Already posted most of the info on LSU in this thread:

http://forums.tidesports.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3631098265/m/4981054866


DiNardo\LSU

1996 top 10 (can't find specific rank right now)
1997 #7
1998 #8
1999 #9

Shula\Alabama

2003 #49 (rivals) #45 (scout)
2004 #15 (rivals) #19 (scout)
2005 #18 (rivals) #16 (scout)
2006 #11 (rivals) #18 (scout)


Saban's first class at

LSU
2000 #26


Alabama
2007 #10 (rivals) #22 (scout)


Saban's first true class at LSU (2001) was ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd by every ranking system I can find.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/sfc/recruiting/2001-02-08-lsu.htm

His first true class at Alabama (2008) is currently #3 by rivals and #12 with scout.



RTR

Saban perhaps is doing a better job of coaching Alabama in his first season than he did at LSU his first season just based on the talent inherited.

At LSU his first season, Saban and crew had some whopping losses and at Bama so far the games have been close.

In 2000 Saban lost by 17 to Auburn, lost at home to UAB, lost by 32 to Florida, and lost by 11 to Arkansas.

In 2007 Saban lost by 3 to Georgia, lost by 7 to FSU, lost by 7 to LSU, and lost by 5 to MSU.

Hopefully he can win 8 this season as well but if he only wins 7...it is still very comparable to his first year at LSU minus the blowouts so far.


RTR

Anyone have anything to add 'relative to' to various talent/recruiting disparity issues? Anyone, aight.


RTR

Very nice, great information.

One thing about figures. People have a tendency to enterpret them to fit their own preconceived beliefs. That is why LSU fans can say, although Saban left Miles with a multi-talented team with depth, it really does matter. It is also the same reason why some Alabama fans overlook the talent and ability level of the team Nick Saban inherited, and scream we should have won more games. It is all in your perspective I guess.

"What goes around, comes around."

Excellent and right on the money.

Everything's gonna be just fine. I'm not as angry and hurt as usual after a loss for some reason. Before long, I think we'll look back at this moment and laugh at ourselves. We finally have a coach who wants to win as much as the fans. It hurts now, but we need to try to enjoy the ride.

Saban can coach and he certainly will bring in A+ talent. This season was fueled by unreal expectations by big wins against Arkansas and UT (both of which have shown to have suspect defenses). The fact that our defense has fared pretty well despite a new scheme (3-4 from 4-3)and really only one real NFL-level draft pick is a testament in his coaching.

The offense has been a HUGE disappointment for the most part but can in part be related to Textbook-Gate and losing our best OL in Caldwell and having to resort to Capps which is always a lose-lose proposition (although he did a hell of a lot better than in years past under Conolley's coaching).

I'm afraid JPW may never "get it" as a good college QB and his arm strenght or lack thereof is a huge liability much less his inability to secure the ball or survey secondary receivers with any reliability.

Until we get more talented players (ala what UGA has suddenly found (thank God we played them in September!) with 3 Fr linemen, a Fr RB and So QB is that really good players can win in the SEC EARLY.....which bodes well in that we are sitting at #3 in most recruiting rankings.

I think most fail to realize that the upperclassmen have really had ZERO opportunity to really be winners and have no idea really what it takes to achieve this kind of success thanks in large part to a failure of a previous coaching staff to demand this unlike what we have in Saban. I mean these are guys who have never beaten LSU or Auburn and have lost to MSU twice. It will take more time to instill the will and winning attitude. If he could do it at LSU with DiNardo's disaster there is zero doubt he will do great things at Alabama.

quote:

Originally posted by ksware:
Everything's gonna be just fine. I'm not as angry and hurt as usual after a loss for some reason. Before long, I think we'll look back at this moment and laugh at ourselves. We finally have a coach who wants to win as much as the fans. It hurts now, but we need to try to enjoy the ride.

I'm not as angry either. Could it be because we know that things will get better or was it that Auburn got blown out by Georgia the same day?

i like a lot of your links you post, but this is easily the best post you've ever made.

Thanks for taking the time to look this stuff up. I'm behind him 100% no matter who he plays where and for how long. He doesn't go online telling me how to teach proofs, I'm not going to get on here and tell him how to coach. There's a reason they hired him and not me.

