Why recruiting rankings a dumb

[Lorax64]

I just don’t really understand why fans pay attention to them

1) If you don’t have much turnover in your program and sign a small class you are dinged for it

2) Many coaches are saving scholarships for the transfer portal. Transfers aren’t included in recruiting rankings.

3) They complete ignore roster needs and positional value.

4) The first three points don’t apply to Alabama, Ohio St, and Clemson since they don’t really need to recruit.

 

[c3o]

If the coaches can't win with the players they recruit, it doesn't matter anyway.

Here's to Frost figuring it out! Go Scott go

 

[Lorax64]

If the coaches can't win with the players they recruit, it doesn't matter anyway.

Here's to Frost figuring it out! Go Scott go

Yet boosters and administration pay attention to them.

 

[ThereIsNoPlace_rivals38755]

*are dumb

OP


*are dumb.....

 

[Headcard]

I just don’t really understand why fans pay attention to them

1) If you don’t have much turnover in your program and sign a small class you are dinged for it

2) Many coaches are saving scholarships for the transfer portal. Transfers aren’t included in recruiting rankings.

3) They complete ignore roster needs and positional value.

4) The first three points don’t apply to Alabama, Ohio St, and Clemson since they don’t really need to recruit.

Fans want to know who they are recruiting and how they stack up.

I know the value of recruiting rankings is debated back and forth. My belief is that, simply put, the best teams recruit at the highest level and this is almost without fail. Very, very few teams that have made the CFB Playoff have anything but Top 10 classes. Of the 28 team that have played in the playoff, only 2 (2015 Washington and 2016 Michigan State) have been teams that don't recruit at the highest level. So it is possible to win big without elite classes, but very unlikely. This has always been true, in another thread Nebraska's recruiting rankings under TO were listed and guess what consistent Top 10 classes. And our very best players, often 5-star dudes.

Having said that, I think that is where the predictive value of recruiting rankings end, with top end talent. The gap between those kids and the teams full of those kids and everyone else is huge. The gap between the rest is not. After those top guys, the difference in talent gets very small and the difference between the classes gets small. It might seem like we recruit circles around a program like Iowa, when we have a class ranked 20th and they have one ranked 40th, but those two classes are most likely much closer than a team with the 8th ranked class and Nebraska at 20th. That is why we see the same kids and same teams at the top of the rankings and huge differences in the middle, from service to service.

 

[DaServo]

They do matter even if it's just for optics. It's no surprise the perennial top rated recruiting schools are also the perennial top football schools. The portal does change some things but kids watch these rankings which is why optics are important. I still say Scott's biggest flaw is not being able to change the recruiting culture. He has yet to land a major stud player or a top class. He's yet to show he can do more with less so he better start recruiting some top 10 classes.

 

[Lorax64]

They do matter even if it's just for optics. It's no surprise the perennial top rated recruiting schools are also the perennial top football schools. The portal does change some things but kids watch these rankings which is why optics are important. I still say Scott's biggest flaw is not being able to change the recruiting culture. He has yet to land a major stud player or a top class. He's yet to show he can do more with less so he better start recruiting some top 10 classes.

This might be the best class in Husker history based on how I evaluate the players. Fidone is a first round prospect day 1.

 

[jteten]

Turns out, great recruits have a better chance of succeeding then those that are not highly recruited. I’m all for the rankings and wish we were higher on the list.

 

[Joe M]

I just don’t really understand why fans pay attention to them

1) If you don’t have much turnover in your program and sign a small class you are dinged for it

2) Many coaches are saving scholarships for the transfer portal. Transfers aren’t included in recruiting rankings.

3) They complete ignore roster needs and positional value.

4) The first three points don’t apply to Alabama, Ohio St, and Clemson since they don’t really need to recruit.

I mean, you look at the top 10 in the team recruiting rankings this year and you've got most of the teams that have been near the top 10 of CFB polls for the last couple of years. Obviously the 3 you mentioned + Georgia, LSU, ND, A&M, etc. You've gotta have the coaching /development side too, which is why it's not solely about finishing in the top 10, but the talent component is huge. I think it's only when you start getting into the 20-25 range where the rankings don't matter as much and some of the things you mentioned play a bigger role (+ obviously coaching).

