Postgame shoutout to CBS audience, to his coach's & mentors, Kyle Smith & Randy Bennett, being there to support him & cheer on Florida at last night's game. Smith was an assistant to Bennett at St Mary's when they recruited and coached Golden as the St Mary's point guard. Then Golden was an assistant coach to Smith at Columbia and followed him to USF. When Smith took the WAzzu job, Golden became USF coach succeeding Smith.
Now their young mentee turns Florida around into becoming a #1 seed.

Read that here.

Read that here.

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Thoughts from this presser:

-Smith said the team didn't have the right "mindset" coming into the game -- that showed, I'd love to know what he meant by that

-Sellers sounds like a really special guy, having been getting harrassed by recruiters the past few weeks and sticking at Stanford

-Smith was asked to reflect on his first year. He said it checks all the boxes but didnt totally glow about things and said there are still uniquely Stanford challenges like money limitations. He did not say "this is a place you can win big and were going to do it"

-He seemed to make the point that travel might not be as bad next year with road games this year being home next year, but we will still be traveling out to the Virginia schools, Florida schools, etc. which came to us this year -- Boston College as well

-Smith sounds bullish on Okpara continuing to improve. Its going to be Okpara and Sellers show next year, in addition to transfers that come in

-At the very end Sellers jokes that hes only going to take a day off after the season. Maxime interjects and says he needs to take at least a week. Sounded to me like Max indicating how long of a season its been. I really do think the guys were gassed after all the travel, 2 Cal matchups in a short span, ACC Tournament, the wild L'Ville game, etc. -- I frankly don't blame them for being a little sluggish in the NIT

Todd Golden, Kyle Smith’s assistant coach at Columbia and USF is coaching his Florida team in the Sweet Sixteen
And Kevin Hovde also an assistant coach under Smith at both Columbia and USF has just been named head coach at Columbia

Welcome to the football recruiting notes thread for the month of March. If you missed anything from February, click here.


The main thing that we are watching right now is who is taking official visits in the spring. A bunch of visits have been reported in the February thread and subsequently marked in the database. For a full list of official visits, click here. And then of course, if you have missed any offers, click here. The database should be up to date. I always make sure to add them as they come in/get brought to my attention.


At this point, the following 4-star guys are lined up to take official visits this spring: 4-star OT Kannon Smith, 4-star WR Aljour Miles, 4-star WR Connor Salmin, 4-star RB/APB Ryelan Morris, 4-star S Lasiah Jackson, 4-star OL Pulelei'ite Primus, and 4-star OLB/DE Storm Miller. No 5-stars and then the rest are 3-star/non-rated.

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Also, two guys are already committed for 2026 in 3-star edge Chase Cahoon and 3-star wide receiver Langdon Horace. Horace will be on an unofficial visit on Friday.

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And then a key name to keep an eye on in the 2026 class is 4-star quarterback Luke Fahey. Apparently there have been rumors that Stanford is in a good spot to get him, so it'll obviously be key to see when/if he takes his official visit. The 2026 class isn't off to a bad start. I think both guys they landed are fine, but they obviously gotta start landing some real studs. Especially on the offensive line. Should be interesting to see what other visits we learn about over the next month! Right now the main visiting weekends are April 25th, May 16th, May 30th, June 6th, and June 30th. That's when they are looking to get most guys in, but of course, if a guy can only make it work on a different week, they'll accommodate as best they can.


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If we’re able to fire him for cause and get out from under the absurd extension, let’s jump on the opportunity.

Adam Gorney has a prediction in for 2026 4-star quarterback Luke Fahey to Stanford. I have a Future Cast in for him as well. Even with the coaching change, Stanford seems to be in a good spot. Content piece is here.


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Maxime profile https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/articl...port-maxime-raynaud-f-stanford-163430295.html

Mock draft link https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/draft/mock/ scroll to #28 to see him picked in 1st round by Celtics!!!

Welcome to the Stanford men's basketball recruiting notes for February. Been long overdue to have a new recruiting notes thread for men's hoops, so here it is! If you missed any of the action from the previous recruiting notes thread, click here.



First of all, Stanford has two commits for the 2025 class. Lativan forward Kristers Skrinda and Brewster academy point guard Ebuka Okorie. It's important to note that Okorie has not yet officially signed. Stanford hasn't announced him yet. The regular signing period is April 16-May 21, so we'll have to wait until that window for him to officially sign. Both guys address important needs. Skrinda is expected to take on the role that Maxime Raynaud had as the primary big and then Okorie will bring point guard depth, which will be important as Jaylen Blakes will be moving on after this season as well.

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If anyone has any questions on scholarship count for next season, I addressed that on page two of the most recent recruiting notes thread, so click here to check that out in case you missed that.


As for the 2026 class, Stanford already has a commit in 3-star shooting guard Myles Jones out of Modesto Christian in Modesto. So things are off to a good start there. For a list of the 2026 offers, click here. And then for the 2027 class, click here.

