Fuck the rankings; take a look behind the numbers.
Listen to Sark's press conference. He's not done yet. He talks about each players attributes, the character of each person. How they identified a lot of these guys ~ 2 years ago and have watch them work and develop.
We signed 4 guys who have a 3* composite ranking, which pulls our rankings down; a punter, an IOL, and 2 DL. I value the rankings of Bo Davis & Kyle Flood infinitely higher than anybody else. They got the guys they wanted very early in the process. Large humans with big frames that can move, that played other sports (BBall or Baseball). Sark joked about the recruiting guys catching up to his staffs evaluations.
Adding a 3 year starter at DB, from Austin, and a 2 year starter at WR from the portal that bring an ethic and maturity to meld with a stable of new recruits.
Sark talked about the EE's (~16 of 22), getting them on campus early for strength and conditioning. Having enough guys in the spring so the 1's go against the 3's and the 2's against the 4's, at the same time.
FIFY.
He said, "It Sucks!!!" Kids having to make a choice early to make sure they have a spot, and not being able to finish with the team they have been an integral part of all year.
Sark is perfect for Texas. He talked about Jeff Choate, enticing him to leave a HC job at Montana State to be a LB coach at Texas, and starting 5&7. Choate is the new HC at Nevada, and still coaching for Texas. Sark shared his wisdom on balancing the old and new jobs with Choate, having done it twice. He talked about Mukuba's HS coach being on the Texas staff, and Chris Gilbert before him. He wished Gilbert a Happy Birthday in the press conference. Sarks people skills, his awareness and attention to detail pegs the meter, and will pay dividends for us over and over.
Yes. Guys who weren't fully on board leaving last year as soon as they could v. guys putting in the work all year, having more and better guys in front of you, and encouraged by the coaches to transfer is much different.