And in regards to point #2, the only programs that really make a needle-moving impact in the transfer portal are the same schools that sit atop the recruiting rankings.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

rivals ranking of recruiting classes goes back 20 years on this site

in those 20 years only twice previously has Neb failed to sign more than 3 - 4* and 5* recruits prior to this year
2008 - Pelini transition class (5*-4*-4*)
2004 - Solich - 2 4*s

you have to go back 18 years to find a class more bereft of highly rated recruits than this one

 

[artguy68]

It is true that team recruiting rankings are suspect. To me, it seems they are too heavily infuenced by mediocre talent and sheer numbers. Penn State, or example has 7 4* recruits, but only 16 signed overall, so they are several spots behind Nebraska. But I'd take that class any day. Iowa has 6 4* recruits, but because they have two 2* recruits, they somehow fall down the rankings list. Average star ratings might be a little more accurate. Nebraska would then be #28.

Even so, they are not so inaccurate as to totally discount them. It also gives us something to waste time on in the off season.

 

[TampaBaySkers]

rivals ranking of recruiting classes goes back 20 years on this site

in those 20 years only twice previously has Neb failed to sign more than 3 - 4* and 5* recruits prior to this year
2008 - Pelini transition class (5*-4*-4*)
2004 - Solich - 2 4*s

you have to go back 18 years to find a class more bereft of highly rated recruits than this one

And yet still finished 5 spots higher than your beloved Hawkeyes..sad day for you.

 

[Lorax64]

rivals ranking of recruiting classes goes back 20 years on this site

in those 20 years only twice previously has Neb failed to sign more than 3 - 4* and 5* recruits prior to this year
2008 - Pelini transition class (5*-4*-4*)
2004 - Solich - 2 4*s

you have to go back 18 years to find a class more bereft of highly rated recruits than this one

Who cares? This idea that Team A has better talent than Team B because Team A is the 20th ranked class and Team B is the 50th ranked class is very flawed.

It is true that the kids that Alabama/Ohio St bring in are on another level, but outside of that it’s more comparable than you think.

Most schools recruit 1-2 kids they feel really good about and fill the class out with raw players whom they think can develop into contributors down the line.

An often overlooked element to this is roster building. Good programs view each scholarship
as a resource. They have an idea as to how they want to build they roster, where they need to add depth, positions that need a talent infusion, etc.

What if Nebraska signed two “top 10” classes in a row, but 70 percent of the recruits were on the defensive front seven? You see my point.

 

[SWIowahawks_rivals44758]

rivals ranking of recruiting classes goes back 20 years on this site

in those 20 years only twice previously has Neb failed to sign more than 3 - 4* and 5* recruits prior to this year
2008 - Pelini transition class (5*-4*-4*)
2004 - Solich - 2 4*s

you have to go back 18 years to find a class more bereft of highly rated recruits than this one

And the two highest rated kids that come with a lot of bonus points are local and grew up Husker fans. This class isn’t nearly as good on paper as Frost’s first classes. That should worry Husker fans.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

Who cares? This idea that Team A has better talent than Team B because Team A is the 20th ranked class and Team B is the 50th ranked class is very flawed.

It is true that the kids that Alabama/Ohio St bring in are on another level, but outside of that it’s more comparable than you think.

Most schools recruit 1-2 kids they feel really good about and fill the class out with raw players whom they think can develop into contributors down the line.

An often overlooked element to this is roster building. Good programs view each scholarship
as a resource. They have an idea as to how they want to build they roster, where they need to add depth, positions that need a talent infusion, etc.

What if Nebraska signed two “top 10” classes in a row, but 70 percent of the recruits were on the defensive front seven? You see my point.

No I don't see your point.

Recruiting matters. Always has and always will.

Most schools DO NOT recruit 1-2 kids they feel good about, that would leave you about 10 players on your entire roster that you feel good about. Considering Nebraska rolls out about 180 players, I would hope that Frost feels good about more than 2 kids per class.

Also comical is that you can take a high school tight end and forecast him to be first round pick from the jump. Nebraska doesn't even have a QB on the roster that has shown the ability to get the ball to a TE down the field. Without the QB, the TE is a glorified OT.

But you do you homie

 

[Lorax64]

No I don't see your point.

Recruiting matters. Always has and always will.

Most schools DO NOT recruit 1-2 kids they feel good about, that would leave you about 10 players on your entire roster that you feel good about. Considering Nebraska rolls out about 180 players, I would hope that Frost feels good about more than 2 kids per class.

