Did some research about where LSU fits into the recruiting picture since 2002 (when the online recruiting services started ranking classes). I used Scout because I tend to like them better than Rivals. I included any team that finished in their Top 20 points rankings at least once since 2002. I personally give more credence to overall star average than the points. Just a personal preference. I don't like penalizing a school just because they only sign 17 vice 28 players. So I ranked the teams by star average, not points. Here's the data. Top 10 (average since 2002) 1. USC (3.8975 stars) 2. Florida (3.6625) 3. Texas (3.6138) 4. Ohio State (3.6075) 5. Miami, FL (3.5588) 6. LSU (3.5400) 7. Notre Dame (3.5238) 8. Oklahoma (3.5088) 9. Georgia (3.5063) 10. Michigan (3.5013) Rounding out the Top 20 were FSU, Tenn, UCLA, Penn St, aTm, Clemson, Cal, AU, Bama, and USCe. Now. If you look at the final AP polls (BCS was too time consuming to research) in the 2000s (which include 2000, 2001), the top 10 performing teams for that period were: 1. Texas 2. Oklahoma 3. Georgia 4. Virginia Tech 5. USC 6. Ohio State 7. Florida 8. LSU 9. Miami, FL 10. Michigan Rounding out the Top 20 were FSU, TCU, Boise State, Oregon, AU, W. Va, Wisc, Iowa, Penn St, and Tenn. This list is based on appearances in the Top 25, average ranking, and highest ranking. LINK. I've BOLDED those teams in who are in the Top 10 in recruiting and final results. Analysis: 1. Notre Dame has no excuse. They have recruited as well as anyone in the country, yet they are not even in the Top 25 programs over the last decade. 2. Virginia Tech is "coaching them up". Based on my star-average research, Va Tech is 35th in recruiting since 2002, but consistently a Top 10 team this past decade. Frank Beamer for coach of the decade, IMO. 3. Recruiting absolutely predicts success, but not championships. (Except for Notre Dame, where recruiting is almost irrelevant, apparently.) 4. SEC dominance over the past 10 years is no mystery. Three of the 10 best recruiting teams are from the SEC. If you expand the view, it goes to 7 of the top 20. Draw your own conclusions. Personally, I'm very stoked about this class and very optimistic about LSU's future. Coach Les Miles has EVERYTHING to do with how well the Tigers have recruited this decade. Things continue to get brighter for LSU football. As an aside, if you're curious what the numbers look like recently... Over the last 4 years (not counting this class), the rankings change to: 1. USC 2. Florida 3. Ohio State 4. Texas 5. Notre Dame 6. LSU 7. Georgia 8. Michigan 9. Miami, FL 10. UCLA
You have been tearing it up lately with good posts! This is excellent research and presentation. I'd even say it is one of the top 20 posts of the last year, fact filled and relevant info. Cudos!
Thanks also from me for the good work in your post. The only comment I have is that Alabama was left out because of their having been on probation...so they are a recruiting force to be reckoned with since they got off probation and hired that coach that Lasalle ave won't name.:hihi:.
Bama is #12 when you only look at the last 4 recruiting classes (not including this one). I agree - they are a recruiting force and will be in the Top 5 or so in a year or two unless something changes. I look for them to take Notre Dame's place. The Irish have issues.
I was thinking, there are some interesting results. USC #1 in recruiting, but #5 in AP rankings, in a not so strong conference. Does that mean their recruits were over rated to begin with, because they are from Ca., or were they not really "coached up" by CPC? You have LSU #6 in recruiting and #8 in results, pretty close. That's in a tough conference and playing Auburn, Bama, and Fla. every year, and one or two of those is always tough. Then, we've had to play 2 years with a redshirt frosh QB, so that multi year recruiting screw up cost us big time, or we'd be right on track. But, I'm thinking your conference and SOS affect the outcome, and how well the coaches do evaluating the talent (stars aside), and coaching them up.