"1999 LSU Football Signees

Jonathan Autrey, OL, 6'4", 280, Cecilia *
Paul Broussard, DL, 6'4", 300, LaPorte, Texas *
John Corbello, PK, 6'0",205, Lafayette, STM
Jason Cuevas, C, 6'1", 290, Purvis, Mississippi *
Jason Daire, OL, 6'4", 320, ST. Eds of Eunice *
Chris Davis, WR, 6'0", 165, ST. Helena, Greensburg *
Domanick Davis, RB/ DB, 5'10", 180, Breaux Bridge
Ranny Davis, DE, 215, Houma, H.L. Bourgeois *
Eric Edward, TE, 6'5", 250, Ouachita Christian
Treverance Faulk, LB, 6'3", 220, Lafayette high school *
Amad Harris, WR, 6'2", 175, Baton Rouge, University Hi *
Dementrius Hookfin, DB, 5'11", 180, Kentwood
Bradie James, LB, 6'3", 225, West Monroe
Derace James, LB, 6'3", 238, Patterson *
Donnie Jones, P, 6'0", 200, Catholic of BR
Chad Lavalais, TE/DE, 6'3", 260, Marksville **
Norman Lejeune, BD, 6'2", 180, Brusly
Jerel Meyers, WR, 6'0", 175, Houston
Deryell Paterson, DB, 6'0", 180 Friendswood, Texas *
Terry Phillips, TE, 6'6", 285, Houston *
Rodney Reed, OL, 6'4", 265, West Monroe
Melvin Richey, DL, 6'4", 280, Decatur, Georgia ***
Antron Seiber, QB, 6'1", 180, Independence *
LaBrandon Toefield, RB, 6'0", 225, Independence
Bryce Watt, FB, 6'2", 230, Barbe L.C.
Walter Young, DL, 6'5", 295, Purvis, Mississippi. *
Prentis Jenkins, DB, 6'0", 180, Vidalia **

1998 LSU Football Signees

Kendrick Allen, DL, 6'6", 305, Bogalusa
Jason Baggett, TE, 6'5", 260, Baytown, Texas
Chris Copper, LB, 6'0", 230, West Jefferson *
Byron Dawson, DL, 6'1", 3OO, Evangel
Sam Forehand, OL, 6'7", 330, Ocean Springs, Mississippi *
Willie Grey, DE, 6'2", 260, St. Aug of N.O. *
Howard Green, DL, 6'4", 305, Donaldsonville
Jesse Harmon, OL, 6'5, 285, Crowley, Fort Scott, CC *
Damien James, DB, 6'1", 190, Carencro
Chad Lavalais, TE/DE , 6'3", 275, Marksville *
Jeremy Lawrence ,LB, 6'2", 210, Ferriday
Solomon Lee, F-B, 6'2", 225, Bastrop
Adam McConathy, LB, 6'5", 226, West Monroe *
Zack Pendarvis, TE, 6'5", 250, Catholic of BR *
Josh Reed, RB, 6'0", 195, Rayne
Melvin Richey, DL, 6'4", 280, Decatur, Georgia **
Reginald Robinson, WR, 6'2", 190, Shreveport Fair Park
Rob Sale, OL, 6'3", 330, Monroe Neville
Brad Smalling, OG, 6'8", 348, West Monroe
Michael Stamps, CB, 5'11", 180, NE Oklahoma A&M *
Lionel Thomas, DB, 6'1", 180, Opelousas
Broderick Williams, LB, 6'2", 210, New Orleans, Sarah Reed *
Damien Woods, CB, 5'10", 180, Southwest Mississippi JC
Shaun Wynn, DL, 6'3", 275, Tyler, Texas
John Young, OL, 6'3", 295, Ruston
Bob Wynne, OL, 6'5", 310, N.O. Jesuit

1997 LSU Football Signees

Tommy Banks, FB, 6'0", 242, West Monroe
Muskingum Barnes, DL, 6'2", 245, Moss Point, Mississippi
Fred Booker, DB, 5'9", 175, Hammond
Abram Booty, WR, 6'2", 175, Evangel *
Ryan Clark, DB, 6'1", 180, Shaw High
Ed Dangerfield, WR, 6'4", 205, Morgan City
Rohan Davey, 6'3", 220, Miami Lakes
Robert Davis, 5'9", 175, Evangel
Joe Domingeaux, TE, 6'5", 245, Crowley
Thomas Dunson, LB, 6'3", 225, Klein Oaks *
Jarvis Green, DE, 6'3", 235, Donaldsonville
Jason Green, LB, 6'2", 210, Donaldsonville
Michael Haynes, WR, 6'4" 210, Opelousas *
Prentis Jenkins, DB, 6'0", 175, Vidalia **
LaVar Johnson, RB, 6'1", 185, North Shore
Lloyd Jones, DB, 6'3", 215, Trinity Valley College *
Kris Kessler, PK, 6'2", 190, Longwood, Florida, Lake Mary
Kyle Kipps, TE, 6'5", 245, Lafayette, Comeaux
Walter Moreham, LB, 6'1", 215, Houston Yates
Craig Nall, QB, 6'3", 207, Alexandria *
Terrence O'Bryant, DB/WR, 6'3", 210, New Waverly, Texas
Cisco Perkins, RB/LB. 6'2", 210, Evangel *
Dwayne Pierce, OT, 6'3", 320, New Orleans, Carver
Melvin Richey, DT, 6'4", 280, Decatur, Georgia *
Robert Royal, TE, 6'6", 215, Karr
Jason Underwood, DE, 6'5", 233, Baton Rouge Episcopal
Louis Williams, OT, 6'6", 295, FT. Walton Beach, Florida"


RTR

My responses and findings against the claims of an LSU fan trying to talk trash saying that one of Saban's recruiting classes at LSU was weak. I found that 11 signees made a significant impact from that class and many went on to the NFL, CFL, and Arena football.

http://forums.tidesports.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3631098265/m/4981054866/p/2

And that was a weaker class compared to the one before it and the two that followed it. Many of those players from later classes, as we all know, still start for Lester The Hat.


RTR