Commits and Decommits

BamaBoots · October 1st, 2009, 08:16 PM

This what the recruiting process is all about. To sort out and find out where you fit in. Take a guy like Greg McElroy. He knew with Nick Saban here that Coach Saban is going to recruit. He knew he would have to fight for a job. He didn't want to just go to school and play football. He wanted to play for a champion and compete on the highest level. He knew there would be obstacles to do so but it would be worth it. He wasn't looking just for playing time. Heck he could have done that at Auburn. He was in the long run looking to see what he was made of and build character.

Nolcbear · October 1st, 2009, 09:10 PM

It's kinda like worrying about preseason rankings - why bother? It's the class we end up with that matters, and with CNS and Co. I am simply not gonna fret...

GPSnakeHandler · October 1st, 2009, 09:39 PM

GMac committed under Shula in 2006.

HITIDE · October 2nd, 2009, 02:02 AM

	Quote:	BamaBoots
	This what the recruiting process is all about. To sort out and find out where you fit in. Take a guy like Greg McElroy. He knew with Nick Saban here that Coach Saban is going to recruit. He knew he would have to fight for a job. He didn't want to just go to school and play football. He wanted to play for a champion and compete on the highest level. He knew there would be obstacles to do so but it would be worth it. He wasn't looking just for playing time. Heck he could have done that at Auburn. He was in the long run looking to see what he was made of and build character.

I agree but GMac came to Bama when we were pretty much in the same shape as the aubies (although theirs isn't ncaa contrived). He knew that by the time he was ready to hit the field Bama would be back near where we are traditionally. Coach Shula brought him in when a lot of fans thought he should be getting Smelley.
Without ncaa problems killing our recruiting Bama can always get great recruits. Add Coach Saban to that equation.........look out!
Our recruiting won't miss a beat with the loss of Craig. As the recruiting season goes on, and other top recruits commit, we may have some more early commits defecting.

CapstoneGrad06 · October 2nd, 2009, 09:55 AM

	Quote:	BamaBoots
	This what the recruiting process is all about. To sort out and find out where you fit in. Take a guy like Greg McElroy. He knew with Nick Saban here that Coach Saban is going to recruit. He knew he would have to fight for a job. He didn't want to just go to school and play football. He wanted to play for a champion and compete on the highest level. He knew there would be obstacles to do so but it would be worth it. He wasn't looking just for playing time. Heck he could have done that at Auburn. He was in the long run looking to see what he was made of and build character.

I will admit that I wanted to believe that we would never lose a commit under Coach Saban, but its a silly idea on my part. When you have the elite talent and elite depth we have, you gotta know its going to happen at some point. I didn't want Alabama to lose Craig Sanders, but it happened. He could have been a good LB down the road for us, but I guess he fills playing time is more important to him right away than competing for championships. That's his choice. As for Alabama, we will continue to add elite talent, but in some years we won't get everyone we want, even in our own backyard. However, there's not a whole lot to complain about when the worst we could do from here on out is a top ten class. Just think about that. We could not add another prospect, and still have a top ten class. Of course that won't be the case, as we have some very elite players that will choose Alabama in the coming months.

NYBamaFan · October 2nd, 2009, 09:55 AM

I don't have a problem with players that decommit early in the process. It hurts a program when you do it really late - especially weaker programs that might have a hard time replacing the recruit - but these are kids just doing the best that they can. This decision is probably the biggest that most have faced at this point in their lives...

CapstoneGrad06 · October 2nd, 2009, 09:58 AM

	Quote:	NYBamaFan
	I don't have a problem with players that decommit early in the process. It hurts a program when you do it really late - especially weaker programs that might have a hard time replacing the recruit - but these are kids just doing the best that they can. This decision is probably the biggest that most have faced at this point in their lives...

I really don't have a problem with it either. If their not committed to being a part of the program now, its best for them to move on. Having said that, I have to admit I was irked about the way in which Juwuan James and Craig Sanders went about it. A week prior to decommitting, both, or at least through a guardian, said they were solidly committed. I don't like the miscommunication. Maybe that's just me.

Bamabuzzard · October 2nd, 2009, 10:11 AM

I think many people do not realize just how much immediate playing time factors into the equation. Kids these days absolutely have no patience. They want to play from day one. Because they're used to being the "star of the show" and playing a lot. Years ago a player knew that he would have to wait his turn. That's not the case anymore. So the teams that can put a kid on the field immediately will have an advantage over teams that simply have too much depth to promise that.

It's the nature of the beast. The consequence of being good. If a team can promise a lot of their incoming recruits immediate playing time then it tells me the team is low on depth and low on talent. I don't want to be "that team" again.

I also want to add that many Bama fans (for some reason) seem to be getting "worried" about Awbarn. Folks, Awbarn will definitely be better than last year but Chizik and staff are going to need one helluva run to put teams that were of the same caliber as Tubbs had and I just don't see that happening. Not with Bama back to full strength.

TheCrimsonLiver · October 2nd, 2009, 10:53 AM

Recruiting is the last thing I will ever worry about with this staff. Not anymore.

tortfeasor · October 2nd, 2009, 12:12 PM

	Quote:	NYBamaFan
	I don't have a problem with players that decommit early in the process. It hurts a program when you do it really late - especially weaker programs that might have a hard time replacing the recruit - but these are kids just doing the best that they can. This decision is probably the biggest that most have faced at this point in their lives...

Best post award!...

These recruits are just kids and I wish them the best. With CNS at the helm, I feel fine about the program and recruiting.

CHATTBRIT · October 2nd, 2009, 12:20 PM

Whether this year's recruiting class is ranked No. 1 or whatever doesn't matter that much. Coach Saban's mantra that if a kid is good enough to get on the field he will. Maybe James and Sanders aren't sure they are good enough to start right away and figure they can start as freshmen at a lesser school. I wish them luck in their decision. That being said, I'm sure Coach Saban will have a tremendous recruiting class of athletes.

bamafan216 · October 2nd, 2009, 02:14 PM

	Quote:	Bamabuzzard
	I think many people do not realize just how much immediate playing time factors into the equation. Kids these days absolutely have no patience. They want to play from day one. Because they're used to being the "star of the show" and playing a lot. Years ago a player knew that he would have to wait his turn. That's not the case anymore. So the teams that can put a kid on the field immediately will have an advantage over teams that simply have too much depth to promise that.

Since kids can leave early for the draft..sometimes there is no reason for red-shirting them either. Early playing time counts a heck of a lot.

CoachThomas · October 2nd, 2009, 02:46 PM

In the end our 2010 class will be higher than either ucheat or the barn. And lets not forget the greyshirts and the JUCOs plus early enrollees coming in the spring. GO BAMA & ROLL TIDE ROLL!