Cy the Cyclone Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 An argument in another thread caught my eye the other day regarding recruiting. Someone sarcastically said "Why don't we build a fence around Nebraska" when people were comparing highly ranked, out of state recruits vs lower ranked recruits who grew up understanding the tradition of Nebraska football. I did a little digging into old rosters to see what I could find and I came up with this...for what it's worth 1970’s 98 wins – 20 loses – 4 ties - % of roster from NE, IA or SD – 49% 1980’s 103 wins – 20 loses – 0 ties - % of roster from NE, IA or SD – 60% 1990’s 108 wins – 16 loses – 1 tie -% of roster from NE, IA or SD – 48% 2000’s 65 wins – 26 loses – 0 ties - % of roster from NE, IA or SD – 36% (I counted Iowa and South Dakota in the percentages because they are practically Nebraska anyway...only skewed the numbers a percentage point regardless). I think there is a real valid point to be made here about recruiting in your own backyard and letting the five stars go to the highest bidders... Quote Link to comment
xkbubo Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 oo that's interesting. Thanks for the find Quote Link to comment
EbylHusker Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Not really, too many variables that aren't accounted for. Correlation does not prove causality. Quote Link to comment
junior4949 Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Great point. I believe this is why Barry Switzer when interviewed on Sports Nightly commented that whoever the new coach will be (interview was before changes) needs to close the borders down. We've had some outstanding talents come right here from within the state. In fact, we've had so many that the list is almost endless. I've gotta think with Omaha and Lincoln's populations growing that we should have as much or more talent in those areas than we did 10-20 years ago. Quote Link to comment
admo Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Thanks for putting this together and taking the time, Cy. Good stuff. I think having 50% from the area should be a yearly benchmark IMO. Quote Link to comment
Cy the Cyclone Posted December 20, 2007 Author Share Posted December 20, 2007 Not really, too many variables that aren't accounted for. Correlation does not prove causality. Well...when you also figure that... 2 of the 3 Cornhusker Heismann trophy winners are native Nebraskans 2 of the 3 Cornhusker Walter Camp trophy winners are native Nebraskans 2 of the 4 Cornhusker Lombardi award winners are native Nebraskans 4 of the 7 Cornhusker Outland Trophy winners are native Nebraskans The only Davey O'Brien award winner is a native Nebraskan The only Butkus award winner is a native Nebraskan...okay, he's actually from Iowa but close enough... it still presents a pretty good argument to shop locally.... Quote Link to comment
EbylHusker Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 There are plenty of good arguments for shopping locally. I never said shopping locally wasn't a good idea. However letting high star recruits pass you by just because they're not local is not a good idea. Quote Link to comment
melscott62 Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 There are plenty of good arguments for shopping locally. I never said shopping locally wasn't a good idea. However letting high star recruits pass you by just because they're not local is not a good idea. you have to have a mixture..... we have been lacking that and it was quite evident on the field Quote Link to comment
beany Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 What an absurd notion, that "% of roster" has anything to do with wins or losses. Post "% of starters" and we can discuss something of significance. GAWD! Quote Link to comment
Cy the Cyclone Posted December 21, 2007 Author Share Posted December 21, 2007 What an absurd notion, that "% of roster" has anything to do with wins or losses. Post "% of starters" and we can discuss something of significance. GAWD! Okay...didn't have time to do the entire decades so just took the most recent year and compared it to a couple of...lets say, more successful years 1972 (12 games, Players starting 8 or more games) 50% 1994 (12 games, Players starting 8 or more games) 43% 2007 (12 games, Players starting 8 or more games) 26% That includes players hailing from the aforementioned NE, IA and SD (also known as Nebraska's Back Yard...much to ISU's dismay) Quote Link to comment
T_O_Bull Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Having players on the team who are "Nebraska kids" (NE, IA, SD) adds a lot to the attitude of the team. They have grown up following the tradition and know what it means to be part of Big RED. Their passion and enthusiasm is passed on to those who come from elsewhere. This is the intangible that they bring to Husker football and it can't be rated by stars next to their name in a recruiting report. >>>T_O_B Quote Link to comment
MOD_CHAMPION Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 I agree they are more than just talent. It helps instill the tradition and respect for nebraska football that is otherwise lacking. Quote Link to comment
Huskerhead1976 Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Not really, too many variables that aren't accounted for. Correlation does not prove causality. You dont have to have all the variables to figure it out. Recruiting solely on the basis of a website ranking will not work here its as simple as that. Quote Link to comment
sunshine&lollipops Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 callahan had a great recriuting class this year we were ready to turn the corner but no one wanted to wait one more year we will pay a price for him getting fired Quote Link to comment
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