Recruiting 2023 Recruiting Thread: 4* OT Caden Jones completes the class

[TN G8tr]

Ricks maybe. Hall has been trolling us.

Not saying that Ricks will pick us but would be great. Would jump us to #7 and our avg may hit 93. But not expecting him to.

 

[gingerlover]

Ricks maybe. Hall has been trolling us.

I doubt we get Ricks. LSU had a corner flip to Oregon yesterday so I’m sure they are paying for him to remove any doubts

 

[jdh5484]

I doubt we get Ricks. LSU had a corner flip to Oregon yesterday so I’m sure they are paying for him to remove any doubts

I forgot about that DB going to O. . You're probably right.

 

[oxrageous]

Under the circumstances? You mean circumstances like:
$90MM facility we were told would be the game changer
New luxorious housing
Head coach billed as an ace recruiter
Huge support staff including Georgia Ace Katie Turner
Unbelievable hospitality on official visits
Gator Collective & Gator Guard/Hugh Hathcock
Huge staff that analyzed every roster for potential future portal finds

 

[Bullag8r]

Then why did Billy go after McClain hard?

It starts with recognizing potential along with McClains interest in the Gators. There were many posts accusing Billy of whiffing by not continually sniffing McClain's junk but maybe Billy started backing off when he realized that he was a head-case which has proven to be true. It is a dynamic process that changes as more information is gathered.

 

[Back Alley Gator]

I'd rather lose than have that a$$wipe as coach.

You should be thrilled with our season then. Just sayin.

 

[B52G8rAC]

I thought you guys were all in on Napier tearing everything down and rebuilding the program?

Will 12th ranked recruiting classes rebuild us into a top 5 , perennial SEC and NC title contenders?

8th ranked. 3rd if you average stars. Consensus top 10. Only Alabama, Georgia and LSU ahead of us. LSU based on numbers not stars. Go get a life.

 

[cover2]

There are liars among us. There are those who stated they were glad Mullen and his lazy approach to everything not game day was gone. They exclaimed that they knew we were broken to the point that a complete overhaul was past due and would be welcome. They agreed it would not be immediate, that it would take time to be done the right way. They knew there were going to be losses, but that was the price to be paid in order for the climb back from the depths to begin.

Then we lost to UK and they turned into the mob again and forgot all about it taking time to get factors in place to be better competitive. They blasted Napier and made ridiculous claims about how talented the roster he inherited was, that he was in over his head, “Sunbelt Billy” didn’t deserve to be HBC at our prestigious program. They couldn’t tell you who they really wanted with any consensus, only that they didn’t want what we had.

Now, after Napier and the staff held together a solid class that addressed many positional needs, it still wasn’t good enough. Even though there’s still recruiting left to be done and players to be sought through the portal, many have already cashed their chips. A transfer QB named Mertz, who hasn’t been anointed with a starting position, was the last straw.

There’s a lot of chest thumping and “I told you so’s” being hurled as many seek to separate themselves from the rebuild. “We deserve better because we’ve had better!” Maybe, but a decade plus of rot and coattail riding isn’t going to magically turn around overnight. There’s a reason we’ve got Billy Napier and it’s not all due to Scott Stricklin’s supposed incompetence and impulsivity. There are a handful of top tier coaches that are not here, primarily because we’re in the toughest conference in college football and we’re competing regionally with the two top programs in college football for the best players and against three other strong programs in the state. You’ve got to work hard as hell just to keep your head above water, much less win consistently. You can’t always buy what you want or even what you think you need.

There’s more to it than what you, me, and everyone else thinks we ought to have or deserve. A bad season isn’t mediocrity; a bad decade is. I’m telling you that this signing class (thus far) is a step forward. Billy’s not without fault and there’s not a guarantee, but he’s heading in that direction and comparatively speaking, that’s what’s needed right now.

 

[B52G8rAC]

Interesting.
I disagree.

Not saying I like the guy or wish we hired him but, you can’t argue with the results.
He had LSU in Atlanta his first season.

In fact, his win in the Swamp was a bad omen for me going forward.

Sharkman took us there twice I think

 

[Gator By Marriage]

26 of the Rivals 250 are still unsigned. I see us getting all 26.

I stand corrected

 

[soflagator]

I thought you guys were all in on Napier tearing everything down and rebuilding the program?

Will 12th ranked recruiting classes rebuild us into a top 5 , perennial SEC and NC title contenders?

I understand where you’re coming from. But this is by far our best class in a decade. I believe as of yesterday we were third in rating as far as talent, and just lack numbers. Could’ve been better at LB and OL. But any class with almost all 4 stars(only two 3*s I in think), some great much needed talent infusion at DL, DB and WR, plus a 5* QB to get them the ball is solid.

All said and done, after the way we finished yesterday, I think there’s a very real shot of being in the 6 to 10 range. That’s a great class, if for no other reason than it fills some of the biggest voids we have.

