, I’ll dumb it down for ya. 2016 (UGA 6th and UF 12th); 2017 (UGA 3rd and UF 11th); 2018 (UGA 1st and UF 14th); 2019 (UGA 2nd and UF 9th); 2020 (UGA 1st and UF 10th). In simple terms for YOU, to “close a gap” you would need to have consistently better classes at UF than what Kirby is bringing in. Looking at the classes since 2016, the FACTS clearly indicate the talent gap is getting wider and not closing. And just in case you forgot, the score board and on field performance show the same. Keep fishing though, eventually you’ll catch one.
Again, you go right to class rankings. Try digging a little deeper. Recruiting HS kids is not the only way to acquire talent on the roster.
Please enlighten me “O Brilliant One”! So both DaGherk and I have presented FACTS you can’t dispute but yet you keep changing your argument. “Every evidence out there says they are.” And, “the gap is a lot smaller than it was 26 months ago.” Please present the “evidence” to back up your argument. I would say if you are capable (big IF), go look and what you may find is that your new argument that other methods for acquiring talent are relevant; that would show that in that one area (transfers, etc) we are probably even. However that one area only can’t overcome the FACT that Kirby is kicking Mullet’s @$$ in every other category and on the field. So there is much more evidence to point to the fact that the gap is still getting wider, albeit maybe not as high a rate. I’d explain the math behind that but your education level probably couldn’t handle it.
When if ever are you leghumpers going to brag about something that really matters? Like a National Championship? I am old enough to remember the Hershel years and man was that a long time ago!! Win one of those and you will have something to backup your so far unearned bravado!
Ignorant pups keep bragging about “recruiting national championships” and a huge talent gap and yet ………..1980
When Florida beats the pups what will your excuse be
Weren’t you saying we would lose to Florida this year too?? How’d that turn out for ya? Maybe you should keep your predictions to yourself and talk after you win.
BREAKING NEWS….
Georgia is planning to unveil 2 “National Championship in recruiting” banners at their upcoming Spring game at Sanford & Son Stadium.
That’s funny Geaux. What’s even funnier is the only people talking about “recruiting national championships” are fans of other teams. Congrats on an unbelievable season.
So CO, AU, and GL, there was never a mention by me here about any recruiting nattys. I am simply pointing out to a delusional gator fan that the gap in talent between the two is not closing and that recent recruiting bears that out, as well as on field results against UF and for you AUforever, against the tigers too. Nothing to do with a recruiting natty…. don’t like the term and only think we’ve had another good year. We’ve still got a lot of work to do to top Bama and LSU! But, and the point of my post is for the last three years we’ve pounded the gators in every phase (recruiting, roster talent, and on the field).
Obviously you’re not literally claiming a recruiting national championship. That’s a reference to all the UGA fans who see the recruiting rankings and proclaim, “We have displaced Bama and will now be taking their championships!” But then don’t.
Really, come on you guys! You’re going to let this writer from Big 10 country come down here and write an article to get SEC fans going at each other?
Say it isn’t so, man!
Look at the gap between the 2 rosters now …then look at it in 2017. I’m not doing the homework for you, bonehead. You’ll notice the gap is much smaller now.
I’m not sure (no I know) your logic doesn’t make sense. Please enlighten us on how you see that gap as smaller. I don’t see it. The roster is made up of existing players, recruits, transfers, and JUCO players. The facts (those rankings) and results on the field don’t support your BS argument. Are you sure you aren’t an avatar for Nancy Pelosi? After all she’s claiming the economy was better with Obama and you’re claiming UF is closing the gap on UGA. In either case, the facts show different. Looking forward to spanking that backside again in 2020.
Upsetgator, state your case with facts and results and not just conjecture. “I’m not doing your homework for you..” That’s ’cause you can’t! I’ve noticed with FACTS and data the gap is NOT much smaller. So just trot off and listen to Mullen talk crap all off season again until Kirby shows him in November who his daddy is.
In 2017 UGA had +27 blue chips on the roster over UF. As of yesterday it was +11. Which means the talent gap has gotten smaller.
Yes, when you look at the number of blue chips on both teams, the number has gotten smaller. Georgia’s hitting the ceiling, there is no where to go up beyond number 1, so this makes sense.
You used 2017 as the point of reference. I think I saw a stat that said Mullen has increased the count of blue chips players on the roster by 25 or 28? I’ve seen different reports. So it makes sense in that regard, as there was more room for growth on Florida’s part.
