The importance of this season in terms of recruiting...

[UofDuck]

IMO - I cannot begin to explain how important this season is going to be in terms of recruiting. A new coach and a ton of talent, great schedule (3 very good non conf and homefield advantage)...etc. Sure we have a few spots of concern, but that is college football everywhere. If we nail this season, we take the next step in recruiting. We have been under a bit of a glass ceiling for a for a little while. We have done really really well mind you, but we are not yet, OU, USC, TX, tOSU... Close, but just not quite there. We win a national championship, or come close w/ a Rose Bowl win and that glass ceiling will shatter - our facilities, coach, fan base, stadium, new areana, new baseball field...etc are 2nd to none. We need to win our battles AND slay two Goliaths this year (USC and a BCS foe) and then WATCH OUT. We are poised to jump up into the major leagues and positioned (thanks Mr. Knight and MB) to stay there. We then will land some of these 5*'s that we are only able to fingertip to date. We get Masoli (or in my opinion Harper at RB) into a Heisman race along with a BCS win and then the sky is the limit for the "O". No way a 5* would be able to spout off that we are not able to get him ready for the next level. From where I sit, THIS IS THE YEAR.

[dthomas=ddixon]

Great post & I definitely agree. We can't settle for a "down year" every 2-3 years, we have to consistantly be a top 15-20 team if we want to bring in the top level talent. We've had back 2 back years of tremendous, attention getting teams. (2007 didn't end well but everyone knows the story) Follow that up with a third year of being in the top ten at some point in the season, preferably finishing there, and we break through as a program.

Recruiting is the life blood of college football. Without talent you will only get so far and you will never reach that "next level" (beevurs). Bring in a fourth great class in a row, possibly the best of them all, and you are on your way. With a coach like Kelly & the assistants we have, that talent will be developed just a well as any in the nation. I'm really looking forward to these next few years.

[Duckxing]

While winning is important, it will never be more important than the parent/distance problem that Oregon faces. 5* recruits aren't going to be knocking down Oregon's door just because they win a few more games. Oregon will always be at a disadvantage because of location. While CK has made some inroads into the south, Oregon will never become a recruiting power because of location.

[BisonDucks]

There is no reason we cannot fill our roster with 4* guys. We aren't going to land 10 top 100 guys like 'SC but we can get 10-12 4* guys. With our system, that would make us challenge for PAC-10 supremacy every year. We have 2 4* guys in the bag for '10. With a Pac-10 title we can expand that list easily.

[wheaton4prez]

I think that we could fill our roster with top talent. If not as good as USC, at least pretty close. I agree that location is an obstacle. But, I don't think it's insurmountable. A large quantity of kids travel long distances to play for "elite" programs. The Oregon brand has a lot of momentum as a cool team to play for with the innovative offense, Dixon, Kelly, etc. They just need that signature accomplishment (big Rose Bowl win, NC, etc.) to bring them from "cool" to "cool AND practical" in the eyes of HS coaches, parents, etc.

I agree with the original post. This season is really key. The 2010 class looks poised to be one of, if not the best rated class ever at Oregon. But, on-field performance in 2009 will undoubtedly really factor into 2010 recruiting.

[duckgrad99]

While winning is important, it will never be more important than the parent/distance problem that Oregon faces. 5* recruits aren't going to be knocking down Oregon's door just because they win a few more games. Oregon will always be at a disadvantage because of location. While CK has made some inroads into the south, Oregon will never become a recruiting power because of location.

I'll agree with that. That's not to say that Oregon cannot have great recruiting classes, but getting the 5 star recruits will always be tough because of parents/distance like you said even if Oregon goes undefeated and are national champions. I bet there are a lot of 17 year old kids that cannot locate Oregon on a map or know nothing about Eugene or Oregon in general. This is why it's crucial that we get the top players from Oregon and don't miss on top talent from California that the coaching staff wants.

[UofDuck]

While winning is important, it will never be more important than the parent/distance problem that Oregon faces. 5* recruits aren't going to be knocking down Oregon's door just because they win a few more games. Oregon will always be at a disadvantage because of location. While CK has made some inroads into the south, Oregon will never become a recruiting power because of location.

I'll agree with that. That's not to say that Oregon cannot have great recruiting classes, but getting the 5 star recruits will always be tough because of parents/distance like you said even if Oregon goes undefeated and are national champions.....

