Florida and Ohio State are avoiding a big error. Nebraska, FSU, LSU, Texas A&M, and Auburn all made

In the ever-evolving world of college football, one thing remains constant: the high stakes of recruiting and team-building. While every program is in the business of winning championships and developing NFL-ready talent, success often hinges on one of the most critical elements—their decisions in recruitment and player retention. For some programs, these decisions can be the difference between sustaining a championship-caliber team and falling into mediocrity or even irrelevance.

As college football programs strive for excellence, there are times when big programs make mistakes—whether in recruiting, player development, coaching hires, or roster management. These errors can set a program back years, sometimes even decades. However, two programs in particular, the University of Florida and Ohio State University, seem to have found a way to avoid some of the same mistakes that have plagued other marquee teams such as Nebraska, Florida State, LSU, Texas A&M, and Auburn.

The landscape of college football is incredibly competitive, and the consequences of these errors can be immense, both on and off the field. Understanding why Florida and Ohio State are on the right track, while the aforementioned programs have stumbled, provides a cautionary tale for all college football teams looking to succeed at the highest level.

In this article, we will dive into the specific errors made by Nebraska, Florida State, LSU, Texas A&M, and Auburn, compare those mistakes with the paths taken by Florida and Ohio State, and explore the lessons to be learned from these examples.

Florida and Ohio State: Avoiding Critical Errors

Both Florida and Ohio State have managed to navigate the challenging terrain of college football without falling into some of the same pitfalls that have hurt other programs. Their continued success can be attributed to several key factors:

1. Stability at Head Coach Position

One of the key reasons why Florida and Ohio State have remained successful is the stability they have maintained at the head coach position. Since Urban Meyer’s departure, Ohio State has enjoyed continued success under Ryan Day, who has kept the team competitive at the highest level, constantly pushing the Buckeyes into the national conversation. Similarly, Florida has managed to keep its coaching situation stable for the time being. Although there have been some bumps in the road in recent years, the Gators seem to be on the right trajectory under Billy Napier, especially in his recruiting classes.

In contrast, Nebraska, Florida State, LSU, Texas A&M, and Auburn have experienced frequent coaching changes. Stability in coaching leadership is paramount in recruiting top-tier talent and maintaining the consistency necessary for long-term success. Coaches who stay in place for a significant amount of time are able to instill their system, culture, and philosophy, which pays dividends in terms of recruitment, player development, and overall team performance.

2. Recruiting Consistency

Both Florida and Ohio State have consistently recruited at an elite level, which is a key component in avoiding the errors that other programs have made. Recruiting is arguably the most important aspect of college football. The ability to continually bring in high-caliber talent gives a program a huge advantage, and both Florida and Ohio State have done this exceptionally well.

Florida, with its rich recruiting grounds in the state of Florida, has continued to attract top recruits year after year. Under Napier, they’ve focused on building relationships with high school coaches and athletes in Florida, securing some of the best talent from the state while also expanding their reach into other regions.

Ohio State, on the other hand, has been a national recruiting powerhouse, particularly in the Midwest but also throughout the country. Ryan Day has shown that he can pull top talent from the Ohio high school ranks while also being a force in states like Florida, Texas, and California. Ohio State’s recruitment strategy has been instrumental in maintaining their position as one of the top teams in the country.

In contrast, schools like Nebraska, Texas A&M, LSU, Florida State, and Auburn have experienced more inconsistent recruiting efforts over the years, which has hindered their ability to consistently contend for championships. In some cases, these programs have failed to recruit effectively at the most critical positions, such as quarterback or offensive line, or failed to hold on to top recruits in favor of other programs.

3. Strong Player Development Systems

Florida and Ohio State have also invested heavily in player development programs, which is crucial in developing their recruits into NFL-ready players. Under the guidance of excellent coaching staffs, both schools have been able to develop quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive players who excel at the professional level.

Ohio State has produced several first-round draft picks and Heisman finalists under Ryan Day, while Florida has similarly developed top talent such as Kyle Pitts, C.J. Henderson, and others. These schools have created systems that allow players to thrive, both on and off the field, preparing them for careers at the next level.

Nebraska, Florida State, LSU, Texas A&M, and Auburn, while still recruiting well at times, have failed to consistently develop players into high-impact contributors. As a result, these programs have not been able to fully capitalize on their recruiting efforts, leaving many top players underutilized or unable to reach their full potential.

Nebraska: A Program in Crisis

The Nebraska Cornhuskers were once the gold standard of college football. Under legendary coach Tom Osborne, Nebraska won three national championships in the 1990s and built a legacy of excellence. However, since Osborne’s retirement in 1997, the program has struggled to maintain that level of success.

In the years following Osborne, Nebraska underwent several coaching changes, starting with Frank Solich, who was dismissed despite leading the team to multiple successful seasons. Since then, the Cornhuskers have failed to hire a coach who could bring the program back to its former glory. The struggles of Nebraska have been exacerbated by an inability to recruit top-tier talent consistently and the lack of stability in their coaching staff. Nebraska remains one of the most perplexing programs in college football—still steeped in tradition but struggling to keep up with the demands of modern college football.

Florida State: Once a Dynasty, Now in Decline

Florida State was one of the most dominant programs in the 1990s and early 2000s under legendary head coach Bobby Bowden. The Seminoles were a perennial powerhouse, winning national championships and competing for titles year after year. However, the decline started in the mid-2010s after the departure of Bowden and the subsequent hiring of Jimbo Fisher, who later left for Texas A&M.

Since Fisher’s departure, Florida State has struggled to recapture its former glory, suffering from a combination of poor coaching hires, inconsistent recruiting, and player development. The decision to part ways with longtime coach Jimbo Fisher, while initially seen as a necessary move, has turned out to be a misstep for the Seminoles, who have since failed to regain their footing. Florida State has been in a constant state of flux, hiring and firing coaches, but not finding the stability needed to build a championship program.

LSU: Championship Glory to Post-Coach Turmoil

LSU has had one of the most illustrious programs in college football, boasting multiple national championships, including a dominant 2019 season under coach Ed Orgeron. However, the downfall of Orgeron following that title has thrown LSU into turmoil. The departure of Orgeron has created uncertainty around the program, leading to struggles in recruiting, player retention, and team performance.

LSU is a state that produces a ton of college football talent, yet since Orgeron’s departure, the Tigers have failed to maintain the momentum that led them to the 2019 national title. The inability to keep the program on track after such an impressive season raises questions about the program’s future under new leadership.

Texas A&M and Auburn: Missed Opportunities

Texas A&M and Auburn are two other programs that have experienced significant disappointment despite the promise of their recruitment efforts. Both schools have poured significant resources into their football programs, with Texas A&M building one of the most impressive football facilities in the country and Auburn frequently attracting top-tier recruiting classes. However, both have failed to meet expectations and achieve consistent success on the field.

Texas A&M, despite the investment in their program and hiring Jimbo Fisher, has failed to reach the heights many expected. The Aggies have not lived up to their recruiting success, often falling short in big games and failing to develop a true championship contender.

Auburn, too, has been inconsistent, with the firing of Gus Malzahn after a decade at the helm. The program remains mired in uncertainty, with a lack of direction and a failure to reach its full potential.