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Started By
Message
LSU recruiting, pre and post Frank Wilson
Posted on 12/16/25 at 11:42 pm
Posted on 12/16/25 at 11:42 pm
I know what's true about Frank, he's a good recruiter, but not a good RB coach. I hope he enjoys Oxford, and I do think him being there will be somewhat annoying, but not nearly like our fanbase believes.
I'm going to focus on the six classes we signed WITH Frank, 2010-2015, and the six classes we signed WITHOUT Frank, 2016-2021. I've included the overall class rank and how many of Louisiana's top ten players signed with LSU.
WITH FRANK:
2010: #9 class, signed 7/10
2011: #8 class, signed 7/10
2012: #13 class, signed 6/10
2013: #6 class, signed 8/10
2014: #2 class, signed 5/10
2015: #5 class, signed 7/10
7.2 average class rank, 6.6/10 in LA
WITHOUT FRANK:
2016: #2 class, signed 9/10
2017: #7 class, signed 3/10
2018: #15 class, signed 5/10
2019: #5 class, signed 8/10
2020: #4 class, signed 4/10
2021: #3 class, signed 6/10
5.1 average class rank, 5/10 in LA
So overall, LSU's overall classes ranked about 2 spots higher without Frank, but they signed about 1.5 fewer LA top ten guys. The fringe top ten remained mostly the same, with LSU signing about 8-10/15 in the state both with and without Frank.
He's a really good recruiter, you can't deny that. But his loss will NOT tank this program, particularly at Ole Miss. He'd be much more of an issue at Texas.
We will be MORE than fine with Kevin Smith. He's an amazing developer, and he's a former pro. Ole Miss will likely move into LA much more for recruiting, but they won't be a threat for the Lamar Brown and Richard Anderson types. Don't be shocked if they sign players in the bottom of the top ten, but for the most part they will not be a threat like the Ole Miss fanbase believes (then again, that fanbase thinks Ashton Stamps would be elite there)
I wish Frank well and hope he has a good time at Ole Miss, but LSU and Louisiana aren't defined by him. Both parties will be more than fine moving forward.
I'm going to focus on the six classes we signed WITH Frank, 2010-2015, and the six classes we signed WITHOUT Frank, 2016-2021. I've included the overall class rank and how many of Louisiana's top ten players signed with LSU.
WITH FRANK:
2010: #9 class, signed 7/10
2011: #8 class, signed 7/10
2012: #13 class, signed 6/10
2013: #6 class, signed 8/10
2014: #2 class, signed 5/10
2015: #5 class, signed 7/10
7.2 average class rank, 6.6/10 in LA
WITHOUT FRANK:
2016: #2 class, signed 9/10
2017: #7 class, signed 3/10
2018: #15 class, signed 5/10
2019: #5 class, signed 8/10
2020: #4 class, signed 4/10
2021: #3 class, signed 6/10
5.1 average class rank, 5/10 in LA
So overall, LSU's overall classes ranked about 2 spots higher without Frank, but they signed about 1.5 fewer LA top ten guys. The fringe top ten remained mostly the same, with LSU signing about 8-10/15 in the state both with and without Frank.
He's a really good recruiter, you can't deny that. But his loss will NOT tank this program, particularly at Ole Miss. He'd be much more of an issue at Texas.
We will be MORE than fine with Kevin Smith. He's an amazing developer, and he's a former pro. Ole Miss will likely move into LA much more for recruiting, but they won't be a threat for the Lamar Brown and Richard Anderson types. Don't be shocked if they sign players in the bottom of the top ten, but for the most part they will not be a threat like the Ole Miss fanbase believes (then again, that fanbase thinks Ashton Stamps would be elite there)
I wish Frank well and hope he has a good time at Ole Miss, but LSU and Louisiana aren't defined by him. Both parties will be more than fine moving forward.
