Update on James Carmon ...

[Shmuley]

Something is not adding up. As of yesterday, he has a commitable offer from Bama. We are his leader. And Mississippi is "backing off."

Do what?

Anyone?

 

[Shmuley]

Something is not adding up. As of yesterday, he has a commitable offer from Bama. We are his leader. And Mississippi is "backing off."

Do what?

Anyone?

 

[Shmuley]

Something is not adding up. As of yesterday, he has a commitable offer from Bama. We are his leader. And Mississippi is "backing off."

Do what?

Anyone?

 

[jcdawgman18]

That could explain a lot.

 

[GBryne4Heisman]

recruiting rankings recently as well. That D only gave up 70+ points in the championship game to EMCC or whoever it was.

I'm starting to think that Carmon, like Robinson, is a big body, but maybe not too much beyond that.

 

[OMlawdog]

If he goes to MSU or some other SEC school and plays really well, Nutt is going to catch hell.

People that have seen him play say he is the real deal.

 

[Xenomorph]

Just this year: Not recruiting Nick Griffin... Not pursuing the kids at West Point.. Not making Matthew Wells a priority.. Now Carmon. Oh, and Nutt is pulling all the stops to steal from us Cordell Giles, who has enough off the field issues to play basketball for Arkansas.

The last straw for him in Mississippi would be if he loses Carlton Martin. I highly doubt that'll happen, but if it does you guys have officially surrendered the state of Mississippi.

 

[OMlawdog]

Not because they aren't talented, I have no idea how good they are, but they aren't coming to Ole Miss. West Point HS is a MSU pipeline and why waste time on kids that aren't going to come to your school.

Af for Martin, Im assuming we will get him because his HS coach is an Ole Miss guy.

We have had years that we did well in state and years that we did poorly, at the end of the day it really doesn't matter. I just don't think MSU or OM can sweep the state for talent. I just don't think it can happen, and in some years, it won't really matter.

Here was the 2004-2005 Class in Mississippi on Rivals:

2004

<table class="prospectranking" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="rank">1</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Greg Hinds</font>
Southaven (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">ATH</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/220</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Memphis</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Combination of size and speed make this power back the premier player in the Magnolia State.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">2</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Blake Barnes</font>
Baldwyn (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">QB</td> <td class="htwt">6-3/218</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Georgia</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Strong-armed pro-style quarterback should fit well in Richt's system at Georgia.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">3</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Xavier Mitchell</font>
Long Beach (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">DE</td> <td class="htwt">6-4/245</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Tennessee</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Explosiveness off the ball and intensity highlight top DE.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">4</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Rory Johnson</font>
Vicksburg (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">LB</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/215</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Has the frame and build of a linebacker with the speed of a defensive back.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">5</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Brandon Jackson</font>
Horn Lake (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">RB</td> <td class="htwt">6-0/220</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Nebraska</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Big back has ability to run between tackles and breakaway speed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">6</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Steve Gandy</font>
Waynesboro (MS) Wayne County</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">LB</td> <td class="htwt">6-0/190</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Auburn</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Brings outstanding speed and athleticism at the outside linebacker/safety spots.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">7</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Gabe O'Neal</font>
Columbus (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">ATH</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/210</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">All-around athlete could project at multiple positions on the next level.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">8</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Garry Pack</font>
Hattiesburg (MS) Oak Grove</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">LB</td> <td class="htwt">6-1/217</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Powerful LB packs a punch when he hits.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">9</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Mit Cole</font>
Picayune (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">TE</td> <td class="htwt">6-4/245</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">LSU</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">LSU verbal is known as an exceptional blocking TE with improving receiving skills.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">10</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Josh Winchell</font>
Southaven (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">OL</td> <td class="htwt">6-5/310</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">South Carolina</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">A pure brawler at guard, he had 40 pancake blocks as a junior.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">11</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Peria Jerry</font>
Batesville (MS) South Panola</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">DE</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/260</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Strongside DE did not play as junior, but displayed glimpses of potential with 13 sacks as a sophomore.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">12</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Terrell Jackson</font>
Puckett (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">DB</td> <td class="htwt">5-11/185</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Big-time cover skills highlight state's top corner.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">13</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Tony Burks</font>
Gulfport (MS) Harrison Central</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">WR</td> <td class="htwt">6-4/200</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Big target has all the tools to dominate in the passing game.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">14</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Lavarus Giles</font>
Benoit (MS) Ray Brooks</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">RB</td> <td class="htwt">6-1/205</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Only in his second year of organized football, but a tremendous raw athlete.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">15</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Anthony Strauder</font>
Natchez (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">DT</td> <td class="htwt">6-4/285</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Big, agile DT brings brains and brawn to the table.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">16</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Chris Johnson</font>
Jackson (MS) Murrah</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">WR</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/197</td> <td class="schools"><a><font color="#000080">list</font></a></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Has the frame, speed and hands to excel at either WR or DB.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">17</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Philip Tobias</font>
Brookhaven (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">OL</td> <td class="htwt">6-3/290</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Southern Miss.</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Big, run-stuffing DT also brings pass-rushing skills to the table.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">18</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Lance Lee</font>
Oxford (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">OL</td> <td class="htwt">6-6/265</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Strong, lean player has frame to develop into an outstanding OT.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">19</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">JaMarca Sanford</font>
Batesville (MS) South Panola</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">LB</td> <td class="htwt">5-11/192</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Has the speed and aggressiveness to play OLB or S depending on the system.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">20</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Fred Akines</font>
Clarksdale (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">DB</td> <td class="htwt">6-3/190</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr class="commentary"> <td></td> <td colspan="5">Prototype body</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

