It was a forgone conclusion that Jeremiah Masoli would be the starting quarterback at Ole Miss following his transfer from Oregon after being dismissed for two incidents with law enforcement officials.  Head Rebel coach Houston Nutt  is all about giving “second chances,” especially when it is quarterback that can help him win more games.  Masoli is the perfect quarterback for Nutt.  He can run the option and is dangerous with his feet. Click here to read more »

Continued from Part 1

5.  June Jones signs with SMU–After leading Hawaii to the greatest season in history, and launching the Warriors all the way to the BCS promised land, a rout at the hands of Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, the Run and Shoot Guru himself was lured away by the SMU Alumni who were willing to Pony Up the cash.  Jones inherits a fairly talented, but downtrodden program which he will make a contender in the Conference USA.  Jones, after moving to SMU, moved Katy, TX QB commit Bo Levi Mitchell to Dallas as well (from a commit to Hawaii), and he, subsequently, went on to be named the starter for the opener against Rice.  June Cometh.

4.  Interesting Coaching Changes–Every year coaching changes happen.  Many happen before the bowl season, therefore, they are not technically offseason.  However, the consequences are felt throughout the offseason as the new staff comes in to their first Spring practices, first recruiting class, etc.  Some of the more interesting hires this year are Houston Nutt from Arkansas to Ole Miss, Rick Neuheisel to UCLA, Paul Johsnon from Navy to Georgia Tech, Bobby Petrino from Atlanta (NFL) to Arkansas, Art Briles from Houston to Baylor, June Jones (see Above) and Rich Rodriguez from West Virginia to Michigan (see Below).

3.  Terrelle Pryor signs with Ohio State–Every year it seems as some kid is the coveted prize of the recruiting world.  Pryor seemed to be wined and dined by the programs and fans who wanted him to sign with their school.  A photo even surfaced of Pryor at a Michigan basketball game talking with Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez.  Pryor delayed his signing, he remained uncommitted, until after he finished his basketball season which went deep because his team won the state championship.  Pryor considered Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State where his father lobbied for him to play.  In the end, the Buckeyes won the prize.  Think Vince Young, only bigger.  Buckeye fans are thinking National Title!

2.  Ryan Perrilloux dismissed from LSU–The highly recruited QB who waited his turn at LSU struggled with off the field probelms.  No need to rehash all of that.  Head Coach Les Miles gave him several opportunities to remain on the team.  Perrilloux showed his abilities last season leading LSU to a win over Tennessee in the SEC Championship game with starting QB Matt Flynn injured.  Without Perrilloux, the Tigers go from defending national champions with a proven QB to defending national champions with no proven QB.

1.  Rich Rodriguez to Michigan and Saga–Rodriguez bailed on the Mountaineer fans.  At least that is how they feel about it.  Rodriguez, a West Virginia Alum, was poised to stay for many years in Morgantown and lead them to the elusive national title.  However, when it was all over, Rodriguez took the Michigan job feeling as if he had been cheated by his employers.  The Hawaii athletic director apologized to fans when June Jones left, no such action from the West Virginia AD.  He and WVU sued Rodriguez for the $4 Million buy out in his contract which Rodriguez claimed was void due to an oral agreement between he and the AD to take out the clause.  Of course, we know, contracts don’t mean anything.  Meanwhile, in Ann Arbor, Rodriguez wasn’t a hit with every player.  QB Ryan Mallet decided to transfer to Arkansas to play in Spread Offense that doesn’t need the QB to run the option like in Rich Rod’s offense.  And, Michigan lineman Justin Boren transferred saying that the “family values” have left under Rich Rod.  And that was only Spring!

Meat Market: Inside the Smash-Mouth World of College Football Recruiting has got to be one of the most interesting reads about college football. The book is written by ESPN Columnist Bruce Feldman and follows former Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron as he dives head first into the world of recruiting the class that would change the direction of the program that Orgeron oversaw. It is a particularly interesting read now that Oregeron has been replaced at Ole Miss by former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt.

Feldman is the “fly on the wall” during Ole Miss coaching meetings discussing recruits, particularly in the “war room,” the place where Orgeron did his recruiting work. Feldman reports what coach Orgeron and his coaches say about potential recruits and how Orgeron’s staff identifies and pursues future college stars such as Joe McKnight whom Ole Miss made a serious attempt to sign out of New Orleans. Feldman also reports how certain circumstances during the football season caused the Rebel staff to place a greater importance on “character” players as well as academics in their recruiting strategy.

Feldman explains the use of the Ole Miss summer football camps to identify the “sleeper” recruit which is a tactic of summer football camps all over the country. Orgeron and his staff seemed to embrace the use of the internet recruiting sites using them to boost their own rank with potential recruits by either being the first to pursue a recruit or just by being on a recruit’s short list.

The most exciting part of Felman’s book are the last two chapters as National Signing Day looms closer. This at part of the book is like an intense action-packed 3 hour movie in which circumstances seem to change every 5-10 minutes. Those two chapters follow the most sought after recruits on the Ole Miss board and the reports, rumors, and communications (including text messages) which give the coaches an indication of the direction in which each recruit will or will not go. Feldman seemed to be able to interview some or all of the recruits as well as their families, coaches, mentors, or teachers, etc.

One problem I had with the book is the ability to keep up with all of the different people introduced in the book. Undoubtedly, Feldman met far more than he mentions in the book. I am not really sure how he could help the reader keep up with the ones he mentions. He did provide some helpful reminders, but I often found myself asking about someone he mentioned earlier to try to remember how he or she was mentioned and why.

It is a good read, especially during the spring part of college football when recruiting players for your favorite college football team is still fresh in your minds. Hop on down to your local Borders Bookstore and buy a copy. And, enjoy.