If SickFromNoC doesn’t get it, /shrug.
+29, Longtime. And you are correct. The gap was so wide UF had more room to climb, that UGA didn’t. Hence the shrinking gap.
Flipping Jackson Muschamp was a thing of beauty, the gap has definitely widened if anything.
The gap between Mizzou and UGA isn’t a gap. It’s the Grand Canyon. Just you talking about it is hilarious.
The gap between your wooden teeth is hilarious. I was replying to a comment talking about GA and FLA, just to give you proper context, since clearly you got confused.
i know what you’re say. My point is your bottom feeder program isn’t in a position to say anything.
But I did. So I guess you’re wrong.
Gaytor and mullet, typical Georgia Moron who needs to grow up
Everyone needs to grow up buy you call everyone morons and dumb. Hypocrisy is real.
Wrong again snowflake. I only call Georgia trolls who spout nonsense Morons, not everybody. Same with dumb, I rarely call others dumb except for you but that’s part of your nickname so it doesn’t count
“Snowflake” lol
You’re so pathetic I almost feel sorry for you.
Oh no… Poor Bama. LMAO…
I don’t think anyone is feeling any pity for Bama today. Except for those greedy Bama fans who feel entitled to another title. Lol.
No idea what your post is even about… What title? You talking about a recruiting title? LMAO…
We’re just paper champs collecting 2nd place hardware. Not a troll, just being realistic.
Your post history doesn’t support your last sentence… I imagine you’re another account for Trudawg, bubbatime and the LSU account I can’t remember the name of…
Good try though..
I see a lot of these “recruiting title” comments yet have never seen one from an actual UGA fan. You guys are the ones that keep bringing it up. I don’t get it. Should we not be exited about having the #1 class until we win a NC. Is it NC or we’re garbage? Seems like you’re just being petty.
And pdawging…dude you’re just pathetic. Rep your team and have an adult conversation.
I’m being petty? My OP was just a joke about Bama being in the losers comment.. A UGA fan brought “greedy Bama fan who feel entitled” into this… What title is he talking about during the offseason other than a “recruiting title”?
Also who said you shouldn’t be excited? You want to cry about someone mentioning a title cry to your fellow UGA fan…
So I guess that’s a no to the adult conversation invitation?
You want an adult conversation? Don’t reply with stupid comments… Nothing I said involved UGA but a UGA fan can’t have it that way.. I didn’t put UGA down In anyway yet you’re here crying…
No it is. Have a good day tough guy.
And before you come back with something stupid look at my post again… Notice it’s questions and about Bama?
I see you couldn’t avoid the stupid reply… Which comment did I make about UGA that made you comment?
Keep calling strangers on the internet stupid. It makes you look really tough. Good job
You want to join a conversation that isnt about UGA, try to make it about UGA and call someone petty…
Yes that’s a stupid comment.
Ok. Like I said I hear the “recruiting title” comment a lot. Was looking for clarity. You responded to an UGA fan so I thought that was what you meant. My mistake. I’m not on here trying to get into a pi$$ing contest. Life’s too short. Deuces
DumbDawg why you always get in fights with others, learn to relax
I wouldn’t say poor Bama, Saban just has to take his lumps. This is the SEC not Toledo.
I don’t see any lumps… Bama brought in an excellent class.
Well it was a joke so..
They certainly did. Really hard to find fault in any class over 300.
@BamaTime, yeah, nobody’s cryin’ for you guys. We can hang with you guys in recruiting consistently. Now to climb that Mt Saban summit, we gotta turn it into results.
CBS 24/7 recruiting rankings…. Nationally 7 of the top 10 are SEC programs. 9 SEC programs are top 25. 13 SEC programs are top 50. Vandy finished up 53. And that’s pretty much how the SEC has been recruiting for several years now. The onus has been put on the coaches to turn that talent into victories in a league that is stacked with talent.
Some the kids sign will pan out. Some don’t.
Yeah, that’s the story here. For all those haters out there who think the SEC is somehow just given credit for being the best conference without earning it, just take a look at the recruiting rankings every year. SEC continues to fill the top ten nationally. There is no conference close to the talent level we have in the SEC.
Let’s start evaluating recruiting classes by using a 5 year average rating, then use the actual score of non-conference games where the opponents were in the ball-park. Examples: LSU vs Texas 2019, LSU Clemson 2019, Oklahoma vs LSU 2019, Notre Dame vs. Georgia 2019.
