S Landon Collins Updates

[CrimsonEyeshade]

I'm not saying it's easy. But it's been done. The odds are always with LSU. But based on the returns, every year our recruiting position in the state gets a little stronger.

One of these days, very soon, we will get one or two of the top-tier Louisiana recruits. Auburn's already done it. Unlike them, we won't have to cheat.

 

[Tide Warrior]

It may not be easy but there is a huge difference here between Collins and other LSU recruits we normally pursue. Unlike alot of their top recruits we go after we seem to be always chasing LSU in 2nd or 3rd. Never really have a shot like last year with some of their top targets we went after but they never waivered on LSU being on top. The only player we really had a shot at was Sylve and he stated it just like Collins is. Again we will always pursue the top players in LA and we always have a shot when they name us at the top.

Collins may not end up at UA, but LSU should be worried because he seems to have as much interest in us as we do him.

 

[hddd]

any news on collins

 

[TheTradition]

any news on collins

Just visited our camp. Nothing much to report. He likes Bama, and it will be a Bama-LSU battle for his signature. Still plans on deciding early next year as far as I know.

 

[hddd]

Just visited our camp. Nothing much to report. He likes Bama, and it will be a Bama-LSU battle for his signature. Still plans on deciding early next year as far as I know.

Thanks

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Lets not kid ourselves. While all three are great talents, LSU didn't offer until the very end in all three cases. Landon Collins is a very different scenario.

Lacey was pursued very hard by LSU and the hat from the get go. The offer was late because of his academic qualifying uncertainty. Not to mention they were after other top RBs including Trent Richardson and they didn't want to scare them off. I think they were taking Lacey for granted and CNS swooped in and took him.

Sentimore was also pursued very hard and even favored LSU for a long time. Again CNS got him.

Sylve was also pursed very hard by LSU. He just made his mind up early and stuck with it.

And don't forget Kenny Bell. He was committed to LSU right up until NSD when he chose the Tide.

CNS has a heck of a lot of recruiting contacts in Louisiana and he is well respected there.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

any news on collins

Collins was a standout at saftey and one of the top overall performers at the Bama camp. Collins teamed up with Eddie Williams for a lethal safety combo. He got to hang out with his friend and former HS teammate Eddie Lacey. He brought his mother with him and even said that UA felt like home because he knows it so well. I think Bama really improved their chances and he said his top two teams are Bama and LSU. Collins said that he plans on announcing his commitment at the Under Armour AA game.

 

[buzzincuzzin]

Looking at the last couple of years at S and kind of projecting the next couple with HaHa/Vinny/etc.,,,,,,, how stupid-good do you have to be to even get on the field at ALABAMA?

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Looking at the last couple of years at S and kind of projecting the next couple with HaHa/Vinny/etc.,,,,,,, how stupid-good do you have to be to even get on the field at ALABAMA?

For the last several years Bama has signed and recruited some of the best, if not the best safeties in the country. The top two current safety prospects, commit Eddie Williams and Collins are most likely the top two safeties in the 2012 class. So to answer your questions, you have to be an extremely stupid-good safety to get on the field at Bama. By the way Collins had nothing but great things to say about CNS working individually with him at the Bama camp.

 

[BigEasyTider]

But based on the returns, every year our recruiting position in the state gets a little stronger.

One of these days, very soon, we will get one or two of the top-tier Louisiana recruits. Auburn's already done it...

That's not really true on either count.

The further removed from Saban's tenure at LSU, the weaker our recruiting presence is going to be in the state of Louisiana. It probably peaked in 2008 or 2009 when Saban was hitting his stride at 'Bama and Miles was treading water in Baton Rouge, but it's going the other way now. Last year was one of the best classes we've seen in a long time out of Louisiana, and we didn't sign a single kid from the state. 2012 kids were about nine years old when Saban left LSU, and the memories will only fade from here. We've never had a significant recruiting presence in the state of Louisiana, and we're not going to in the years ahead either. We'll get a kid or two and that will be it.

And Auburn... the next "top-tier" recruit they get out of Louisiana will be the first. Trovon Reed's main complaint with LSU was that they wouldn't worship him like they did Randle, and in fact the staff made it clear to him that he would have to redshirt. Greg Robinson was a pretty ho-hum in-state recruit... good enough to get an offer, not good enough to shed tears. Guys like Randle, Davenport, and Collins are "top-tier." Reed and Robinson? Not so much, unless you drink the ITAT kool-aid.

