The idea that you can find talent that is not highly ranked by the recruiting services and also recruit talent that is considered top notch by consensus are not two mutually exclusive concepts. You can do both. I'm positive McElwain hasn't wanted to expend the energy to do both. It's not like McElwain is not offering schollies to the top rated players in the nation, I just don't believe he's going after them as hard as Mryer, Saban, or Harbaugh does.

Some think recruiting rankings are horse#badword#, but I don't because it is not a pure coincidence that Alabama gets #1 recruiting classes and also wins multiple national championships. It's also not a pure coincidence that guys like Harvin, Tebow, Spikes, Pouncey were all highly touted recruits who were also all key contributors to our national championships.

I always get the vibe that people who #badword# on the star rankings are battling this strawman argument that recruiting stars are the end all be all. No rational person believes that on this forum. Even the top 3 classes that Meyer put together had a collection of 5 star busts and 3 star successes. That doesn't mean star rankings are horse #badword#.

Just like anything else in life that operates at a large scale, there's inefficiencies and even politics (does everyone at your work deserve their position?). But it also means that if you consistently put together top classes, sooner or later the odds are that you'll end up with a collection of playmakers. Much the same way that #1 recruiting classes do not mean you will always win national championship every year (see Alabama). But multiple top classes means your likelihood of winning one goes up significantly over time (see Alabama).

Like it or not this is a make or break recruiting class for Mac. One of the top receivers in the nation, People's-Jones, has named Florida as one of his top five withe FSU, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State as the other four. Take a good hard look at Florida and tell me why he would come here. These are the recruiting battles Mac needs to start winning if he wants to stay a head coach.

for your job security you better learn how to kiss ass and close deals.  These kids better think you are the father, agent and spiritual advisor they never had all rolled into one.  Plus, you better hire assistants who know how to recruit their butts off too. 

No excuse for not recruiting top classes EVERY year when you coach at the flagship university in the most talent rich state in the nation. Period  !