Many of you on this board rag each other as being too optimistic or two pessimistic, so let's look at what this year's recruiting class really is:

1) We got a top 20 recruting class. That's obviosuly good, but not up to the standard we've gotten used to over the last few years.

2) In that class, we filled needs (most notably) LB and got a few guys with real potential - I really like Liggins a leader and winner.

3) But we didn't get any of the so-called "sure thing," immediate impact, game changing type players. To be a true top program, you need those jkind of guys. (I know, all our great players were 3 star recruits, etc. etc. But the point is, the more POTENTIAL great talent youget in recruiting, the more great talent you end up withover time.)

4) We failed to lock down the state - as we have done in recent years - allowing most of the very top players in the state to get away - at least one to an archrival.

5) We mostly recruited in state and showed that, even though we'd like to be, we really are not a national recruiting powerhouse similar to Alabama, USC, and a few others that attract talent from every state every year. we may never really be that. But there's plenty of talent in LA and close by to tap in on. We need to do a better job of locking down the state and getting a few blue-chippers from out of state.

6) We lost at least three potentially great players that had committed to us. They saw something in the team that they didn't like for some reason or we just couldn't close the deal. That happens all the time in recruiting, but three biggies in one year is a lot to take.

So...

My overall impression is:

I'm disappointed. I do not think this was great year for LSU recruiting-wise and I think it is a step backward from the great momentum we had been building up until Jan 9th. I think losing that game hurt us and will continue to hurt us unless we have the year I expect us to have next year - see below.

Also, even though we may be about 15th in the nation in recruiting, we will probably be about 8th to 10th among SEC schools. If we want to continue winning at the level we have in the last few years, we need to bring in as much high-level talent as those other SEC schools (Bama, Auburn, FL, GA).

I'm not saying that the star systemn is perfect and I agree that our coaching staff does a better job of assessing talent than the pundits on the internet - but you can't deny that we didn't get some of the players that we wanted. Or that we let a few great ones get away. (More so than in the last few years). meanwhile, hated Bama racked up top-flght talent. Auburn also.

The flip side is: the outlook for the near future of LSU football is VERY bright. We have a ton of returning talent, the entire key coaching staff coming back, and a relatively easy schedule.

So while this was a down year for recruting, a great season next year could/should get us right back on track recruting-wise.

Bottom line: I'm a little disappointed in this recruting class but happy with the program overall.

Ok, both sides, go ahead and wail on me....