Very nice. I'm sure those two had plenty of other offers that were full rides.

 

Great point. I think you are going places when kids turn down full rides to come play for you as a PWO. Speaks volumes imo.

Kentucky -- yes, Kentucky! -- an SEC presence in recruiting

 

The top 25 recruiting rankings are laced with traditional power programs and ascending teams coming off good seasons.

 

And Kentucky.

 

Yes, one thing is not like the other 24.

 

Kentucky is coming off back-to-back 2-10 seasons and hadn't finished better than 12th in SEC recruiting since 2006. When you think of elite Kentucky recruiting, you probably think of Tim Couch and … Tim Couch.

Kentucky -- yes, Kentucky! -- an SEC presence in recruiting

 

The top 25 recruiting rankings are laced with traditional power programs and ascending teams coming off good seasons.

 

And Kentucky.

 

Yes, one thing is not like the other 24.

 

Kentucky is coming off back-to-back 2-10 seasons and hadn't finished better than 12th in SEC recruiting since 2006. When you think of elite Kentucky recruiting, you probably think of Tim Couch and … Tim Couch.

 

I guess this is good, but they still have only the 10th best recruiting class in the SEC. That's not really gaining much ground on the teams they play with.

I guess this is good, but they still have only the 10th best recruiting class in the SEC. That's not really gaining much ground on the teams they play with.

 

But the gap is so much smaller.

 

Historically UK has been in the 40s 50s.

 

There's not a lot of difference between the #15 class and the #20 class. There's a huge difference between #15 and #45.

But the gap is so much smaller.

 

Historically UK has been in the 40s 50s.

 

There's not a lot of difference between the #15 class and the #20 class. There's a huge difference between #15 and #45.

 

Bingo!

When's the last time Kentucky had all their commits actually stay the course and sign? Seems like they usually lose 2-3 of their more "high profile guys" on signing day?

But the gap is so much smaller.

 

Historically UK has been in the 40s 50s.

 

There's not a lot of difference between the #15 class and the #20 class. There's a huge difference between #15 and #45.

 

And that's the key. When you're bringing in the 10th ranked class in the SEC, but the #50th in the nation, it's a lot harder to be competitive against the other guys. When that 10th ranked SEC class is #20 in the nation, the gap is closed tremendously, and it allows you to be that much more competitive, and be able to knock off some the "SEC giants" from time to time. That's the hope anyways.

When's the last time Kentucky had all their commits actually stay the course and sign? Seems like they usually lose 2-3 of their more "high profile guys" on signing day?

 

This year we picked up a last minute switch (Tubman) instead of losing 1 or 2.

And that's the key. When you're bringing in the 10th ranked class in the SEC, but the #50th in the nation, it's a lot harder to be competitive against the other guys. When that 10th ranked SEC class is #20 in the nation, the gap is closed tremendously, and it allows you to be that much more competitive, and be able to knock off some the "SEC giants" from time to time. That's the hope anyways.

 

Is that the goal then, to knock off the top SEC teams from time to time??

Is that the goal then' date=' to knock off the top SEC teams from time to time??[/quote']

 

I'd say that's the goal early on. But once you start doing that the goal will be to win consistently.

Is that the goal then, to knock off the top SEC teams from time to time??

 

For now, yes.

 

Once you get to that point, the goal becomes achieving sustained success.

For now, yes.

 

Once you get to that point, the goal becomes achieving sustained success.

 

Makes sense. I still think though, they need to aim higher, and not be satisfied with a top 25 class. I understand narrowing the gap, but when teams like Tennessee (who has been largely irrelevant the last 7 or 8 years) can pull a top 10 class, even a short term goal of being able to knock of a top team every now and then, seems like it will be difficult to achieve. A gap is a gap...if you keep falling short year after year, you'll just continue to fall behind. My question is what does it take for UK to make that leap and secure top 10 classes??

I am thrilled that U.K. has had the #20 ranked class for 2014 and I definitely believe that Stoops is the man for the job, changing attitudes about U.K. Football.

Having said that, here is the chronic uphill battle that U.K. faces ---- #20 ranked class nationally, #8 or 9 ranked class in the SEC ! No matter how much U.K. improves I am afraid that U.K. Football will never finish above middle of the pack in the SEC standings. JMO and GO CATS !

Makes sense. I still think though, they need to aim higher, and not be satisfied with a top 25 class. I understand narrowing the gap, but when teams like Tennessee (who has been largely irrelevant the last 7 or 8 years) can pull a top 10 class, even a short term goal of being able to knock of a top team every now and then, seems like it will be difficult to achieve. A gap is a gap...if you keep falling short year after year, you'll just continue to fall behind. My question is what does it take for UK to make that leap and secure top 10 classes??

 

I don't think UK will ever be a program that pulls in top 10 classes on a consistent basis if ever. They need to look north to MSU and what Dantonio has done. He pulls in quality classes of 3 and 4 star players and he is never winning the recruiting battle on paper with Michigan and OSU. But he brings in quality athletes who fits his system. He allows his players to develop in the system. Now you can make the argument over the last 5-6 years MSU has been the most consistent big 10 program.

Makes sense. I still think though, they need to aim higher, and not be satisfied with a top 25 class. I understand narrowing the gap, but when teams like Tennessee (who has been largely irrelevant the last 7 or 8 years) can pull a top 10 class, even a short term goal of being able to knock of a top team every now and then, seems like it will be difficult to achieve. A gap is a gap...if you keep falling short year after year, you'll just continue to fall behind. My question is what does it take for UK to make that leap and secure top 10 classes??

 

Another thing to consider is class rankings don't really mean that much. Kentucky's #20 class, 3 years from now, could be much better than some of those top 10 classes. By the same token, it could be worse than some ranked behind them. Bottom line, if you go from 8 4-5* players on your roster one year, to 6 or 7 4 & 5* guys each class, you'll build the talent level and depth necessary to compete at a high level in the SEC. Kentucky is a long ways off, but you've gotta start somewhere, and Stoops and Co. have them off to a hell of start IMO.