Makes one wonder!

[Rock]

I am beginning to become very pessimistic(sp) over the UC football recruiting possibilities. It seems we are losing our 3/4 star recruits and keeping our 1/2 recruits. Our new coaches must not have been very impressive. What gives? What a cut-throat business!

[mjb1979]

I believe our top recruit, who decommitted and then recommitted, said he came back because the new staff is better than the old staff.

[shaunsimpson]

I believe our top recruit, who decommitted and then recommitted, said he came back because the new staff is better than the old staff.

That is what Lewis said.

We need stability at the coaching ranks and we need better facilities. It is much easier selling 56,000 in Louisville in a renovated stadium to 35,000 in Cincinnati. People may love Nippert, but when it isn't full it does look old, small and unimpressive.

[cmm27]

We had one four star recruit, who has sense recommitted. The three star recruits are, more often than not, being replaced by other three star recruits. The few exceptions would be those that many agree could be much better than their rankings indicate. I am not too worried.

[shaunsimpson]

We had one four star recruit, who has sense recommitted. The three star recruits are, more often than not, being replaced by other three star recruits. The few exceptions would be those that many agree could be much better than their rankings indicate. I am not too worried.

As long as we can keep the Browns then I am very happy with this class.

[vegasbearcat]

I'm trying to stay optimistic but all of our 3/4 star recruits are dropping like flies and Butch has now signed five 2 star and one 2/3 star recruit. Not exactly comfortable to watch.

[dbernie41]

I haven't seen any dropping like flies. And what do you think happens at other schools when a full coaching staff change happens? Lewis was our only 4 star and he is staying. We picked up a 3 star QB to replace Massa who most weren't high on anyways. We are still totally in the running for D. Brown even after he has been offered by OSU and upgraded to a 4 star recruit. And I am VERY thrilled with out preferred walk ons. Special teams can have quite an impact on a team... aka Kevin Huber. I am quite happy actually with what CJ and Co. have done. If we another highly successful season I would love to see what Butch and Co. can do with a full off-season at a school they are established at.

[mjb1979]

I'm trying to stay optimistic but all of our 3/4 star recruits are dropping like flies and Butch has now signed five 2 star and one 2/3 star recruit. Not exactly comfortable to watch.

I find it hilarious how much stock people put in the star system. First of all, every recruiting agency ranks guys differently. It's just a subjective evaluation of a prospect, nothing is set in stone.

Additionally, the only significant recruit we lost was Jibreel Black, and there is no guarantee he would have stayed committed even if we didn't change coaches. All of the other two star guys that we've "signed" recently are not getting scholarships, so there is no harm in bringing them into the program.

[JohnFrancis]

Let's hope Coach Jones and his staff are excellent talent evaluators. There are still plenty of good football players out there rated below 3-star. Many good kids will still be available after Feb. 3 as well.

The staff has to keep finding the Garnes, Hokes, Stewarts, Fraziers, Jacksons, Currys, Coles, Peeks, Dingles, Taylors, etc...and of course the Pikes and Gilyards.

For sure top-rated high school prospects are very discerning and want the best of everything but let's not develop an inferiority complex about our school though. Everything has improved at UC since I was there - academics, athletic facilities, the campus.

I am not saying Mike Edwards would not have gotten into trouble here like he did in Knoxville, but ya think he wishes he had chosen UC instead of UT - now he's going to Texas Southern I believe. Perhaps L. Anderson will regret de-committing, but you have to respect the decisions these kids make and move on - let's not blame our seating capacity at Nippert.

[milfordcats]

Let's hope Coach Jones and his staff are excellent talent evaluators. There are still plenty of good football players out there rated below 3-star. Many good kids will still be available after Feb. 3 as well.

The staff has to keep finding the Garnes, Hokes, Stewarts, Fraziers, Jacksons, Currys, Coles, Peeks, Dingles, Taylors, etc...and of course the Pikes and Gilyards.

For sure top-rated high school prospects are very discerning and want the best of everything but let's not develop an inferiority complex about our school though. Everything has improved at UC since I was there - academics, athletic facilities, the campus.

I am not saying Mike Edwards would not have gotten into trouble here like he did in Knoxville, but ya think he wishes he had chosen UC instead of UT - now he's going to Texas Southern I believe. Perhaps L. Anderson will regret de-committing, but you have to respect the decisions these kids make and move on - let's not blame our seating capacity at Nippert.

Anderson was never committed.

[JohnFrancis]

Anderson was never committed.

