Talent and winning

[Purdue85]

Quite a few years ago, I was talking with a friend of mine (former All America OL from Ohio State) about programs and recruiting. He insisted there was very little difference between many 2-star and 4-star players. Much of the long term difference is desire, personal development and program leadership.

I got to thinking about his comments after the thrashing Purdue gave OSU.

I also went back through OSU's recent recruiting classes. They're FULL of 4- and 5-star OL recruits. (Oh, along with many 4-star RBs.) Yet, they're unable to effectively run the ball.

Kirk Herbstreit commented during the game about how the OL has not "gelled" throughout the season. They haven't . . . "gelled." 4-star linemen, and they need to "gel."

He wasn't making excuses, and I don't disagree with Herbie. What we saw from an elite program is inexcusable.

At Purdue, we would love to have 4-star OL. HOWEVER. . . ! . . . it's much more important we develop those OL so we can continue to see the progress like we saw Saturday night.

 

[bonefish1]

Please don't get into this belief that it's not important to have highly rated recruits....it is. It's vastly important. Yes, a team of lower rated recruits can beat a team of more highly rated recruits, but in terms of building a program and having sustainable success, more talented players are going to win out.

 

[nat100]

Oline recruits tend to be the ones that are underrated. The rise of 7 on 7 has led to better scouting of the skill positions.

 

[Professor Emeritus]

I think with Brohm as admiral of the Cornfield Sailors we are going to see both -- more and more elite recruits being coached at the highest level by elite coaches.

These seven games have demonstrated Brohm's and the staff's ability to be extraordinarily self-critical, make the necessary adjustments, and improve every week.

As many posters have noted, what elite offensive player wouldn't want to be a part of this program? Moore is phenomenal, but Zico, Knox, and Blough are also racking up big numbers and recognition. I am betting this does not escape the eyes of great players.

The beatdown of Ohio State was perfect in every way, and is going to vault Purdue Football to heights heretofore unknown.

 

[Purdue85]

Please don't get into this belief that it's not important to have highly rated recruits....it is. It's vastly important. Yes, a team of lower rated recruits can beat a team of more highly rated recruits, but in terms of building a program and having sustainable success, more talented players are going to win out.

Never said that!

Focus on the point!

 

[Purdue85]

I think with Brohm as admiral of the Cornfield Sailors we are going to see both -- more and more elite recruits being coached at the highest level by elite coaches.

These seven games have demonstrated Brohm's and the staff's ability to be extraordinarily self-critical, make the necessary adjustments, and improve every week.

As many posters have noted, what elite offensive player wouldn't want to be a part of this program? Moore is phenomenal, but Zico, Knox, and Blough are also racking up big numbers and recognition. I am betting this does not escape the eyes of great players.

The beatdown of Ohio State was perfect in every way, and is going to vault Purdue Football to heights heretofore unknown.

THIS!

well stated, professor!

 

[Purdue85]

Oline recruits tend to be the ones that are underrated. The rise of 7 on 7 has led to better scouting of the skill positions.

Yup.

There's also a shortage of truly talented OL. Been that way for years.

 

[nat100]

Yup.

There's also a shortage of truly talented OL. Been that way for years.

Shortage of ready to play OL for sure. A lot of the HS kids that are 300 pounds have bad weight that takes a year or two to mold. Jordan Roos is the perfect example.

I dont mind the kids that are 250 pounds that need to bulk up. At least you get them in the college program before they start adding weight.

 

[BoilerTom90]

Quite a few years ago, I was talking with a friend of mine (former All America OL from Ohio State) about programs and recruiting. He insisted there was very little difference between many 2-star and 4-star players. Much of the long term difference is desire, personal development and program leadership.

I got to thinking about his comments after the thrashing Purdue gave OSU.

I also went back through OSU's recent recruiting classes. They're FULL of 4- and 5-star OL recruits. (Oh, along with many 4-star RBs.) Yet, they're unable to effectively run the ball.

Kirk Herbstreit commented during the game about how the OL has not "gelled" throughout the season. They haven't . . . "gelled." 4-star linemen, and they need to "gel."

He wasn't making excuses, and I don't disagree with Herbie. What we saw from an elite program is inexcusable.

At Purdue, we would love to have 4-star OL. HOWEVER. . . ! . . . it's much more important we develop those OL so we can continue to see the progress like we saw Saturday night.

My son goes to Texas A&M so I've been following their fb program for 2 years now. What you stated is pretty much the reason Sumlin (this is my Purdue reference to this thread) was fired. A&M gets pretty good recruits, better than Purdue, and yet they under-achieved. This under-achievement, very questionable playing calling, and a $500M investment, is what cost Sumlin his job. They just wish the AD had the same expectations for the basketball program.

 

[Esox54547]

Oline recruits tend to be the ones that are underrated. The rise of 7 on 7 has led to better scouting of the skill positions.

O linemen are developed in college and are the hardest to scout and rank in HS. Scouting is probably getting better with all the different camps and such, but it’s much easier to spot the RB torching defenses or the CB glued to the star wideout. That’s why I like the OL recruits we got as a couple attended Purdue camps and got the offer right there. The O-line coach is so important as well as the players attitude and work ethic. Look at some of Purdue’s best linemen since about 2000. Light was a TE coming in, Hardwick never played HS football and Nwaneri and Okobi were both 2 Star recruits. Great Linemen can and often are made in college.

 

[Tommaker]

Football to heights heretofore unknown.[/QUOTE]
Dang. You are a Professor, aren't you?

 

[bonefish1]

Shortage of ready to play OL for sure. A lot of the HS kids that are 300 pounds have bad weight that takes a year or two to mold. Jordan Roos is the perfect example.

I dont mind the kids that are 250 pounds that need to bulk up. At least you get them in the college program before they start adding weight.

This is a good point. My Sr year of high school, we had 2 300+ pounders on our OL. They were huge, but fat and slow. The papers used to always write about our huge OL but they only looked at height and weight. I don't think either played anywhere in college.