Not to defend Kiffin, but I don't think it's uncommon to have a JC heavy first class (especially at a G5 school and when you're hired too late to really have built any recruiting relationships with players who would actually be coming to that school). Holtz was sort of stuck going that route when he was hired here, but afterwards did mostly what he said he preferred, which was to lean more towards high school (although we've bounced up some this year).
Yeah, I'm not expecting him to build a career there, given his history (although that same history may keep him there longer than he thinks).
But until he got hired I doubt he was looking at FAU caliber players from Florida all that much. He was looking at Alabama caliber players nationally. So he wouldn't have much working knowledge or relationships with players or coaches like he will next year. He has the name and probably has the broad connections to have helped flip some late guys that FAU already had on their radar, but next year is where FAU may really take off in recruiting (although that's been the case every year and it hasn't got them much so far).
I believe Tech is looking at a TE from Byrd High in Shreveport, Christian Gulledge (as a Preferred walk-on). He's 6'4", 245 lbs, 4.63 in 40 and is fantastic at catching the ball. Unfortunately, for him Byrd DOES NOT THROW the ball. He went to Tech, LSU, ULL and other camps and did really well. At football camps as a Junior ULL and Northwestern were very interested in him but he did not return the interest because he's really more interested in Tech (his brother currently attends Tech and he likes the direction of the football program)... I believe because of the offensive scheme run at Byrd, Christian has flown way under radar, but he would do really well in Tech's offense, especially if we utilized TE's a little more. I think he will really surprise a lot of people in the right offensive scheme. Does Tech officially announce Preferred walk-ons? I saw an athlete announced it himself on Twitter but does Tech announce walk-ons. I'd be interested to see if it works out.
What did AP make a mistake about? This question has nothing to do with any "feud" or whatever between you and PD. I didn't even know one existed. Did AP say we didn't pursue Coleman? I thought the WM head coach said that. All I know about it is what I have read on this thread. I don't research recruits as I know nothing about it and rely on this forum for information. Then, I will look at ratings, and to me the most important stat is the avg/player or whatever you would call it. In my view, I have always believed you and PD to be big supporters of our alma mater.
My assumption is that the ratings cited in this thread is overall class, which a rating is derived by some formula that includes the number of recruits and not the avg/recruit. Is that correct?
An institution canNOT publicize walk-ons until they official enroll in class at that institution.
Louisiana Tech University
Flagship of the University of Louisiana System
I'm very pleased with this year's recruiting class. Some of these signees will be in the NFL in 4-5 years. I'd still like to get a stud graduate transfer at LB.
That's the thing about LA Tech football though. We'll come in #5 or 6 in the CUSA recruiting class 'rankings', but every year we're one of the top 2-3 teams in the league. Our coaches teach some good players how to work to be great!