<table class="prospectranking" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="rank">1</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Jerrell Powe</font>
Waynesboro (MS) Wayne County</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">DT</td> <td class="htwt">6-3/352</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">2</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Derek Pegues</font>
Batesville (MS) South Panola</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">DB</td> <td class="htwt">5-10/183</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">3</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Josh McNeil</font>
Collins (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">OL</td> <td class="htwt">6-4/290</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Tennessee</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">4</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Louis Ellis</font>
Jackson (MS) Lanier</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">DT</td> <td class="htwt">6-3/293</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">5</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Calvin Wilson</font>
Hattiesburg (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">OL</td> <td class="htwt">6-5/336</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">6</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Jimmy Johns</font>
Brookhaven (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">QB</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/230</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Alabama</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">7</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Tim Holloway</font>
Seminary (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">ATH</td> <td class="htwt">6-4/215</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">8</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">John Jerry</font>
Batesville (MS) South Panola</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">OL</td> <td class="htwt">6-6/315</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">9</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Travis Sanford</font>
Batesville (MS) South Panola</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">DB</td> <td class="htwt">6-3/205</td> <td class="schools"><a><font color="#000080">list</font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">10</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Charles Burns</font>
Hattiesburg (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">LB</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/250</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">11</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Archie Sims</font>
Laurel (MS) West Jones</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">LB</td> <td class="htwt">6-0/200</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">12</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Anthony Johnson</font>
Jackson (MS) Provine</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">ATH</td> <td class="htwt">5-10/188</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">13</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">J.J. Smith</font>
Brooklyn (MS) Forrest County Ag</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">RB</td> <td class="htwt">6-0/193</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Junior College</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">14</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Justin Clark</font>
Collins (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">DE</td> <td class="htwt">6-4/220</td> <td class="schools"><a><font color="#000080">list</font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">15</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Chris Spencer</font>
Meridian (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">OL</td> <td class="htwt">6-4/300</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">16</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Reid Neely</font>
Jackson (MS) Jackson Academy</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">OL</td> <td class="htwt">6-6/289</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">17</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Craig Jenkins</font>
Pearl (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">OL</td> <td class="htwt">6-4/352</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">18</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Lance Lee</font>
Oxford (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">OL</td> <td class="htwt">6-6/270</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">19</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Austin Divinity</font>
Utica (MS) Hinds AHS</td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="position">WR</td> <td class="htwt">6-0/195</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Southern Miss.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">20</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Jeremy Rockette</font>
Olive Branch (MS)</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

I count 15 players that are talented, Im including Garry Pack, Anthony Johnson in that group. So in Two classes you are looking at 15 players that are SEC caliber, and that doesnt even take into account the fact players like Powe, Johnson, or Burks had to go to Juco.

