📅 Published on: 2024-12-04 21:05:46

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🕵️‍♂️ Transcript:

All right. So an exciting day for Ole Miss. A lot of really good players coming here. I think this is our best class. I’m not saying that. I think this is our best class since we’ve been here of high school players. I think that’s a product of a lot of things. Coaches working really– assistant coaches working really hard, doing a really good job. The really good general manager, Billy Glasscock, putting things together. And I think that that’s a product of now a lot of winning season. So, as these guys went into high school, all they’ve done is see us win. And so, you know, for their time, it’s their going in this program in the SEC, sitting alone, you know, behind Georgia and Alabama. So I think that that’s critical. It’s critical for players to see that over time, that they know a place wins. So, with all that, I think it’s just a really exciting class of a lot of players, a lot of different spots, and some positions of need. And, you know, again, for the third year in a row, you know, sign the number one player in the state, which is huge. Questions? Coach, before we get into discussing the specifics of the class, obviously, the CFP show came out last night, and you guys are ranked number 13 right now. And they made it seem like there’s not going to be a movement among teams that aren’t playing this weekend. I know you shared some thoughts on social media. I was just hoping you could give us a little insight into, you know, your thoughts on the first 12-team playoff and what needs to change in the process going forward. Yeah, I think probably to surprise you with this, you know, this is– this press conference is about signing day. I understand the question. I’ve been very vocal, you know, social media-wise with some things. And so, you know, I’m trying to keep this press conference and not steal from these players and, you know, that this is a huge day for them. You touched on it about the top recruit in the state. Just from when you got here to now and the success you’ve had the past couple of years, what have you seen or the credit to your success with the in-state kids and keeping them here? Well, like I said, I think there’s a number of factors there. I think that, you know, we’ve been dominant, you know, over their time basically in the Egg Bowls. So, you know, a lot of in-state kids, you know, between us and state, programs have been extremely different. I’m not taking any shots. I mean, the win losses, since we’ve been here, the two programs are dramatically different in very different directions that the programs are headed in. So I think they see that. So that knocks out state, you know, and that for the kids. And then I think more kids now stay here where before they were leaving because they felt, okay, I’ve got to go, wherever it was at the time here, you know, LSU, Alabama, Auburn, you know like a JJ McGee’s like because, you know, I want a chance to be able to win more, you know, things they want to achieve. And now they’ve seen you can do that here. And I think the staff’s doing a good job. I think Kelvin Bolden who has a lot of connections here has done a really good job within state players when they come on campus here and develop in relationships. He’s been very critical to that as well. Is this a reflection of a change in philosophy by you guys as far as wanting more high school kids or just the way it worked out? Well, I don’t– I think you’re going to– you got to have numbers because of just turnover now, you know, I think you’re going to see massive roster turnovers around the country. So, and we had a lot of seniors also. But, yeah, ideally, I’ve said it, just because we had– our system adopts and moves I think as well as anybody what we do, and we do that whether it’s offensively, defensively, we’re always changing, always evolving to the systems, to the rules, to NIL, to collectives, to everything, to portals. The best way to build a roster long-term is not to go to the portal every year. That’s not the best way to do it, you know. I’d love to be at a place where you can sign, you know, top five high school places– top high– top five high school classes every single year, and then it’s a lot easier to retain them because once you have them, it’s easier to retain even in the market value, a lot of times get an easier, you know, hometown discount once they’re there. That’s not been able to be the case. Maybe someday it will here at Ole Miss. It’s not been the case. So, we had to go address needs, we had to go portal, and that was the only way to, you know, continue this success and hopefully win this, you know, post-season game and — what, three of the last four years have ten-win seasons. You know, we gave the list to the players the other day when we were talking about, you know, we’re not in the playoffs, the value of a bowl game and winning a 10th game. You know, I don’t have the list here, but the names of teams in the last three or four years that have won 10 wins, they’re all your national name brands and Ole Miss. So that’s pretty exciting. Caleb Cunningham continues the streak of in-state kids, I guess, just what do you like about his game in specific and how much of an instant impact could he be next year? Yeah, he could be huge. That was really big. He’s a great player. You know, that one point obviously looked like he was leaving the state and got him back. And great kid, great family, and in a position of need next year with losing so much there. So we have very high expectations for him. Currently no quarterback in this class. Is that something you’re going to keep an eye on? Or are you happy with where things stand? Or maybe something you’ll look into at the portal as well? Yeah, I think we’re, you know, as you guys know, but we’re kind of new age in analytics, in salary cap, in roster management. And I think a lot of people just still kind of do the same thing. We got to sign this many people at this many positions, you know, and paying whatever it takes. And I’ve just– I’ve said now for two years, I think that, you know, you got to be really careful with high school quarterbacks, in my opinion. So, you know, sometimes we’re on a guy and, you know, the price gets too high. And that’s the world we live in now. And you got salary caps. And I just think, when you put, you know, you put a ton of money into that, it’s just such a transfer position that usually doesn’t play in year one and look around the country what you’re about