2001 Recruiting Class

[rphdawg]

Next year most of these players will have completed there elgibility or will be finishing out there last year with the DAWGS.

How would you rate this class, since every year is another banner year in recruiting at LA TECH UNIVERSITY? Does this ranking mean we should win the WAC next year since we had the top WAC class in 2001? or does this mean that recruiting rankings are overrated?

LA Tech Football Signs WAC's Top Recruiting Class in 2001 per Rivals.com:
Linebacker:
1. Jeremy Hamilton, 5-11, 205, LB Ruston HS * Ruston, La. High School: Will play as a true freshman. Three-time all-district ... Three-time all-state ... Street and Smith's Preseason All-American ... Rivals.com No. 20 linebacker in country ... Max Emfinger Blue Chip pick ... Named No. 14 linebacker in country by National Recruiting Service ... Recorded over 100 tackles in both Jr & Sr seasons and registered 22 sacks during that time ... Chose LA Tech over Baylor, Texas A&M and Arkansas
2. Chris Marshall, 6-0, 220, LB Hinds CC * Jackson, MS (Callaway HS) High School: All-district and all-state honors ... Team MVP ... Junior College: Played in Mississippi All-Star game ... Recorded 10 sacks & 112 tackles ... Chose Tech over Marshall, Memphis, and New Mexico
Quarterback:
1. Matt Kubik, 6-3, 200, QB Cardinal Mooney HS * Youngstown, OH High School: Two-time all-conference and all-district ... All-state his Sr season ... Rushed for 2,250 yards and 28 touchdowns while passing for 1,470 yards and 15 touchdowns ... Chose Tech over Rutgers, Navy, Air Force, & Army
2. Patrick McMahon, 6-1, 210, QB St. Josephs HS * Westfield, NJ High School: Led St. Josephs to back-to-back 3A state championships ... Completed 88 of 150 for 1,370 yards & 12 touchdowns his Sr season ... All-area, all-county and all-state honors Sr season ... Rated as one of the top 20 drop back quarterbacks in the country by Max Emfinger...
Defensive Back/ Wide Receiver:
1. Alton Bryant, 6-1, 190, WR Huntington HS * Shreveport, La High School: Recorded 49 receptions for 742 yards and 7 TDs his Sr season ... All-district and all-city ... Chose Tech over S. Miss
2. Robert Burrell, 6-0, 185, Athlete (P) DeQuincy HS * DeQuincy, La High School: Three-time all-district ... All-state Sr year ... One of the Top 10 seniors in southwest Louisiana ... Also played basketball and ran track ... Chose Tech over ULL & ULM
3. Ahmad Harris, 6-0, 175, WR (Spring arrival) Jones JC * Baton Rouge, La. (University HS) High School: Times Picayune Top 20 Blue Chip List ... Baton Rouge Advocate Super Dozen ... Two-time all-state and all-district ... Junior College: Ranked as the NJCAA No. 8 receiver in the nation ... Recorded 57 catches for 1,003 yards & seven touchdowns ... Chose LA Tech over LSU, Auburn & Miami-FL
4. Freddie King, 5-7, 170, WR (graduated early, participated in Tech's spring drills) Winnfield HS * Winnfield, La High School: One of the fastest players in Louisiana (4.3/40), will play as a true freshman. Recorded over 2,000 all-purpose yards in both his junior and senior seasons ... Four-time all-district (WR, DB, KR) ... District co-defensive MVP his Jr season & offensive district MVP his Sr season ... Three-time all-state selection .. LSWA State Offensive MVP ... Chose LA Tech over LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, & Tulane
5. Byron Santiago, 6-2, 210, DB (P) St. Bernards HS * Violet, La. High School: All-state, all-district and all-region. Recorded 170 tackles, 12 sacks, four interceptions & two touchdowns ... Chose Tech over Tulane
6. Allyn Sloan, 5-9, 195, Athlete, St. Pius HS * Humble, TX High School: Averaged six yards per carry during his career ... All-district in track ... Regional qualifier in the 100 (10.5) and 4X100 ... Chose Tech over OK St, Missouri, & UNLV
7. M.T. Tyeskie, 5-11, 210, Athlete, Lincoln HS Dallas, TX: Completed 51 of 81 passes for 868 yards & nine touchdowns in 1999 ... Rushed 68 times for 724 yards & 12 touchdowns ... Missed 2000 with torn ACL ... Dallas Morning News Top 100 and Rivals.com Texas Top 100 ... Chose Tech over TCU, Miss St, & California
8. Delone Williams, 6-1, 170, DB McMain HS * New Orleans, La. High School: Recorded five interceptions & 40 tackles last season ... 39 receptions for 845 yards & 7 TDs ... All-district ... Chose Tech over S. Miss & Tulane
Defensive End:
1. Wendell Crowe, 6-3, 225, DL Lincoln HS * Dallas, TX High School: Recorded 12 sacks, 98 tackles & 23 tackles for loss last season ... First team all-district and all-area last season ... Dallas Morning News Top 100 ... Chose Tech over SMU, UTEP, & TCU
2. Quarvay Winbush, 6-5, 220, DL Tara HS * Baton Rouge, La. High School: 2nd team all-district honors last season ... Recorded 20 tackles & two sacks
3. Spencer Young, 6-3, 260, DL Hudson Valley CC * Troy, NY JuCo: Two-time All-Conference and honorable mention All-American ... recorded 17 sacks & 55 tackles in two seasons ... 14 QB pressures & three forced fumbles last season ... Chose Tech over Syracuse, Marshall, Rutgers, & Temple.
Tight End:
1. Jamie Spigener, 6-4, 240, TE Cleburne HS * Cleburne, TX High School: Recorded 17 catches for 216 yards & three touchdowns last season ... Returned 19 kickoffs for a 30.2 yard average ... First team all-district and all-county ... Ft. Worth Star Telegram All-Area Top 75 ... Chose Tech over Purdue, Vanderbilt, Texas Tech, TCU, & SMU
Offensive Line:
1. Vincent Johnson, 6-7, 320, OL (P) Church Point HS * Church Point, La. High School: Two-time all-district ... Chose Tech over ULL & ULM
2. Aaron Lips, 6-5, 275, OL Independence HS * Tickfaw, La. High School: All-district twice and all-state honors once ... Chose Tech over Texas A&M & Tulane
3. Ricky Maricle, 6-6, 290, OL (spring arrival) Alexandria Senior HS * Alexandria, La. High School: Allowed only two sacks during his senior season ... All-district twice and all-central Louisiana twice ... Chose Tech over LSU & Tulane
4. Marcus Stewart, 6-3, 280, OL Denham Springs HS * Denham Springs, La. High School: Lettered for three years on track team ... All-district twice and Baton Rouge all-metro ... Chose Tech over S. Miss & Tulane.
5. Phillip Recio, 6-2 275, OL White Oak HS * White Oak, TX High School: Two-time all-district ... First team all-state his Sr season ... Also 1st team all-East Texas

