Muschamp as a Closer

[themistocles]

I know this has been discussed before, but I would like to emphasize that now, following 3 years of evidence I feel safe in concluding that Muschamp is a very, very good closer (admittedly, this year's haul was surely influenced by the very strong 11-2 season),.

Admittedly, we don't know how well most of his team's recruits will turn out yet, but the likelihood is, given their ratings, that they will turn out pretty well.

Anway, in 2012 - the Gatos landed Fowler on signing day, no small feat, and, although there were a couple of defections, relative to the overall class, they were not very important.

In 2013 - from Jan 1 to signing day, the only lost commit was Hearns, who was dumped by UF's misguided Admissions Office, as were desired commits Daniel and Swanson. On or after signing day this year, the Gators landed Reed (Bama wanted him), Bostwick (several wanted him), Townsend (OSU & BAMA both wanted this 200 lb, sub 4.6 40 punter who played QB and Safety at times), and finally, Young, the 6'5", 265 lb, quick-footed kid who has only been playing football for 2 years (this kid is a project, but he has an enormous upside with proper training).

In 2014 - as of two weeks after signing day, the Gators already have 7 commits and likely will have more over the next few weeks due to their multiple Junior days.

Now, historically, I have always considered Mac Brown and Urban Meyer to be about the best recruitersI have seen. The fact that Texas recruiting has dropped quite a bit since Muschamp left, while the Gator's recruiting has remained very strong, suggests that Mushcamp was handling quite a bit of recruiting for Texas.

I now put Muschamp in there with those two (some might consider Lane Kiffin a great recruiter, but I liken him to Calipari at Ky in BB, where I seriously think that money is changing hands much of the time. Cali was a pretty good recruiter at Memphis, but somehow, at Ky, his recruiting jumped through the ROOF - Ky has a ton of wealthy BB boosters who do things like offering Knight's mother a $125,000 per year job if he signs with Ky - this is not "illegal" because theoretically, the BB coaches and school had nothing to do with it, but it is certainly unethical).

[RepubliGator84]

He get's unfairly criticized for that. Granted, in 2012 we missed out on some serious prospects on signing day, but you have to "close" with every single recruit and closing early rather than signing day is fine by me.

He even closed with a few guys on signing day like Bostwick. We lost out on a few sure, but that happens every year.

As long as Muschamp keeps doing what he's doing we're in good shape

[NoahBeanBizzel]

Muschamp closed on Hargreaves back in July. He also closed on DRob and Anzalone back in January. Dude, check out who he closed on before signing day:

QB-Max Staver
RB-Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane
WR-Fulwood, Bailey, Hawkins, Drob and Thompson
OL-Garcia, Dillard, Jackson, Moore, Rod Johnson, and Trenton Brown
DL-Ivie, Riles, Cummings, Brantley and Sherit
LB-Rolin, AA, Davis and McMillian
DB-Neal, Hargreaves, Harris and Washington

That's not a bad way to close on any of those prospects.

[The_Graygator]

Back to back #5 and #4 concensus classes pretty much shows me that Muschamp is a very good closer.

[rounds]

I believe Anzalone and DRob were last minute flips for EE in January and were both top at their position.

[ofmgator]

He closes early and that's why some misguided souls on this web site think signing day is boring. BTW a boring signing day is good for me because it means we have a full house. WM is a great closer.

[gatorzguy28]

If I may opine for a moment---since the OP brought this up, Texas has really been suffering the last few years in recruiting. I think that there is a point to be made here about consistent visits from coaches that will be there and higher energy guys to help the older guys like Mack Brown, connect to the younger talents. Texas is a great example. Since Davis and Muschamp have hit the road, the UT talent has taken a nosedive. And too, since Kevin Wilson and the entire Stoops brotherhood left OU, they have experienced a nosedive as well. I think it is safe to say that interuptions in the coaching staff have left these guys vulnerable and teams like Alabama, LSU and A&M are getting their foot in the lone star state's door. Not good for them! But I really feel that Will was very responsible for their recruiting success and without him, they have not been the same in recruiting or on the field. Guy is a hell of a coach!

[Nicho]

Will "Holiday Hours" Muschamp. (He closes early.)