to see coming up here you’re going to see a lot of these high-priced guys from a year ago go in the portal. So they just blew all that money. So, once– in my opinion, once these guys or one that we’re recruiting, you know, the price goes too high and the other school wants to pay him all that, it just doesn’t really fit in the salary cap model of retention over time. I’m curious and you brought it up. Most people don’t even talk in these terms. But is the price tag higher in the portal or on high school guys? Is it varied by position? It varies by everything and whatever it’s worth that I’ve said once the revenue share was coming in, now that people know even though they don’t technically have the money right now, they’re going to operate like they do in this portal. And I think you’re going to see, you know, outrageous prices in this portal. It’s great for players. But I think you’re going to see guys get paid way more than you could ever imagine, because now everybody has this money that they believe coming in. And again, there’s no structured system like the NFL where people really, you know, got– they really got great general managers and have this nailed how to do it. And you’re going to have people that say, okay, well, we got to get a player so here’s the market value, but we’re just going to go pay double, you know, or some donor is going to jump in, or a coach can be on a hot seat and, you know, overpay a player. So these portal guys are going to make unbelievable amounts of money. Now, that’s just my opinion. And what I think is already being floated out there to these kids, what I know is already being floated out there. To follow up on that, you’re right. You guys, that’s kind of in your identity, your ability to adapt to the different systems and stuff. So are you operating now under the assumption that revenue sharing will be in place for the 2025 season, or is that a– is there any chance that people make that assumption and it doesn’t come to fruition and it’s more difficult to manage at that point? No, I think that’s happening, you know, unless there’s– you know more than me. I think that’s happening. I just don’t think the people are going to have the money until like July. So they’re going to– they got to figure out how to– there’s a gap there. So, but no, I think it’s definitely coming. And I think that’s what people are operating on. I know it’s what people are operating on and why these prices are going where they’re going for these kids that are already– they’re not even in yet. They’re going to be in here. But what’s being told to them, whether it’s our kids by their schools already? You know, numbers that no one’s ever heard of for players that aren’t even– haven’t even been great players. With this rev sharing that you’re anticipating, do you break it down like each position room gets an x amount of dollars or how you operate within that rev share? Well, we do. Ours is all– we have percentages by position, you know, of our overall cap, much like you would in the NFL. I don’t think a number of teams don’t do that. I think they just go, we want this player, how much does it cost? So we did it in this high school recruiting. There’s a number of players who wanted to come here. We were in good shape with them. And then the number goes too high. Or we just don’t do that because we look at the big picture of everything and then when you take it from there, it’s going to come from somewhere else down the road or another position. So, I think you’ll see probably like marquee players, whether it’s recruits or especially but portal guys that aren’t going to all go to like, you know, like the old days where, man, they’re going to all go to the top schools, you know, that have the best chance of winning. You’re going to see some guys kind of I think go to all these different schools now that, you know, are going to– school B is going to even though it’s not a traditional national team or maybe a great team coming back, they’re just going to pay twice as much as someone else or is it everybody else for a guy. You’re going to see a guy go but some places that might make it, you know, kind of different than what you’re used to seeing, I think. Lane, obviously there were some question marks in the running back– this running back room this year, with Caden most like coming in, just what kind of impact do you see him making as a freshman? Yeah, I think he’s got tremendous upside, a really big physical running back, you know, which we missed this year not having. And, you know, as you look at the year, I think that that was a big difference, you know, in a lot of critical situations, you know, where big guys kind of fall forward, make some extra yards, and obviously, you know, having to go to a de-tackle for a lot of those situations. So, we have high hopes for him. You got a huge flip from a guy like Devin Harper recently. What does it mean to kind of just get a flip from a program like LSU, take a player, a top player in the state away from a place like LSU? Yeah, I just think it shows how our programs change from when we got here, you know, how that just wouldn’t have happened because you just couldn’t do it. You really couldn’t do it with an in-state kid, keep them here over them a lot of times. But the ability to show how we win now and, you know, that you can come here and achieve everything that you can in these other places where, you know, they weren’t sure of that before. How are your staff adjusting to save a budget? Pretty good, or I mean is it different, more difficult? Well, we operate that way– we’ve operated that way for a while. We’ve looked at it that way, even though there wasn’t revenue sharing with the cap. There’s really not a cap, just so we’re clear, like this idea that they have that there’s revenue sharing and then it’s this cap and everybody’s the same, that is not what’s happening. You know, there’s still collectives. There’s still even donors outside of that. Just a very notable one, you know, get arguably the best player in the country. So, you know, don’t think that this is like NFL where it’s figured out this revenue sharing, there’s a cap and everybody’s equal. That’s not what’s happening. Just sounded good when they presented it to people, I think. Going off of Harper flipping, but just the offensive line in general, I felt like a position of need heading into next year. Do you like how you all are starting off with rebuilding that role? Yeah, I think that these are some really big linemen that have huge upside, you know, more