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Out of State Recruits - An Observation
Posted on 1/22/14 at 3:17 pm
Posted on 1/22/14 at 3:17 pm
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.
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.
This post was edited on 1/22/14 at 3:19 pm
Posted on 1/22/14 at 3:20 pm to Mike Linebacker
Social media and the modern age of moving regularly to work have made the country smaller. Sometimes it works for us, sometimes against us.
Posted on 1/22/14 at 3:34 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
For the record, I don't like LSU. With that being said, if I'm a badass defensive player (regardless of where I'm from), I go to LSU. I think the purple and gold make you look faster and scarier.
Posted on 1/22/14 at 3:37 pm to TexasAg13
quote:Especially during night games at Tiger Stadium which are becoming rare, with CBS and the SEC Network chiming in.
I think the purple and gold make you look faster and scarier.
Posted on 1/22/14 at 3:49 pm to Mike Linebacker
Well written and laid out.
We, as fans, need to eliminate the unforced errors. We beat ourselves up too much.
We, as fans, need to eliminate the unforced errors. We beat ourselves up too much.
Posted on 1/22/14 at 3:55 pm to Mike Linebacker
Great points. The problem is that most of the people that post on here (the rant especially) are borderline retarded.
Posted on 1/22/14 at 4:25 pm to Mike Linebacker
quote:
kids genuinely want a change of scenery and/or want to "be their own man"
I would be a hypocrite to criticize anyone for that because that was how I ended up at LSU.
Posted on 1/22/14 at 5:02 pm to TheWalrus
I Agree with you 100%. The fan base can be very negative and really unfair in their criticism of the program and especially Coach Miles. The Media has a hand in the negativity also. Certain radio stations in the New Orleans Area always have negative things to say about LSU Football, but they will give the Saints and Tulane a pass. LSU is held to a higher standard, even though the Football team just had it's 4th Consecutive 10 WIN SEASON. (Never Done in the History of the Program)
Well, Several of the recruits that are leaving the state live in the New Orleans Area and listen to the daily negativity on the sports talk programs. Perception is reality for these young players.... And when they hear the negative, they start to be affected by the negative.
Well, Several of the recruits that are leaving the state live in the New Orleans Area and listen to the daily negativity on the sports talk programs. Perception is reality for these young players.... And when they hear the negative, they start to be affected by the negative.
Posted on 1/22/14 at 6:30 pm to Mike Linebacker
quote:
After 1/2, they got reengaged with some big time recruits and are securing at least visits.
I really don't get why people though the staff would suddenly just stop recruiting talent...
Posted on 1/22/14 at 9:25 pm to Mike Linebacker
That's a well-worded, profound post! Great job, Mike!
Posted on 1/23/14 at 7:18 am to Mike Linebacker
Great post. I wish most the haters would get some perspective.
Posted on 1/23/14 at 7:29 am to Mike Linebacker
Great post. But maybe you need to get to work coining some more bad arse nicknames to keep the LA kids on lockdown.
This post was edited on 1/23/14 at 7:30 am
Posted on 1/23/14 at 9:08 am to tigerpimpbot
Reason 3 is not the reason they are leaving. West Monroe kids are going to bama because it is a more successful program and nearly as close as Baton Rouge. The New Orleans kids go elsewhere for one obvious reason....after growing up in New Orleans it's not exciting to go down the road to baton rouge. In other words, Baton Rouge becomes small potatoes to those kids and it's just not as attractive an option...I am not knocking lsu...went there for seven years and two degrees but Baton Rouge is just not much of a town....
Posted on 1/23/14 at 9:51 am to bruintiger
bad observation - alabama schools are located i terrible cities. aTm is just as bad. no one knows why kids choose various schoos but it has almost nothing to do with being in baton rouge.
Posted on 1/23/14 at 10:03 am to Mike Linebacker
quote:
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.
To play devil's advocate, being a psycho fan base that sends players death threats and has thrown a brick through a coaches window, this hasn't been an issue keeping players from Signing at BAMA....just sayin'
Posted on 1/23/14 at 10:08 am to Penrod
quote:
That's a well-worded, profound post! Great job, Mike!
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