[hookdown]

Wow, only 3 Jucos that I counted! What happened to McMahon? Overall, probably a C- or D for the grade. If you look at the other schools that were recruiting them, we beat out some pretty good ones. However, the coaching has a lot to do with the grade. Another coach and I am sure that the grade would be much higher. How many finished the season this year?

[HogDawg]

I can't believe the grades in this poll as of today (12/11/04). As of the time I wrote this post, almost 77% of BB&B respondents ranked this class as a "C" or BETTER! In fact, 29% of you gave them a "B".

Let the record show that 29% of all BB&B respondents are smoking crack!

That 2001 recruiting class is a genuine, bonafide "F", no matter how you slice it. To say this group "underachieved" is a huge understatement.

Over the past 4 seasons, these guys have an overall record of 22-27 (.449 winning percentage). When they graduate (and I know some already have), someone please tell these guys that a job performance record like that in the real world will get you fired.

Let's see.....Kubick never threw a pass until this past season, and many folks at Tech are hoping that he never throws another one. And Jeremy Hamilton waited until his college career was almost over before he ever showed up in a game.

Wendell Crow and Arron Lips are probably the most "steady" performers in this group. But Crowe has always been "hot and cold", and other than being big, I'm not sure WHAT Lips has ever done. But hey....NCAA coaches like big guys. Never mind whether a guy can really play football or not.

The rest of these guys peaked in high school. And that's where they should have stayed.

So everybody that thinks Bicknell is such a great recruiter should remember this list. What a waste of 20 scholarships.

HD

[Bigdog13]

Some quick observations,

Byron Santiago has done a great job for us. That was a good pickup for us.

Ricky Maricle had a lot of hype. What a waste.

Expected more from Alton Bryant.

NO WAY Freddie King runs a 4.3/40. No Way!

Amhad Harris did a pretty good job for us while he was here. (eventhough it was only 2 years) that was a good pickup.

Lips has done a good job. He'll play on Sundays.

I'll disagree with HD on Hamilton. He was having a great year last year before he was hurt. (destroyed the MSU QB-Smoker and was THE reason we won that game. We couldnt stop him and Hamilton took him out.) He was playing well outside of that game as well. He had a very good year this year. Doesnt he have another year left??

I don't think we can give this class an F yet considering they have a year left. But I will agree that they have a lot to prove. The thing that bothers me about this class is the amount of players that never saw the field. And the hype that surrounded some and how they never lived up to it. Of course they were replaced by true diamonds in the rough like Santiago.

[1L_dawg]

Lips is solid and durable...I disagree with your assessment of him. You also forgot to mention Freddie King. Aside from Hamilton, King was the most heralded recruit in the 2001 class. He has been a major disappointment up to this point. He was supposed to be a major playmaker, but it just hasn't happened.

[HogDawg]

Lips is solid and durable...I disagree with your assessment of him. You also forgot to mention Freddie King. Aside from Hamilton, King was the most heralded recruit in the 2001 class. He has been a major disappointment up to this point. He was supposed to be a major playmaker, but it just hasn't happened.