Once we do this with rated classes in the top 10, top 20, top 30 classes, and so on, we’d see how much mullarky there is in class rankings. A program with an average of 8th recruiting ranking x 5 years ought to shut out, and score 50 points before half-time against a program average rank 17 x 5,… every game, home or away. Instead we see classes rated a wider spread staying in games and even upsetting the favorites. It’s fun to read but apart from the obvious 18 year old freaks, the rankings are way off and don’t even try to account for a lot of real success factors.
Just because there are upsets (which are by definition rare) and higher talent teams don’t always blow out lesser talented teams doesn’t mean the recruiting rankings are completely off base. The other aspect to the recruiting battles is that it shows the better coaches are in the SEC which are pulling the talent, and the most talented high school kids elect to go to the SEC which must mean something.
That’s assuming that the only variable is recruiting rankings. There’s no arguing that a bad coach can take a great roster and underachieve or that a great coach can take a mediocre roster and overachieve. The average roster thing can be seen best at the top of the game, to win a championship you’ve got to have a top 15 roster according to history. That’s because having a high quality roster is a necessary condition, not a sufficient one. Once you get to the top few teams, they all have good coaches and good rosters. If you don’t have enough talent on the roster then it doesn’t matter how good an on-field coach or developer of talent you are. Now as far as the misses, as long as more 5* kids end up getting drafted than 4* and more 4* than 3* I think the rankings are basically getting it right. Not perfect but better than nothing.
Nice class, but the thing that has me most excited is that Kirby recognized that he needed to do something about the offense. Definitely going to be some growing pains but think we at least stay in the conversation.
I’m good. Someone on ATVS said this is the best class LSU has had, based on points. It just happened that 3 SEC classes finished ahead of them. Banner year for the SEC.
*2 SEC classes.
If Burch delays this any longer it might be likely that LSU is looking to flip to the win column big time
Would be nice, but it’s hard to count on it.
Very true statement and indicative of just how good the top teams recruited this season. A&M’s class this year at #6 is actually a better class than their #4 class last year as well.
I guess if your team isn’t listed then you tied or something like that.
Stoops always coaches them up anyway. Kentucky’s a winner every year they hold onto Stoops.
I agree, Stoops and his staff have done a good job at finding underrated players and then developing them. That said, if the Cats really plan on making a push for the SEC east then they have to close the recruiting gap with Georgia and Florida so that it doesn’t take a recruit as long before he can consistently contribute at a high SEC level.
I don’t think UK wants to spend the kind of money it takes to close the gap between UGA and Uf. Uga has spent a boatload on facilities and the football program is by far our athletic departments #1 priority. UK would need to make some major upgrades to their stadium and facilities to attract higher quality recruits. I’m not sure the administration is willing to do so.
USADawg Kentucky has been spending the money since Stoops arrived. I think that is why the recruiting is improving. Historically, you are correct, but in recent years (opened in 2017) they put $45 million into training/practice facility upgrades and $120 million into the stadium upgrades. 24/7 ranks facilities every other year, and in the most recent they have UF at 25, UK at 13 and UGA at 11. It doesn’t take into account anything done at a school in 2019, but UK has definitely started spending money on football. Hey, Florida even visited Lexington to tour the facilities for their upgrades.
Nice Blue. These kids love all the bells and whistles. Stoops is a great coach, one of the best in the conference.
BBlue, most people aren’t taking into account the Athletics department also spent $49M for a new baseball stadium and contributed about $60M to a science building. Now that those are handled I wouldn’t be surprised to see more upgrades to the football facilities especially given the ‘SEC facilities arms race’.
We’re not on the list because nobody signed on National Signing Day. Michael Drennen committed after 6PM EST, and UK didn’t report his signing until this morning.
It’s a meaningless list anyways
You might be correct Michael but I would be nice to see some type of summary on Vandy and the two Mississippi schools. Maybe it’s just me but I’d like to know a little something about ‘AlltheSEC’.
A couple of weeks ago I didn’t think anybody was gonna catch Clemson.
No one really did. They have a higher per player rating than anyone. They just didn’t have room for a big class, which is even scarier when you look at how little they lost.
*correction…247’s Bama bump has now given them a higher per player rating (by a hair).
Love it.. You still crying? There was plenty of UGA recruits that went up in ranking as well as recruits of other teams….