2006 wasn't much better:

<table class="prospectranking" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="rank">1</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Allen Walker</font>
Olive Branch (MS) Olive Branch</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">ATH</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/200</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">2</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Derrick Odom</font>
Jackson (MS) Callaway High School</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">LB</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/196</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">LSU</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">3</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Terry Grant</font>
Lumberton (MS) Lumberton High School</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">RB</td> <td class="htwt">5-10/180</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Alabama</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">4</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Anthony Summers</font>
Olive Branch (MS) Olive Branch</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">ATH</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/200</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">5</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Richard Dickson</font>
Ocean Springs (MS) Ocean Springs</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">TE</td> <td class="htwt">6-3/235</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">LSU</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">6</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Marcus Tillman</font>
Meadville (MS) Franklin County</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">DE</td> <td class="htwt">6-4/250</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">7</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Mike McCoy</font>
Brandon (MS) Northwest Rankin</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">WR</td> <td class="htwt">6-3/200</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Alabama</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">8</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Cordera Eason</font>
Meridian (MS) Meridian High School</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">RB</td> <td class="htwt">6-0/240</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">9</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Justin Woodall</font>
Oxford (MS) Lafayette County</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">DB</td> <td class="htwt">6-3/200</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Alabama</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">10</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Anthony Dixon</font>
Terry (MS) Terry High School</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">RB</td> <td class="htwt">6-1/229</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">11</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Terry Levy</font>
Kosciusko (MS) Kosciusko</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">WR</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/199</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">12</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Hendrick Leverette</font>
Hattiesburg (MS) Oak Grove</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">LB</td> <td class="htwt">6-0/205</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Auburn</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">13</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Markeith Summers</font>
Olive Branch (MS) Olive Branch</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">WR</td> <td class="htwt">6-3/190</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">14</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Martez Smith</font>
Camden (MS) Velma Jackson</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">LB</td> <td class="htwt">6-0/198</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Southern Miss.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">15</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Jonathan Massey</font>
Gautier (MS) Gautier High School</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">TE</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/241</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Vanderbilt</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">16</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Victor Thomas</font>
Olive Branch (MS) Olive Branch</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">DE</td> <td class="htwt">6-4/250</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Tennessee</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">17</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Torris Magee</font>
Hattiesburg (MS) Oak Grove</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">WR</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/186</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Southern Miss.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">18</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Shay Hodge</font>
Morton (MS) Morton High School</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">ATH</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/174</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Ole Miss</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">19</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Domonic Hopson</font>
Pascagoula (MS) Pascagoula High School</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">LB</td> <td class="htwt">6-3/235</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Southern Miss.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">20</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Milton Talbert</font>
Hattiesburg (MS) Hattiesburg</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">DE</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/225</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Alabama</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">21</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Alex Carpenter</font>
Corinth (MS) Biggersville</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">WR</td> <td class="htwt">6-0/168</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">22</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Roshaad Byrd</font>
Meridian (MS)</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">LB</td> <td class="htwt">6-3/210</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Southern Miss.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">23</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Matt Malouf</font>
Oxford (MS) Oxford High School</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">QB</td> <td class="htwt">6-2/211</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Memphis</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">24</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Jamon Hughes</font>
Rolling Fork (MS) Humphreys County</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">

</td> <td class="position">LB</td> <td class="htwt">6-0/221</td> <td class="schools"><font color="#000080">Mississippi State</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="rank">25</td> <td class="name"><font color="#000080" size="2">Josh Davis</font>
Tylertown (MS)</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
Actually 2006 was probably the best year in talent in a while, and still the numbers just aren't high enough, I count 12 players and Im including Jamon Hughes and Josh Davis that are SEC caliber.

 

[Xenomorph]

...If Nutt turns in a similar class this year I'd become very nervous about the direction of the program.

