the guys we did get are the guys that want to be tigers. Now, the class is in. Who are the ones we may need early? Maybe an LB, a DB, an OL. If you couple this years class w/ last years, we have some awesome young talent. I look for skyler green, justin vincent, and that DL from Ruston to make splashes early.
I couldn't agree more, TigerStagg. Does anyone know if Vaughn is the LB that will have the best chance to play early? What DB's have a chance to play next year?
I hear Blair Irvin is the real deal. A sub-4.4 guy. We won't need much from this class for a few years. A few spot starters. My dark-horse as a tiger great is Jason Spadoni. I heard he works his ass off and will lay the lumber at SS. He's got a mean streak. Louuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's exactly what Saban said. The guys that we got are the one's that made it through Saban's recruiting "system" and they're guys that WANT to be TIGERS!
I agree also. I think we've picked up the talent we need and plenty of speed (I can't wait to see Irvin and Green play, and see how Saban will utilize their speed). I'm glad McDaniels left if his heart wasn't in it. I want guys who want to be Tigers and will always give it all they've got. Besides, we do have Vaughn and Demps. Today on the Austin sports talk shows, the Texas shorthorns have been claiming a national "recruiting championship." This made me laugh all the way to work, since I can remember three years ago when they had a "number one" recruiting class and were just going to destroy their foes with the backfield terror from New Jersey. Well, we all know how great Simms worked out. They couldn't even win their division this year after a REALLY SOFT schedule (not to mention that they had to call on the Baton Rouge back-up to try and bail them out in the Big 12 championship but ultimately waited too long to call on the Apple). Mack Brown is able to fool these kids into coming to Texas, (where most of them will not start) but he has no clue on how to best use them, much less discover any hidden talents. This is where LSU shines (and has a long history of doing so). I much prefer a coach who can recognize talent that will best complement his program, and not just go after the guys that the "pundits" rate a 5-star player etc. etc. I'm thinking about Josh Reed, Eric Martin, Wendell Davis, Kevin Faulk, and, who can forget the great Dalton Hilliard who tipped the scales at around 185 lbs. his freshman year. Wasn't he too small to be great?... I have many fond memories of watching him and Gary James rip through SEC defenses in Death Valley. If we can plug the holes in our secondary (I don't want to drive to Baton Rouge to watch another aerial display like the one Grossman put on last year), we'll be tough to beat. And I think Michael Clayton is going to come into his own this year. He made some absolutely incredible catches this year--especially impressive for a freshman. Geaux Tigers
Well, Clayton was the #1 player at his position in his class, so they (analysts) got that one right. He made a few catches last year that would have made the NFL highlight reel. I remember one particular TD catch he had against Auburn, I think...might have been Ole Miss. Anyway, the throw was low and he actually reached around a defender to make a one-handed grab about 4 inches from the ground as he was falling to the turf. Thats when I knew he was the real deal.
There have been numerous "number one" picks that never made a big splash at the Division 1 level. Texas has more than a few examples on their team. The point about Michael is that he was overshadowed by Reed this past year and I'm anxious to see what he can do as the number one receiver. Michael did make one of his reach around catches in the Auburn game as well.
Agreed. Im looking for a Reed type year out of him for 2002. I know some people may question that because of our QB situation, but I really think we have nothing to worry about. There is a lot of talent still here at that position.
Absolutely. I definitely think one of the guys in the Athlete category could be a Reed and Saban will figure it out. Do you remember Slip Watkins? He was a lot of fun to watch.