 

[Ironhead]

8th ranked. 3rd if you average stars. Consensus top 10. Only Alabama, Georgia and LSU ahead of us. LSU based on numbers not stars. Go get a life.

Damn,
Even you ?
“Go get a life”
I would think, after all these years on This board and Swamp Gas, I would at least get a little friendly disagreement here and there.
Hell, you can kiss my FN azz too.

Why are you guys so damned defensive?

I read this shiit and it just pisses me the F off.

Before these results came in, nearly every person on this board thought we would finish at least top 10.

The comments since the debacle in Vegas were along the lines of “Napier needs a great class” to wipe some of the stink off Vegas.

Now, we finish 12th, and you guys are trying to justify that finish with arbitrary points and praising mediocrity.

When will this cloud clear and we get back to not accepting anything less than our rivals?

 

[Ironhead]

I understand where you’re coming from. But this is by far our best class in a decade. I believe as of yesterday we were third in rating as far as talent, and just lack numbers. Could’ve been better at LB and OL. But any class with almost all 4 stars(only two 3*s I in think), some great much needed talent infusion at DL, DB and WR, plus a 5* QB to get them the ball is solid.

All said and done, after the way we finished yesterday, I think there’s a very real shot of being in the 6 to 10 range. That’s a great class, if for no other reason than it fills some of the biggest voids we have.

Thank you
Honest rational disagreement.

I also see your point.
Thanks

 

[Dunder]

Yeah sure, post a meme when presented with inconvenient facts.

I like Billy a lot, but so far the results are underwhelming.

 

[Homer J]

There are liars among us. There are those who stated they were glad Mullen and his lazy approach to everything not game day was gone. They exclaimed that they knew we were broken to the point that a complete overhaul was past due and would be welcome. They agreed it would not be immediate, that it would take time to be done the right way. They knew there were going to be losses, but that was the price to be paid in order for the climb back from the depths to begin.

Then we lost to UK and they turned into the mob again and forgot all about it taking time to get factors in place to be better competitive. They blasted Napier and made ridiculous claims about how talented the roster he inherited was, that he was in over his head, “Sunbelt Billy” didn’t deserve to be HBC at our prestigious program. They couldn’t tell you who they really wanted with any consensus, only that they didn’t want what we had.

Now, after Napier and the staff held together a solid class that addressed many positional needs, it still wasn’t good enough. Even though there’s still recruiting left to be done and players to be sought through the portal, many have already cashed their chips. A transfer QB named Mertz, who hasn’t been anointed with a starting position, was the last straw.

There’s a lot of chest thumping and “I told you so’s” being hurled as many seek to separate themselves from the rebuild. “We deserve better because we’ve had better!” Maybe, but a decade plus of rot and coattail riding isn’t going to magically turn around overnight. There’s a reason we’ve got Billy Napier and it’s not all due to Scott Stricklin’s supposed incompetence and impulsivity. There are a handful of top tier coaches that are not here, primarily because we’re in the toughest conference in college football and we’re competing regionally with the two top programs in college football for the best players and against three other strong programs in the state. You’ve got to work hard as hell just to keep your head above water, much less win consistently. You can’t always buy what you want or even what you think you need.

There’s more to it than what you, me, and everyone else thinks we ought to have or deserve. A bad season isn’t mediocrity; a bad decade is. I’m telling you that this signing class (thus far) is a step forward. Billy’s not without fault and there’s not a guarantee, but he’s heading in that direction and comparatively speaking, that’s what’s needed right now.

I agree with everything, BUT, there are a few games that we lost and they were due to coaching.

Kentucky - You cannot keep sending your QB out on the field when he can't complete a pass. We had a big lead and two INTs later, we're tied and momentum is gone.

Vandy - At some point, Billy needs to look into the eyes of the defensive coaches and say, CHANGE WHAT YOU'RE DOING! It's not working. It hasn't worked all year.

FSU - please see the Kentucky notes

FTR, I am team Billy. I believe in him as a coach. I just want to see better game day decisions.
Maybe he should look at Satan in Tuscaloosa and see that, just because it worked last year, it doesn't guarantee it will work this year.
Just because it worked at his last stop (his words) doesn't mean it will work in the SEC. He's no longer coaching against a bunch of bums. He's coaching against the best of the best.
This is the SEC. It just means more.

 

[B52G8rAC]

The get a life comment extends to all of us who let 17 and 18 year old's influence our joy as Gators. I admit to following the recruiting rankings and to be disappointed when we aren't 1st. But I also admit to enjoying Florida football a lot more when I didn't even realize we recruited; I thought everybody played at Florida because they went there for an education. It was after I graduated that I knew the coaches went out and asked high school kids to please come to Gainesville. Now we have the 3rd ranked class in the nation, by average talent ratings, and we (me too) are disappointed. Yeah, I like Billy because he seems to be smart, capable and tireless in pursuit of excellence. I also do not expect us to win a NC again in my lifetime because of the changes in the way college football is managed. And I am OK with that. Go Gators!! If you ain't a Gator your are gator bait.

