re: LSU & Bama Experience - Perspective

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I firmly believe that if Reggie Ragland & A'Shawn Robinson played for LSU, they would have gone pro last year.

I don't know if it is Saban brainwashing them or their player salary at Bama that keeps them there, or both.

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Last season was Ragland's first as a starter, and he was the weakside LB. He slid over to MLB this season and now makes defensive calls whereas that was Trey DePriest last year. He probably wouldn't have gone in the first two rounds after last year. He hadn't blown up like he has this season, but you could pretty much tell it was coming. He actually had enough sense to come back and make himself some money down the road.

Robinson was a sophomore last year, so he couldn't come out. He can (and probably will) this year.

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You would think however, that a coaching staff that does so well in recruiting the high school kids could recruit our guys to stay too.

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It just doesn't work that way anymore. Some players at places like Alabama and LSU are typically better suited for the NFL, and there is no convincing them to stay. For example, Fournette will leave early when he is able as will Henry. It's always been a given that the really talented guys will go. However, you have a layer of guys under that who are still pretty talented (relative to college ball), and we all know they probably won't be superstars their rookie years and won't go in the 1st or 2nd rounds, but they go anyway just so they can get paid something. It's better than playing for free.