That’s not totally accurate

I know the recruiting class rankings are fun, it's nice to get the Shiny new toys like the CK and DJ'S on recruiting day and to feel special when kids that can go anywhere choose our program....I get that....however...those kids still need to be coached and have to be willing to learn....

I remember the recruitment of Charone Peak and Adam Humphries.....Humphries and peake both played for Dorman High School and grew up as friends....Dabo and the Clemson staff will never admit it but Adam was offered and Signed to increase our chances at Landing Peake....Peake was a ESPN TOP 5 PLAYER....Adam fought like he'll just to reach 3 star status, he was a 2 star recruit for all but the last month of the recruiting cycle and his Clemson commitment helped him get that extra attention.

But Humpries was the better player for Clemson....you know why? He was the right kid for our system, he was very willing to learn from dabo and our great coaches....and he let them help him develop into a great player....

So when you look at the kids Clemson get or don't get....don't be discouraged.

Those 3 star players or Guys that fly under the radar....may just catch your NATIONAL TITLE WINNING TOUCHDOWN like Hunter and that 5 star player that left to go to GA/ALA might be the one he catches it over

sbrooks®

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Dec 21, 2021, 5:38 PM

While I certainly agree player development is paramount, I’m not sure we have the leasehold on that process. Many teams develop players extremely well. So, if you start at he same baseline as others, there is no advantage in talent.

The reality is to be a top-tier program, the “ratings” matter. The stats are overwhelming - teams that recruit the highest level of blue chip players win national titles.

Highly rated players generally possess features that allow them to contribute earlier and their ceilings are higher (in general). Of course some players just hit their stride in college but that is not the typical route to elite performance. It is usually a combo of talent and hard work and mental acuity.

While I’m not happy about the class size, the quality is top tier. We have some real needs but hopefully we can fill them before the spring game.

Dabo is exceptionally good at many things but roster Mgt is not one of them. We simply need more bodies coming into the program each year, not so we can be like everyone else, but because it is necessary with 85 scholarships to give. We self impose limitations that shouldn’t be at Clemson and that falls solely on Dabos shoulders.

3 star and walk on players are great headlines but you don’t win many NC titles with a majority of those on your roster.

Hopefully we grab a few quality portal players and just kill it next year in recruiting or 2023 could be a very tough year. Quality depth is a mainstay for any successful program.