Time to Start Obsessing Over the Whims of Teenagers

by John Expat on Jan 30, 2009 8:35 PM CST in Bobby Petrino Comment 4 comments

I need to preface this post by saying I generally don't get that into recruiting and the hoopla over rankings, can't miss prospects, etc. It's all very hypothetical and inexact, and most importantly there's something a little creepy about a bunch of adults freaking out over every move made by a 17 year old kid (who is probably already fawned over too much, anyway).

However, with that grouchy disclaimer aside, it's worth noting that the football Hogs seem to be really cleaning it up on the recruiting trail (I say *seem* because nothing is official until next week's signing day, and even after that they have to make their grades, show up for school, etc).

Bobby Petrino and company have been pounding the pavement and reeling in big name after big name recently. At this stage in the game, Arkansas' 2009 recruiting class is ranked in the top 15 nationally by both major services, which would be an all-time high for the Hogs. And a leading recruiting expert has the Razorbacks listed first his list of top 5 recruiting surprises for this year. Not bad coming off a 5-7 season and competing with all the other SEC powerhouses (many of whom also have very highly ranked classes, of course) for the top players.

One story I particularly enjoyed was the tale of how RB Ronnie Wingo, WR Cobi Hamilton and LB Terrell Williams became fast friends during their official visit and essentially recruited each other to Fayetteville. Having done that, they're now turning their persuasive powers on the highly touted offensive lineman Aubrey Phillips. Pretty cool stuff.

If this post has whetted your appetite for news of all things recruiting, I suggest checking out Richard Davenport's highly detailed Recruiting Guy page over on Arkansas Online. Arkansas Sports 360 also has an interesting look at how past recruiting classes have stacked up.

Signing Day is next Wednesday, and nothing is official until then...keep your fingers crossed.

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With regards to the recruiting class ranking, one thing you have to remember is that we currently have about 7 too many players committed. When we trim it down to the 25 allowed, our ranking will obviously go down, especially considering that most of the teams in our neighborhood have about 20 recruits instead of 30. That being said, regardless of rankings, this class looks solid. Of course, rankings mean nothing if they don’t deliver on the field. But, it’s interesting that recruits and their families seem to be taken with Petrino, despite the ESPN vitriol (that I seem to remember costing us some recruits last season).

by Drew on Jan 30, 2009 9:57 PM CST reply actions

And not to rain on the parade too much but that first billing on the Top 5 Recruiting Surprises listing you mentioned has more to do with the alphabet than anything else.

Did sound good though and Arkansas does deserve to be on that list which is the most important thing. ;^)

by Hawgfan100 on Jan 30, 2009 10:51 PM CST reply actions

I think we’ll be fine once we trim that list down to 25.
Four of those kids aren’t exspected to make the grade, and are exspected to be possible JUCO, sign and place recruits. They also aren’t the recruits who have the higher ratings, which would effect the recruiting rankings very little.
Broderick Green would be counted back to his origional recuited year, as Ryan Mallett was, so they are not an issue.
Also, there are a few more who would have to “Grayshirt”, and then be eligable to gain a scholorship at the first sign of one coming available.
We also still have a chance to gain more commitments from recruits such as Aubry Phillips, DeQuinta Jones, and Alex Williams.
I would be suprised if at one of those kids didn’t sign with the Hogs.
I realize that recruiting rankings aren’t everything, but I do believe this class will be in the top 15 after signing day, barring some big suprises.
But one thing for certain, that sicks out in my mind more than anything else, is that we certainly didn’t see ourselves in this position, 4 days before NSD, over the past 10 years.
I’m not sure how fast we might see the results of this potential class, but if our next recruiting class looks any better than this one presently does, I think we’ll all be in Hog Heaven in couple of more years.

GO HOGS GO BABY!!!!!

by GonzoHog on Jan 31, 2009 9:12 AM CST reply actions