2026 Class - FB Recruiting

[vegashog]

the guy signed his contract and a day later a dead period starts. the class had completely fallen apart (was ranked like 82nd). so all things considered i'm not sure what was expected.

[FNG]

One of my ex-bosses played at UCA in the late 60's.  He said he would come back to the locker room after every game with wads of bills in his helmet.

At UCA.

My dad was the CO of the Army Reserve unit (806th Engineer) in Conway in the 60's and lots of the football players at ASTC/SCA became reservists there as the Vietnam conflict ramped up. I would probably recognize the name.

[Barton Fink]

If Silverfield is remotely competent he will at least improve marginally. 

The last three days of recruiting have shown what many of us believed...that Pittman wasn't working anywhere near as hard as this job requires.  Combine that with average at best strategic ability and we were destined to fail. 

Many if not most of our donor base just want to be acknowledged for their contributions. They want the head coach to show them some attention and actively ask for their help.  In other words, they want their asses kissed.  Pittman only seemed to do that when it benefitted him...when he could travel with the booster to watch their horse run in the Kentucky Derby for example.  Silverfield seems willing to do some of his own fundraising.  If he will do that, we will be back to middle of the pack on the recruiting lists soon. 

And I think that is key. If we can't get to middle of the pack talent. We will likely continue to have 2 wins or less in conference. We may not like it, but I don't see how we can realistically expect much more. Precisely why I've pushed the NIL narrative. To this point, it's pushed us further back in the pecking order.

[Barton Fink]

the guy signed his contract and a day later a dead period starts. the class had completely fallen apart (was ranked like 82nd). so all things considered i'm not sure what was expected.

We knew we would lose some guys. Getting these in state guys is a great start, but the portal is what counts. We have to do extremely well there.

[passed]

And I think that is key. If we can't get to middle of the pack talent. We will likely continue to have 2 wins or less in conference. We may not like it, but I don't see how we can realistically expect much more. Precisely why I've pushed the NIL narrative. To this point, it's pushed us further back in the pecking order.

I'll hold out til portal period is over to judge anything with the class rankings. 

I will say it was smart of him to go grab the instate talent... even if they never piss a drop for us.  It certainly seems to have 180ed a lot of naysayers in the fan base.  It helps unite the state behind the program.  It MAY raise some NIL $.

[DirkPiggler]

And I think that is key. If we can't get to middle of the pack talent. We will likely continue to have 2 wins or less in conference. We may not like it, but I don't see how we can realistically expect much more. Precisely why I've pushed the NIL narrative. To this point, it's pushed us further back in the pecking order.

I think it's lazy to say NIL is to blame for our current status.  As I've pointed out before we were no worse than mid pack in the first couple of years of NIL and we didn't capitalize.  We paid guys like Jefferson and Sanders to sit on their asses and get fat rather than buying guys to fill holes.  Our lack of success in those years is at least as much to blame as our current year's deficit for the decline.  And then that feeds on itself as the people whose contributions went to KJ's candy stripe suits and Rocket's 30 extra pounds in a 4-8 year are reluctant to give more to the same guy who set their pile of money on fire.

 Even this year we had a prime example, choosing Selman Bridges who never pissed a drop over Jaylon Braxton when it came to our high dollar CB.

[Barton Fink]

He's got to sell to those that have NIL money and starting with Arkansas kids was a great move. Hopefully, it pays off quick.

[Barton Fink]

I think it's lazy to say NIL is to blame for our current status.  As I've pointed out before we were no worse than mid pack in the first couple of years of NIL and we didn't capitalize.  We paid guys like Jefferson and Sanders to sit on their asses and get fat rather than buying guys to fill holes.  Our lack of success in those years is at least as much to blame as our current year's deficit for the decline.  Even this year we had a prime example, choosing Selman Bridges who never pissed a drop over Jaylon Braxton when it came to our high dollar CB.

Didn't say it's to blame but it's another variable that pushes us backwards. You say mid pack of NIL with nothing to back it up.