 

[cover2]

I agree with everything, BUT, there are a few games that we lost and they were due to coaching.

Kentucky - You cannot keep sending your QB out on the field when he can't complete a pass. We had a big lead and two INTs later, we're tied and momentum is gone.

Vandy - At some point, Billy needs to look into the eyes of the defensive coaches and say, CHANGE WHAT YOU'RE DOING! It's not working. It hasn't worked all year.

FSU - please see the Kentucky notes

FTR, I am team Billy. I believe in him as a coach. I just want to see better game day decisions.
Maybe he should look at Satan in Tuscaloosa and see that, just because it worked last year, it doesn't guarantee it will work this year.
Just because it worked at his last stop (his words) doesn't mean it will work in the SEC. He's no longer coaching against a bunch of bums. He's coaching against the best of the best.
This is the SEC. It just means more.

Billy’s got a little introspection to do, no doubt. But despite his warts, he’s not on an endless vacation or hawking barbecue sauce. There’s an upside there.

 

[oxrageous]

Yeah sure, post a meme when presented with inconvenient facts.

I like Billy a lot, but so far the results are underwhelming.

You would dismiss any "facts" I threw back at you, so a meme just saves a lot of time.

 

[oxrageous]

Billy’s got a little introspection to do, no doubt. But despite his warts, he’s not on an endless vacation or hawking barbecue sauce. There’s an upside there.

You know, for all the abuse I've taken (and handed out), this is really the long and short of it RIGHT NOW when it comes to Napier for me. I know he's working his ass off 365 days a year for the program. He's obsessed with football and only football. He's a great representative, carries himself with dignity and always shows respect for others. Eventually the results in the W column have to reflect that work, or he'll be gone. No one knows that more than Billy Napier.

Just thrilled to see a coach working again. I so much want to see him succeed.

 

[Ironhead]

There are liars among us. There are those who stated they were glad Mullen and his lazy approach to everything not game day was gone. They exclaimed that they knew we were broken to the point that a complete overhaul was past due and would be welcome. They agreed it would not be immediate, that it would take time to be done the right way. They knew there were going to be losses, but that was the price to be paid in order for the climb back from the depths to begin.

Then we lost to UK and they turned into the mob again and forgot all about it taking time to get factors in place to be better competitive. They blasted Napier and made ridiculous claims about how talented the roster he inherited was, that he was in over his head, “Sunbelt Billy” didn’t deserve to be HBC at our prestigious program. They couldn’t tell you who they really wanted with any consensus, only that they didn’t want what we had.

Now, after Napier and the staff held together a solid class that addressed many positional needs, it still wasn’t good enough. Even though there’s still recruiting left to be done and players to be sought through the portal, many have already cashed their chips. A transfer QB named Mertz, who hasn’t been anointed with a starting position, was the last straw.

There’s a lot of chest thumping and “I told you so’s” being hurled as many seek to separate themselves from the rebuild. “We deserve better because we’ve had better!” Maybe, but a decade plus of rot and coattail riding isn’t going to magically turn around overnight. There’s a reason we’ve got Billy Napier and it’s not all due to Scott Stricklin’s supposed incompetence and impulsivity. There are a handful of top tier coaches that are not here, primarily because we’re in the toughest conference in college football and we’re competing regionally with the two top programs in college football for the best players and against three other strong programs in the state. You’ve got to work hard as hell just to keep your head above water, much less win consistently. You can’t always buy what you want or even what you think you need.

There’s more to it than what you, me, and everyone else thinks we ought to have or deserve. A bad season isn’t mediocrity; a bad decade is. I’m telling you that this signing class (thus far) is a step forward. Billy’s not without fault and there’s not a guarantee, but he’s heading in that direction and comparatively speaking, that’s what’s needed right now.

You know, I was against the hire at first.
Then warmed up to Napier and the new staff, the analysts, the focus on recruiting , then the huge win against Utah.
Damn, I was all in!

Kentucky sucked but hey, AR just had a bad game.
As the season unfolded, I realized, we just aren’t well coached.
The wheels came off in Nashville and I was just flat out disgusted in Tallahassee.

I’m fine with a tear down and rebuild.
I understand this will take time , IF you have the right guy.

What I saw this season was regression.
Our best played game was the first one, and Our worse game of the season was in Nashville.
That’s backwards.

Then Vegas.
Early on in the game thread, I defended the play.
Then reality hit.
It’s coaching.

I really did think Napier was going to make a splash with this class.
A splash like Oregon did yesterday?

I’m just very disappointed in our program right now and, don’t see any flashes of coaching or recruiting brilliance, to get us over this hill.