 

[BigEasyTider]

Lets not kid yourself Lsu went after sylve the entire time. Especially after he committed to us last May.

Not really true either.

LSU recruited Sylve very hard very early in the process, but after the foot injury cost him his junior season they cooled significantly and it was during that time that he committed to 'Bama. It was not until later on in his senior season when he was lighting up the field on Friday nights and winning track meets did they really get back on him.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we got Sylve and I think it was actually a big coup. Realistically though, I have no grand delusions. Had LSU not backed off him for a eight or nine months, he'd have committed to them and be working out in Baton Rouge now. Nothing wrong with that, mind you, just being honest about what happened.

 

[BigEasyTider]

When Coach Saban was hired, I thought Alabama would recruit Louisiana pretty hard, but we really haven't.

That's right. We've signed some guys here and there, but it's been pretty limited. Off-hand I think we've only signed six Louisiana guys in Saban's five recruiting classes at 'Bama, so it's a minor contribution on the whole. We sign that many guys from the state of Georgia in one class.

Honestly, there really isn't any need for it, and Louisiana doesn't fit our needs. The top guys are going to LSU as long as the program is doing well, and beyond those top guys the depth isn't there like it is in states like Georgia. Why not go into states with lesser in-state programs (Tennessee, for example) or more overall talent (Georgia and Florida). The problem you run into in Louisiana is that LSU takes the top guys, and while there is some talent behind that, it's not the kind of talent you're going to need if you have your sights on a national championship. You might get a guy or two here or there, but for the most part you have to find it elsewhere, and that is what we do.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

That's not really true on either count.

The further removed from Saban's tenure at LSU, the weaker our recruiting presence is going to be in the state of Louisiana. It probably peaked in 2008 or 2009 when Saban was hitting his stride at 'Bama and Miles was treading water in Baton Rouge, but it's going the other way now. Last year was one of the best classes we've seen in a long time out of Louisiana, and we didn't sign a single kid from the state. 2012 kids were about nine years old when Saban left LSU, and the memories will only fade from here. We've never had a significant recruiting presence in the state of Louisiana, and we're not going to in the years ahead either. We'll get a kid or two and that will be it.

And Auburn... the next "top-tier" recruit they get out of Louisiana will be the first. Trovon Reed's main complaint with LSU was that they wouldn't worship him like they did Randle, and in fact the staff made it clear to him that he would have to redshirt. Greg Robinson was a pretty ho-hum in-state recruit... good enough to get an offer, not good enough to shed tears. Guys like Randle, Davenport, and Collins are "top-tier." Reed and Robinson? Not so much, unless you drink the ITAT kool-aid.

I respectfully disagree. I know you know a lot about Louisiana recruiting but UA AA ATH/WR Bradley Sylve is from Louisiana and in the 2011 class. LSU would have signed him if could but they either took him for granted or waited too late. As all know he signed with Bama and will most likely be one of the top signees this season. I think Bama will continue to get one or maybe two top prospects from Louisiana each year. Bama won't go in and raid the state like they are doing with Georgia here lately but they will recruiti Louisiana pretty good. Hopefully Collins will be the one this signing class.

 

[DurdenTider]

I agree with BET in that most of the top tier talent in LA goes to LSU and that we don't want the scrap of that state b/c they don't fit the needs to we have in a class usually. Although we will go after a guy if we feel he is talented enough and somewhat interested in visiting UA. Obviously, Collins fits this visiting UA multiple times and I would love to get a commitment from him being as talented as he is. A backfield with Collins and Williams at FS and SS sounds dangerous

 

[Tide Warrior]

I agree with BET in that most of the top tier talent in LA goes to LSU and that we don't want the scrap of that state b/c they don't fit the needs to we have in a class usually. Although we will go after a guy if we feel he is talented enough and somewhat interested in visiting UA. Obviously, Collins fits this visiting UA multiple times and I would love to get a commitment from him being as talented as he is. A backfield with Collins and Williams at FS and SS sounds dangerous

HaHa might have something to say about. 8)

 

[sanjosecrimson]

Last year was one of the best classes we've seen in a long time out of Louisiana, and we didn't sign a single kid from the state.

