re: Kentucky, Arkansas, Mizzou or SCar?

Clemson's history before 2015 seems similar to Arkansas': respectable, one NC. South Carolina before Spurrier otoh... idk how you can be that bad as a state university in the south (even a small state), but never bothered to investigate

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And Illinois is an even bigger disappointment. They should’ve been cleaning up Chicago from the get go. So far, Drinkwitz is doing well, but I fear the obstacles like many before him will be too much to overcome.

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No. Drinkwitz did not follow Gary Pinkel/Barry Odom way of recruiting. Drinkwitz is an unknown to many recruits. Once he starts winning and he will be bringing a much better recruiting class. Look at Arkansas! They have a very well known OC and DC and a head coach that was a good OL coach. Recruiting will not just happens without first seeing results and it being repeatedly.
Garry Pinkel failed to get it going because he was not an ace recruiter and the same for the rest of his coaching staff.
Right now Missouri finally broke the curse of failing to get a head coach that is an ace recruiter and brought in coaches that are ace recruiters. Drinkwitz need to win games like he did at Appalachian State. 9-3 record will be good enough to get top In-State recruits to stay in Missouri.

Going independent for two decades certainly doesn’t help

To get away from the Tobacco Road schools corruption. The North Carolina schools tipped the scales of the ACC to their favor.

clemson had planned to do the same, but backed out.

We have the most history, but I'm going with South Carolina, because they're in a better location for recruiting. If I'm wrong, then it's because Arkansas wants it more.

Having said that, I think Kentucky is in the best position right now, with Stoops at the helm. Also, I would consider Missouri at #1, because they produce some good players, but I don't think they want it enough.

I’ll argue for South Carolina.

Fan support is deep. They show up even though the Gamecocks have not had consistent on the field success.

With the new “likeness, image” rules being in a larger city may create an advantage for getting advertisers to fund players.

I honestly think we have the potential to be a powerhouse but we just can't get out of our own way in the administrative department. The gray hairs on our BOT are complete morons. Our 2011-2013 were talented enough to win titles with. We are choke artists though.

Clowney, Alshon, Stephon Gilmore, Melvin Ingram, Lattimore, and Shaw on that 2011 team...we can get the players and the fan support. We just need competent AD and administration that prioritizes sports the way the big boy schools do.

Did SC try to join any other conferences before the SEC came calling? Even back then it had to be brutal being independent.

They joined the Metro in 83 in everything but football. Unsure of anything else, I wasn’t alive tbh

That is actually a tough question.

All 4 programs have some of the ingredients to be very successful and some real drawbacks as well.

Arkansas tends to go as Little Rock football goes, and Little Rock football has gone to the dogs. We have the resources, we have the fan support, and we have good history... just really lousy recent history.

Kentucky doesn't produce a ton of football talent, but they are next to states that do produce a ton of football talent. As of right now they are closer to breaking the glass ceiling than anyone else. Build a statue to Stoops and to the Kentucky fans for keeping the faith.

Missouri has institutional issues that have hampered them in the past. They also are a bit more adrift than any other program in the SEC in that they really have zero rivals. Big rivalry games are a great way to attract recruits and all of their rivals are scattered to the four winds.

With the right coach and the right situation SCar could make the quickest turn around. Clemson has proven that there is more than enough talent to compete at a very high level in that region.

The big problem the Cocks have is that Spurrier not only opened the door for Clemson to become a powerhouse, he invited them in and fixed them lunch. He's a great coach but by essentially retiring two years before he bothered to stop coaching he let Clemson turn into an absolute monster. SCar is going to have to play catch up and hang a loss on their arch rival to have a chance to equal the playing field for recruits.