Travis Ford Has Already Landed Three (!) Top 150 Prospects at SLU

Say whatever you want about Travis Ford’s inability to finish in the top half of the Big 12 or win an NCAA Tournament game, but no one can deny that the man can recruit. Since he arrived at the end of March as the new head basketball coach at Saint Louis University, the former Cowboy coach has bagged THREE top 150 recruits for the 2017 and 2018 classes.

In the 13-year history of the Rivals rankings, Saint Louis had one top 150 prospect. Travis Ford now has landed three in six months.

— Jeff Eisenberg (@JeffEisenberg) October 26, 2016

In August, Ford beat out Big 10 recruiting power Illinois for the services of wing Jordan Goodwin, the No. 48 player in the 2017 class. Last week, Ford went to the northeast and bagged 2017 power forward Hasahn French, a three-star who had offers from UNLV, Kansas State and Arizona State (and as Kyle B. pointed out was someone OSU had offered).

Then this week, Ford outdid himself once more and got the No. 24 player in the 2018 class, Carte’Are Gordon, a 6’8, 240-pound bull of a power forward (another guy OSU was chasing!). Gordon had interest from Kansas and Missouri before choosing the Billikens, who were no doubt helped by Ford’s addition of former Mizzou assistant Corey Tate who has a strong relationship with Gordon and Goodwin.

It will take a few years to get his players in, but expect St. Louis to be one of the most talented mid-majors in the country as long as Travis Ford is around. What Ford can do with that talent is a completely different story, but it will be interesting to observe from afar.

I’m sure Cowboys fans aren’t losing over sleep over the talent being gathered in St. Louis, who know that stockpiling top 150 recruits and NBA talent doesn’t equal Big 12 or tournament success. Also, the new guy in Stillwater looks to be quite the hit.