The "myth" that our lines are bad and we need to recruit better. Let's take a look.

I see quite a few people saying that our recruiting is "lacking" on the lines. Is it, though? We undoubtedly got beat on the lines. And everywhere else. But let's take a look at the players that we brought in.

Let's start with the defensive line:






Elite. Guys that could have gone ANYWHERE. If these are the "wrong" recruits, then you're basically saying that we should have let these guys go to Auburn, Ohio State, Texas, and elsewhere.

Let's continue on with the linebackers:







Once again, 4 star guys across the board. Combine this with the DL posted above, and you have nothing but highly ranked 4* and 5* star guys. How much better can it get?

I would argue that defense wasn't the issue. So let's take a look at the offense, specifically the OL.

A collection of some of the guys that have started this year for us:











That's a pretty stout list. Lewis and Cushenberry were the only guys that you could argue were NOT highly recruited - everyone else could have gone to Texas, Texas A&M, Auburn, Ohio State, etc. And Cushenberry, despite being one of the lowest rated recruits on the OL, has actually been one of the better players on the line, relatively speaking.

So, those are your lines. Now tell me...where are the massive deficiencies? Where are the gaping holes in talent? Are we really going to set the expectation that we absolutely need nothing but 5* OL to have a functioning and proficient offense?

Let me offer an alternative explanation - coaching. Development. Or rather, the lack thereof. I don't know how any rational person can take a look at the talent posted above and say, "Nope, definitely not good enough. It needs to be a lot better".

Let's look at one more thing. We've fielded an anemic offense for years, and always talk about needing to bring in more talent on offense.

Last year, we brought in these two studs that, again, could have gone anywhere they wanted to:





Have you seen these guys lately? They've completely vanished. Elite, skilled, 5* WRs that could be at Alabama or Texas or Ohio State, but they both came here. Where are they? I think Marshall caught a pass or two against Georgia, and Chase I believe caught one against Mississippi State. But they've been a complete non-factor for much of the year. Why?

Coaching and development. That's all it is.