 

[GroveHard]

he fell victim to the preseason hype. It seems like he assumed after our stellar season that recruiting would take care of itself. Obviously, that stellar season never materialized, but he has yet to adjust his strategy. I don't understand how anyone can think we're in position to slow play kids, but we are. I also think that Mullen and co. have outworked him in Mississippi.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

Comparing it to that list could lend some credibility to Mullen's strategy to hit the JUCO's fairly hard every year.

 

[Shmuley]

It's the nutt way. Always has been. He obviously hates it and therefore sux at it.

Let me preface this by saying that you can hate recruiting and suck at it and, as long as your institution is a member of the SEC, still pull a top 30 class. Which makes the shittiness of crxxms' classes all the more baffling. That MFer had to TRY to F up classes.

 

[thunderclap]

apparently he didn't see the need to have a lot of recruits visit Starkville. And I remember thinking what you said, is he trying to 17 up this class?

 

[Curly Bill]

That is that you have to build your team's core around Mississippi, or at least area, players. Then you supplement that with other best available talent. That could be out of state high schoolers, JUCO, or other MS players if it is a rare loaded year. Since the latter is very rare, I'll disregard it. So you choose between out of state guys and JUCO guys.

Most of the time JUCO guys are readily available and in your state/area and alot of times they are good out of state players that fell through due to grades and other stuff. That's the plus. The negative is you get them for 2 years. Upside to out of state high schoolers is that you get them for four years but you have to recruit twice as hard to get the D1 caliber ones as the competition exponentially increases with their instate schools.</p>

Just a choice you have to make. Recruiting smart is absolutely key to winning in Mississippi football.</p>

 

[SoxFan343]

If Ole Miss or State can go into Texas and/or Florida and get the 35th best guy in those states, why do they need the Mississippi kids? Who is better, the 35th best guy in Texas or the 5th best guy in Mississippi?

Last season there were 109 4 star players in Texas and Florida. There were 11 in Mississippi. Even though there are a lot more schools recruting in those states, the talent base is infinitely larger. I agree the Ole Miss or State isn't going to go into Texas and beat out a UT for a kid, but UT can't sign every single kid in Texas. There aren't even enough D1 caliber players to make up a single signing class in Mississippi, so how can you say that you have to build your core around that?

Look, I'm not against signing some of the top kids in Mississippi, I think both of our programs should try to do that. I just don't subscribe to the belief that you have to sign Mississippi kids to be successful as a Mississippi school. I used too, but I don't anymore.

 

[Stormrider81]

One of Oregon's WRs, Jamere Holland (who ironically signed with SoCal) made a big play and it brought up that to my mind. That's the year we put all our eggs in one basket, having one big recruiting weekend where we were literally counting on like 90% of those visitors, most of which were not committed to us at the time, to sign with us. Jamere Holland from California was one of those players. As an aside, it is telling that Croom thought he could sign Holland. Well, on Sunday someone posted on Bulldog Blitz that nearly all of them were verbally committing. That post turned out to be crap and we had to scrap together a few players to visit us the next weekend, leaving a lot of unofficial visits on the table. We signed a crappy class and still had left over visits. That was very troubling to me and a sure sign that guy had no clue what he was doing.

Following those last 2 Jackie classes and the first two or three Croom classes killed recruiting for me. I observe it now from afar.

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

apparently he didn't see the need to have a lot of recruits visit Starkville. And I remember thinking what you said, is he trying to 17 up this class?

Actually of all the things Crxxms did, That ranks as top 2 of the things that really pissed me off and still pisses me off when I think about it again. How... HOW the 17 do you think it's OK to leave recruiting visits on the table when probation itself has already limited them?

 

[Shmuley]

1. We let our incompetent, socially retarded Athletic Director hire an incompetent, ill-prepared, out-of-the-college-game-too-long man as our coach;
2. We let our incompetent, socially retarded Athletic Director hire an incompetent, ill-prepared, out-of-the-college-game-too-long man as our coach;
3. We let our incompetent, socially retarded Athletic Director hire an incompetent, ill-prepared, out-of-the-college-game-too-long man as our coach;

 

[GBryne4Heisman]

If Ole Miss or State can go into Texas and/or Florida and get the 35th best guy in those states, why do they need the Mississippi kids? Who is better, the 35th best guy in Texas or the 5th best guy in Mississippi?

