FOOTBALL Column: Coach Mason putting emphasis on the in-state prospects
- Thread starter Matt Dossett
- Start date
Good Article. I think that's key to our success going forward and something the last staff just didn't even bother to do.
In the class of 2023 Stock's last class - we signed none of the top 88 in the state. Teams that did include Liberty (2), Rice (3), Troy (3). APSU signed 2 of the top 30. Georgia State, Colorado State, and FIU all signed top 50 instate players.
We're not Georgia that can recruit nationwide, but we don't need to. There's plenty of talent in this state and within a 3 hour drive to sustain a perennial conference champ contender.
Even if you don't land them all, in today's portal world, you might get another crack at them later if they want to play at home.
We did a better job last year with 4 of the top 100, but we can do an even better job. I'm sure as Mason and his staff starts to lay the groundwork, we'll see more success - Hubbard already looks like a top 50 guy in state and we'll see where Bryan lands when he gets evaluated.
In the class of 2023 Stock's last class - we signed none of the top 88 in the state. Teams that did include Liberty (2), Rice (3), Troy (3). APSU signed 2 of the top 30. Georgia State, Colorado State, and FIU all signed top 50 instate players.
We're not Georgia that can recruit nationwide, but we don't need to. There's plenty of talent in this state and within a 3 hour drive to sustain a perennial conference champ contender.
Even if you don't land them all, in today's portal world, you might get another crack at them later if they want to play at home.
We did a better job last year with 4 of the top 100, but we can do an even better job. I'm sure as Mason and his staff starts to lay the groundwork, we'll see more success - Hubbard already looks like a top 50 guy in state and we'll see where Bryan lands when he gets evaluated.
There are so many things you can point to that were problematic with the previous staff, but the refusal to recruit in-state and create relationships with HS coaches in state - even in our own town - was derelict.
Shoot. Just look at Rutherford County. As many champs as Oakland has had in the past decade and we've hardly gotten anyone from there.
