Vaught did the same thing, heck
all SEC schools, except maybe Vandy, did it back then. In the 1950's the freshman class would be about 90 recruits, but the senior class would be less than 10.
Tad Smith would go out and try to sign every high school quarterback/pitcher in every small town on the assumption that was the best athlete in town. Back then a huge OL was 200 to 220 pounds.