We are and have always had a hard time recruiting in the exotic locals. Even in our heyday. No step back and realize we have not played for the MNC in 12 years. That makes these kids about 5 years old when that happened last. As hard as it is to admit, we are currently an "also ran program". Until we begin to compete on the national stage it will be hard to "steal" anyone away. Getting taken to the woodshed twice (almost) 3 times this past year doesn't help. Win your division, when your conference and get to the BCS and kids will look this way. This is the "what's in it for me generation". Can I play in a BCS game, can this school get me to the next level, great TV exposure etc....
This staff has to acknowledge this and go after more "sure" things even if they do not have the stars. We are wasting time on kids who enjoy getting the attention, but have no intention of ever coming here. Cut bait and move on.
Winning cures everything. Look at Boise St (conference be damned) they play and have great success against some traditional "big boy" schools. They are a prime example of getting kids who WANT to play for you and are getting COACHED up.
It is a glaring issue when we have projected starters who are walk-ons. Bama, LSU, USC, OSU, OU, UT, Michicken etc probably do not have walk-ons starting. Love the program, but we are not going to win the division, let alone the conference on kids who did not take or were not offered schollies from other big time schools.