Bat Signal wasn't Hector

[Observer11]

Yea, apart from being excited about an incoming recruits potential, I don’t take the hyperbole further than that. Best recruit ever? Hell, that would be Ryan Leaf or Ruben Mayes or Rien Long. Maybe Lamont Thompson or Mark Fields. Jason Gesser or Will Derting.

I’m not trying to pour water over the excitement, but incoming recruits are just prospects. If you were to wager on their future performance, many of these kids don’t pan out. Super excited these two kids are on board, but now it’s time to work. We’ll see in a couple of years where they rank.

Bledsoe, Leaf and Rypien were the 'best' recruits all time at WSU. And it's not even close. Parade All-Americans/high profile high school QBS when that actually meant something. Rypien could have gone anywhere in the country and played - Spokane had a long history as a Notre Dame pipeline when Notre Dame actually was a thing. Ryp probably should have if he'd have known he'd be stuck running the option but I digress. Miami was coming after Leaf. Bledsoe same thing - every school in the country would have taken him or came after him once he got on their radar. Sandberg would have been in this discussion too had he not gone the baseball route. WSU doesn't get any of those guys in the internet/7 on 7 era. They just don't. They're going to big time schools these days.

Mayes was known to nobody coming out of high school in Alberta. Long was a basketball player.

The rest of those guys ended up being among the all time greats at WSU but in my mind that's not the same as 'the best recruits'. The discussion started on highest profile/highest return. Which starts and ends with the 3 guys I listed.

 

[79COUG]

All this star talk..somewhere Will Derting is laughing...

 

[Cougsocal]

Bledsoe was one win from a Rose Bowl and Top 10 season despite a horrific defense (secondary).

Blanchette is probably successful in getting Mike Price fired if not for Aaron Price game winner vs UA and Bledsoe.

FYI, If you look at the stats, Drew had thrown more pics than touchdowns going into the Apple Cup in 1992. Also Hunter, Mobley, Rushing and Burns who were starters in 1992 are generally consider to be the best Cougar secondary of all time. Without them being able to play on islands, the "hair on fire" attacking defensive style of the Palouse Posse looks a lot like the 2019 Cougar defense.

In retrospect, Drew was clearly the weakest link (performance not talent-wise) on what might have been the most talented of Price's teams. His QB rating even after his great Cooper Bowl performance remained only 127.2, compare that to Rosie's 158.5, Leaf's 158.7, Gesser's 146.4 and Minshew's 147.6 in their best years. The only Cougar Bowl QBs with similar ratings were Kegel in 2003, 128.1 and the infamous Chad Davis at 121.3, two very defensive dependent teams, and Halliday in 2013, at 126.5, (calling 2013 a legitimate bowl team is a bit of a stretch).

 

[CougPatrol]

I was in Pullman during the Bledsoe era. I lived in the same apartment complex as Shaumbe Wright-Fair (great guy, btw). I’m also originally from Boston, so Drew is my most iconic Coug.

With that said, he really struggled in 1992. Held the ball way too long. In fairness, the offensive philosophy wasn’t good that season. Looking back though, that era gave Price the blueprint for the 1997 season.

 

[Coug90]

You’re being ILLOGICAL, I’m using FACTS, KNOWLEDGE, when I say Eaton was a middle-to-very-good recruit that definitely would, very likely, probably, certainly wouldn’t have played for Alabama.

Alabama sucked at that time...lots of people could have played for Bama (I know your post is laced in sarcasm but still true)

 

[Coug90]

FYI, If you look at the stats, Drew had thrown more pics than touchdowns going into the Apple Cup in 1992. Also Hunter, Mobley, Rushing and Burns who were starters in 1992 are generally consider to be the best Cougar secondary of all time. Without them being able to play on islands, the "hair on fire" attacking defensive style of the Palouse Posse looks a lot like the 2019 Cougar defense.

In retrospect, Drew was clearly the weakest link (performance not talent-wise) on what might have been the most talented of Price's teams. His QB rating even after his great Cooper Bowl performance remained only 127.2, compare that to Rosie's 158.5, Leaf's 158.7, Gesser's 146.4 and Minshew's 147.6 in their best years. The only Cougar Bowl QBs with similar ratings were Kegel in 2003, 128.1 and the infamous Chad Davis at 121.3, two very defensive dependent teams, and Halliday in 2013, at 126.5, (calling 2013 a legitimate bowl team is a bit of a stretch).

Where did Drew rank amongst his other CFB counterparts in ‘92. Because ranking a QBs rating from 92 to even 97 or 02 isn’t really the best way to measure a QBs effectiveness. In the early 90s lots of QBs were holding the ball too long and throwing picks. The offensive passing game had evolved by leaps and bounds within 5-10 years of Bledsoe’s last pass at WSU.

 

[Brent H.]

People forget how big of a recruit Jeremy Williams was.