At least you corrected your incorrect information about per player rating.. That’s amazing for you…. You still didn’t answer my question about Young.. Is he not worthy of his rating????
Actually there is an article on the Vils and OSU class getting a huge bump as well.
Vols *
No one knows if he is worth the top ranking yet. I can guarantee you that if he were committed to Auburn then he would have been dropped down to a 4* because of his height. Can you argue that? Nope. By the way, what ever happened to your parrot? He was a perfect imitation of you.
Why would I care to argue a hypothetical about someone signing with Auburn? You can’t guarantee anything. It’s stupid to call it the Bama bump when numerous teams benefit from the ratings increase…
I know, everyone is out to get Auburn… Hold on tight to your tinfoil hat…
You’re such a moron. Are you trying to say that Bart Simmons doesn’t move recruits higher in his rankings after they commit to Bama? Are you that ignorant? He’s admitted it in writing you tool.
By the way, you didn’t answer my question. Do you think Bryce Young would be the #1 recruit if he had committed to Auburn?
Technically he isn’t the top recruit now. He is number 2 in the composite. He was number 2 before the final adjustment as well..
I don’t think him being committed to Auburn would have changed his ranking… I can’t prove it would stay the same and you can’t prove it would change which is why your hypothetical is pointless..
As far as the Simmons comment, if it was the Bama bump then it would only happen to players that committed to Bama… That’s just not the case as it Happened with players at UGA, OSU and Tennessee just to name a few you tool..
Drinkwitz did the amazing in the very short time he had. Everybody knows he will develop players better tactically, phschologically, physically, and technically than Odom and staff did. When the proof of his coaching gets on Saturday SEC football TV sets, I think this very good 2020 class will turn into an even better 2021 class.
What I would really like the Missouri staff to do is hold free coaching clinics for the high school coaches who are loyal to Missouri (most of them want to be). High School coaching education is painfullly short across the nation. Missouri could easily become the best coaching state in the USA in about 3 years.
I think Missouri has a long way to go to top Texas in high school coaching.
I participated in a lot of high school coaching education seminars for several decades. So give some examples of what makes Texas ahead in training…. vs. simply have a population of 30 million compared to Missouri’s 6 million. Bring me up to date here.
SB Nation did this very thing in 2018 – adjusted for population and ranked blue chip recruits per capital. Mizzou was 32nd. But a few more coaching clinics and the Missouri high school coaches will suddenly (and “easily”) rise above those uber-football states that have lived and breathed the sport for decades.
Homer much?
* per capita – dam autocorrect!
Actually, since you made the claim: “Missouri could easily become the best coaching state in the USA in about 3 years.”
What is it exactly that makes you believe that?
LMAO
You’re an idiot with a keyboard
“Missouri could EASILY become the best coaching state in the USA in about 3 years.”
You never fail to entertain and amaze, Wolfie.
Let them laugh Wolfman. Let’s remind them of Urban Meyer. From Bowling Green on into football history. You never know what is going on in the brain of a coach who is successful everywhere they go. We shall all see.
I don’t see how that is relevant. Ohio is the cradle of American football and the only Yankee state to truly obsess about football. I’d say it actually scores against wolf on that.
I am still not sold on Drinkwitz…it’s a huge jump from Sun Belt to the SEC. He as Head Coach at Appy State only one year(a program that Scott Sattefield built). He is young and enthusiastic and that should bode well for him in recruiting athletes of today. Hopefully he navigates that “huge-learning-curve” and can have some success at Mizzou. His third year should be the answer to any Questions.
Have to laugh at Mizzou coach. Dude, you have no idea what you are about to experience. Welcome to the SEC, big boy. This a’int no Appy State! ROTFLMAO
lol
Did you see what Drinkwitz did against South Carolina last year? Appalachian State also had a lot less talents. It is about coaching the players up and coaching smarter than the other head coach. He did just that. Drinkwitz beat South Carolina with lesser players at Appalachian State. Imagine what he can can do at Missouri with more talented players than Appalachian State. Just image that!
Misery is not getting top notch players…maybe one or two kinda like appalachian state. Muschamp was also drunk all year last year you cant convince me otherwise.enjoy andy reid and your chiefs because the tigers will get you nothing hahaha
His point was that you don’t always have to have top notch players to win. Sometimes a good coach can overcome. We beat Tennessee annually with worse players. That won’t change.
How is Mizzou winner? Or Bama LSU losers.
