What do you base this on? Doesn't seem that way to me.
I think the name you're looking for is RKG.
I would say he has nabbed the best in the state without the offers that Black, Holmes, the kid from newtown and Steuber had. I love Uconn but what kid in their right mind would choose Uconn over Michigan? I'd say it would mean a lot to them to say they played football at Michigan, not to mention it is a great academic institution. Hard to blame them. Even though we would love to keep them in state. The chance to play for a national power is a no brainer.
I think you should be more worried about the best prospects in the state and not me. Clearly the staff aims quite high based on offers given and scouting reports. That you don't have to worry about. By the way, I am happy with the quality of targeted recruits. I am realistic in the type of recruit we can all expect to commit to Uconn. I have been an ultra positive fan of this program, so please don't think my attitude is anything less than hopeful for this up and coming program. You're just looking at recruiting with blinders on. The schools the top CT talent committed to are far above the Uconn Talent level. Let's be real. And if you're unwilling to accept that then I cant help you. Diaco and staff have targeted the most talented in state for this class. He tried and thats that. Our coaching staff clearly doesn't "have my attitude" since they offered elite recruits with the intention of signing them. Maybe you should rethink your comments.
What's your definitin of high caliber before I bring up the last coach whose recruiting was an uptick compared to RE??
Not only that, but kids who are true leaders may take the more difficult route in helping to raise a program to new heights. The easy road is to take the offer from the best current program, but it takes a special player to take the offer from State U., with the expectation that he can help bring it up to the level of the current elites. In basketball, that was Corny Thompson, Michael McKay and Jim Abromaitis. They could have gone to many more established programs, but chose to help lead the rise of the UConn program to it's new found heights! Today...a blue blood program thanks to their leadership, determination and personal sacrifice!
When was the last time Uconn had a chance at a National Championship in football? Exposure and competing against the best teams in the country week in and week out. That's all I'm saying. We all as fans of Uconn think surely no kid could turn down a chance to play at Uconn compared to any other school. But let's be honest and be real. If you were in their shoes, where would you want to play, compete, go to school, and win?
You say this, yet we see it every year. The states best jump ship and join some of the Nations top football programs with longggggg proven track records. Typically when the "true leaders" as you call them stay home and take a chance to take the program to new heights, they were very lightly recruited athletes. They are not the kids that have a roll call of offers that they have turned down to play at Uconn. Do I want the likes of Holmes, Black, Mason and others to say home? Absolutely, but it just wasn't in the cards. I don't blame them for taking "better" offers. I also think Diaco and staff have a great thing going and the kids they have brought in are BIG and athletic and ready to take this program to the next level. At least that's what we all hope and cheer for.
Is your question pointed toward anyone or just an out loud thought?
When it happens, let me know. Michigan stole a lineman from UConn a year ago.
Umm...your lack of knowledge here is really showing now. Corny Thompson was the polar opposite of "lightly recruited". He was actually recruited heavily by a few of best programs in the country, including North Carolina and Virginia, though most intensely by Dean Smith and UNC. I believe Corny stated that he would have gone to UNC had it not been for the opportunity to help lead the UConn program to bigger and better things....which he did. His commitment also convinced Michael McKay, who had 150 scholarship offers, including from defending national champ Marquette, to attend UConn even though he was concerned that they weren't a national program at the time. Chuck Aleksinas, a top national recruit who had chosen Kentucky earlier, decided to transfer to UConn, inp art because of Corny's playing here. It even transcended sports as Ken Sweitzer, a QB/WR from Madison, who was recruited by Michigan State, decided to enroll at UConn. So just one big recruit can certainly change the psychology and reputation of a program and university.