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Imagine (approximately) one year ago, in early March of 2024, I told you the following things about the upcoming 12 months:

1. Jerod Haase is GONE

2. Kyle Smith is going to take over MBB and win 20+ games, 3 of them being vs. Cal and one at North Carolina

3. Maxime Raynaud is going to set program records, be on the mid-season Wooden Award Watchlist and be an All-American honorable mention

4. Bernard Muir is GONE

5. Troy Taylor is GONE

6. Jonathan Levin is named school president and cares deeply about Athletics

7. Andrew Luck has agreed to take over every aspect of the Stanford Football program as General Manager

I mean, come on. Let that sink in. That is a HELLUVA 12 months

Read that here.

High profile searches such as one for a D1 major conference Football HC involve many moving pieces several of which are due diligence items. The recruiting firm does their own work, then the client , Muir, follows up on any red flag issues. Looks like he whiffed big time. These are big misses from our ex AD folks.

Had to ask about the Taylor dismissal:

"I'm taking one day at a time. At this point my focus is getting better on and off the field."

I got a full article coming out on Shovlin, but I asked him for a quote on the whole Taylor situation. That quote is the title of the thread…

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Curious to see what people think.

1. My guess the delay during the 'Sounds of Silence' post above due to negotiating buyout terms.
2. Now that the decision made/issue decided, who will run the offensive practices sets this spring?... and what scheme will they use?... Taylor's playbook, or other?. Osborn?... or ? Willingham local and can be brought in as Temp pending permanent hire?... stay tuned.

Read that here.

Carried off in the first period. Likely knee ligament. Mississippi State was extremely physical throughout the game - apparently that was the game plan. USC was up 13-2 at the time. USC continued to pour it on, And Iriafen played like she did last year to dominate the remainder of the game (36 points, 9 rebounds). Iriafen played earlier in the year like she was just along for the ride.

Troy Taylor. Silence.

Bernard Muir. Silence.

Jonathan Levin. Silence.

Andrew Luck. Silence.

Condi Rice. Silence.

The Cardboard. Commentary silenced.

Rivals. Posts now explaining away the issue.

The national media. On to topics people care about.

The local media. On to topics people care about.

Congrats appear to be in order for the administration. By ignoring a scandal involving an allegedly abusive coach (proven by two independent, third party reviews), they've weathered the storm. Such is the state of Stanford football. In the end no one cares. The sound of silence prevails, and they know it.

How incredibly disappointing.

RTR!

On where his commitment stands following Troy Taylor's firing:

"It’s unfortunate but I can’t speak too much on the situation yet, will just start taking it day by day."

I wish it had happened earlier but given everything involved it happened with all deliberate speed: Buyout and then fire Muir. Hire Luck. Buyout and fire Taylor.

Lots of moving parts.

Of course, we aren't done yet.

I don't relish the thought of an interim but it might be the best option available now.

Based off what you know, what’s the going rate for a starting-caliber player at the position you coach?​

Coach 1: Probably $250,000 or higher (at linebacker).

Coach 2: I’d say it’s at least $300,000 (for receiver).

Coach 3: A normal, average P4 (starting quarterback) is about $900,000. Your better ones, top five or six in the conference, will be about $1.3 to $1.4 million range. You can get average for pretty good price. We didn’t go above $750k for (our guy) but I do believe in him and what he can do.

Coach 5: There were (receivers) late in the stretch who were going for $800,000 to $1 million at some places. At the low end, maybe $200,00 $300,000. For a starter, $250,000 to $300,000. For some of those elite guys, probably $800,000 to $1 million or even more, which is nuts.

Coach 6: I would say the floor (at cornerback) is $200,000.

Coach 7: $400,000 for a top-tier running back, to me, is enough (to get a guy). Your best pass rusher, your great three-technique, they’re probably getting $700,000 to $800,000. They’re not getting that from us but they are from (richer schools).

Coach 8: A tackle is at or over $1 million. Boundary receivers are about $1 million-plus.

Coach 10: At the premium positions, you’re getting a legit six figures at the G5 level, especially at quarterback. (G5) tackles and edge rushers are probably clearing six figures as well. Once you kinda get past that, I don’t think it’s as high as people think. Probably in the tens of thousands for (G5) running backs, receivers.

Coach 11: A (Power 4) starting quarterback, you’re looking at about $1 million. Running back, depending on what you’re doing, probably $200,000 to $250,000. Receivers … anywhere from $600,000 to $800,000 for a really good one. There were tight ends who went for $650,000 this cycle. Tackles, you’re looking at $750,000-plus — one of them got $1.5 million. Interior O-line, $250,000 to $400,000 range. Edge rushers, I would say $250,000 or $300,000. Interior D-linemen, much more, probably talking $500,000. Linebackers, $150,000 to $300,000, depending on age and experience. You can get some good ones for $150,000. You can probably get an elite one for $300,000. All the defensive back positions, corner, safety, under $400,000. If you’re touching half a million for them, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.

Coach 12: You can get a good offensive tackle for $500,000. But depending on the situation, it was usually a little bit more. And then, as teams got desperate, it was like $1 million. If you have $300,000 to $500,000 for a receiver, you’re going to get a really good player. We really weren’t in the pass-rusher market, but that was nearing $1 million from what I heard.

Coach 13: Tight ends, anywhere from $300,000 to $750,000. Quarterback, minimum $1 million if you’re an Auburn, a Miami or an LSU looking for the right one. Group of 5 starters (at quarterback), mid-six figures; it wouldn’t surprise me if you got to $800,000 for the right one.