Here is the thing though, parents of football players are usually football fans too. Think about this, Notre Dame lands kids from ALL over. Why do parents let their kids go there from across the country? Lots of reasons sure, but one is; they have great football tradition that parents/fans recognize. Think of the typical dad/fan at work with his cronies - which offer do you think would get all of them more excited, "hey my kid just got offered by Purdue", or "Hey, my kid just got an offer from USC..."? After the all the pats on the back..etc - do you think the dad might be a little more inclinded to let his kid "go away" to school? Remember, parents are college fans too. You don't think a HUGE national bowl win, coupled with all we now have to offer, won't have influence with both the kid and their parents?

I read a story in the Boise paper following their Fiesta Bowl win where a recruit called BSU the day after the game to give a verbal to BSU because he and his dad watched the game and thought that was the kind of school that the kid should play for! Coach Peterson told the story in an interview. He went on to explain how much that game has meant to their program in terms of landing kids.

[5$]

Great post & I definitely agree. We can't settle for a "down year" every 2-3 years, we have to consistantly be a top 15-20 team if we want to bring in the top level talent. We've had back 2 back years of tremendous, attention getting teams. (2007 didn't end well but everyone knows the story) Follow that up with a third year of being in the top ten at some point in the season, preferably finishing there, and we break through as a program.

Recruiting is the life blood of college football. Without talent you will only get so far and you will never reach that "next level" (beevurs). Bring in a fourth great class in a row, possibly the best of them all, and you are on your way. With a coach like Kelly & the assistants we have, that talent will be developed just a well as any in the nation. I'm really looking forward to these next few years.

I agree with your points and like the enthusiasm.

Here is the thing though, parents of football players are usually football fans too. Think about this, Notre Dame lands kids from ALL over. Why do parents let their kids go there from across the country? Lots of reasons sure, but one is; they have great football tradition that parents/fans recognize. Think of the typical dad/fan at work with his cronies - which offer do you think would get all of them more excited, "hey my kid just got offered by Purdue", or "Hey, my kid just got an offer from USC..."? After the all the pats on the back..etc - do you think the dad might be a little more inclinded to let his kid "go away" to school? Remember, parents are college fans too. You don't think a HUGE national bowl win, coupled with all we now have to offer, won't have influence with both the kid and their parents?

I read a story in the Boise paper following their Fiesta Bowl win where a recruit called BSU the day after the game to give a verbal to BSU because he and his dad watched the game and thought that was the kind of school that the kid should play for! Coach Peterson told the story in an interview. He went on to explain how much that game has meant to their program in terms of landing kids.

A new Pac-10 commissioner that attracts a more lucrative TV contract could help Oregon's image get out more to these parents/fans.

[wheaton4prez]

That's not to say that Oregon cannot have great recruiting classes, but getting the 5 star recruits will always be tough because of parents/distance like you said even if Oregon goes undefeated and are national champions.

Doesn't seem like something that is provable in either direction until it happens. But, I disagree. I think that an undefeated, NC season would have a major impact on recruiting. Especially if it occurs early in Chip's tenure as HC. We're already in the mix for lots of top recruits with top teams all over the country. A major season like that could be the difference in winning a lot of those battles.

[duckgrad99]

That's not to say that Oregon cannot have great recruiting classes, but getting the 5 star recruits will always be tough because of parents/distance like you said even if Oregon goes undefeated and are national champions.

Doesn't seem like something that is provable in either direction until it happens. But, I disagree. I think that an undefeated, NC season would have a major impact on recruiting. Especially if it occurs early in Chip's tenure as HC. We're already in the mix for lots of top recruits with top teams all over the country. A major season like that could be the difference in winning a lot of those battles.

Well like you, I would love to find out!!!!

[UofDuck]

That's not to say that Oregon cannot have great recruiting classes, but getting the 5 star recruits will always be tough because of parents/distance like you said even if Oregon goes undefeated and are national champions.

Doesn't seem like something that is provable in either direction until it happens. But, I disagree. I think that an undefeated, NC season would have a major impact on recruiting. Especially if it occurs early in Chip's tenure as HC. We're already in the mix for lots of top recruits with top teams all over the country. A major season like that could be the difference in winning a lot of those battles.

Well like you, I would love to find out!!!!

Amen 99, AMEN!!

[wlduck]

Great posts Tinman. I totally agree with your evaluation of how important this year is. The only thing I would add is that our position of need in recruiting- running back- appears to be especially deep this year. We must have a big year and capitalize on it.

[wheaton4prez]

Well like you, I would love to find out!!!!

True that.

[nogerO]

While winning is important, it will never be more important than the parent/distance problem that Oregon faces. 5* recruits aren't going to be knocking down Oregon's door just because they win a few more games. Oregon will always be at a disadvantage because of location. While CK has made some inroads into the south, Oregon will never become a recruiting power because of location.

If we win a Rose Bowl or a big BCS game or the NC, I think that will not be the case any longer.