Instate SEC talent is minimal. Surrounding states all have SEC schools that are closer in proximity to players. We have been one of the worst SEC teams over the last 15 years. Blame goes to hiring shitty coaches here. So even with money out of the equation, we don't look like an attractive option and are hoping the coach builds a relationship to overcome those disadvantages.

Now, with NIL money jumps to #1 for most kids and we are failing there as well. NIL is the 1 and only thing that can overcome those other disadvantages and we aren't doing it well either.

[DirkPiggler]

Didn't say it's to blame but it's another variable that pushes us backwards.

Instate SEC talent is minimal. Surrounding states all have SEC schools that are closer in proximity to players. We have been one of the worst SEC teams over the last 15 years. Blame goes to hiring shitty coaches here. So even with money out of the equation, we don't look like an attractive option and are hoping the coach builds a relationship to overcome those disadvantages.

Now, with NIL money jumps to #1 for most kids and we are failing there as well. NIL is the 1 and only thing that can overcome those other disadvantages and we aren't doing it well either.

Early indications are that we are willing to spend more.  While Pittman's disinterest was a lot of the problem with the in state flips I'm sure we also threw some money their way to make a splash.  It's hard to imagine Silverfield doing that if he doesn't have more available knowing that he's got massive holes to fill through the portal. 

The bulk of the blame goes to Yurachek for fighting NIL rather than figuring it out.  Even more goes to him (with a little to Sam) for assuming that the revenue sharing was truly going to equalize payroll across rosters.  Anyone with a pulse knew that NIL was going to continue to be the differentiator. 

[Barton Fink]

Agree on HY and I hope you're right. That means we have to do a 180 from where we are. Right now I don't have much faith. Several years of "gonna" and not doing shit has tilted my confidence.

[BleedinRed]

If we are 17th in the country in NIL, then NIL isn't the problem.

[HTL]

If we are 17th in the country in NIL, then NIL isn't the problem.

I'm guessing it was spread very unevenly. Taylen got the most (Lol). I'm sure we paid up for the LT too. Overpaid to keep Ball and Sorey.

[BleedinRed]

Now that may be true.  Still, NIL isn't the issue.

[Barton Fink]

If we are 17th in the country in NIL, then NIL isn't the problem.

We are not 17th in the country in NIL.

[The Whyte Boar]

NIL hasn't really changed a lot as far as paying players go.  Arkansas has always paid just like everyone else has.  And relatively speaking we are about where we always have been.  We pay better than most but not as good as some.  In other words, about 15 to 25 best in the nation.

[Barton Fink]

I would guess closer to 25 which again puts in the bottom of the SEC. That's who we play 8/9 games a year.

And I'm only saying with things as they are and assuming nothing changes, if RS wins 5-8 games a year it's probably where we should expect to be.

[DirkPiggler]

I would guess closer to 25 which again puts in the bottom of the SEC. That's who we play 8/9 games a year.

And I'm only saying with things as they are and assuming nothing changes, if RS wins 5-8 games a year it's probably where we should expect to be.

With the current schedule that's fair. 

He needs to overachieve a little out of the gate the way Sam did.   Then unlike Sam he needs to sustain it and not Arkansas away any momentum he's built.

[piglosopher]

With the current schedule that's fair. 

He needs to overachieve a little out of the gate the way Sam did.   Then unlike Sam he needs to sustain it and not Arkansas away any momentum he's built.

Beware the second contract. Backfired both times with Bert and Sam.

[DirkPiggler]

Beware the second contract. Backfired both times with Bert and Sam.

Beware the guy who claims to love the state and the university beyond what any other employee in his position would.   We are 2/2 with those guys taking us for every dime they could extract while half assing their efforts.

[buff2.0]

Beware the guy who claims to love the state and the university beyond what any other employee in his position would.   We are 2/2 with those guys taking us for every dime they could extract while half assing their efforts.

Step 1: Silverfield somehow gets us into the CFP and wins a game.

Step 2: Silverfield says that he loves Arkansas and never wants to coach anywhere else for any amount of money.

Step 3: We fire Silverfield because we have finally learned our lesson.