Sterk hired a much better head coach that shall get Missouri to the next level in a couple of years. Barry Odom couldn’t get it done in four years and recruiting class was not good either.
SDS has to try to create some controversy to generate responses and views. I think most folks know who the winners and losers were. Kudos to Mizzou and A&M for getting two of our targets but honestly they would have been more icing on the cake than critical gets. Bama addressed their needs and added needed depth to the defensive front seven. Yeah, we were winners this cycle.
If you read the article, it’s all explained at the very beginning. No one thinks Mizzou had a good class, but we got our best target on signing day, and the “losers” missed out on some of their targets. That’s all it’s saying. Nothing to pucker your butthole over.
It’s hilarious they have Bama and Lsu listed as losers… even if they signed no one today…they both still had top 5 classes…come on SDS…ohh well…is it September yet?
They sign 3 players that committed over the last couple of weeks 3 4 stars
I think the Bama and LSU are “losers” is just in the context of NSD. They obviously had strong classes but didn’t necessarily have a strong NSD. It’s stupid but it’s what the author is trying to say.
Well crud, I should have refreshed the page and I would have seen you said almost literally the same thing UGADAWG78. My apologies for being repetitive.. you are spot on.
While I get where you are coming from, I’m fairly certain this article is only pertaining to actual signing day wins and losses, not overall class outcomes. You said it, Bama and LSU signed no one on this day, so it’s kind of hard to say they won.
Bama signed 3 players…
I dont see how lsu missed out on a 650 ranked 3 star rb when they got a 4 star top 130 player to replace clyde Edwards-Helaire
Yeah, I found that kind of funny. LSU didn’t miss out on Hubbard, they found a better RB and Hubbard had to go elsewhere.
I’m not particularly worried about missing out on Hubbard. We already have two 5-star running backs on the roster, plus a 3rd who filled in quite nicely for an injured Clyde Edwards Helaire. I think that’s what Hubbard saw, too. He would be hard pressed to have any real playing time. At least this year and probably next.
Even though Georgia has an unbelievable class, I am more impressed with what Jeremy Pruitt is doing in Knoxville.
The way he turned the season around at the end, and then he finished up with a top 10 class? That’s quite an impressive feat.
I don’t necessarily think Tennessee has completely turned the corner yet, but they can see the corner from here.
It seems the Vols are definitely on their way back! (Unlike Texas)
I think we all know that you can’t really judge a class until after it’s 4th year.
And if the Gators end up signing Zack Evans, that will change the whole narrative.
We are happy with our class that addressed our needs. Missed on Williams but got other blue chip secondary players so no big deal. Got a 5 star transfer RB to fill that need. Contrary to what the puppy faithful say all is good in Gainsville
Maybe from a recruiting stand point and he seems to be an elite talent. That being said dude comes off as a nut case that will never produce in college. I hope I’m wrong and that he is successful where ever he goes but I don’t think he will be
The thing that sticks out to me about the final signing day of the 2020 class: Saban again failed to finish strong.
Again, many experts were predicting ‘another strong finish’ by Alabama, McKinnley Jackson would be reeled in and Saban would sign the No.1 class.
But, just like in 2018, Saban faded and Kirby finished strong. And that’s why Georgia signed the nations best class…
This is nothing like 2018.. Saban took advantage of the early signing period this year… UGA also had a higher average per player rating and more 5 stars in 2018… They don’t this year…
Great for you, maybe one day it will pay off in something other than a “recruiting national championship “
Lol finishing strong on NSD almost means nothing now since like 70%+ sign on early signing day. And though UGA fans don’t out right say they have recruiting championships. It’s comments like this where it’s implied. Nothing wrong with being excited about recruiting but these comments and comments about UGA knocking BAMA off and being the next bama are where fans make fun of the whole recruiting championship thing for UGA. Since all UGA has done is signed a few number 1 classes.
I saw a stat that boggled my mind: just two of the recruits that Clemson hosted on official visits this year failed to sign with the Tigers. Crazy.
Also: “Princely Umanmielen”. That belongs up there with the Major Burns and Tank Bigbsy type names.
Facts:
SEC as a conference absolutely dominated this years recruiting and will continue to dominate the college football landscape.
I think any of the teams landing in the top 10 have to feel good about that they did.
Georgia absolutely had another stellar class but if Kirby doesn’t start winning some titles, dawg fans will start to bark.
