Over the past few seasons around this time of year, I find myself looking back at the classes we've signed. I find it very interesting to see who's still on the team, who's been a pleasant surprise (to fans at least) and who's not lived up to their recruiting service rating. Here's a sample (from Scout) of folks who would still be on the team, or are still on the team. Gone and Mostly Forgotten 2006 - Steven Singleton (OL, 4*), Matt Allen (OL, 4*), Derrick Odom (LB, 4*), Charles Deas (DT, 4*) 2007 - Jarvis Jones (OT, 4*), Phelon Jones (CB, 4*), Sidell Corley (DE, 4*), Ernest McCoy (OT, 4*), Jordan Corbin (TE, 4*) 2008 - Tim Molton (WR, 3*) I think he's the only one not still on the roster... Rags to Riches 2007 - Josh Dworaczyk (OT, 3*, rated #78) 2008 - Jordan Jefferson ? (QB, 3*, rated #18) Jury still out... Ooops... 2006 - Jai Eugene (CB, 5*, rated #1), Al Woods (DT, 5*, rated #2), K. Williams (RB, 5*, rated #3) 2007 - Mitch Joseph (TE, 4*, rated #5), Stefoin Francois (S, 4*, rated #8) I guess the point is this: you never know. Classes full of 4* recruits can implode in just a couple of years (2006, 2007). Classes full of mid-pack talent can turn out fantastic college football players (Highsmith, Beckwith, Hester, Lafell). Some 5* players are what they appear to be (Dorsey, Peterson). Some 5* players are either not going to pan out (K. Williams, Al Woods) or are complete busts (R. Perrilloux, X. Carter). I have learned to love recruiting. But it is most definitely art, not science. And it's much more fun when you keep the past in perspective. FWIW.
Yes, and I disagree that the "jury's still out" on JJ. He's the starting QB as a sophomore on one of the elite programs in the nation. Just because someone is a 4* or even 5* doesn't mean they come in and dominate right away. Certainly not the case for most 4* players. Of the 85 players on the roster of any given team, 3 or 4 are stars on a GOOD team. The rest of the starters are role players. The rest are special teamers or bench warmers. - Take Keiland Williams for example. He was a 5*, rated #3 at his position. He has been a very consistent producer for all 4 of his years at LSU, especially the first 3. He had some huge moments at LSU, and without looking up the stats, I think he averaged over 5ypc throughout his career. I believe he has the highest QB rating of anyone in LSU history to boot. :hihi: - Point is, not all 5* prospects win the Heisman. But when they come in and contribute immediately, which he did, that's all that can be REASONABLY expected. There will always be 2* and 3* players that exceed expectations, and 5* players that don't quite live up to them. But it depends on whose expectations we're talking about. I think we, as fans, have some unrealistic expectations sometimes. (Color me guilty of this as well) :redface:
I think the most amazing thing was Jacob Hester was a 2* recruit. I still think that guy was one of the best pure football players I have ever seen. Sure he didn't have the speed, size or whatever But that guy was like Jospeh Addai for us. He wasn't flashy but if you wanted to win. You got him the ball. The fact Hester was a mere 2* shows me these rankings are fun, but in the grand scheme of things they are a mere guess.
Hester wasn't even that good. He was the heart and soul of that offense at times, sure. But he didn't have unreal production or anything. One of my favorite Tigers of all time and it was mainly due to his leadership qualities.
It is a bit like trying to pick a winning race horse based on his pedigree. You never know until he starts to run. It takes a couple of years to learn just how good a class is.
The lesson to be learned is that these are ratings based on the opinions of writers for rivals and scout. No matter how much they watch football or prospects, they will just be writers - not coaches. Much less coaches at elite programs. Some of their opinions are shaped by various coaching staffs (college or high school), but none of them are really privy to the discussions and parameters that our coaches set for a scholarship or position on a recruiting board. And while coaches can miss on occasion, writers miss far more often. Fun, but best to take it with a BIG grain of salt. So trust your coaching staff, instead of a writer, or God forbid, some anonymous poster on a msg board.
