Interesting Lessons on this Team

oostexan · Oct 3, 2024

So we spent close to two decades on coaches and recruiting cycles going from being national champion contenders to a slightly better than 500 team. During that time, we had a lot of top 10 ranked recruiting classes, went through two head coaches, and numerous asst. coaches.. However, we were never a top 10 team. As someone who has followed the team very closely…what have I personally learned?

You have to have elite O-linemen. I used to think that we could just recruit 4 to 5 OL ranked in the state top 100, redshirt them, and we would be good. However, if you look at why this team is so good this year and last, just read the Deep Dig. It is all about 4 and 5 star blue chips on the OL, with experienced depth sprinkled in.
You have to have an elite QB. Both Quinn and Mannning were elite, five star QB’s. We had several highly rated guys over the years that were good players, but you have to be elite at QB to be a contender.
I used to think that the blue chip index could be offset by good recruiting, redshirting, and development. I just do not believe that anymore. You have to get 4 to 5 super blues every cycle and they have to be spread across all your position groups.
I am still curious to see how far we make it with so-so talent at DT. Can that be offset by elite talent at edge and LB in our front 7? I guess we are going to find out in the next three weeks.

I have gotten to the point where I sort the commitment list by ranking, make sure we have 4 to 5 6.0 and above guys committed, and call it good. Does the rest of the class even matter?

I know Ketch has been preaching this for the past decade, but how else do you contrast the Mack Brown years with what we endured before Sark arrived?

Zorlac · Oct 3, 2024