re: Portal & Roster Tracker (see first 2 posts for updated roster info) - PORTAL OPEN 1/2-1/16

Bone doesn't have access to sorority row. That's where we are keeping recruits until ink is on the paper.

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Sounds like the battle for Racin is between us and Colorado?

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Colorado just got a commitment from an IOL this morning, FWIW.

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Colorado just got a commitment from an IOL this morning, FWIW.

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Actually, “No” not at all. I think CFR develops guys as well as any DL coach in the conference, and Bama is very fortunate to have him, and “yes” he is better than Bo Davis.

I think the biggest knock on him from fans stems from the drop-off in recruiting at the DL position group, but that’s a much deeper seeded issue than CFR supposedly being a poor recruiter (he’s not).

Look at what he got out of guys like:
- Phidarian Mathis
- Justin Egboigbe
- Tim Keenan
- Christian Barmore
- Tim Smith
- Raekwon Davis
- LaByran Ray (5-star bust until his 1st and final season with CFR)
- DJ Dale
- Byron Young
Plus many other lower rated guys that Bama brought in from 2020-present.

I would argue that he’s done more with less than any other position group on the team.

For various reasons I could discuss at a later time, it was the recruiting that fell off. Fans were used to Jonathon Allen, Da’ron Payne (not Damon), A’Shawn Robinson, Tim Williams, Quinnen Williams, etc etc.
CFR never got to coach players of that pedigree, and I think he did a phenomenal job developing the aforementioned players that he did coach and got the most out of those guys.

Another example is Keon Keeley….
he was considered “soft” and was just about given up on as a “bust” by CNS and Coach Steele, and it took a ton of coaching from CFR to finally get some production out of him.

The 2023 defense, which I believe to be the most underrated out of all of CNS’s defenses, and just about carried a (young) Jalen Milroe led team to a National Title and also won the SECCG and ended UGA’s 46 game winning streak. That defense featured Jaheim Oatis, Tim Keenan, and Justin Egboigbe as the starters on the DL….not exactly a loaded group
(yes Dallas Turner was great as an Edge).

Again, I think he is extremely under-appreciated by the fanbase. There are very few position coaches during the CNS Era who got more out of the players he has had to work with.

I think fans (unfairly) compare the production from the 1st round picks on the Dline that Bama produced in CNS’s prime to what Bama has fielded over the past 5 seasons. CFR has gotten a lot out of lower rated recruits and also transfers like LT Overton recently.

Theres a reason why CNS hired and retained him for several years and CKD did the same. There simply hasn’t been a Jonathon Allen walk through the doors in a long time and that has nothing to do with coaching.

Again, the reasons for the recruiting decline at the DL position group is a tale for another time.

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Blake Purchase to Ole Miss.

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Guess he wasn't on campus.

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Blake Purchase to Ole Miss.

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I guess the guy that posted he was visiting us this weekend isn’t very reliable or we have visitors signing with other schools while they’re in TTown.