UOD, I was just being a smartass. We all know recruiting is a money business and every different recruiting service has their own list. I know he's a 4-star on Rivals, so he's likely top 35-100 on most lists anyways.
The CB that was "most talked about" seemed to be Reid at the UA Game. He was a UF commit (the first player to commit to UF about a year ago) and recently backed off due to the depth in UF's secondary (last year the starters were a true freshman and a true soph).....
I'm sure both players are equally impressive.....
UO needs to recruit more consistantly to be competitive w/ USC (IMO, from the east coast). It seems that's really most of the Pac-10's problem. It's not the top 20 or so on their rosters....it's 21-85. They just aren't as deep. Injuries, suspensions, academics, arrests, etc eat away at the other Pac-9 and it just seems they cannot compete year in and year out. It will be interesting to see if Neuhesel does anything at UCLA.....
The CB that was "most talked about" seemed to be Reid at the UA Game. He was a UF commit (the first player to commit to UF about a year ago) and recently backed off due to the depth in UF's secondary (last year the starters were a true freshman and a true soph).....
I'm sure both players are equally impressive.....
UO needs to recruit more consistantly to be competitive w/ USC (IMO, from the east coast). It seems that's really most of the Pac-10's problem. It's not the top 20 or so on their rosters....it's 21-85. They just aren't as deep. Injuries, suspensions, academics, arrests, etc eat away at the other Pac-9 and it just seems they cannot compete year in and year out. It will be interesting to see if Neuhesel does anything at UCLA.....
Just a reminder. Bradford was rated a 3 star and most people,including me and others who had seen him play in highschool, thought he might go his whole career without starting at OU. Thank God the recruiting analysts are not right all the time. There just as many busts as there are surprises. Sometimes you can't measure heart and determination. In Bradfords case he is intelligent, a good student, but more than anything he had desire and never quit on himself. Like Tebows parents, The Bradfords raised a good kid, one who is humble and fortunately for us Sooners, one who realizes the importance of not only finishing his education in the classroom but one who wants another chance on the field.
Right now without question the second deepest team on the west coast is Oregon and CAL just behind it. I like to see how many true fresh play in a given year and after USC these two teams are not putting many on the field. There will be a handfull of RS players making plays on these two teams in the next few years.
There are a few of these mvp type articles floating around from the UAAAB camp: Reid is a man as well and I am sure my antennae is a bit more tuned into Harris since I was aware that he had given a silent verbal to UO coaches early on...
<table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3" class="storytitle">USAAB: West A.M. Session MVP
Cliff Harris
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</td> <td valign="top"> <table width="60%" bgcolor="#f5f5f5" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td valign="middle" nowrap="nowrap">By Scout.com
Staff
Posted Dec 29, 2008
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There were a few candidates in the running as the best player on the West squad, but Cliff Harris from Edison High in California gets the Scout.com nod as the MVP of the morning session of U.S. Army practice.
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Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was freakish for his size. D.J. Fluker is a well-polished offensive lineman. But in the end the player that made the biggest difference is Edison High’s Cliff Harris.
Harris was the most polished defensive back on the field today. He had great footwork, loose hips, and was able to plant his foot in the ground and go. His change of direction was unbelievable.
When he made his mind to break in the ball he would always get a hand on the ball or come up with a big interception. On the very first play of “full team” Harris broke on the ball with cat like speed and intercepted an A.J. McCarron pass and returned it in to the end zone.
He did not stop there. When the players broke in to offensive and defensive groups to work on drills he made a big play on the first pass yet again. He did not come up with an interception. It looked like he was going to be beaten deep, but he recovered and made a terrific play on the ball to knock it away. Four or five years from now he may not be the top player in the NFL draft, but he definitely made the most plays in the first session of practice. Harris is deciding between Oregon, USC, Colorado, Miami, Arizona, and UCLA.
Whoever land him will definitely be getting a lock down corner with tremendous coverage skills.
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You know it's insane how many 3 star kids end up being awesome at the college level. Recruiting rankings don't hold a lot of value with me. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy when my team nets a 5-star guy but it's funny how many people get wrapped up in it. Here's a couple 1st rounders this year off the top of my head:
Micheal Crabtree - 2 star
Jeremy Maclin - 3 star
Vontae Davis - 3 star
Aaron Curry - 2 star
UO, good for Oregon getting that kid out of Cali. I'm sure it's the "play right away" lure that kids cannot be promised from USC. It amazes me that Pete can get these kids to line up behind all those All-Americans in the hopes of playing time. I'd go to Oregon (or any number of Pac-10 teams) vs. USC as well. What is your take on what's happening at UCLA?
