Carolina - doing the most with the least!

[bryarx]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/i...-top-prospects

The school doing the most with the least has been South Carolina. The Gamecocks have signed 13 ESPN 150 prospects since 2009, which is seventh in the league. But the Gamecocks have the third-best record over the last four years (38-15) behind only Alabama and LSU. They’re also one of two teams in the league (along with Alabama) to have won 11 or more games each of the last two seasons.

As the Head Ball Coach himself would say, somebody’s coaching ‘em up in Columbia.

One other interesting nugget is South Carolina is the only team to have played in the SEC championship game over the past four years that hasn't signed at least 20 ESPN 150 prospects during that span.

[cack]

Are we doing more with less or are they just not doing too great with THEIR evaluations?

[CrzyCock21]

I don't think its less.. better coaching and players believing in the system. its not the amount of talent you have but what you do with what you have

[SR4-AJ1]

I think ESPN just has slack rankings.

[bryarx]

It's always in style to mock ESPN and their rankings and find flaws with them since they have changed from bringing us sporting news to trying to make (up) sporting news, however. . . .

I think it's a testament to our coaching staff at USC that has been assembled under Spurrier. The S&C, and position coaches have worked together to fine tune the talent that we have to play in a system they can understand. Maybe I'm just a glass half full - but here's to our coaches!

[Jim Lahey]

see our coaches do suck at recruiting, espn realizes it. I kid I kid. Gotta love beating UGA, Clem and UF while constantly finishing behind them in the recruiting rankings

[unccgamecock]

that's what we doooo!!!! WIN ANYWAY

high character men playing for the man beside them. I believe last year was the best "team" we've ever had. They all loved each other and the fans, stayed out of trouble, and played hard all year. so proud

[cockybusiness2]

Originally Posted by unccgamecock

that's what we doooo!!!! WIN ANYWAY

high character men playing for the man beside them. I believe last year was the best "team" we've ever had. They all loved each other and the fans, stayed out of trouble, and played hard all year. so proud

But this years will be better

[uscsandstorm85]

That says tons about the South Carolina Coaching staff. You can bring in as much top rated talent as you want to, but you still have to coach them on how to play the game at a higher level.

[GamecockSuperFan]

When Spurrier says he's got maybe the best group of coaches he's ever had, I have to agree. There's a different mindset on the sideline than years past. From Coaches to players to managers to the waterboys. There's no team divide between offense and defense, guys seem to get along and really play for each other and not just themselves. It's a good time to be a gamecock.

[RoosterBooster]

But, but, it's all about the stars!!!

[superfly]

The bottom line is every player coming in, is a high school player. They have to be molded into college players. That goes for a 5 star on down. That is the problem with daybo and company is they remain 3, 4,or 5 star high school players playing the college game. No player development and now the recruits are seeing it.

[ReadR00ster]

The players we've been getting are underrated. Our development has been good, but we still have problems with developing certain positions.

[usctiburon03]

For the life of me, I still don't understand this argument. Yes, nobody doubts that our coaches do a great job with the players. But what if they were able to close on some of these higher rated prospects? They could coach them up too, meaning they have the chance to be better. It's not like the staff is passing on these players, they just don't land them. Look at our two best players from the past few years....both were 5 star talent. If we could land a top ranked class with our coaches, I think we would be unstoppable.

[ReadR00ster]

Originally Posted by usctiburon03

For the life of me, I still don't understand this argument. Yes, nobody doubts that our coaches do a great job with the players. But what if they were able to close on some of these higher rated prospects? They could coach them up too, meaning they have the chance to be better. It's not like the staff is passing on these players, they just don't land them. Look at our two best players from the past few years....both were 5 star talent. If we could land a top ranked class with our coaches, I think we would be unstoppable.

You are making it seem like there is that much difference between these high profile guys that we miss on and the ones we actually do get. I just don't believe that be the case most of the time. We take some chances on some guys some times, but if we offer them, they are likely really really good players, regardless their stars or offer list. I just disagree that the key to success is just recruiting the best players and getting the best coach to them. I think it's more like recruiting the RIGHT players and getting the best coach to coach them.

[bryarx]

Originally Posted by usctiburon03

For the life of me, I still don't understand this argument. Yes, nobody doubts that our coaches do a great job with the players. But what if they were able to close on some of these higher rated prospects? They could coach them up too, meaning they have the chance to be better. It's not like the staff is passing on these players, they just don't land them. Look at our two best players from the past few years....both were 5 star talent. If we could land a top ranked class with our coaches, I think we would be unstoppable.

Yea - I think that's the best take-away from the article.

I think the bottom line is - we get the best talent we can, and we make them better. Yes, if we got better talent, the ceiling would be higher, and odds are we would be even better.

I think this article would be great for recruits to read - Carolina improves your existing talent better than at least the teams we've been beating lately. I would think we could use it as a selling point.

[gocockswyn]

That is very accurate analogy. I feel they have some great coaches and the leaders on the team must show/demand a high work ethic to acheive their record as of late. Good work team and coaches.

[ConwayGamecock]

LOL, it's still pretty impressive, but USC is actually 4th in wins the past 4 seasons, behind Bama, LSU, and Florida. Low even points it out, but I guess he was rushing to meet a posting deadline....