We had previously established a HS blue chip recruiting pipeline that began in 2013, after going four years without a blue chip recruit.
2013: Olsen (Golden) BUST
2014: Kayaa (Golden) GOOD QB THEN QUIT IMO
2016: Allison (Golden) BUST
2017: Perry (Richt) GOOD QB. NOT GREAT
2018: Williams (Richt) ONE GOOD YEAR; THEN BUST
We had a hiccup of a year per the change to Diaz, then the process resumed:
2020: Van Dyke (Diaz) ONE GOOD YEAR THEN MELT DOWN
2021: Garcia (Diaz) BUST
2022: Brown (Diaz) BUST
Recruiting is generally a two year process. Even with that, Mario and Gattis had his first blue chip quarterback commitment for the 2023 class in Jaden Rashada. Florida’s luring of Jaden coupled with the transfer portal disrupted the pipeline.
2023: No blue chip HS signing
2024 sees Van Dyke and Brown leave, and no blue chip quarterback due to the change of OC. We have two three star HS quarterbacks and absolutely need a transfer. Unfortunately the high number of close games prevents Williams or Anderson from getting much playing time
2025 we get our first blue chip HS recruit in three years in Nickel. But we need to build off of 2024, and it’s far more productive to go with a Beck rather than an incoming freshmen or the still unproven Williams or Anderson
2026 - we are close to a NC! We now have Nickel and Coleman as blue chip recruits, but starting them might mean the difference between a 9-3 season and a 12-0 run. EIther Nickel or Coleman should see extensive mop up duty in blowouts
2027 - Nickel and/or Coleman will have some experience, and we add Israel Abrams. The pipeline has been restored, and experience established.