Out of State Recruits - An Observation

It seems as though Les Miles and LSU have faired very well with out of state recruits. After 1/2, they got reengaged with some big time recruits and are securing at least visits. That speaks volumes to the perception and respect that Les and LSU command nationally.

In recent years, we are signing big time players from Illinois, Jersey, California, Florida (as well as obvious neighboring states like Texas and Mississippi).

But at home, the story of 2014 is the defection of the in-state talent. It's easy to blame Les and team for allowing the "fence to be down" but it strikes me that there are three things at play: (1) kids genuinely want a change of scenery and/or want to "be their own man" (often without much intelligent thought, e.g., Gerald Willis), (2) familiarity breeding contempt, and(3) the negativity in the fanbase creating a toxic environment that negatively influences the local kids (whereas the OOS kids probably look at LSU more objectively - a top 5 destination with national exposure and a chance to compete for championships).

Not much you can do about (1). It's part of being 17/18 years-old and, frankly, it's not a bad thing to try something new if you are up for it. Not much you can do about (2) either. Some people are just born to be contrarian. Most of them don't pan out anyway.

But as Tiger fans, we do have a role in (3). It is fair to be upset with losses and to be critical of errors, but it is unhealthy to spend weeks, months, years focusing on the bad instead of appreciating the good. We all know the guy who goes off on Les every time football is discussed at a gathering. That guy is replicated in every town in the region 100x over. That guy is hurting our ability to keep in-state talent. That guy is helping knock down the fence.

Just something for the obsessed LSU fans to consider. Keep it a healthy obsession. Don't be That Guy.