Today, in one of these things is not like the other

Giant sigh.

Most ESPN Top-10 Recruiting classes by Head Coach since rankings began in 2006:

Urban Meyer- 10
Nick Saban- 9
Les Miles- 9
Mark Richt- 8

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) January 30, 2017

Just once would have been nice.  Just once.

I could have played for Urban Meyer, but then I got high.

There is so much about this story to enjoy.

Reports surfaced Saturday that Lakeland receiver James Robinson, a top Gators’ target with National Signing Day approaching Wednesday, was cited for possession of marijuana last weekend during his official visit to Ohio State.

In the state of Ohio, where marijuana possession has been somewhat decriminalized, possessing amounts up to 100 grams is considered a minor misdemeanor and violators will receive a citation and up to a $150 fine. There is no jail time and the incident does not become part of the defendant’s criminal record.

As dumbass moves go, taking weed on a recruiting trip ranks right up there with the best.

Corch dropped the kid like a hot potato, but Florida, as we all know, right now can’t be as choosy about whom it chases, and here’s a kid who didn’t get into enough trouble to require Huntley Johnson’s services to play for the Gators.  (At least, not yet.)  What to do, what to do?

Head coach James McElwain has had two current players cited for marijuana possession during his two seasons at UF. Running backs Mark Thompson and Jordan Scarlet both served one-game suspensions, so McElwain has show a bit of tolerance for this type of rules violation, since both players remained on the team and have been large contributors at times.

The man’s not even gonna break a sweat with this call.

Eh, what’s the worst that could happen?

You can trust Hugh Freeze, son.

Murchison said he was most concerned about the ongoing, and seemingly never-ending, NCAA investigation into the Ole Miss football program. Murchison was satisfied with the answers provided by Rebel head coach Hugh Freeze.

“Coach Freeze explained the investigation to me. He explained it well enough that I know to be smart about this decision,” he said. “Just what would be the worst that would happen. The worst thing would probably be a bowl ban, and it’s not likely to happen. That’s the only thing I had a question about, and they answered it. It was all right.”

I mean, if there’s anybody in America who’s had his finger on the NCAA’s pulse, it’s Hugh Freeze, amirite?

Musical palate cleanser, hope we passed the audition edition

Hard to believe, but the Beatles’ last public performance came on this day almost fifty years ago.

Jeez, I’m old.

“You know these guys are in school.”

One reason coaches can probably live with an early signing period in December, despite some grousing, is because they’re making increasing use of an early signing period in January.

There may be a potential catch, though.  At least if you’re a coach.

And for the players, it’s a jumpstart academically and in football for players. Fuente noted another potential long-term benefit for recruits.

“You’re talking about kids who have maybe passed 18 (credit) hours before they even get on the football field and play a game,” he says. “On the back end, it allows you to graduate earlier and opens up some options for those kids in terms of what they want to do. Part of that is why you’re seeing the graduate transfers (increasing).”

On the other hand, there’s a short term benefit for them.

Another potential plus: increased roster depth for spring practices — which is a semi-hidden issue routinely faced by college programs, given the departure of the previous season’s seniors (and sometimes players who left early for the NFL Draft, as well).

That sure didn’t hurt #93k last year.

“Not really, but I never know what other guys are going to do.”

Not many head coaches could lose three assistants in an offseason and not miss a beat, but I doubt that slows Nick Saban down much.

Alabama has lost a third offensive assistant since capturing its 26th Southeastern Conference football championship in early December.

Receivers coach Billy Napier, the former Murray County High School and Furman University quarterback, left the Crimson Tide this past weekend to become the new offensive coordinator at Arizona State. Napier replaces Chip Lindsey, who left the Sun Devils for the same role at Auburn nine days ago…

Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin was named Florida Atlantic’s head coach on Dec. 13, and Alabama head coach Nick Saban tabbed offensive analyst Steve Sarkisian as Kiffin’s successor four days later. Offensive tackles and tight ends coach Mario Cristobal left to become Oregon’s co-offensive coordinator on Jan. 13, and Saban named offensive analyst Mike Locksley to the full-time staff three days after that.

The Laner may be a little overrated as a recruiter, but Cristobal and Napier are anything but.  Still, Saban doesn’t sound all that concerned.  Having a deep bench at analyst helps, I suppose.