[Langdude]

I only half-listened to the Pac media day interviews, but noticed Taylor insisting that four guys are vying for the starting QB job. Probably just coach speak.

It also seemed that Taylor downplayed the likelihood of Stanford going after transfers in numbers comparable to peer schools in the conference. I think he said the program will be built mainly with HS recruits. Of course, this isn't a of immense proportions surprise. But he seemed more definitive about it than what I recall him saying in the past.

He's said something similar before, which leads me to believe that his personnel pipeline strategy is to recruit good (if not great) freshmen and build them up physically and schematically over the years, leading to mainly juniors, seniors, and fifth-years as contributors.

This is similar to what we did when we were at our height of competitiveness 10 years ago. I don't think it will be exactly the same - it seems that we are willing to take *some* transfers now - but there is a similar understanding to the glory years of Shaw that, if you cannot recruit ready-to-play blue chippers, then you can recruit smart players that you can develop.

This is, of course, contra what the big-time programs are doing, which carves out a niche for Stanford. I like that there is a strategy in mind that marks Stanford as distinct, and leverages the advantage of getting a Stanford degree for those who hang around.

-m.

[Langdude]

I only half-listened to the Pac media day interviews, but noticed Taylor insisting that four guys are vying for the starting QB job. Probably just coach speak.

It also seemed that Taylor downplayed the likelihood of Stanford going after transfers in numbers comparable to peer schools in the conference. I think he said the program will be built mainly with HS recruits. Of course, this isn't a of immense proportions surprise. But he seemed more definitive about it than what I recall him saying in the past.

He's said something similar before, which leads me to believe that his personnel pipeline strategy is to recruit good (if not great) freshmen and build them up physically and schematically over the years, leading to mainly juniors, seniors, and fifth-years as contributors.

This is similar to what we did when we were at our height of competitiveness 10 years ago. I don't think it will be exactly the same - it seems that we are willing to take *some* transfers now - but there is a similar understanding to the glory years of Shaw that, if you cannot recruit ready-to-play blue chippers, then you can recruit smart players that you can develop.

This is, of course, contra what the big-time programs are doing, which carves out a niche for Stanford. I like that there is a strategy in mind that marks Stanford as distinct, and leverages the advantage of getting a Stanford degree for those who hang around.

-m.