 

[Cougsocal]

Bledsoe, Leaf and Rypien were the 'best' recruits all time at WSU. And it's not even close. Parade All-Americans/high profile high school QBS when that actually meant something. Rypien could have gone anywhere in the country and played - Spokane had a long history as a Notre Dame pipeline when Notre Dame actually was a thing. Ryp probably should have if he'd have known he'd be stuck running the option but I digress. Miami was coming after Leaf. Bledsoe same thing - every school in the country would have taken him or came after him once he got on their radar. Sandberg would have been in this discussion too had he not gone the baseball route. WSU doesn't get any of those guys in the internet/7 on 7 era. They just don't. They're going to big time schools these days.

Mayes was known to nobody coming out of high school in Alberta. Long was a basketball player.

The rest of those guys ended up being among the all time greats at WSU but in my mind that's not the same as 'the best recruits'. The discussion started on highest profile/highest return. Which starts and ends with the 3 guys I listed.

Good write up. Rypien was seen as a sports savant nationally, on a 6'4" 220 frame -- all state in three sports Football, Basketball, Baseball. Bledsoe had the size, a cannon and the ideal home/family environment for football success. Bobby Bowden and Don James were after him hard. They both were considered at the top of the QB ratings, nationally. However, Leaf wasn't highly recruited like Ryp and Bledsoe, not because the talent wasn't there, but because his high school coac, Jack Johnson, spread the "bad egg" rap. This is what Johnson said about Leaf, "It's hard to evaluate heart, work ethic and coachability," Johnson said. "If I tried to correct Ryan, he took it personally as criticism. He was an awesome talent and a fierce competitor who was respected by his teammates but not very popular." If you are saying that to a reporter to show up in print, imagine what you are saying over the telephone, in confidence, to coaches. Thus recruiting can down to Price and Erickson, the father Flanagan's on coaching.

BTW, Rueben only wished he came from a recruiting "hot bed" like Alberta. He's from North Battleford, Saskatchewan. An argument can be made that the two time conference MVP isthe best (Anti Rypien/Bledsoe) least recruited player in school history.

 

[Cougsocal]

Where did Drew rank amongst his other CFB counterparts in ‘92. Because ranking a QBs rating from 92 to even 97 or 02 isn’t really the best way to measure a QBs effectiveness. In the early 90s lots of QBs were holding the ball too long and throwing picks. The offensive passing game had evolved by leaps and bounds within 5-10 years of Bledsoe’s last pass at WSU.

Rypien - 133.3 1985, Ed Blount 127.5 1986, Rosenbach 158.4 1988, Gossen 164.2, Garcia 139.1 1989, Bledsoe 127.2 1991 and 1992, Pattinson 124.6 1993, Davis 121.3 1994, Leaf 127.5, 1996, Leaf 158.7 1997, Birnbaum 107.5 1998, Birnbaum 120.6 1999.

In fairness to Bledsoe, the highest pass rating in 1992 in conference was Gary Benton 133.7, but 1992 appears to have been the worst year for conference QBs play from 1984 to the present. Honestly, when Gossen/Garcia, running the same offense, play the position more effective than you, and your numbers are only 5.9 better than Chad Davis (who didn't have anywhere near the weapons you had, you aren't doing very well). Bledsoe became the first pick because of his NFL potential, validated by his play in the Apple Cup and Copper Bowl. Nothing else explains it.

 

[Observer11]

Good write up. Rypien was seen as a sports savant nationally, on a 6'4" 220 frame -- all state in three sports Football, Basketball, Baseball. Bledsoe had the size, a cannon and the ideal home/family environment for football success. Bobby Bowden and Don James were after him hard. They both were considered at the top of the QB ratings, nationally. However, Leaf wasn't highly recruited like Ryp and Bledsoe, not because the talent wasn't there, but because his high school coac, Jack Johnson, spread the "bad egg" rap. This is what Johnson said about Leaf, "It's hard to evaluate heart, work ethic and coachability," Johnson said. "If I tried to correct Ryan, he took it personally as criticism. He was an awesome talent and a fierce competitor who was respected by his teammates but not very popular." If you are saying that to a reporter to show up in print, imagine what you are saying over the telephone, in confidence, to coaches. Thus recruiting can down to Price and Erickson, the father Flanagan's on coaching.

BTW, Rueben only wished he came from a recruiting "hot bed" like Alberta. He's from North Battleford, Saskatchewan. An argument can be made that the two time conference MVP isthe best (Anti Rypien/Bledsoe) least recruited player in school history.

Correct on my misstating AB vs. SK. All those Canadians look the same to me.

Good insight on Leaf. Was not aware of that insider scoop. Just know that Miami came rushing in hard at the last second - which probably makes sense given Uncle Denny's connections at Montana State.

 

[CougEd]

Bledsoe, Leaf and Rypien were the 'best' recruits all time at WSU. And it's not even close. Parade All-Americans/high profile high school QBS when that actually meant something. Rypien could have gone anywhere in the country and played - Spokane had a long history as a Notre Dame pipeline when Notre Dame actually was a thing. Ryp probably should have if he'd have known he'd be stuck running the option but I digress. Miami was coming after Leaf. Bledsoe same thing - every school in the country would have taken him or came after him once he got on their radar. Sandberg would have been in this discussion too had he not gone the baseball route. WSU doesn't get any of those guys in the internet/7 on 7 era. They just don't. They're going to big time schools these days.

