2020 Recruiting Class....Trotsky listed them along with '18

Apr 21, 2023, 3:12 PM

and '19 classes as examples of how we missed. As a refresher, 2020 was a top five class by all recruiting sites. Demarkus, Bresee, Murphy, DJ, and Simpson were 5 stars. I got to thinking why these guys (and really that entire class) never really lived up to their hype. With the exception of Bresee (freshman year only) and Simpson, they didn't really seem to be ballers. Little swagger or fire that I saw or the ability to self motivate.

Of course Covid, our schedule, and our offense certainly didn't help with motivating the players. I am sure they all wanted to win, but it didn't seem that they had the need to win.

It's more of a psychology question, I guess. Its impossible for recruiters to have their heads in practice to know if the great recruit with the measureables wants to win each drill, and determining a mindset of a player is tough based on Hudl footage. So how do you know if a guy is going to turn out to have a "motor" or an intense desire to beat the crap out of the guy across from them.

Of course I used to think that BAMA always was tougher and wanted to win more with guys like Reuben Foster, but then I figured out they were just faster and bigger than most everyone else. That talent made them able to rough up the other team in the process of steamrolling them.

SO.....did the 2020 guys need more of a "will to win" ala Lombardi or did they need more talent? Or Both?

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Re: 2020 Recruiting Class....Trotsky listed them along with '18

Ok I will bite. Just my opinion.

Bowman- Never seemed like he wanted to be here. Death of grandfather I believe made him want to get closer to home. Admittedly, he has been a bust.

DJ- Honestly, did not see this coming. Watched a lot of his HS games and he appeared to be the real deal. There are 5 star QBS every year that never even see the field. He has had a couple bad years and that was not what I expected.

Breese- He was somewhat a disappointment. He had numerous issues and off the field issues with his sister that I am sure weighed on his mind. He showed flashes and that is why he will probably be drafted early. Many other 5 stars from that class will not.

Murphy- Seemed at times to be lazy or take plays off. Yet he is also considered to be picked earliest by most mock drafts.

Simpson- I think he did all that we could ask. This past year he switched positions and I think that cut down his effectiveness.

Anyways, I am sure throwing in Covid and coaching changes also shared into some of the issues listed

Message was edited by: Clemsonohiotiger®

2020 Recruiting Class....Trotsky listed them along with '18

Re: 2020 Recruiting Class....Trotsky listed them along with '18

Re: 2020 Recruiting Class....Trotsky listed them along with '18

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