Too, you are right about the star ratings. It is true that most 4 star and higher end up being contributors.....but there are plenty of 2 and 3 stars who become studs. Some from UF over the years: Jabar Gaffney (WR) 2-star (he was a legacy so Spurrier offered him), Willie Jackson (WR) 2-star (another legacy, his dad was one of the first black players ever at UF), Brandon James (current RB/k-p return specialist) 2-star......
Too, you are right about the star ratings. It is true that most 4 star and higher end up being contributors.....but there are plenty of 2 and 3 stars who become studs. Some from UF over the years: Jabar Gaffney (WR) 2-star (he was a legacy so Spurrier offered him), Willie Jackson (WR) 2-star (another legacy, his dad was one of the first black players ever at UF), Brandon James (current RB/k-p return specialist) 2-star......
UCLA seems to always pull top local talent. This year is no different. What is different is that they are doing well in the trenches. It was a point of emphasis. They did lose a commit, Hasiak to CAL though that has to piss off Neu. In the end it'll be another top 20 class that ranks top 3 in the conf, heavy on CA talent.
Here is what I think will happen. UCLA will slowly transform into an offensive team and the defense regresses due to the loss of DC Walker. They will be much more competitive than they have been. Top 20 annually, it is possible.
Nue will continue to get under Petey's skin. He has a ton more charisma than him.
UO, that sounds about like what I figured. I'm sure he'll find a decent DC. I just don't understand these teams that can't build a decent (not great....just decent) defense. I figured Texas Tech would eventually have a good defense.....not the case. Maybe good defensive players don't want to go to these offensive powerhouses so they end up at more traditional defensive schools (SEC, USC, Texas, Oklahoma, some of the Big Ten schools). I don't know. I just don't understand how they can't put a premium on recruiting some defensive studs. When Spurrier was at UF it seemed the D took a back seat most of the time. They had some good D's in the Stoop years, but outside of that they weren't great (90 & 91 teams....the leftover Galen Hall years, were pretty good).....
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff></TD><TD vAlign=bottom align=left width="25%">School</TD><TD vAlign=bottom noWrap align=middle width=60>TOTAL</TD><TD vAlign=bottom noWrap align=middle width=80>
Commits</TD><TD vAlign=bottom noWrap align=middle width=70>
Commits</TD><TD vAlign=bottom noWrap align=middle width=60>
Commits</TD><TD vAlign=bottom noWrap align=middle width=70>Avg Stars</TD><TD vAlign=bottom noWrap align=middle width=35>
Points</TD></TR><STYLE> p.divtest tr {height:22px;}</STYLE><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>1</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>LSU</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>21</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>4</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.86</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>2,517</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>2</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Ohio State</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>24</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>2</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>15</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.79</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>2,479</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>3</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>USC</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>18</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>5</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>9</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>2</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.94</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>2,404</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>4</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Texas</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>20</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>11</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>6</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.85</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>2,375</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>5</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Alabama</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>21</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>3</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>8</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.67</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>2,194</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>6</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>North Carolina</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>29</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>1</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>13</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.34</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>2,084</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>7</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Michigan</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>20</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>1</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>12</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>6</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.65</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>2,020</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>8</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Miami</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>20</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>2</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>9</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>8</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.60</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,968</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>9</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Georgia</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>17</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>1</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>12</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>4</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.82</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,909</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>10</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Florida</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>16</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>2</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>4</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.88</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,890</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>11</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>South Carolina</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>26</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>12</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.31</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,802</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>12</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Oklahoma</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>22</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>11</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.32</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,760</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>13</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Florida State</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>17</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>1</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>9</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.65</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,725</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>14</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Arkansas</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>30</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>1</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>22</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.30</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,640</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>15</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Michigan State</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>22</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>9</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.32</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,636</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>16</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Tennessee</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>19</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>9</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.53</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,628</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>17</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Stanford</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>22</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>8</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>12</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.27</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,583</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>18</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Texas A&M</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>27</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>1</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>4</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>21</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.19</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,416</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>19</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Auburn</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>24</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>6</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>16</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.17</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,399</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>20</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>UCLA</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>22</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>14</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.27</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,390</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>21</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>West Virginia</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>23</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>14</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.22</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,373</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>22</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Mississippi State</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>24</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>14</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.17</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,340</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>23</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Notre Dame</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>16</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>9</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>4</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.38</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,249</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>24</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Virginia Tech</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>21</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>4</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>14</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.05</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,240</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>25</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Penn State</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>26</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>6</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>12</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>2.92</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,222</TD></TR>
</TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff></TD><TD vAlign=bottom align=left width="25%">School</TD><TD vAlign=bottom noWrap align=middle width=60>TOTAL</TD><TD vAlign=bottom noWrap align=middle width=80>
Commits
</TD><TD vAlign=bottom noWrap align=middle width=70>
Commits
</TD><TD vAlign=bottom noWrap align=middle width=60>
Commits
</TD><TD vAlign=bottom noWrap align=middle width=70>Avg Stars</TD><TD vAlign=bottom noWrap align=middle width=35>
Points
</TD></TR><STYLE> p.divtest tr {height:22px;}</STYLE><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>1</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>LSU</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>21</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>4</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.86</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>2,517</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>2</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Ohio State</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>24</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>2</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>15</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.79</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>2,479</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>3</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>USC</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>18</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>5</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>9</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>2</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.94</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>2,404</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>4</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Texas</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>20</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>11</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>6</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.85</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>2,375</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>5</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Alabama</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>21</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>3</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>8</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.67</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>2,194</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>6</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>North Carolina</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>29</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>1</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>13</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.34</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>2,084</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>7</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Michigan</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>20</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>1</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>12</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>6</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.65</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>2,020</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>8</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Miami</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>20</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>2</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>9</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>8</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.60</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,968</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>9</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Georgia</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>17</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>1</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>12</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>4</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.82</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,909</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>10</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Florida</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>16</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>2</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>4</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.88</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,890</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>11</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>South Carolina</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>26</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>12</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.31</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,802</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>12</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Oklahoma</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>22</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>11</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.32</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,760</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>13</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Florida State</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>17</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>1</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>9</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.65</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,725</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>14</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Arkansas</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>30</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>1</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>22</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.30</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,640</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>15</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Michigan State</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>22</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>9</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.32</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,636</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>16</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Tennessee</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>19</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>10</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>9</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.53</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,628</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>17</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Stanford</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>22</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>8</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>12</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.27</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,583</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>18</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Texas A&M</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>27</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>1</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>4</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>21</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.19</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,416</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>19</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Auburn</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>24</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>6</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>16</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.17</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,399</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>20</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>UCLA</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>22</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>14</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.27</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,390</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>21</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>West Virginia</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>23</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>14</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.22</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,373</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>22</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Mississippi State</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>24</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>7</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>14</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.17</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,340</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>23</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Notre Dame</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>16</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>9</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>4</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>3.38</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,249</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ffffff>24</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ffffff>Virginia Tech</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>21</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>4</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>14</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ffffff>3.05</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#eeeeee>1,240</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=8 bgColor=#ededed>25</TD><TD align=left bgColor=#ededed>Penn State</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>26</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>0</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>6</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#dddddd>12</TD><TD align=middle width=70 bgColor=#ededed>2.92</TD><TD align=middle width=35 bgColor=#cccccc>1,222</TD></TR>
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davis at UNC and rodriguez at Mchigan impressme the most off that list ....could have top 5 classes at 2 schools without much success lately (and thus they are fairly new at thier schools)
ive been waiting for UNC to have some trickle down basketball success jumpstart the football program with recognition - i thought when dre bly was there and then when peppers was there theyd get over the hump ...maybe butch davis will finally make them a power
In my opinion Butch Davis is one of if not the most underrated coaches in the country. And obviously a great recruiter. I think he's going to make North Carolina into a powerhouse in the ACC. My bet is they will be a top ten or better team next season. And I would lay odds that they'll eventually be the first ACC team to make it into the BCS title game since 2000. With this good of a recruiting class this team has a lot of promise for years to come.