Mayes was known to nobody coming out of high school in Alberta. Long was a basketball player.

The rest of those guys ended up being among the all time greats at WSU but in my mind that's not the same as 'the best recruits'. The discussion started on highest profile/highest return. Which starts and ends with the 3 guys I listed.

Leaf...not so much. Dennis wanted him to play TE in Miami....and recruited him as such.

Dwayne Sanders and the safety that Doba recruited were the two highest players in terms of national recruiting. Rypien was there as well.

Bledsoe was a Super Prep All American, but not sure the likes of USC, UCLA were after him to name a few.

 

[425cougfan]

Leaf...not so much. Dennis wanted him to play TE in Miami....and recruited him as such.

Dwayne Sanders and the safety that Doba recruited were the two highest players in terms of national recruiting. Rypien was there as well.

Bledsoe was a Super Prep All American, but not sure the likes of USC, UCLA were after him to name a few.

Bledsoe reportedly was recruited by USC (and Stanford, Miami, and various others, in addition to UW, of course). I've seen conflicting reports on UCLA, the more convincing of which stated that Bledsoe probably would have gone there if offered but Donahue didn't recruit him due to having Maddox at the time.

 

[425cougfan]

Bledsoe, Leaf and Rypien were the 'best' recruits all time at WSU. And it's not even close. Parade All-Americans/high profile high school QBS when that actually meant something. Rypien could have gone anywhere in the country and played - Spokane had a long history as a Notre Dame pipeline when Notre Dame actually was a thing. Ryp probably should have if he'd have known he'd be stuck running the option but I digress. Miami was coming after Leaf. Bledsoe same thing - every school in the country would have taken him or came after him once he got on their radar. Sandberg would have been in this discussion too had he not gone the baseball route. WSU doesn't get any of those guys in the internet/7 on 7 era. They just don't. They're going to big time schools these days.

Mayes was known to nobody coming out of high school in Alberta. Long was a basketball player.

The rest of those guys ended up being among the all time greats at WSU but in my mind that's not the same as 'the best recruits'. The discussion started on highest profile/highest return. Which starts and ends with the 3 guys I listed.

Agreed on today's recruiting world being different, and this is part of the point I've tried to make when comparing Price's recruiting to those of current-day coaches, despite our current coaches having much better facilities. Today's 5-star recruit in Eastern WA, to the extent we see them again, would be much harder to keep at WSU in today's day and age than it was a few decades ago.

 

[etowncoug]

Agreed on today's recruiting world being different, and this is part of the point I've tried to make when comparing Price's recruiting to those of current-day coaches, despite our current coaches having much better facilities. Today's 5-star recruit in Eastern WA, to the extent we see them again, would be much harder to keep at WSU in today's day and age than it was a few decades ago.

Price would have needed to adapt to the modern environment. He would have been active on Twitter but he was horrible at branding. Way too comfortable with the lovable scrappy underdog loser label. His "King of Poop Island" comments would have made him a legend for the wrong reasons. In an era where we get 90% of our players out of state, I'm not sure he would command the respect of out of state coaches.

 

[Cougsocal]

Price would have needed to adapt to the modern environment. He would have been active on Twitter but he was horrible at branding. Way too comfortable with the lovable scrappy underdog loser label. His "King of Poop Island" comments would have made him a legend for the wrong reasons. In an era where we get 90% of our players out of state, I'm not sure he would command the respect of out of state coaches.

Adaptation is always necessary, but it starts with the character of the coach. Their is a reason why Wulff struggled to recruit with his top 100 classes. Bottom line is nice guys who sincerely care about the well being of their players recruit better. Price for all his many faults, Walden for all his many faults, still were able to convince the Bledsoes and the Rypiens that they had their son's best interest at heart. These were sincere and genuine men. If you can't convey that, social media and a swanky FOB isn't going to save you. It is my hope that Rolo conveys a similar character, while being able to install similar program operations to Leach. If he can, we will have the best of both worlds.

 

[etowncoug]

Adaptation is always necessary, but it starts with the character of the coach. Their is a reason why Wulff struggled to recruit with his top 100 classes. Bottom line is nice guys who sincerely care about the well being of their players recruit better. Price for all his many faults, Walden for all his many faults, still were able to convince the Bledsoes and the Rypiens that they had their son's best interest at heart. These were sincere and genuine men. If you can't convey that, social media and a swanky FOB isn't going to save you. It is my hope that Rolo conveys a similar character, while being able to install similar program operations to Leach. If he can, we will have the best of both worlds.

That's an example of the adaptation I was talking about. Wulff cared about his players. Families are looking for someone who can get their kid to the NFL or otherwise set them up for life.

 

[Mr-Robinson]

I'm not sure this kid chose WSU first instead of Alabama. WSU was on his mind the whole time in my honest opinion.

https://gselles.whatisfes.com