And yes, Florida is definitely upgrading its roster talent. In addition to their class (which upgraded both lines of scrimmage) they brought in three 5 star players through the portal. Shorter (WR). Lingard (RB) and Cox (LB). This was 3 of the 6 five stars that went into the portal this year.
We will see how the spring and fall goes, but I definitely think the days of one team dominating our conference is over. The talent is being upgraded across the entire conference and makes the margin of error even less than in the past. Cannot wait for spring football!
What the heck does this have to do with my comment?
Why get so upset
Lol nothing. I think as long as Kirby is bringing in top 2 or 3 classes and playing in the SEC championship he will be at UGA for a while.
Colorado QB Buck Coors is a good one also.
The Athletic Mag reranked the 2016 class using some sort of metric and determined this:
Clemson- started out at 11.
Bama- started out at 1
Florida- started out at 12
Notre Dame- started out at 15
UGA- started out at 6
Minnesota @7 started out at 46.
Dumb article, save for recognition of the job Sam Pittman and staff did at Arkansas. A few observations:
1. Most kids stick with their commitments. “Late flipping” is interesting but rare and often masks the truth that a kid was planning to sign with the “flip destination” school all along. Recruiting is mostly about long-term relationships.
2. Everyone continues to gloss over the fact that Georgia’s #1 class two years ago probably wouldn’t be in the top three if it were adjusted for the transfer losses of the misguided and obviously now defective 5-stars Justin Fields, Brenton Cox and Cade Mays.
3. Tennessee finishes with the #10 class and Pruitt is an elite recruiter. But Mullen finishes with the #8 class and he’s not an elite recruiter. The silliness kills me.
4. In 20-20 hindsight, Avantae Williams –a safety– committing to Miami should have been expected as a strong possibility after Miami hired Ed Reed, a former Hurricane All American and Baltimore Ravens… safety.
5. Alabama and LSU were losers? Not even if they had signed nobody on NSD.
6. Stoops has elevated Kentucky from automatic win to tough out with solid player development, but Mizzou may be taking their place in the cellar for the foreseeable future. And Coach Drinkwitz, here’s a hint: You don’t publicly whine about coaches who’ve switched to Arkansas taking their recruiting relationships with them.
Actually UGA is ranked exactly at #3 after the losses you mentioned.
The overall 247 Team talent composite is adjusted for transfers, but the annual recruiting classes are not.
Just for the sake of discussion, we don’t really know if Georgia would be third, fourth or fifth because the 247 Composite’s ranking isn’t a straightforward sum of individual player ratings. the algorithm is secret, but they’ve said it assigns disproportionate weight to the top players in a school’s class, and devalues the lower ranked players. It’ similar to one of the PFF measures, where some starting QBs are worth more than two players to their teams. So Losing the highest ranked player (Fields) in the class to transfer could have dropped them lower than third.
Not that it really matters. Class rankings are interesting and the Blue Chip Ratio is a real thing as table stakes for the CFP, but wiser analysts usually say, “ask me how the class was in three years.”
They have a calculator on the sight. You can adjust for the new score and compare it to the rankings.
Yes, I know. I just didn’t want to take the time to look at all transfers in and out for the top five classes or so. If you just look at the three Georgia 5-star transfers out in isolation, they fall to #3.
Nash-
Well said.
I think we expected to miss out on Jackson and Burch, no big deal. #4 with room for transfers to end is great for me.
Burch and Evans. What weird sagas.
Wonder if Burch is going the Roquan Smith route.
What is the Roquan route? I can deliver Burch, but it’s going to cost. Contact me, and I will let you know how to fill out the money order.
By the numbers LSU signed a better class than the 2016 class… you know the class that won the national championship!?! How is this a loss again? Because we didnt sign Burch? Better believe that dust hasn’t settled and those checks haven’t cleared yet.
A third of that class left and another third never contributed. It was the next two classes that delivered the Championship.
Most people here are too quick to argue. I dont know about the rest of you guys but I think im gonna try to round up Double O and Geaux Long from the first post and smoke this thing out peacefully :-)
Sam Pittman must be the “real thing” when sitting in front of these young men and their Moms. He has really impressed me with his recruiting ability…I’d heard how good he was at recruiting & “Great Job Sam !” The lights at Arky are burning brighter these days.
I thought we had a great day too. We got a 4* DT, a 4* TE, and another Juco DT. We filled our needs and finished #7. War Eagle!
So y’all lost ground to GatorbaitorU also, eh?