I use to think like that, but ask yourself who the last really productive out of state guy was we signed. On this years team we have Chaney, Ducre, maybe a DL or two that are from out of state. Other than that they're all MS players.

I see your point, but for whatever reason MSU just doesn't seem to have much luck w/ out of state guys. Corey Gardhigh, Quinten Wesley, Adron Chambers, Keith Mills, Courtney Jones, are all guys that fit into that "35th best player in the state" mold, but didn't work out out for us for one reason or another. There are plenty others too.

 

[RebelBruiser]

If he goes to MSU or some other SEC school and plays really well, Nutt is going to catch hell.

People that have seen him play say he is the real deal.

In particular, I think we need to be focusing more on guys like Martin and Bennett for our DT slots in this class, in other words high school DTs. Reason being, we return our entire DT two deep next year, if you count Justin Smith in place of Armour, so any Juco DT will likely get limited playing time for us in 2010, which means you'll only get one good year out of the guy most likely.

We need high school DTs that can come in, redshirt to bulk up, and have 4 years of eligibility left when Powe, Laurent, and Scott all leave after the 2010 season.

We could definitely use a Juco DE or two this year though with Hardy, Tillman, and Stephens all gone after this season. We'll need immediate help at that position in 2010.

 

[mjh94]

what does it mean if we put a lockdown on the top talent in Mississippi, though. Doesn't that come out the same? If we land 8 or 9 out of the top 11, that's pretty damn good in my book. If i'm hedging my bets on recruiting, I'm puttin alot more on in-state kids to come than out-of-staters.. therefore, I'm bustin my *** for those top 11 in-state kids. We can only sign a limited number too and starting with the top dozen or so in the state isn't a bad way to do things... maybe not in Arkansas, but in Mississippi it is.

If Ole Miss or State can go into Texas and/or Florida and get the 35th best guy in those states, why do they need the Mississippi kids? Who is better, the 35th best guy in Texas or the 5th best guy in Mississippi?

.

 

[Todd4State]

The fact of the matter is if we are going to get a guy like Anthony Dixon, it's more than likely because he is from Mississippi.

The real question is, where would the top guys in Mississippi rank if they played in Florida? Probably not 35th.

Our impact players are more than likely going to be in state guys- like Norwood, AD, and etc. Then we may get lucky with a guy like a Jamar Chaney, who we got basically because of extenuating circumstances.

 

[Todd4State]

goes to Ole Miss, and I think his parents want him to go there.

Bobby Hall is an Ole Miss homer though. No doubt about it.

 

[ckDOG]

First, I'm not going to claim that there is as much talent in MS as there is in FL, GA, TX, etc. They have the pure numbers advantage. But, from a per capita view, we are most likely comparable.

Also, one might be right saying that the 35th guy in TX is ranked higher than the 5th guy in MS. But you also have to consider that it's alot easier to evaluate and rank a pool of talent in those states. You could go to Dallas, TX (pop twice that of MS), and put together a listing that blows MS out of the water simply because its easier to evaluate players that are in one area vs spread out across a hundred po-dunk towns in MS. Again, I'm not stating there is more talent in MS than there is in Dallas, TX due to the number advantage. The point is, MS talent could easily be undervalued to the casual observer of recruiting due to limitations that evaluation services like Rivals and Scout have in rating MS players.

Another element to consider is that MS talent is more raw than TX, GA, FL talent. MS facilities, coaching, resources, etc. suck in comparison to many of the programs in the larger states. The athletes simply haven't received the coaching or had the training facilities that their counterparts in larger and richer states. Ask JWS what he thinks. He'll agree. He had a knack for spotting the undeveloped talent and coaching them to their potential (for awhile anyways).

