I would argue that Lovie's ability to land quality transfers will be inversely related to his ability to land prep recruits. I am not as concerned with recruiting as most are because of this fact. I'm not saying we are doing great with recruiting. And, someone isn't leaving Alabama for more playing time to go to LSU or Ohio State, where the team is just as stacked at the position. They are going to a place that they can see playing time early and often and the possibility to be showcased, with a dearth of high end talent, there will be a great chance to add these to the roster.
The switch from Illinois to Florida/Georgia was intentional and calculated. We won't know if it is the correct move for a few years, but I am not opposed to it. Lovie has a brand and the country areas in the outskirts of Atlanta suburbs and all over Florida will play better to Lovie's MO and what Champaign offers than Suburb kids. This is not an excuse. I have a hard time imagining this working for most, and potentially even this working for Lovie (not playing the border state game) but that is the strategy and direction.
My bigger concern is that there needs to be a base of solid 3* recruits to plug in with some talented difference makers to round out the culture. Thus far, our difference makers have been under-recruited, low star players and the high star transfers. But to think Lovie will get fired for anything other than product on the field, I think, would be ridiculous. This class will likely be an improvement from the class it replaces. There will still be a need for immediate impact players and we have found those.
The switch from Illinois to Florida/Georgia was intentional and calculated. We won't know if it is the correct move for a few years, but I am not opposed to it. Lovie has a brand and the country areas in the outskirts of Atlanta suburbs and all over Florida will play better to Lovie's MO and what Champaign offers than Suburb kids. This is not an excuse. I have a hard time imagining this working for most, and potentially even this working for Lovie (not playing the border state game) but that is the strategy and direction.
My bigger concern is that there needs to be a base of solid 3* recruits to plug in with some talented difference makers to round out the culture. Thus far, our difference makers have been under-recruited, low star players and the high star transfers. But to think Lovie will get fired for anything other than product on the field, I think, would be ridiculous. This class will likely be an improvement from the class it replaces. There will still be a need for immediate impact players and we have found those.