traditional, big-time SEC type of linemen, so that’s really good because sometimes when you have undersized guys, you’re going to take them so far. I promise this isn’t to try to trick you into a playoff question, but I’m curious here. Obviously, in the SEC, you’ve got a lot of programs that are really dedicated to trying to win at a high level with the collectives that’ll be on top of rev share, right, so is that going to create even more parity in the league where it’s going to be harder to avoid having three and four lost seasons which apparently keep you out of the current playoff format? Yeah, I think that what you saw this year in the SEC and the amount of multiple-loss teams and three-loss teams. I think it’s going to take a little bit of time for fans to get used to that’s what’s going to happen. I think that, you know, with bringing Texas, Oklahoma with the ability of portal. So even, you know, even when your rosters are good and they’re coming back and, you know, people pluck guys off of that, you know? And so some of these teams, you know, that were traditional– let’s just say Georgia for instance, you know, like they lose a great linebacker, like the stuff that before where they kind of just keep the collections, you know, like the old Alabama’s, they’re getting plucked too because of their backups. So, you know, like there’s a linebacker there and he’s playing at Kentucky. So, I think that this is probably what you’re going to have to get used to as fans, you know, teams having multiple losses in this conference. And now you kind of tricked me into it. It’s why it’s just different, it’s just totally different. And these comparisons of other conferences and ACC and Big 12, I mean, it’s just like– it’s it might as well be in different leagues, it’s not conferences, it’s different leagues, you know, like here’s the NFL, here’s the SEC, here’s those few big 10 teams, then here’s everybody else. So you’re going to see it in the draft, you know, it’ll be different like it always is with the SEC, the amount of kids drafted out of here and there. And so, it’s really a bad system. Here you go, you got me going. It’s just a bad system. It’s a bad system. And you got people in there in place of it. And I don’t know, they gave me the list of the coaches today. You know, none of those coaches has ever been down here in the Deep South, into these stadiums, and played in these games that are on this so how do they even know? How do they even know what it’s like to have to go win in these stadiums, in these places, and on the road of teams that they say, well, these teams are 500 teams. And then we have, you know, the week where the three favorites all lose on, you know, the senior day and night in three of the hardest stadiums in America to play. It’s much different than where these other conferences go and play. There are, you know, six and six teams that they got to go play, or five and five teams at the time. It’s just totally different. And you got to get up for it every week. It’s a lot easier when you got to get up for two games a year, you know, to get your team up. Just generally speaking, how does this recruiting class impact or affect what you may or may not be looking for in this year’s portal cycle? That was a great job, by the way. You completely got me off of my goal here. No, that was good. I liked that. I would have done the same thing. What was the question? Just how does this recruiting class impact or affect what you guys may or may not be looking for in the portal this year? It doesn’t quite as much because these guys are younger. Now, sometimes if you’re looking in the portal and they’re younger players with three years of experience, but which I think is going to be more of that too, because you’re just seeing– you’re going to see a ton of freshmen go in because of the money part of this aspect. So there’ll be a little bit of that, you know, what you have here and then you’re going to look at– and some of you, what did you get last year because now you’re going to go look at guys with three years left and they’re going to go into your sophomore class so just get ready for a giant free agency all over the country of places. And once they– to me, once they announce the revenue sharing, announce it that there’s this much money, a lot of parents, a lot of kids, they may be perfectly happy where they’re at, they’re going in. Is it a coincidence that you have no JUCO players, or have you all decided that’s not a very good talent pool for you anymore? You know, it’s just, I think, the portal, they said when it first started, you know, would affect junior college players around the country, not as many taken. I don’t have the analytics on that. I bet it’s going to be down because they know– guys know they can go get college players that they’ve already seen playing, you know, Division 1, you know, or Power 5. And for us, we just had so many portal players. And then we really wanted to focus on getting a lot of really good quality high school players. Because again, this is the way to build a program long-term and successful. And you’ll see that over time, I think, in five years, you’ll see, okay, what are the teams with the best records over five years, the traditional teams that usually are there, they’re going to usually have been built from quality high school players. Again, because that’ll be your retention and your ability to withhold them when they’re free agents every single year and keeping them, you know, versus having to go get them from everywhere. Anything else? Yeah, just on Cunningham, back to him real quick, he was very complimentary of you when he was signing and, like you said, it’s not easy to flip people from Bama or SEC powerhouses. Just could you speak to your relationship with him and maybe what the journey’s been like to land him a little bit? Yeah, he’s been here a lot. You know, like I said, great family and great kid. And again, just when you’re here over time, when you’re at somewhere over time and you’ve had guys have great success, and here’s Trey Harris, I think, this is still leading SEC and receiving yards, which is unbelievable. I think he played five and a half games. You know, they see the success that you’re able to have at a place so when they come, they can envision, okay, if I stay there, I see it happening. You know, I see, you know, that whatever, number two, three passing offense in the country, you know, that stuff helps. All right. Thanks, guys. All right, guys, thanks.

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