It's just a way to judge. But when listening to Les Miles speak at the Bash, even he recognizes and uses the star system when talking about the signed players. He references where his class may end up in the rankings and so forth. So while some of the arguing is goofy, it isn't just geeks coming up with this stuff. It's used by schools and coaches all the time.
Well put TigerTap. The sites are used only as a reference for fan excitement when it backs up the coaches position on a recruit. Otherwise the sites' rankings are ignored.
Assistant coaches use Rivals/Scout all the time. They dont get wrapped up in the top 100 but it is a quick way to look at video of the prospects, but Jimbo Fisher did talk about Rivals dropping Manuel earlier this year, and Urban Meyer has spoken publicly about it as well. The significance of having a top rated class (top 15 or so) is increasing year by year. With the internet/recruiting sites growing, coaches can sell the excitement factor of a program...and many recruits buy it.
College programs hire several professional services (Often former HS coaches) and spend a lot of $$ in their recruiting budgets on them.
Whats the story on Carneal Ainsworth? Rivals says LSU may be looking elsewhere for Offensive Guards. According to Dandy Don he is the #6 player in the state & bleeds P&G. Seems we are trying for out of state players (Orelus, Martinez, Walters & Farms) & hoping he will still be available if we can't get them? Or is he not good??
Ainsworth is good and could be a tiger in the end but Miles and Co. probably like a few others better and are weighing their options. No need to rush and get a guy when many are looking LSU's way.
My guess would be Faulk talent wise and Ainsworth right up there with him and is the safer bet because of Faulk's grades. If Faulk's grades come together, I think he is a Tiger.
