I've heard older coaches say this for years and I'm really starting to understand the fallacy of recruiting and it seems to be getting more critical as time goes on. We are seeing it over and over where blue chip talent isn't working out because they lack the character, patience or the grit to become champions.
Cases in point:
* No other team has signed more top QB's than Texas A&M and they now have nothing because nobody wanted to work for it.
* I'm not sure if any school ever signed a class like the one Ole Miss Signed in 2013, they will leave with zero championships.
* Auburn in general, the place where five star talent goes to die.
I'm seeing repeating patterns where younger less experienced coaches are signing top rated talent, talent we are recruiting as well, it appears they are going elsewhere because of the promise of an easier path to stardom or playing time, but when times get tough, which they always will, these players do not rise to the occasion like champions do.
Meanwhile look at the four teams in the playoffs. Look at their teams, you see grit. you see players who made themselves into great players. you see coaches who are old school.
Saban has described this team as having Grit several times. Some examples.
Jacob Coker, a three star player who would not give up even after years on the bench and will end up with his feet and hands in concrete.
Kenyan Drake who arrived with Yeldon, he had no fanfare but kept fighting even when he was horrifically injured
Richard Mullaney who with less athletic talent fights for every ball thrown to him.
Michael Nysewander who came from a walkon to a hero in the LSU game
Ryan Kelly who was undersized and unwanted by Ohio State and came here, became a leader and won the Remington Trophy
Eddie Jackson a three star player that had few significant offers who went on to start at two backfield positions and overcome major injury
Jarred Reed who was going nowhere in jr college but MADE himself into a great player.
Reggie Ragland the #1 rated inside linebacker in America according to many recruiting services who sat unnoticed on the bench for two years with many calling him a "bust". Instead of quitting he got after it and won a starting job and probably a big paycheck very soon.
Grit. If I were close to the team I'm sure there would be more stories of what amazing men we have on our team. So as we watch a few five star players get away from us in December. Let's remember that it's not the ones that get away from you, it's the ones who you sign that you need to concern yourself with. and I know we will sign some more players who aren't looking for the easy path to success, who understand that nothing worth having is easy, who expect to be part of something bigger than themselves, and who have the sort of GRIT you can count on when times are tough.
Roll Tide