Big recruiting visit weekend

**djcubby** · 01-08-2008, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by travman23

Kansas' QB Reesing is from Texas and their top 3 WR's from Oklahoma and Texas as well.

That's a great point. Let's look at their recruiting classes from 2004 to 2007. Reesing was a 3* QB and they only had four 4* guys from all those classes. By comparison, ISU has also had four. That just proves that you can make a BCS game without 4 and 5* recruits if you find the right guys. As a matter of fact, Talib, who everyone says in another thread will make a boatload in the NFL, was only a 2* recruit.

**bmuff** · 01-08-2008, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Steve

The real problem with the 02 class was the OL position. We had lost some good OL (Howard, Hannen, White) that year and needed to restock the position. Signed 8 OL - none were ever dominant, only 2 (Zehr, Pence) really contributed, most were busts or quitters. In his defense, I heard on more than one occasion that losing Wierson to injury was a big loss.

I think it goes back even more. In the class with Hannen, I remember Mac bringing in like 7 OLs. And that did not count Howard (who was a walk-on) and White (who eventually joined that class as a JUCO). The problem with bringing in so many guys at one position is, even if they are all good, there is not enough spots for everyone. And if they aren't, then you have a glut of guys in one class not contributing. Well, they were average at best. Then they graduated forcing Mac to go JUCO-heavy, which was a disaster.

IMO Mac was HORRIBLE at strategizing which positions to recruit and keep the pipeline full. It was 6 RBs one year, 5 TEs the next, 6 DBs the next. Always scrambling to fill a hole due to graduation or plain lack of bodies. One thing that I've noticed about Chizik's classes: he may not be doing a ton better rating-wise, but he spreads out the scholarships and keeps depth at a decent level. I think that he has a much better strategy that will allow ISU to be more consistant long-term.

**SpokaneCY** · 01-08-2008, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by bmuff

I think it goes back even more. In the class with Hannen, I remember Mac bringing in like 7 OLs. And that did not count Howard (who was a walk-on) and White (who eventually joined that class as a JUCO). The problem with bringing in so many guys at one position is, even if they are all good, there is not enough spots for everyone. And if they aren't, then you have a glut of guys in one class not contributing. Well, they were average at best. Then they graduated forcing Mac to go JUCO-heavy, which was a disaster.

IMO Mac was HORRIBLE at strategizing which positions to recruit and keep the pipeline full. It was 6 RBs one year, 5 TEs the next, 6 DBs the next. Always scrambling to fill a hole due to graduation or plain lack of bodies. One thing that I've noticed about Chizik's classes: he may not be doing a ton better rating-wise, but he spreads out the scholarships and keeps depth at a decent level. I think that he has a much better strategy that will allow ISU to be more consistant long-term.

I don't think you can judge Chiz just yet. He hasn't even signed his 2nd recruiting class ever. Someday there may be some goofy attrition at 1 position that would necessitate taking more than normal and thus far, Chiz has never had to deal with that since he's only been a head coach for 1 year.

**bmuff** · 01-08-2008, 02:46 PM

Yeah, crazy things can happen. But they seemed to happen A LOT to Mac. They had a rotating door on the DL (maybe due to Nelson). They also had a BUNCH of OLs usually just sitting there who would never see the field, even if they stayed for five years.

ISU had a huge OL problem last year at this time. And Chizik and McFarland basically solved it in a year...something Mac and Cotton couldn't do in three.

**c.y.c.l.o.n.e.s** · 01-08-2008, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by djcubby

That's a great point. Let's look at their recruiting classes from 2004 to 2007. Reesing was a 3* QB and they only had four 4* guys from all those classes. By comparison, ISU has also had four. That just proves that you can make a BCS game without 4 and 5* recruits if you find the right guys. As a matter of fact, Talib, who everyone says in another thread will make a boatload in the NFL, was only a 2* recruit.

I remember seeing that Reesing basially was taking his recruiting video to everyone to try to drum up interest. There was something about him that Mangino liked - otherwise he would probably be playing DII somewhere.

**jt tailgater** · 01-08-2008, 06:28 PM

a big part of why we are where we are at as a program is due to the huge misses in '02

**tim_redd** · 01-08-2008, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by jt tailgater

a big part of why we are where we are at as a program is due to the huge misses in '02

Totally agree. Mac tried to keep the momentum going by signing a ton of Juco and the rest is history.

Don't get me wrong, Juco's can be great if used properly, but programs are built with high school kids.

**CyclonesRule** · 01-08-2008, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by SpokaneCY

I don't think you can judge Chiz just yet. He hasn't even signed his 2nd recruiting class ever. Someday there may be some goofy attrition at 1 position that would necessitate taking more than normal and thus far, Chiz has never had to deal with that since he's only been a head coach for 1 year.

I totally agree, this years class is really only his first full recruiting class. A lot of last years recruits were already in the fold and he just had to shore up some recruits and he did recruit a few with his own staff, but didn't have a lot of time. Things will get better but it also takes some W's. It's also not like we aren't recruiting the 4 star athletes but if you from Texas and get offered a scholly from Texas or Iowa St at this point you're probably going to stay and play at Texas.. even if you only play 2 years.

**Omaha Cy** · 01-09-2008, 11:54 AM

One thing that surprises me a little is that teams like ISU dont get a few more higher recruits. Just based on the fact that there are a lot of positions ready to be taken over by better atheletes than are currently on the roster.

I gues something can be said for exposure and winning programs, but in some cases ISU is a great opportunity to showcase your skills right away.

**cycfan** · 01-11-2008, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by FD Cyclone

One thing that surprises me a little is that teams like ISU dont get a few more higher recruits. Just based on the fact that there are a lot of positions ready to be taken over by better atheletes than are currently on the roster.

I gues something can be said for exposure and winning programs, but in some cases ISU is a great opportunity to showcase your skills right away.

I think the reason teams like ISU don't get more 4* recruits is because these are supposedly the more elite players that likely feel they have a shot at the NFL. If they go to one of the big programs like Texas, they get a lot more national exposure to showcase their talent for the NFL. I guess we just have to face the facts that we are not going to get the national exposure that Tex, Nebraska, OU etc. get. Yes, we can offer immediate playing time, but what good does that do a 4* or 5* recruit if ISU games are only on tv on a regional basis, or not at all? If a 4* recruit has offers from say ISU, Kansas, Memphis and Florida, it is almost a certainty that he will go to Florida, unless he is from one of the other school's state. Iowa doesn't have many 4* recruits. We just have to be better at finding the diamonds in the rough and I think we can do it.

GO CYCLONES!!!