Oh, I didn't forget Freddie King. In my opinion he's one of the guys I was referring to when I said "the rest of these guys peaked in high school".

HD

[T_Won]

Jeremy Hamilton - A
Chris Marshall - B
Matt Kubik - C
Patrick McMahon - F
Alton Bryant - D
Robert Burrell - D
Ahmad Harris - B
Byron Santiago - A
Allyn Sloan - F
Delone Williams - D
Wendell Crowe - C
Quarvay Winbush - C
Spencer Young - C
Jamie Spigener - F
Vincent Johnson - F
Aaron Lips - A
Ricky Maricle - F
Marcus Stewart - A
Phillip Recio - F
Freddie King - C
MT Tyeskie - F

Total:
4 A's
2 B's
5 C's
3 D's
7 F's

Avg: C-

I actually gave it a B because I think there a three guys who will
have a shot at the NFL (Harris, Lips, Santiago). If Hamilton was 2
inches taller, he would too. Or if they could have successfully
switched him to Strong Safety.

What hurts this class so much is the players that left the program for
one reason or another. Maricle was the biggest disappointment.

[HogDawg]

Spencer Young and Quarvay Winbush get a "C" from you??? OUCH! And Freddie King hasn't contributed much more than you and I have. You are very generous to give King a "C". If I was a DB on an opposing team, I'd LOVE to go up against Freddie King, cause I know I could beat him EVERY TIME.

So, T-Won, using your own grading scale results, 15 of the 21 players (71.4%) in this recruiting class graded a "C" or lower. That means ULM or some other Sunbelt school had AT LEAST as good a talent as those guys. Probably better. That's really sad.

So, why does everybody think Bicknell is such a good recruiter? Obviously, the 2001 results indicate otherwise.

HD

[T_Won]

Spencer Young and Quarvay Winbush get a "C" from you??? OUCH! And Freddie King hasn't contributed much more than you and I have. You are very generous to give King a "C". If I was a DB on an opposing team, I'd LOVE to go up against Freddie King, cause I know I could beat him EVERY TIME.

So, T-Won, using your own grading scale results, 15 of the 21 players (71.4%) in this recruiting class graded a "C" or lower. That means ULM or some other Sunbelt school had AT LEAST as good a talent as those guys. Probably better. That's really sad.

So, why does everybody think Bicknell is such a good recruiter? Obviously, the 2001 results indicate otherwise.

HD

My rankings didn't really reflect talent, but how much they actually contributed to Tech's football program. Some of those guys with an F were talented enough to get a C or B, but they didn't contribute to Tech's program. I still can't believe Burrell wasn't a 2 year starter! We'll never know how good MT Tyeskie, Allyn Sloan, and Phillip Recio were. Maricle may still end up in the NFL, but didn't contribute to Tech's program. Freddie's problem is not getting open, it is catching it!!

[Bigdog13]

My rankings didn't really reflect talent, but how much they actually contributed to Tech's football program. Some of those guys with an F were talented enough to get a C or B, but they didn't contribute to Tech's program. I still can't believe Burrell wasn't a 2 year starter! We'll never know how good MT Tyeskie, Allyn Sloan, and Phillip Recio were. Maricle may still end up in the NFL, but didn't contribute to Tech's program. Freddie's problem is not getting open, it is catching it!!

I agree with a lot of your rankings but I 'd have to go with HD on the Freddie King thing. He was hyped as a steal. Remember he was being chased by Mich. and Nebraska and picked Tech at the last min. What a crock of B.S. He gets an F. He can't catch. And he is much slower than advertised.

Where is Maricle now?

[rphdawg]

Where is Maricle now?

Starting at NW STATE blocking for shelton sampson

[Bigdog13]

Starting at NW STATE blocking for shelton sampson

Is Sampson the one we let go because of grades AFTER we signed him? If it is I felt like we did him wrong. I wish him success.

[TYLERTECHSAS]

Where is Maricle now?

I might be wrong but isn't he the kid that was kicked off of the team by JBIII for breaking some rules of some sort? Seems like we all gave JBIII kudos when we found out.

[LBP]

Alton Bryant and Robert Burrell are really good players that don't get to play because they don't kiss JB3's ass. Bryant can actual catch and has size and speed, but gets moved to DB because he is not one of JB3's favorites. But guys that kiss JB3's ass that can't catch play WR when they should be playing DB. Burrell can be our shut down CB, but sense he doesn't kiss JB3's ass he stays on the sidelines. JB3 gets to keep his job because he kisses the people who own DR ass, no matter how much that we suck or how poor our attendance is. JB3 has sold his soul to the devil and he will rot in hell.

[dawg80]

Well, IMO, the 2001 recruiting class is a LOT more talented and gifted than showed on the field. Those guys NEVER had a prayer to develop into good(or great) college players because of horrible coaching.

I guarantee if Dan Hawkins had been Tech's coach since 2001, NONE of you would be questioning the talent level at Tech.