I don't know what "subliminal" intent you are reading into this to couch my calling Luther a "Plan C recruit" as some sort of Dixon defense.
- 2012-13 - Taylor (SR), Zanna (JR), Adams (FR)
- 2013-14 - Zanna (SR), Randall (JR), Uchebo (SO), Young (FR), Artis (FR)
- 2014-15 - Randall (SR), Uchebo (JR), Haughton (JR), Young (SO), Artis (SO), Jeter (SO), Luther (FR)
- 2015-16 - Maia (SR), Ododa (SR), Young (JR), Artis (JR), Jeter (JR), Nix (JR), Luther (SO)
The original quote only discussed the 2014 and 2015 classes, in which Dixon brought in 6 players (including Jeter). It is hard to argue that anyone beyond Haughton and Nix was a bust. The 2016 class is where things get shaky, but we'll never really know what Manigault might have done under Dixon. He had buzz at the time.
I think there were far worse strategic errors than his handling of bigs. Other than Cam, who was the last good guard Dixon signed? It is way easier to find a capable freshman guard than a center, and Dixon wasn't augmenting with grad transfer guards or JUCOs to the extent he was with bigs. Beyond Robinson and DJohnson in 2012-13, you'd really have to go back to Gibbs and Woodall in 2008-09 as legit guards. I think that's a far worse indictment.