@it-will-do thanks for asking. I try and get to all the replies I see.
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Going to make kind of a controversial statement, but it seems to me that when it specifically comes to high school recruiting, there is still kind of a glass ceiling for IU that even winning a national title couldn’t completely break. Of course the portal makes up for that in a big way and there’s probably nobody better than IU right now at navigating the portal. I think there’s something to what I’m saying though. What say you? Am I way off-base?
I think it is just a product of Cigs having a limit on what he will spend on unproven high school players whereas other schools are less stingy on that front. Maybe his HS allocation is also tied up trying to get Sales and Brewster.
So while Cig's goal was to build via recruiting high school players, the end result may continue to be portal (for our starters anyway) given how he wants to spend the money.
I agree with both of these comments and also think a couple of other factors may be at play.
First, I'm sure Cig is rather unyielding in his demands & expectations compared to someone like Lane Kiffen, as an example. 5*s and high-end 4*s may be used to more ass-kissing and less team-first than the IU staff generates. In other words, maybe some of these guys are hungry but not so humble. They may not feel comfortable with the approach.
The second factor may be Gig's reluctance to play 1st and even 2nd year players. It's a key to his success but may be a hindrance when it comes to HS recruiting.
@boogie Not what I was asking, obviously you take the #1 rated receiver. I was asking if signing 2 less heralded receivers, coupled with Sales repudiating Wiltfongs crystal ball prediction might mean that we're not in the dominant position some might have thought, or that the staff might know more and be moving on.
@kkott I think that HS recruiting is not as important as it used to be and that resources are better spent on the portal. IU had the No. 1 or No. 2 portal class in the country. I don't think it's relly a reflection of perception.
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@thehoosierhuddle Do we have any idea what happened with Oglesby? That’s one of the biggest head scratchers in awhile. Kansas???
@boogie Not what I was asking, obviously you take the #1 rated receiver. I was asking if signing 2 less heralded receivers, coupled with Sales repudiating Wiltfongs crystal ball prediction might mean that we're not in the dominant position some might have thought, or that the staff might know more and be moving on.
Cig took these guys because he thinks they can help us down the road.
The staff feels really good about where we sit with Sales. As someone else said, the staff wouldn't trade where they stand right now with any other team. Things can always change, but they've done a fantastic job with him.
@thehoosierhuddle I don't disagree, but the guy who seems to is Cig, who has on more than 1 occasion said high school recruiting is the foundation of the program. It's a fluid environment, so maybe his views are changing, but from what he's said, I don't expect him to lessen his focus on HS recruiting. Of course, maybe he was throwing smoke!
As for Oglesby, if he wanted PT, even in the next couple of years, he may have made an accurate read. The only thing that ever made sense to me as to why he didn't sign a transfer TE with the youth of that room is that the staff REALLY liked the 2 guys they had, and also feel good about Schott. So, that's 3 young guys at the TE spot that all have at least 3 years of eligibility.
@kkott I never said it’s not important, just that it’s never been less important. This HS class is likely to be under 20 and they’re waiting for some big fish to decide.
Cig also isn’t going to take a commitment just to take a commitment. They are thorough with guys.
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@thehoosierhuddle I don't disagree, but the guy who seems to is Cig, who has on more than 1 occasion said high school recruiting is the foundation of the program. It's a fluid environment, so maybe his views are changing, but from what he's said, I don't expect him to lessen his focus on HS recruiting. Of course, maybe he was throwing smoke!
As for Oglesby, if he wanted PT, even in the next couple of years, he may have made an accurate read. The only thing that ever made sense to me as to why he didn't sign a transfer TE with the youth of that room is that the staff REALLY liked the 2 guys they had, and also feel good about Schott. So, that's 3 young guys at the TE spot that all have at least 3 years of eligibility.
Schott came to us through the portal last cycle.
We also have to remember that Cig and staff are looking for certain kinds of individuals. They have very specific criteria in flexibility, and other physical traits, as well as mental traits. They have been outstanding at identifying those individuals and they are not always highly graded recruits. They just use a different approach than the recruiting services do. That team last year showed that the kids they want do not have to be rated high.
There are far worse things than a high level recruit playing a few seasons for a JV team in a JV conference and then getting pulled up to the B1Gs.
I view the relationships built with recruiting misses as fairly valuable in the overall roster building scheme.