Bottom line for me: I don't think it's essential that you build your core from MS. If you can get the out of state talent to commit to MSU, fine. But, I do think it's wise to focus efforts of MS talent. It's much easier to recruit a kid down the street vs a kid in Orlando, Atlanta, or Houston. Even if we are confident we can recruit outside of the state effectively, it makes sense to keep the local presence known. At the very least, you have to make it seem as if you are going to take care of your own, otherwise it could hurt you that year the talent happens to be deep in-state.

 

[coach66]

Bennett is going to stay in state and I don't think he will have the grades but that may be a great selling point for you guys.

 

[Curly Bill]

If Ole Miss or State can go into Texas and/or Florida and get the 35th best guy in those states, why do they need the Mississippi kids? Who is better, the 35th best guy in Texas or the 5th best guy in Mississippi? Who knows, but it's easier to sign the guy in Mississippi, because that's your home area. Jackie Sherrill gave many good reasons to favor home state players. Also, that 35th guy in Texas is still hard to beat because per capita, they have as many schools vying for that type of player. A&M, Tech, Houston, Baylor, SMU, etc. all are just as attractive options as a Mississippi school.

Last season there were 109 4 star players in Texas and Florida. There were 11 in Mississippi. Even though there are a lot more schools recruting in those states, the talent base is infinitely larger. I agree the Ole Miss or State isn't going to go into Texas and beat out a UT for a kid, but UT can't sign every single kid in Texas. But Oklahoma, OSU, A&M, LSU, the others mentioned above can, or at least the ones worth getting. There aren't even enough D1 caliber players to make up a single signing class in Mississippi, so how can you say that you have to build your core around that? Because that is historically what works. Go luck at the majority of uber-successful sports teams from Mississippi, you'll find that. And also, to be successful, you have to sign alot of the top guys from your state. It's easier recruiting. If you apply the same recruiting efforts in Mississippi and Texas (from a Mississippi recruiting base), you'll get better players in Mississippi. Your last statement is true, but your point is not. Your core of the signing class needs to be from your area. Then supplement. You don't have to have a whole signing class from your area, so what does it matter if you can't do it?

Look, I'm not against signing some of the top kids in Mississippi, I think both of our programs should try to do that. I just don't subscribe to the belief that you have to sign Mississippi kids to be successful as a Mississippi school. I used too, but I don't anymore. Why not? It's historically proven. Is it because Houston Nutt is not doing it? That's his problem. If you're trying to talk yourself into the notion that you don't need an area core of players, then fine. Maybe Nutt will be one of the rare guys that can pull that off.

My responses in bold. Ignoring your immediate area is a huge huge mistake. If you do not agree with that, you're conveniently ignoring the obvious. Keep in mind what the core of a team really is. Just because your best player isn't a Mississippi guy doesn't mean that your core guys are out of staters.

 

[maroonmania]

players we've had lately came through either JUCO or extenuating circumstances (Jamar Cheney, Mike Brown, Pernell McPhee, Brandon McRae, Christian Ducre, Leon Berry) and not through routine HS recruiting. Titus Brown was a HS recruit but nobody else anywhere wanted him. I guess the only HS out-of-stater I can think of lately that was a pretty good contributor for us that was a fairly highly thought of recruit out of HS is maybe Keith Fitzhugh. Kyle Love has been a starter now for a couple of years but I don't remember him being considered a top recruit.

 

[saltybulldog]

Croom could not evaluate talent for ****.

 

[RobbieRandolph]

That Hudspeth coached Bobby Hall's son at UNA and naturally Hudspeth is covering MC for State. I don't think it will be enough to turn Martin, but hopefully we can get a serious look out of Tobias Singleton, a JR WR who is supposed to be a beast.

 

[maroonmania]

we simply don't have the dollar resources we need to focus primarily way off in places like Florida and Texas. We have to sort of focus in on a few from there that are really interested but no use blowing the entire budget on guys WAY off that are just as likely to stay in their home state and play for Houston, Baylor, Texas Tech, South Florida, Central Florida, etc. If we had unlimited resources I would be much more in favor of focusing more out of area but as is, our core needs to come from a fairly close proximity.

