The recruiting bash is getting overused
I feel. His first 3 years were on par with status quo with basically top 25 classes. A small class that dipped down to 76. Bud announced retirement at the start of the 2019 season (the small class season). So, a known lame duck DC to try and recruit to is tough.
The new hires came in, geared to in state recruiting pushes. They had zero chance to do so during Covid; but got back to the 40th ranked class in 2020. Lost Tapp (absolutely electric) and got Price (next best thing). This class is shaping nicely now that there is finally in person visiting and such 20th last I looked. Probably a standard top 25/30 class.
Its been well discussed that the VAHS relationships were wearing thin after Cavanaugh was gone. The years after were also covered by the legacy of the legendary coaches.
Fu rightly should get blame for not focusing on in state earlier; but there was also talent gaps in VA that are developing. As well, the exponential rise of other programs resources to recruit VA; that VT was/is drastically behind in. Add getting snubbed more in NC with NC state building steam and Mack back to talk his legacy talk that amounts to zilch on the field.
The WR misses and transfers - that whole room may in large part be attributed to Wiggins gone after the 2018 season. That dude is an absolute stud; VT didn't have the money to keep (not aure if he would have stayed given it was going to Bama) but they hired a budget guy in Williams. Wiggins > Williams.
All I'm trying to say is that there is a lot more that goes into it than Fu can't recruit.
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In response to this post by JRHokie)
Posted: 11/15/2021 at 06:43AM