re: 2015 Auburn Football Recruiting Thread

It really is hard to understand. We are a veteran football team, meaning lots of PT up for grabs the next couple of years, and a program coming off a SEC title/NC game with a staff full of recruiters.

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Other than having only 1 DL committed what is depressing about having the #9 class in the nation?

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The DL is the only thing that is irking me. It all starts up front. I think we'll bring in Ivey on the offensive side, so I'll be happy there. But we need at least 1 blue chip DL and 1 blue chip DE this cycle. I know you know that, just venting I suppose.

For the reasons Randy pointed out. Very underwhelming class.

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For the reasons Randy pointed out. Very underwhelming class.

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That has been addressed numerous times, specifically on Garner. Garner does not have as long or as deep a relationship with the current class for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the most important thing to him was to fix the then current problem of repairing broken psychies and coaching horrible habits of of the 2013 season's D Line. That took time and energy away from recruiting. The other big reason is Garner went from a 3-4 D at UGA to a 4-3 D at AU. Other than the 3-4 Nose Guard being similar to the 4-3 0 technique DTs there are no similarities in the 2 sets of D Linemen. So Garner had to start relationships with a new set of prospects when he arrived at AU. For example, when Garner was at UGA he was not recruiting one of our current top targets in D'Andre Walker because UGA was and is recruiting him as an OLB. Somebody's going to now say well Pruitt is new at UGA and is doing well. Well Pruitt did not and is not changing base schemes. He been in a 3-4 D his whole career and is installing that at UGA so he has a very long relationship with the kids he wants to get. That's going to give him a year or so major advantage in this case.

Comparing last year's DL class to this one is very easily explained. We were by far the best offers Kennion and Lawrence got so the long relationship was not needed there. Garner had a very long relationship with Lambert going back to his high school days so that 3 or 4 year relationship landed him. Craig has Mobile on Lockdown and landed us Thornton. We offered Andrew Williams long before UGA did so we landed him mostly holding off Clemson. If the 2016 class, which has a lot of momentum right now on the DL, is subpar then we can start to worry about DL recruiting in the long run. Also as much as recruiting analysts would love to and are selling it to you, there is not a recruiting bump the year after a natty game appearance. It usually comes 4 years after the Natty game appearance.

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The other big reason is Garner went from a 3-4 D at UGA to a 4-3 D at AU. Other than the 3-4 Nose Guard being similar to the 4-3 0 technique DTs there are no similarities in the 2 sets of D Linemen.

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That is not true. Anyone that plays DL in a 3-4 can play DT in a 4-3. Guys in the pros move from on to the other all the time. Vince Wilfork played nose in the Pats 34, now he is a DT in their 43. Marcel Dareus played End for Saban's 34, now he is a 3tech dt in buffalo.

Georgia just landed another top DL, this one being a 2016 DE (also with an Auburn offer).

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I don't buy excuses. I am a huge Malzahn homer, but our recruiting is lacking. It will hurt us if he doesn't address it.

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Recruiting and staff-assembly were always the question marks regarding Malzahn as HC. The early returns were good, but we'll have to track the progress moving forward...hopefully we dont go backwards.

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I don't buy excuses. I am a huge Malzahn homer, but our recruiting is lacking. It will hurt us if he doesn't address it.

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Recruiting and staff-assembly were always the question marks regarding Malzahn as HC. The early returns were good, but we'll have to track the progress moving forward...hopefully we dont go backwards.

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Yeah, someone needs to keep tabs on the man -- we all know how inattentive he can be.

We have managed to hang around #9 without a single commit for a good minute. There are a couple big fish left. Swain will commit sooner or later and IMO that is a good thing. Can we be the Flipper or the Flipee?

DL issues aside, where are the playmakers in this class? Robinson sure, but everyone thinks he's a one and done type guy. Kerryon? Ok...

But what about at WR and on defense? Sure we have several 4 star guys but they are all low four stars. I don't see any special talent in this class outside the two RBs.