No doubt there are a lot of 2 and 3 star studs out there. Many of the players who get passed over and rated a star or two less than their actual value are the small town players. I remember some of the most overlooked players from the OU teams is Barry Sanders, who was very low rated and was passed over by everybody until OSU decided to take a chance on him. Barry Switzer still calls him his biggest regret in not recruiting him. Some other OU notables is RB Quentin Griffin, who was a second teamer in highschool, who broke Billy Simms single season rushing record. I think I just saw him score again on Texas. Teddy Lehman, who was possibly the most athletically gifted player to play at OU. He was a 2 star recruit from a very small HS. He ended up winning the Butkus Award for the best LB in the country. And he had 4.3 speed. Almost unheard of for a LB. Derek Strait was OU's best CB of all time. He was a 2 star. Juaquin Iglesias was a 3 star. He just played in the BCS title game and was OU's second leading alltime receiver, and will probably go in the second round or better of the NFL draft. And Josh Huepel, who quarterbacked the OU national champions in 2000, wasn't even on anybody's radar. He was a transfer from Weber State who graded out as a 1 star recruit with a weak arm... In fact he didn't even play QB full time when he was there. He played one half and another QB played the other! I don't know what these coaches see in some of these players. But it's obvious they see things that we don't. But their human, and they also miss things, or with the limited amount of scholarships they just don't want to chance it. That's why you sometimes see teams like Kansas getting a Todd Reesing or Texas Tech getting Crabtree. These players either didn't have the size needed for their positions or their numbers just weren't quite good enough in highschool. Or they were late bloomers. Either way these kids make great sports stories and leave opposing coaching pulling out there hair.
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USC seems to score at the top in terms of avg. # of *'s year after year, meaning that they may get a few less recruits than (e.g.) LSU or Texas but the ones they do land have a higher average * rating.
I don't have the stats going back years on this but I think the data can be found. Just wondering who gets the cream of the cream more than all others.
I've noticed USC in that position a few times over recent years including this year (3.94 avg.) I'm wondering if they have more of the 4* and 5* recruits cornered most of the time (since PC arrived) or if another school has beaten them out lately.
I don't have the stats going back years on this but I think the data can be found. Just wondering who gets the cream of the cream more than all others.
I've noticed USC in that position a few times over recent years including this year (3.94 avg.) I'm wondering if they have more of the 4* and 5* recruits cornered most of the time (since PC arrived) or if another school has beaten them out lately.
On a side note. Oregon St. is lucky to get one 4* player per year if ever. Mike Riley is an expert at finding diamonds in the rough and training them up to win 75% of their games. Their average recruit has only 2*'s. Even a 3* recruit just about gets his own parade down main street the day he enrolls. Landing Michael Phillipp (4* OG #1 in the country) last week was a major coup de 'etat for Oregon State (or for anyone.) He grew up in USC's back yard so it's good to see some of these highly touted So.Cal. preps get spread around the conference instead of landing at USC all the time.
I've also noticed that behind USC this season with the #2 rated recruiting class in the Pac-10 conference is STANFORD!! They placed just ahead of UCLA in the recruiting ratings. Everyone expected UCLA to be up there since they are located right in the middle of all that LA prep football talent and Neuheisel has taken on the UCLA recruiting task... but Stanford beat them out. WOW. Just what is Harbaugh up to over there?
And just a footnote about Stanford... Condaleeza Rice (GWB's Secretary of State) is a Stanford alum who is very interested in taking the AD job there. She's serious about it. No kidding. She is said to be at the top of the list and it might happen this year. I have also heard her name tossed around as Tom Hanson's replacement as the new Pac-10 commish (to be named late spring/early summer.)
Imagine a woman in that role? (And a black woman to boot.) I know Lisa Love has been ASU's AD for a while... nothing major to say about her accomplishments there, but "Condy" loves her football and I think you will be hearing from her soon in some capacity, either at Stanford running their athletic department or running the Pac-10 conference as their new commissioner. Maybe with her diplomatic skills she can negotiate a better TV deal and some better bowl games for the Pac-10. A lot of people are glad to see Hanson leave.... and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out Tom.
I've also noticed that behind USC this season with the #2 rated recruiting class in the Pac-10 conference is STANFORD!! They placed just ahead of UCLA in the recruiting ratings. Everyone expected UCLA to be up there since they are located right in the middle of all that LA prep football talent and Neuheisel has taken on the UCLA recruiting task... but Stanford beat them out. WOW. Just what is Harbaugh up to over there?
And just a footnote about Stanford... Condaleeza Rice (GWB's Secretary of State) is a Stanford alum who is very interested in taking the AD job there. She's serious about it. No kidding. She is said to be at the top of the list and it might happen this year. I have also heard her name tossed around as Tom Hanson's replacement as the new Pac-10 commish (to be named late spring/early summer.)
Imagine a woman in that role? (And a black woman to boot.) I know Lisa Love has been ASU's AD for a while... nothing major to say about her accomplishments there, but "Condy" loves her football and I think you will be hearing from her soon in some capacity, either at Stanford running their athletic department or running the Pac-10 conference as their new commissioner. Maybe with her diplomatic skills she can negotiate a better TV deal and some better bowl games for the Pac-10. A lot of people are glad to see Hanson leave.... and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out Tom.
