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YOUR BALANCE
Here's an observation about football and recruiting rankings
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Here's an observation about football and recruiting rankings


Oct 23, 2013, 1:07 PM

Just took a few seconds to scan two different ranking systems for 2011, 2012, and 2013 classes because there is so much talk here since the FSU loss about our success in recruiting. These are only casual observations, nothing 'scientific':

UGA had better classes by 2 to 4 positions in all three seasons. We beat them.

Oregon has ranked below us by as much as 6 to 8 positions in that time frame. They are powerful and ranked #3 in BCS. Likely to be #2 if they don't lose.

Florida has ranked in the top 5 and well above Clemson in 2012 and 2013. The separation in 2011 was only 2 or 3 positions (they being lower). Even when healthy, they haven't been THAT good.

Yes, FSU has always ranked above us.

I'm still not convinced that our overall recruiting is a primary reason we got murdered and may get pounded again in next year's game. It is more tied to player development and getting the RIGHT players to develop. It would be nice to get Bama level classes and draw many of the top players for a range of positions. But you can't snap your fingers and make it happen.

It's a pretty decent situation for us where we seem to get a lot of the upper ranked talent - heavy on 4-stars for whatever it really means. Hopefully all three coaches see the need to keep building on the linemen recruits as a way to have a good enough talent pool to create the 5 star performance from the 4 stars. Even if you think the high school ratings are accurate with no faults (unlikely), you have to admit that all teams are faced with the same development issues. Not every top player for Bama came in as a 5 star or top for their position, etc.

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I get your point, but disagree about the


Oct 23, 2013, 1:24 PM

development. I know there are some guys that have under-achieved and you dont have to take long to compile a few examples...I know.

I think we were actually really hurt by injuries this season more than anything. When you step back and look at it, it has almost taken away any chance of reloading. I didnt think it would have that big of an impact until FSU showed up.

Look at WR, TE, RB, CB.....

WR-Nuk leaving and Peake getting hurt have killed us at WR. To your point, G-Hop hasnt been as productive as we would have hoped, but there is a big talent drop from there.

TE- Cooper and Leggett both going down has also hurt a lot. We all know how important TE is in our system, especially with Ford and Allen.

RB- Gallman and Dye both out have hurt, this one may continue to hurt as they are going to need PT before they truly develop. Now have all of our RB's had their moments this year, yes; but I dont think many would argue with the fact that we would greatly benefit from a bruiser like Dye and/or a homerun threat like Gallman.

DB- Alexander is the main one, but a big one, with only one real backup in Kearse (a true freshman) at Safety is a tall task for anyone.


I dont think its a stretch to say that we would match up better if we were healthy(er) in these spots. The way it has played out, I think it feels like we missed a year in recruiting, but with all of these boys getting healthy for next year, I think it is much more even than most believe right now.

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+1 and well stated. Don't confuse the 'dumps' with the


Oct 23, 2013, 1:32 PM

details. It's all or nothing for some.

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You might be underrating Bryant a little in WR


Oct 23, 2013, 1:46 PM [ in reply to I get your point, but disagree about the ]

And Mike Williams just like Bryant looks to be the kind of player that can pull some Nuk like maneuvers when needed. Like reaching over backs and safeties and plucking the ball as if it's an apple on a tree...

But I agree TE is really weak for us, followed by RB. Seckinger did pull off the big plays for sure. But no one including him is doing much to help hold the line and protect Boyd, even if just a little. And we don't seem to have really tested Brooks to give him a chance to be the 4 and 5 yard guarantee he might be for 2nd and 3rd downs. McDowell is nimble, just not a Spiller like nimble.

When I'm talking about development some of the first positions that come to my mind are linemen and tackles. Especially on offense. I doubt we will ever be competitive with the SEC in AL/GA/FL/SC/NC for the top in state. That's why our lines are always overall smaller in size. But it's possible to build up with the Maverick Morris/Boulware/Ogundeko/Crowder/Battle types to help Boyd or next year's QB get just a little more breathing room. Beyond defense, who knows, maybe Morris and squad can bring Priester up to the next level so we have more WR weapons.

Your point on injuries is well made.

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Re: I get your point, but disagree about the


Oct 23, 2013, 8:28 PM [ in reply to I get your point, but disagree about the ]

Right on the spot brother!

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Re: Here's an observation about football and recruiting rankings


Oct 23, 2013, 3:58 PM

Yep. I looked into this as well head-to-head against FSU. Since 2004, FSU signed 19 5-stars to Clemson's 7. FSU signed 117 4-stars to Clemson's 77. Over this same period with "better" classes at FSU, the series is tied at 5-5. Looking at the 2014 class as it now stands, Clemson has 1 5-star and 6 4-stars. FSU has 0 5-stars and 10 4-stars. Currently, Clemson's class averages 3.39 stars to FSU's 3.28 stars. These rankings are according to Rivals.


Message was edited by: CU81®


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On any given year it's a matter of what positions you need


Oct 23, 2013, 4:07 PM

to fill, too. FSU has filled a lot of key positions and some top of the rankings recruits might choose another school if they think it gives them a better chance to play. Maybe the coaches don't pursue as aggressively when they feel the position is pretty solid, too. Not that they ignore certain recruits, they just devote energy more where it's needed.

But I still stand by my non-scientific observations that teams that consistently recruit higher than we do aren't guaranteed to beat us in any given game. It's how close you can get to top talent, what you do in developing the kids into men, and which positions you target for your team. After all, UVA got the top rated DT for this next class, but I say, so? Come next year or after that we could still have the better tackle in Reader or Pagano, or whoever.

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Where we seem to be behind FSU in execution is on the


Oct 23, 2013, 4:10 PM

offensive line. Regardless of stars, we are not performing there as we would like. From an injury side, our recruiting has been "reduced" due to injuries at RB and in the secondary. We still seem to have a little issue between Tajh and the WRs. I don't know if it's WRs being in the wrong place, or TB not being able to read all 4 or 5 routes. We seem to have one or two open on most plays, but TB either has to run (see OL comment above) or does read where the open guy is. If the one or two guy is not open on a given play, seems a throw is doomed. I think last year Nuk and Sammy made some plays on throws where they were NOT the correct read and bailed out the play. This year we don't seem to be making the saving catch, and really have dropped a lot of good passes that Tajh made. I do think the Peake injury has hurt the offense in that respect. Now, I will quit rambling!

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It's a guess in a way, but from what I've seen so far of


Oct 23, 2013, 7:17 PM

many of our younger WRs like Williams and to a lesser degree Hopper, they will be able to make plays out of mistakes like you say Nuk and Sammy can/did. Even some of the more seasoned guys like Peake and Bryant could do the same.

Bryant and Williams both remind me of Nuk in the way they can just rise above the backs and safeties and make a play work snagging a ball. The biggest difference with Nuk was he had reptilian hands almost. Like he had suction cups.

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Re: Here's an observation about football and recruiting rankings


Oct 23, 2013, 8:59 PM

Recruiting rankings are skewed heavily in favor of skill players. Our recruitment of skill players has been good. Unfortunately, our linemen don't seem to measure up as a whole to that of our competition.

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