When will we stop hanging on star ratings???

[maxxx]

Every year I say this and every year Volnation downplays it. When will most of Volnation wake up and stop rating the success of a class on star ratings? A string of top ten classes got us to 0-8 on the field. Meanwhile, Wisconsin continues to be a top ten team with classes rated in the 40's-50's. It's about getting kids that fit into the coaches system and kids who can develop. 90% of a freshman class should be redshirted, IMO. I want to see kids that understand the game, know their assignments, and are physically ready for big boy football.
I think people should study a program that can turn two high school quarterbacks into all conference, NFL ready LB and OT respectively.

I don't give a damn were our class ranks, I want be able to see those kids in two years helping the team compete for titles.

 

[LSU-SIU]

I don't give a damn were our class ranks, I want be able to see those kids in two years helping the team compete for titles.

Sometimes they go hand in hand, I think people look at stars too much and also its just an opinion or percentage... but the chances of you making a title run while being rank #30 year after year is probably very remote - like Pluto remote.

 

[Vols410]

When we start winning.

 

[Biggen]

Sometimes they go hand in hand, I think people look at stars too much and also its just an opinion or percentage... but the chances of you making a title run while being rank #30 year after year is probably very remote - like Pluto remote.

Pretty much this. Folks who don't believe in recruiting must also think Planet X exists and the Earth is hollow...

Sure, you can overachieve occasionally with a lower ranked class. Much like Wisconsin is doing with a scheduled packed full of sugar and flour. But at the end of the day, stars do matter.

 

[Vol_til_I_die]

When we get a staff in that can develop 3 and 4 stars.

 

[jspvol76]

let the debate

 

[alaVOL]

Until Lawgator becomes rational.

 

[maxxx]

Sometimes they go hand in hand, I think people look at stars too much and also its just an opinion or percentage... but the chances of you making a title run while being rank #30 year after year is probably very remote - like Pluto remote.

The goal is clearly to shoot for the top players. The point is that sometimes you can look over a 4-5 star if a lower ranked player fills the role better.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

What happened when that Wisconsin team with 40-50 class ranking went up against OSU, who generally has 2-5 class talent?

Scheme matters. Coaching matters. And yes, talent matters.

There's a reason why the teams who recruit the best year in and year out, are legit contenders.

Give a quality coaching staff 4-5 star talent, and they will help those kids develop to their potential, which will allow them to overwhelm most other schools.

 

[vols1707]

When they change it from stars to another type of ranking system.

Then we won't care about star rankings

 

[1world1love]

Do Top 10 Recruiting Classes Really Equal Championships? | Bleacher Report

With the exception of Auburn in 2010, every single championship winner averaged a top-10 class in the four years leading up to their big win.

... Still, Auburn averaged a top-15 class for this exercise.

 

[Biggen]

Do Top 10 Recruiting Classes Really Equal Championships? | Bleacher Report

They also had Cam "Superman" Newton. They don't win anything without him.

 

[Pacer92]

Stars win championships...

Saban wins on elite talent...for the most part...

 

[Big Z]

Pretty much this. Folks who don't believe in recruiting must also think Planet X exists and the Earth is hollow...

Sure, you can overachieve occasionally with a lower ranked class. Much like Wisconsin is doing with a scheduled packed full of sugar and flour. But at the end of the day, stars do matter.

Bit off topic, but are you stating you yourself believe Planet X doesn't exist?

 

[EricFreakingBerry]

When they change it from stars to another type of ranking system.

Then we won't care about star rankings

Can't wait for the NCAA recruiting merger with Rotten Tomatoes. Then a player can be Certified Fresh or Rotten.

 

[marksboy7]

You better give a damn where our class ranks because when our sec competitors are pulling in top 5 classes and we aren't there won't be any competing for titles.

 

[maxxx]

Pretty much this. Folks who don't believe in recruiting must also think Planet X exists and the Earth is hollow...

Sure, you can overachieve occasionally with a lower ranked class. Much like Wisconsin is doing with a scheduled packed full of sugar and flour. But at the end of the day, stars do matter.

