Branch Decommits

[KentuckyBoiler]

Branch decommitted today, and verballed to North Carolina. We are getting used to losing about 3 to 4 of our best verbal recruits each year lately. With us looking for a new coach, and another bad season, how many do we lose this year? Who else is on the fence with us right now?

 

[BoilerGrad02]

I really don't think we should be all that upset about losing any of Hazell's recruits, he didn't seem to have any eye for talent. He's got a few decent players but the law of averages says that you're going to get at least 2-3 out of 15-20 recruits a year just rolling out of bed.

The next coach is going to be starting at rock bottom so give him a clean slate and don't saddle him with Hazell's bad judgement (or assistant coaches for that matter. I have no idea why people keep suggesting retaining any of these coaches).

 

[New Pal Boiler]

Branch decommitted today, and verballed to North Carolina. We are getting used to losing about 3 to 4 of our best verbal recruits each year lately. With us looking for a new coach, and another bad season, how many do we lose this year? Who else is on the fence with us right now?

I really don't think we should be all that upset about losing any of Hazell's recruits, he didn't seem to have any eye for talent. He's got a few decent players but the law of averages says that you're going to get at least 2-3 out of 15-20 recruits a year just rolling out of bed.

The next coach is going to be starting at rock bottom so give him a clean slate and don't saddle him with Hazell's bad judgement (or assistant coaches for that matter. I have no idea why people keep suggesting retaining any of these coaches).

if we get PJ, we may have a bunch more "decommits" before signing day.

 

[DG10]

I really don't think we should be all that upset about losing any of Hazell's recruits, he didn't seem to have any eye for talent. He's got a few decent players but the law of averages says that you're going to get at least 2-3 out of 15-20 recruits a year just rolling out of bed.

The next coach is going to be starting at rock bottom so give him a clean slate and don't saddle him with Hazell's bad judgement (or assistant coaches for that matter. I have no idea why people keep suggesting retaining any of these coaches).

A virtual entire rebuild of the roster is needed, and whoever comes in, will benefit from recruiting their own guys...Branch may have been a nice/solid player, but I question just about anybody that Hazell recruited as you sort of alluded to, and given the state of things at Purdue, if he did not feel good about his decision to go there or felt better about going to UNC instead, then so be it and good luck to him.

 

[FirstDownB]

Come on guys. Let's not act like these decommits won't hurt at least a little bit. Any three star player would provide welcome depth in coming years, and depth is what we desperately need. I don't care what you think of the current commits, there won't be enough quality recruits ready to jump onboard to significantly upgrade the 2017 recruiting class regardless of who the new coach is. Losing Branch isn't a killer, but losing 3-4 more of these guys could set back the rebuild even farther.

 

[Fan4Life]

A virtual entire rebuild of the roster is needed, and whoever comes in, will benefit from recruiting their own guys...Branch may have been a nice/solid player, but I question just about anybody that Hazell recruited as you sort of alluded to, and given the state of things at Purdue, if he did not feel good about his decision to go there or felt better about going to UNC instead, then so be it and good luck to him.

A rebuild of the program is the job ahead. However any coach coming in - even if the hire is made early in December - won't have much time to build a decent recruiting class. Maintaining any higher rated recruits is important for this first year.

 

[OhioBoiler3]

The one position this staff did well with is RB.

 

[DG10]

A rebuild of the program is the job ahead. However any coach coming in - even if the hire is made early in December - won't have much time to build a decent recruiting class. Maintaining any higher rated recruits is important for this first year.

I don't disagree in general, but, with the program where it is and the state that it is in, I am more than confident that any decommitments is going to have a minimal impact on what the next coach and staff ultimately does...recruiting-wise, and on the field.

It would be nice if Purdue had some quality commits that remained committed to/for the next coach and staff, but, at the same time, given what Hazell and staff managed to do during their time, I am just not concerned about losing anyone...never mind it makes total sense on the end of the recruit.

Whoever does get the job, it is not going to be the first class that they put together in short order that determines whether they ultimately fail or succeed on the field...it is the first full class that will be an indicator of what direction the program is heading...and even there, it is going to take way more than a successful class to try to rectify what they are taking over.

 

[ghostoffatjack]

If we are fortunate to hire a Fleck or Herman for example that will be going to a pretty good bowl game, would they pull a Hazel and stay with their old school and team until the bowl would be a concern to me!

 

[banshee90]

If we are fortunate to hire a Fleck or Herman for example that will be going to a pretty good bowl game, would they pull a Hazel and stay with their old school and team until the bowl would be a concern to me!

That's never going to happen again. That isn't on the coach that's on the shitty AD. You are hired the day you sign your contract. I want your ass recruiting and hiring coaches from Day 1. No BS coach your kids to a shitty bowl.

 

[RegionWarrior101]

A rebuild of the program is the job ahead. However any coach coming in - even if the hire is made early in December - won't have much time to build a decent recruiting class. Maintaining any higher rated recruits is important for this first year.

I agree. I think that is another Hazell problem- He went to add a bunch of recruits in that first class instead of focusing on the next year. My assumption for anyone coming in December 1 or so is they will stand pat with what they have and try to bring in some JUCOs, like 6-7 just to provide enough depth to field a team and hold water for a few years. The 2018 class will be the big thing, hopefully top 7 in the conference.

 

[PaBoiler78]

I agree. I think that is another Hazell problem- He went to add a bunch of recruits in that first class instead of focusing on the next year. My assumption for anyone coming in December 1 or so is they will stand pat with what they have and try to bring in some JUCOs, like 6-7 just to provide enough depth to field a team and hold water for a few years. The 2018 class will be the big thing, hopefully top 7 in the conference.

got tired of seeing a losing team and saw a team that gives up on the run.

 

[jsglenn4]

I really don't think we should be all that upset about losing any of Hazell's recruits, he didn't seem to have any eye for talent.

It appears the kid will end up at UNC and their program is pretty clearly way ahead of Purdue at this point. He may be one you would prefer to have kept, but it's the nature of the beast when you change coaches. Lord knows we've seen it enough at IU. When you reach the depths, it seems you have to take a step even lower while getting your roster back up to B1G standards.

 

[IronChefBBQ]

The 2018 class will be the big thing, hopefully top 7 in the conference.

Doesn't seem likely. The reality is we'd need to outrecruit one of these schools for that: Michigan, tO$U, PSU, MSU, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska. Throw in solid programs like Northwestern and Minnesota and things don't look good to be in the top-half of conference recruiting for a while without a home run hire...