Thank you for the level perspective on recruiting. Things will move on after signing day good or bad and spring practice will be much more important with all the changes about to be made. Has anyone done an article on the two backs from last year who signed elsewhere and then transferred to Auburn and why they did that. That may help to explain what happens in recruiting wars. I think one of our main problems is comparisons to LSU and Alabama. These recruiting services are never quite the same and many low star players make it big time like some defensive linemen at Auburn. Some kids grow and change like Ratliff with the Cowboys and some peak in High School and get the stars but are not the best players in college. With all the things that happened this year, it is amazing to me that we are still alive in recruitment with some players. Like you said, if they don't want to come to Auburn, you can not make them. Thanks again for all you do.

Thanks PM!

As discussed many times the bar is set higher for Auburn than our main rivals. As you said, the promise of opportunities to play early plays out after several excellent recruiting classes in a row. I think the next critical step for AU is to start looking like a solid contender on the field on a consistent basis. Some of this season's lopsided losses combined with the fact that, except for 2010, we haven't beaten any of our four main rivals for at least 4 years (ga - 6yrs; lsu - 5 yrs) makes it easy for our competition to characterize 2010 as a fluke due mainly to a freak qb that we somehow convinced to play at AU for a year and that after he left we were back to our mediocre ways. You're right, we may end up having very good recruiting year again this year but, even then, at some point we are going to have to show on the field that we are competitive with the best teams in the league in order to consistently recruit some of the top players every year.

I think our minimum goal should be 10 wins and splitting with our top 4 rivals every year. With the fact that we should play a minimum of 13 games a year that is doable. I feel optimistic about achieving those goals with the 2 new coordinators on board. CGC took the opportunity to improve his staff and he needs to continue to improve his staff whenever there is an opportunity. I am convinced good, talented and driven coaches are a major key to our continued improvement and success.

I fail to see LSU's attraction. As King in a very promising recruiting area every year, LSU should do better than they sometimes do. This year they beat BAMA because Saban made some dumb decisions. Lost because Saban doesn't repeat dumb decisions. Reading Marshall, I get the idea that we'll get the guys we should, and the ones we wanted and missed don't have their hearts in Auburn and started the recruiting process that way.. Could be.

i believe in a nutshell these young kids have a very short memory and always say what have you done lately. in my opinion what has hurt us this year was the lopsided losses and lack of coordinators. not knowing what we will do going forward. just like in a head coaching change that year recruiting results are always less than attractive. if we can make the improvements we should, recruits will see our philosophies and next year should be better. i believe we were immediately better when the season was over. especially on the defensive side. offensively you cant get mush worse than #106.

This is kind of off the subject, but I have decided, going forward, to refer to the university of alabama as UAT rather than Bama or Alabama. Maybe it will catch on like their 14 national championships.

I've lost 7 pounds so far this month.Keep up the good work and eat plenty of greens.The early playing time is a big issue with our recruiting this year.In the end I think we will be ok.

But Phillip, This is probably the last recruiting season EVER. What with the world ending at the end of this year and all....

Good or (Considered) Bad is not going to drop Auburn to the basement of the SEC. A top 10 finish will be more than adaquate.