No one believes that recruiting doesn't matter. Just that too many teams including UT are proving high school rankings don't tell the full story.
Honestly, teams from the Midwest get dropped in the ranking many times because the players are rated too low based on geography. That's a fact. I've coached and seen far too many kids get 2-3 star ratings and it's pretty clear that if they lived in the south they would be 3-4 stars. The big 10 isn't an elite conference because the kids are overachievers. Their kids can play, period.

All that to say this. More focus on player development and less fascination with star ratings. If you just recruit 4-5 stars you get UT/ Florida. When you develop 4/5 stars you get Alabama/Clemson. We need to start developing the talent at hand.

 

[Blake25p]

You’re fooling yourself if you don’t think stars and team rankings don’t matter.

 

[LSU-SIU]

Do Top 10 Recruiting Classes Really Equal Championships? | Bleacher Report

Clemson probably is more the exception, but they are basically average mid-teens with really only 1 top 10 class in the last 6.

2017 #16
2016 #11
2015 #9
2014 #16
2013 #15
2012 #20

Matter of fact, Tennesse has arguable done better.
2017 #17
2016 #14
2015 #4
2014 #7
2013 #25
2012 #19

I think you have to be averaging top 15, being out of the SEC makes it easier... meaning you don't need the depth.

 

[vols1707]

Can't wait for the NCAA recruiting merger with Rotten Tomatoes. Then a player can be Certified Fresh or Rotten.

😂😂

That would be the funniest system!

EVERYTHING in America has a rating system down to the food you eat & the water you drink.

Recruiting is no different

 

[Mike4Vols]

Clemson probably is more the exception, but they are basically average mid-teens with really only 1 top 10 class in the last 6.

2017 #16
2016 #11
2015 #9
2014 #16
2013 #15
2012 #20

Matter of fact, Tennesse has arguable done better.
2017 #17
2016 #14
2015 #4
2014 #7
2013 #25
2012 #19

I think you have to be averaging top 15, being out of the SEC makes it easier... meaning you don't need the depth.

Exactly.

Rankings matter, there's no doubt. But there are several programs who perform very well without top level recruiting classes.

Alabama is Alabama and Ohio State is Ohio State. If you're looking to 'out talent' them, you're in trouble. Coaching is the X factor, though. That's why Butch had back-to-back top 5 recruiting classes but couldn't win consistently. He can't coach.

You won't beat Bama or the Buckeyes every year with inferior talent but you can put together a really nice run of very good (and occasionally great) seasons. Wisconsin, Stanford, Boise State (for a few years), and Virginia Tech are just a few examples of programs who've won consistently for a long time who don't recruit top 5 (or maybe even top 10) classes.

 

[EricFreakingBerry]

😂😂

That would be the funniest system!

EVERYTHING in America has a rating system down to the food you eat & the water you drink.

Recruiting is no different

Just imagine the context of conversations we'd have with our Georgia/Bama/Gator rivals in that system.

"Your class is only 73% fresh, we're 78% fresh!"

 

[LSU-SIU]

Exactly.....You won't beat Bama or the Buckeyes every year with inferior talent but you can put together a really nice run of very good (and occasionally great) seasons. Wisconsin, Stanford, Boise State (for a few years), and Virginia Tech are just a few examples of programs who've won consistently for a long time who don't recruit top 5 (or maybe even top 10) classes.

I think its quite the advantage to not be in the SEC, I mean Clemson doesn't have the weekly grind, probably less injuries... can rest players or do with out, etc.

I mean, Mississippi State might not be the best team in the country but does Clemson want to play them during the middle of the year - no way. Its a grind fest and you need depth in the SEC.

 

[JohnD13]

It's all about your needs and filling those with top talent. If you need DL and your are a top 10 class but your highest rated DL is your 12th ranked signee you have failed.

Look at our last 4 classes and what the needs were for those classes and see who we landed in those spots..

 

[Mike4Vols]

I think its quite the advantage to not be in the SEC, I mean Clemson doesn't have the weekly grind, probably less injuries... can rest players or do with out, etc.

I mean, Mississippi State might not be the best team in the country but does Clemson want to play them during the middle of the year - no way. Its a grind fest and you need depth in the SEC.

You don't need Bama's 5 star depth, though. Well developed kids who understand the system and buy-in to it are all that's needed. Again, Wisconsin and Stanford are two great examples of 'system' based programs who do damn well every year without 4-5 star depth.