This post was edited on 12/16/25 at 11:46 pm
Posted on 12/17/25 at 12:06 am to lsufan0582
Have an upvote for the nice effort you put in. Thanks
Posted on 12/17/25 at 6:45 am to lsufan0582
Just a couple thoughts. Frank is a good recruiter and is great at building relationships with parents, coaches and kids. He has strong N.O. ties.
That being said, we are talking about recruiting New Orleans kids to the state flagship program, not getting kids to go somewhere that wouldn't be a natural landing spot. If Lane builds a powerhouse and LSU shows they can get kids developed and drafted, how much does Uncle Frank's ties matter? If kids are offered more money and an opportunity to go to a school with greater resources, more tradition, more visibility, will they pass on that because of a relationship with Frank?
He may pull a recruit here and there, but if Lane and LSU TCB, Frank's impact will be minimal at best.
That being said, we are talking about recruiting New Orleans kids to the state flagship program, not getting kids to go somewhere that wouldn't be a natural landing spot. If Lane builds a powerhouse and LSU shows they can get kids developed and drafted, how much does Uncle Frank's ties matter? If kids are offered more money and an opportunity to go to a school with greater resources, more tradition, more visibility, will they pass on that because of a relationship with Frank?
He may pull a recruit here and there, but if Lane and LSU TCB, Frank's impact will be minimal at best.
This post was edited on 12/17/25 at 8:33 am
Posted on 12/17/25 at 7:48 am to lsufan0582
And this year's class was about 10 players short. Why did he quit recruiting 2025?
Posted on 12/17/25 at 7:51 am to SOL2
He basically didn’t even bother to recruit RB’s this year outside of trying to flip the kid from A&M.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 7:57 am to BayouCowboy
quote:
If kids are offered more money and an opportunity to go to a school with greater resources, more tradition, more visibility, will they pass on that because of a relationship with Frank?
Bingo. It's all about $$ and exposure now. Anyone can sell that.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 8:42 am to lsufan0582
Post like this is why we come to TD. Nice work. Also it’s easier to swallow that he’s not going somewhere like Longhorns or Aggies
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:35 am to lsufan0582
Where were those players from in Louisiana that we missed? Also, how many years was Saban involved.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:44 am to lsufan0582
We’re really struggling to recruit Texas like we used to. Not a single one of the top 10 Texas recruits to LSU
Posted on 12/17/25 at 11:19 am to tbrou16
He's going to have buyers remorse in Oxford and will return after he gets fired, or their HC gets fired, and come back and take the off the field role.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 11:46 am to lsufan0582
We did hire O to replace him as the tip of the spear in LA though.
I am slightly concerned.
Lane has a great staff and I think Wilson lacks as an actual coach, but we just watched Kelly Learn the hard way that you still need some connections in recruiting. Look at his first Defensive staff.
I am slightly concerned.
Lane has a great staff and I think Wilson lacks as an actual coach, but we just watched Kelly Learn the hard way that you still need some connections in recruiting. Look at his first Defensive staff.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 11:47 am to tbrou16
quote:Texas’ top two programs are more dominant than LSU has been lately and they have no shortage of money.
We’re really struggling to recruit Texas like we used to
It was easier when Texas & Texas A&M sucked.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 12:15 pm to lsufan0582
Amazing work putting this together!
I love Frank and love the mantra of the Godfather and busting out the leather jacket.
I think it's laughable that Ole Piss fans just think they're going to raid NOLA now.
Should be fun to see him and Jabbar battle in the area.
If Frank was so great of a recruiter and such how come the NIL for Stewart to USC won out?
Because as much as relationships are awesome it's cold hard cash.
I mean look at the DL class we have without DL coach. And Geralds is Franks guy!
I love Frank and love the mantra of the Godfather and busting out the leather jacket.
I think it's laughable that Ole Piss fans just think they're going to raid NOLA now.
Should be fun to see him and Jabbar battle in the area.
If Frank was so great of a recruiter and such how come the NIL for Stewart to USC won out?
Because as much as relationships are awesome it's cold hard cash.
I mean look at the DL class we have without DL coach. And Geralds is Franks guy!
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