 

[coach66]

He has a younger brother in ninth grade that plays running back and I am here to tell you he is gonna be hell on wheels. Hopefully HUD can help or maybe Bobby Hall will retire, it is a rumor right now that if he wins it all this year his days are numbered. I don't see anyone beating MC this year except South Panola and that one will be special, MC winning state championship might be good for MSU, we will see.

 

[gmontgom]

So I'd take a top 30 class right now and be happy!

 

[RebelBruiser]

because all I know is what Yancy says, and I take all of that with a grain of salt. Still, I think we need to be more focused on high school DTs in this class. In 2011, we may be in a spot where we need to sign one or two Juco DTs, but I don't think we need one this year based on our depth chart.

And just curious, but why would Bennett's grades be a selling point for us? Because we may have room to sign and place him? I could see that, because we really only have 22 spots this year due to the APR, and under the new Nutt rule, that means we have a chance to sign 6 players as sign and place or grayshirt signees, which will be a lot more than most schools can afford to sign and place.

 

[Lion O]

If he goes to MSU or some other SEC school and plays really well, Nutt is going to catch hell.

People that have seen him play say he is the real deal.

That was a decision made by Terry Price and Tyrone Nix.

They feel pretty confident in Martin and Bennett, and are looking at several more DT along with Bo Tillman still trying to get in.

Carmon wanted to commit on the official visit but they asked him to hold off because they "hadn't seen him in person." Supposedly, the game they went to see was rained out (no clue as to this validity).

Because of his limited mobility (he's not the player Cody is, despite the size comparisons), he doesn't fit as well in our scheme, as well as we will have 3 SR DT next year, 1 soph, and however many freshmen. Adding another JR DT wasn't in the plans unless he was a must have.

Call me a homer or whatever, but this isn't from Yancy or Rivals.

 

[JacksonDevilDog]

that Carmon doesn't run the wild rebel well enough to be a 2010 signee.

 

[o_rexxx]

If he goes to MSU or some other SEC school and plays really well, Nutt is going to catch hell.

People that have seen him play say he is the real deal.

Ole Miss only backed off of him because they weren't going to get him and they are trying to save face. They always claim the "backed off" of any recruit they don't get. It is kind of like saying Coach34 "backed off" from trying to hook up with Erin Andrews because she slapped him in the face when he grabber her ***. They didn't back off... they just quit wasting their time.

 

[Lion O]

If Ole Miss or State can go into Texas and/or Florida and get the 35th best guy in those states, why do they need the Mississippi kids? Who is better, the
35th best guy in Texas or the 5th best guy in Mississippi?

I use to think like that, but ask yourself who the last really productive out of state guy was we signed. On this years team we have Chaney, Ducre, maybe a DL or two that are from out of state. Other than that they're all MS players.

I see your point, but for whatever reason MSU just doesn't seem to have much luck w/ out of state guys. Corey Gardhigh, Quinten Wesley, Adron Chambers, Keith Mills, Courtney Jones, are all guys that fit into that "35th best player in the state" mold, but didn't work out out for us for one reason or another. There are plenty others too.

Primarily recruiting in-state players has been better for your program historically, from what I can tell. Your worst years have been when you got bogged down in OOS and JUCOs.

Recruiting OOS has worked well for Ole Miss in the past...Burgess, Willis, Willie Green, Everett Lindsay, Bill Smith, and alot of our current players/stars. Those are all the names I can think of but I know there are plenty more.

In my opinion, and supported by history, there are about 10-12 SEC calibur players at the most in any given year in MS. Of course there are surprises and there are busts in every class. But, Ole Miss or MSU cannot expect to get all of those players, so you must supplement yourself with players from surrounding states, and the best places to get players from are Florida, Texas, and Georgia.

 

[Lion O]

.

 

[The Byrne Center]

I spoke with Bobby Hall recently and we were talking about Carlton and Bryon. This was right after Bryon had mentioned to Scout or the CL that he was leaning towards going to Texas Tech. Coach Hall said that Bryon probably didn't know where Texas Tech was and if you told him and gave him a GPS, that he couldn't get there. I thought that was funny and an adequate description of his academic prowess.

 

[KurtRambis4]

RebelBruiser[/b]]because all I know is what Yancy says

wonder you don't follow recruiting...