This AZ Rep column sstates "A common refrain from fans in Tempe is: When Graham had Dennis Erickson’s guys, he was winning."
Now I don't know if the author actually agrees with that statement, although he does nothing to refute it. But even if it's just the majority of the fan base who agrees with this statement, it's a theory you can poke a lot of holes into.
Let's look at Graham's two best years, 2013-14 and see who were the playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Taylor Kelly was not recruited by Graham, nor was Mike Bercovici. Obviously, you don't count the minimal contributions of Michael Eubank who was the first signal caller Graham recruited that did play on Saturdays. Yet, this is the only offensive role where you can say that none of the Graham recruits made an impact in 2013-14.
Nonetheless, the rest of the skill players on offense paint a whole different picture...
When it comes to running backs, there is no question that these Todd Graham recruits: Marion Grice. D.J. Foster, Demario Richard, and Kalen Ballage led they way during that two-year period. Graham's recruiting of this position has been outstanding.
As far as wide receivers go, Jaelen Strong and Cam Smith who were Graham's recruits were easily the best players at their position in 2013-14 (the 2012 receiver group was beyond anemic and largely comprised of Erickson's recruits). Gary Chambers is the only Erickson recruit you could say was somewhat significant in this position in 2013-14.
Special teams had Zane Gonazlez and Matt Haack, both Graham's recruits. Enough said.
Now on defense, yes you can say that Erickson's recruits such as Will Sutton, Carl Bradford, Alden Darby, Osahon Irabor, and Robert Nelson had a big hand in the defense's performance in 2013-14, and that Graham benefitted greatly from their talents.
Yet, Damarious Randall, Jordan Simone, Antonio Longino, Chris Young, Laiu Moekiola, Llyod Carrington and Marcus Hardison, were hardly marginal players in the back-to-back 10-win seasons.
Now, there is certainly no doubt that lack of quality in the last few recruiting classes did have a hand in ASU's back to back losing seasons. But it's still a very flawed argument to contend that Graham didn't recruit very well early in his ASU's career and brought in players that were instrumental in 2013-14.
What are your thoughts?
Now I don't know if the author actually agrees with that statement, although he does nothing to refute it. But even if it's just the majority of the fan base who agrees with this statement, it's a theory you can poke a lot of holes into.
Let's look at Graham's two best years, 2013-14 and see who were the playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Taylor Kelly was not recruited by Graham, nor was Mike Bercovici. Obviously, you don't count the minimal contributions of Michael Eubank who was the first signal caller Graham recruited that did play on Saturdays. Yet, this is the only offensive role where you can say that none of the Graham recruits made an impact in 2013-14.
Nonetheless, the rest of the skill players on offense paint a whole different picture...
When it comes to running backs, there is no question that these Todd Graham recruits: Marion Grice. D.J. Foster, Demario Richard, and Kalen Ballage led they way during that two-year period. Graham's recruiting of this position has been outstanding.
As far as wide receivers go, Jaelen Strong and Cam Smith who were Graham's recruits were easily the best players at their position in 2013-14 (the 2012 receiver group was beyond anemic and largely comprised of Erickson's recruits). Gary Chambers is the only Erickson recruit you could say was somewhat significant in this position in 2013-14.
Special teams had Zane Gonazlez and Matt Haack, both Graham's recruits. Enough said.
Now on defense, yes you can say that Erickson's recruits such as Will Sutton, Carl Bradford, Alden Darby, Osahon Irabor, and Robert Nelson had a big hand in the defense's performance in 2013-14, and that Graham benefitted greatly from their talents.
Yet, Damarious Randall, Jordan Simone, Antonio Longino, Chris Young, Laiu Moekiola, Llyod Carrington and Marcus Hardison, were hardly marginal players in the back-to-back 10-win seasons.
Now, there is certainly no doubt that lack of quality in the last few recruiting classes did have a hand in ASU's back to back losing seasons. But it's still a very flawed argument to contend that Graham didn't recruit very well early in his ASU's career and brought in players that were instrumental in 2013-14.
What are your thoughts?
