Everyone recognizes that Louisiana is a hotbed of college football recruiting based on the number of players excelling in the NFL and the effort many powerhouse schools across the country spend recruiting the state. A statistic I’ve followed for years is how many Louisiana high schoolers actually sign FBS scholarship contracts. College programs certainly overlook many prospects and mis-analyze the college potential of others they do observe. So the fact that a kid did not sign with a FBS school, or even an FCS school doesn’t necessarily mean he wasn’t a good prospect. Look how many walk-ons, FCS, and even Division 2 and 3 players make it to the NFL. Sure, it’s a relatively small number but it isn’t zero. Kids’ potential is sometimes missed.
Still, with approximately 130 schools scouring the country for talent, I have to think the large number of FBS-quality recruits are hunted down, offered, and signed. Thus, my interest in Louisiana signees. The more kids that are signed suggest the better the year for recruiting in the state.
This year Tulane signed 9 Louisiana high schoolers. That’s the most in the Fritz’ era but still way fewer than the 14 to 20 Johnson annually signed during his tenure. Of course, we must recognize that Johnson signed many players who probably were not really FBS-level recruits.
But, was this a good year for recruiting the state? I think so. Overall, 77 kids received FBS scholarships. That’s up from only 54 in 2021 and 67 in 2022. Of course, those are the lowest numbers in at least the 16 years I’ve kept the statistic. The ”high-water” mark was reached in 2007 when 117 Louisiana kids signed with FBS programs (when there were fewer such programs) and reached 110 as recently as 2015. The average has been 90 throughout that period until 2021.
So why do I think 2023 was a good year? I think the transfer portal has greatly affected the number of signees. When a team used to sign up to 25 high schoolers per year, now most schools are bringing in 5-10 transfers in their place. Some schools bring less but some bring in even more. So, this year’s 77 probably excludes another 15-20 kids who, without the portal, would have gotten FBS scholarships.
But interestingly, more kids are staying home this year. Of the 77 signed, 44 are going to one of the five Louisiana Schools in the FBS. That’s the most in 8 years and much more than the 29 and 26 who remained in state the previous two years, which, at least by this measure (FBS signees) were very much down years for the state.
One area of concern is the number of P5 signees. In 2022, 58% of those who signed went to P5 schools. This year that dropped to 43%. For 2021 and 2022, the four non-LSU schools in the state took in 18 and 19 freshmen respectively. This year, the number was 33. Why the big jump? Are G5 schools becoming more competitive? Possibly? Or are G5 schools taking more “lower end” prospects (the 60-77 guys)? Also, possible. Regardless, I like the trend for Tulane. But we need to fight of the P5 schools to sign kids in the top 30 or so. That’s the area that will keep us at the top of the G5 conferences and move us into the P5.
Here's to a successful 2024 recruiting year. I think visitations during the season and recently bode well for that success.
Roll Wave!!!
Still, with approximately 130 schools scouring the country for talent, I have to think the large number of FBS-quality recruits are hunted down, offered, and signed. Thus, my interest in Louisiana signees. The more kids that are signed suggest the better the year for recruiting in the state.
This year Tulane signed 9 Louisiana high schoolers. That’s the most in the Fritz’ era but still way fewer than the 14 to 20 Johnson annually signed during his tenure. Of course, we must recognize that Johnson signed many players who probably were not really FBS-level recruits.
But, was this a good year for recruiting the state? I think so. Overall, 77 kids received FBS scholarships. That’s up from only 54 in 2021 and 67 in 2022. Of course, those are the lowest numbers in at least the 16 years I’ve kept the statistic. The ”high-water” mark was reached in 2007 when 117 Louisiana kids signed with FBS programs (when there were fewer such programs) and reached 110 as recently as 2015. The average has been 90 throughout that period until 2021.
So why do I think 2023 was a good year? I think the transfer portal has greatly affected the number of signees. When a team used to sign up to 25 high schoolers per year, now most schools are bringing in 5-10 transfers in their place. Some schools bring less but some bring in even more. So, this year’s 77 probably excludes another 15-20 kids who, without the portal, would have gotten FBS scholarships.
But interestingly, more kids are staying home this year. Of the 77 signed, 44 are going to one of the five Louisiana Schools in the FBS. That’s the most in 8 years and much more than the 29 and 26 who remained in state the previous two years, which, at least by this measure (FBS signees) were very much down years for the state.
One area of concern is the number of P5 signees. In 2022, 58% of those who signed went to P5 schools. This year that dropped to 43%. For 2021 and 2022, the four non-LSU schools in the state took in 18 and 19 freshmen respectively. This year, the number was 33. Why the big jump? Are G5 schools becoming more competitive? Possibly? Or are G5 schools taking more “lower end” prospects (the 60-77 guys)? Also, possible. Regardless, I like the trend for Tulane. But we need to fight of the P5 schools to sign kids in the top 30 or so. That’s the area that will keep us at the top of the G5 conferences and move us into the P5.
Here's to a successful 2024 recruiting year. I think visitations during the season and recently bode well for that success.
Roll Wave!!!
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