BET,

Crimson Surfer beat me to the punch, but Sylve is from the 2011 class.

I agree with you on the talent and depth in the state of La. and their overall importance to Bama Football. Its not like Georgia or Florida. Those 2 states have been very kind to us as of late. In terms of population and talent, GA and FL have been the fertile grounds for everybody in the Eastern seaboard.

Tennessee was important when CNS first arrived and still is to some degree. they are more of a "hit and miss". Mississippi has and will always be a historical recruiting base for Alabama. In spite of its population, Miss. produces a significant amount of talent. Miss. has been very good to UA period!!

 

[sanjosecrimson]

Guys like Randle, Davenport, and Collins are "top-tier." Reed and Robinson? Not so much, unless you drink the ITAT kool-aid.

BET,

agree with your assessment on *U and their recruitment in the state of La. I personally think it was more than just great recruiting on *U part to get those 2 guys out of the state. but that is another story. :rolleye2:


what about DeAngelo Benton from the 2009 class?? he had an LSU offer. I believe he has not live up to expectations at *U thus far.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

BET, you and I mostly agree. Nobody predicting a full-scale raid on Louisiana. But we've turned a couple of recruits, and whether Sylve was top-tier or not, LSU wanted him. Heck, Les belatedly wanted Sentimore, too.

I think the time is about right for us to get one of the real plums on LSU's most wanted list. It won't be easy. But it feels to be on the cusp. Let's hope Collins is the one.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

BET, you and I mostly agree. Nobody predicting a full-scale raid on Louisiana. But we've turned a couple of recruits, and whether Sylve was top-tier or not, LSU wanted him. Heck, Les belatedly wanted Sentimore, too.

I think the time is about right for us to get one of the real plums on LSU's most wanted list. It won't be easy. But it feels to be on the cusp. Let's hope Collins is the one.

Believe me Sylve is top tier, he proved that at the UA AA game. He is not only one of the nation's fastest football players but one of the fatest athletes period. I am expecting him to be a early contributer coming out of the 2011 class. He should excel at WR and KR. I don't think it was the foot ligament injury from Sylve's junior year that was a factor in LSU not signing him, because LSU was hard after in long after that. Scout.com had an article right after Sylve committed to Bama saying that LSU was still going after him hard and they thought the possibility was good that he may turn to LSU by NSD 2011. I think it was more of a case of the hat taking Sylve for granted and getting out recruited by CNS and staff. In any even Bama was very fortunate to sign him.

South Plaquemines sprinter Bradley Sylve cleared to return to competition | NOLA.com

Sylve had been sidelined since detaching a tendon in the top of his left foot in the first quarter of South Plaquemines' 2009 season opener versus Belle Chasse. The non-contact injury required surgery. The injury occurred as Sylve landed after jumping for a ball.

"He's definitely excited to be back,'' Crutchfield said. "We're glad to have him back. He is like our engine. We have some other cars, but he definitely is the engine pulling the train. Having him back also will probably inspire some others to dig a little deeper and perform better.''

Sylve already has official scholarship offers in football from LSU, Tulane, Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Arkansas and Stanford plus, state colleges Louisiana Tech, Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese State, Crutchfield said.

Scout.com: LSU Visits Bradley Sylve

While many LSU fans will rationalize this and say that maybe LSU did not want Sylve or that losing him is not a big deal, I can assure you that LSU did want him and that losing him is a serious kick in the man-parts.

LSU lost Trovon Reed out of Thibodaux last year and has, for now, lost a top player from South Plaquemines. Both are traditionally LSU strong holds and while I hate to say that a trend is developing.....it is. Reason to be concerned? You bet.

The good news is that Sylve won't sign anywhere until February, and you can bet that Frank Wilson and LSU's staff will continue to recruit him hard. He'll likely receive quite a bit of local pressure to stay home and play for the Tigers.

Bradley Sylve Commits To Alabama; Fleming Gets LSU Offer | May


Like I said above, I don't expect Bama to raid Louisiana's talent like they have Georgia's lately but I expect CNS and the staff will continue to get a select few top prospects out of Louisiana.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

Its ironic that the 2 articles mentioned were posted in May 2010, the same month Sylve commited to Bama.

he was ranked a Top 10 player (#7) in the state of LA. I guess that makes him a "top tier" player.