We literally know zero information about this incoming recruiting class other than recruiting service rankings, so if you are attempting to discuss this class in your comparison framework, your argument fails before it even gets started. The class could be full of Phillip Wheelers. We don't know.
We will know more about last year's class in two years.
I can see a potentially cohesive argument that some of our middling classes were shallow, but we all already know that, and we think that CPJ made some headway in cleaning that up.
Beej, while I agree with the central theme of your post I disagree we know nothing besides the service's rankings.
We have measureables reported from multiple sources. Sure some metrics are stretched, but usually false metrics are evident on film...as in reportrd forty doesnt match what you see with your eyes.
Film is the other big piece of info. Yeah they are highlights, yeah, the competifion matters and yeah, guys speed it up to look faster, etc.It's not perfect but it is the same thing the services see (if they bother to watch at all...and from what I have seen as a paid subscriber they often rank off of who offers and who shows up at their combines). Only after a guy commits do they sometimes rerank based on film.
Despite highlight films limitations there is a lot to see on film. First, does the kid pop off the screen? Does he look bigger and faster than everyone else? Does he get caught from behind or make tackles way down field? Is this because of raw speed or the way he sees the field (e.g. AJ Gray and B Mitchell arent particulaly fast for CFB players at tbeir positions but they see well, anticipate, and play fast by being in position...many good defenders like Ray Lewis are like this). How do kids move through the trash?
CBs one looks for high hips that are flexible so the kid can flip 'em and run with guys. I also like to see evidence of physicality & fearlessness. How fast do they close and do the highlights show recovery from mistakes? How do they play the ball in the air and how aware are they. Are they making a lot of INTs and big plays?
S are similar but with more emphasis on playing centerfield and ballhawking. Angles, closing speed, and winning the ball in the air.
LBs one wants to see angles, instincts, tackling, closing speed, hitting, and pursuit square to the line.
DL one wants playing low/with leverage, delivering a blow instead of catching, quickness off the ball, use of hands, disengagement, and explosive short area quickness. Is this a sideline to sideline guy? Can he hold point of attack or set an edge as a DE. Does he squeeze down? Square pursuit or does he have to turn to pursue/be vulnerable to cut backs.
OL for us is firing off quick, low, flat back & bent knees, knocking guys back, getting to 2nd level, hustle highlights, etc.
QB: how fast it comes out? can throw deep out or not? laser/flat trajectory?throw on run? Pocket presence? Progressions? RB skills?
RB: 1 cut or multi? First step? Burst? Balance & reacceleration after contact? Body lean? Patience & uses blockers? Stiff arm & anticipation/vision/qhickness to prepare body/get low for contact? Loaf of bread or high and tight? Elusive/can create? Finishes runs? 5th gear? Speed to corner? Catch with hands/natural receiving?
WR: seperation, quick off line, catch with hands, leaping, body control, adjusts to balls in the air, catches over the shoulder or otherwise running full tilt, blocks, comes back to QB, run after catch, used at other skill positions, strength to win balls.
Also like to see guys play and excel at multiple positions, especially on both sides of the ball.. Not only does it give flexibility but it also shows a kid understands the game, sees well, and takes coaching well. Also is the kid always in the middle of big plays, especially creating turnovers on D. If a kid creates big play after big play ( not just Marcus Wright running untouched) that can show an 'it factor'.
Carl Miles and Lance Richardson had pitiful film. Nealy had great film. Only projects in this class are J. Lee (size) and Kerr (raw).
Otherwise film and measureables show good PROSPECTS. Prospects are recruited and then you hope they work hard, compete hard, take coaching, stay healthy, and stay happy. If they do all these things and develop physically as needed then they have a chance of being good players.
There is luck involved. Denzel McCoy was blue chip and never played a down due to health. JC Lanier and Anthony Williams were 4 star guys with the tools but not the drive. DJ Donnelly was everything one could possibly want in a recruit.
Does this mean we recruited badly by taking these guys? IMO no because all were GREAT prospects. I would take them again and hope for better luck.
I think our current class is quite solid and on par with last year based on film and measureables. Whether they become good players we shall see. I do think we recruited well, though if we'd closed better we'd really have been cooking with grease. I like the prospects for DL and WR paricularly, with QB and RB following. Ironically at LB I vastly prefer lightly regardex Brashear to Bridges. Cole is good S prospect.
From what I see directly though we got better prospects than what the services thought. Just my very honest opinion as a guy who played age 5-22. Most of yall are probably as good as the services because yall are looking at what they are seeing. Probably better because often they aint lookin. Just saying.