Ok, nothing matters until the LOI is signed and delivered anyway, but my point was that there is underlying negative current among some posters that UC is falling behind rather than moving ahead. The verdict on this recruiting class won't really be decided for 2 or 3 more years.

[milfordcats]

Ok, nothing matters until the LOI is signed and delivered anyway, but my point was that there is underlying negative current among some posters that UC is falling behind rather than moving ahead. The verdict on this recruiting class won't really be decided for 2 or 3 more years.

No I agree with that. We got Anderson to visit and while he probably won't sign with us I think it was a good sign that we at least got him on campus and that he enjoyed the visit.

[Irishbearcat]

A coaching change will do that, especially if a kid has options. It's mostly about comfort. I think BJ has done a great job.

[Bearcat Cafe]

I'm trying to stay optimistic but all of our 3/4 star recruits are dropping like flies and Butch has now signed five 2 star and one 2/3 star recruit. Not exactly comfortable to watch.


Three of them are walk ons that turned down full ride D-1 scholarship offers to come play for Jones. Think about that.

One is a guy who was good enough to accept an offer from Michigan.

One is a big under the radar DT that had offers from multiple BCS programs.

Black was a big loss. Massa left but we already landed an upgrade in Kater.

Now Jones swiped a 3 star WR with 4.3 speed who was committed to Louisville.

FWIW: don't get hung up on stars.

[DCrack]

Three of them are walk ons that turned down full ride D-1 scholarship offers to come play for Jones. Think about that.

One is a guy who was good enough to accept an offer from Michigan.

One is a big under the radar DT that had offers from multiple BCS programs.

Black was a big loss. Massa left but we already landed an upgrade in Kater.

Now Jones swiped a 3 star WR with 4.3 speed who was committed to Louisville.

FWIW: don't get hung up on stars.

Did I miss something or isn't Dejuan Lewis still a solid verbal. Lewis is a 4 star recruit.

[Bearcat Cafe]

The WR I referred to was not Lewis but his teammate from HS that just committed today.

BTW: I may change my tune. With the word that D. Brown just verballed to UL, if we lose Preston Brown as well, this class is getting thinner quick.

[bearcatbret]

I went to most Northwest Football games this year. Preston was great the first 3-4 games but was shut down later in the season. He would have been brought in as a defensive back. He is slightly small but quick. I am not sure if this is a huge loss. Jones should be able to replace him but what bothers me most is losing a local kid.

[Forsure21]

Until Nippert is expanded or games are switched down to PBS, recruiting is going to be like this every year. I know people hate to hear it but Nippert isn't attractive compared to other stadiums. Playing at PBS would help- kids love pro stadiums.

[Bearcat Cafe]

Forget the fact that its a sterile concrete morgue of a stadium. Now that Mikey Boy is trying to swing a deal with the county where the Bungles have full control of setting the fees for any event held at PBS and they would get to keep every cent of the proceeds, you really want to make a deal with that devil. No freaking way.

[#41]

Until Nippert is expanded or games are switched down to PBS, recruiting is going to be like this every year. I know people hate to hear it but Nippert isn't attractive compared to other stadiums. Playing at PBS would help- kids love pro stadiums.

Don't know what kids you're talking to -- but the 'shared facility' argument is always a loser in recruiting efforts. A kid can go tour Heinz Field at Pitt and be impressed, but they'll always be more impressed to see a real college stadium with real facilities that belong to the team and aren't borrowed from Santonio Holmes on Saturdays.

Oh, and on the recruiting talk, Butch Jones will get his first taste of Big East football this year and that should convince him to stop talking to the these MAC type recruits.

[norwoodbearcat]

I really don't think the stadium has much to do with recruiting. coaches, city, and chicks are probally pretty high.

[Bearcat John 69]

I find it hilarious how much stock people put in the star system. First of all, every recruiting agency ranks guys differently. It's just a subjective evaluation of a prospect, nothing is set in stone.

Additionally, the only significant recruit we lost was Jibreel Black, and there is no guarantee he would have stayed committed even if we didn't change coaches. All of the other two star guys that we've "signed" recently are not getting scholarships, so there is no harm in bringing them into the program.

i used to discredit the star ranking system as well. but after watching a stronger and faster florida team dismantle uc (not to mention the va tech and oklahoma games), i now believe uc needs to mix in a few of the so called "elite" recruits each year to compete at the top level.

yes the bearcats have come a long way, but there is more progress to be made here.