I'll give Lavin the benefit of the doubt when it comes to recruiting until he's proven me wrong. He's pulled a few rabbits out of his hat in past years.
Since 2012 he has recruited 1 top 50 player. Jordan. (I count sampson from his original class) That's 3 full recruiting classes plus this year so far. I know you all think Im biased, but a "great" recruiter doesn't sign 1 top 50 player in 4 years.
Desco since lavins first season there has been 1 recruiting year where he didn't get a top 50 player. That's a fact.
2011 - Big class with Harrison, Pointer, Moe etc
2012 - Sampson (part of the first class really) Obekpa, Felix, Jones, Sanchez, Marco
2013 - Jordan #17 ESPN
2014 - Thomas, ADR, JDR, Amar
2015 - Doughtry
So, as I was saying - considering that Sampson was a part of the first recruiting class, Lavin has landed one top 50 player in the last 4 classes, including this one.
Your point is clear, but counting Sampson as part of 2011 is not how it works. It adds to your argument, and I understand in order to make your argument you needed to "sway" the facts, but the fact remains he did not play for SJU in 2011, and in fact de-committed, took visits, entertained other offers, and ultimately signed back. He counts as a 2012 recruit.
If Sampson went to Kansas would you have included him in their 2011 recruiting class?
You can't include this class as it's not over yet, so there goes that argument as well.
2011 - Big class with Harrison, Pointer, Moe etc
2012 - Sampson, Obekpa, Felix, Jones, Sanchez, Marco
2013 - Jordan #17 ESPN
2014 - Thomas, ADR, JDR, Amar
3/4 years with top 50 recruits.
I'm not a Lavin supporter, but to alter the facts like that to prove a point is very misleading, and not true in any universe.
Hypothetical for you Desco - if a top 50 kid commits, doesn't qualify, goes to JUCO for 2 years, and then commit, would you count him as part of the original class, or the class 2 years after?