Also comical is that you can take a high school tight end and forecast him to be first round pick from the jump. Nebraska doesn't even have a QB on the roster that has shown the ability to get the ball to a TE down the field. Without the QB, the TE is a glorified OT.

But you do you homie

How many kids from this class do you expect to significantly contribute next year? My guess is 1 or 2. That is pretty standard.

Of course recruiting matters. Recruiting rankings do NOT.

Fidone is a matchup nightmare. I think he could start in the NFL as a 19 year old. Martinez is also a top notch QB-one of the best in Husker history.

 

[phoenix4nu]

Fidone is a matchup nightmare. I think he could start in the NFL as a 19 year old. Martinez is also a top notch QB-one of the best in Husker history.

You're joking, right?

 

[Lorax64]

You're joking, right?

He’s going to break a ton of school passing records.

 

[Spectrumalaska]

A you dumb?

 

[phoenix4nu]

He’s going to break a ton of school passing records.

Oh, you're a troll. My mistake for not recognizing that before.

 

[GBRforLife1]

I just don’t really understand why fans pay attention to them

1) If you don’t have much turnover in your program and sign a small class you are dinged for it

2) Many coaches are saving scholarships for the transfer portal. Transfers aren’t included in recruiting rankings.

3) They complete ignore roster needs and positional value.

4) The first three points don’t apply to Alabama, Ohio St, and Clemson since they don’t really need to recruit.

1. Why would you continually sign small classes if you're not Bo Pelini?

2. Only top 20 recruits are calculated. Almost no one is saving 5 scholarships for the portal.

3. Irrelevant.

4. They still need to recruit.

 

[PeliniTheCrutch_rivals294365]

How many kids from this class do you expect to significantly contribute next year? My guess is 1 or 2. That is pretty standard.

Of course recruiting matters. Recruiting rankings do NOT.

Fidone is a matchup nightmare. I think he could start in the NFL as a 19 year old. Martinez is also a top notch QB-one of the best in Husker history.

What the hell just happened here?

 

[Lorax64]

1. Why would you continually sign small classes if you're not Bo Pelini?

2. Only top 20 recruits are calculated. Almost no one is saving 5 scholarships for the portal.

3. Irrelevant.

4. They still need to recruit.

Its not much different than cap space in the NFL. You want to have roster flexibility.

The NCAA waived it scholarship limit in 2021, but is expected to enforce it again 2022. Schools that do not plan for this are going to be signing very small class in 2022.

 

[leodisflowers]

And the two highest rated kids that come with a lot of bonus points are local and grew up Husker fans. This class isn’t nearly as good on paper as Frost’s first classes. That should worry Husker fans.

It's actually a pretty solid class top to bottom. Maybe not a ton of hoopla, but Frost first class looked solid on paper, but kind of didn't pan out. There are some solid ones for sure, but this class fills some big needs for us. If we could get the QB position figured out, we'd probably be alright.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

Its not much different than cap space in the NFL. You want to have roster flexibility.

The NCAA waived it scholarship limit in 2021, but is expected to enforce it again 2022. Schools that do not plan for this are going to be signing very small class in 2022.

You should really stop while you’re behind.

 

[TampaBaySkers]

He’s going to break a ton of school passing records.

Because he will play 5 seasons.

 

[Anon1727835823]

He’s going to break a ton of school passing records.

easy to do as a 5 year starter

 

[TruHusker]

easy to do as a 5 year starter

And at a school with very little history in the passing department.

 

[RedCap_rivals330392]

I just don’t really understand why fans pay attention to them

1) If you don’t have much turnover in your program and sign a small class you are dinged for it

2) Many coaches are saving scholarships for the transfer portal. Transfers aren’t included in recruiting rankings.

3) They complete ignore roster needs and positional value.

4) The first three points don’t apply to Alabama, Ohio St, and Clemson since they don’t really need to recruit.

Football recruiting is an industry generating profits for the recruiting services (including this site). So the ratings matter for profit purposes more than anything.

 

[DaServo]

No I don't see your point.

Recruiting matters. Always has and always will.

Most schools DO NOT recruit 1-2 kids they feel good about, that would leave you about 10 players on your entire roster that you feel good about. Considering Nebraska rolls out about 180 players, I would hope that Frost feels good about more than 2 kids per class.

Also comical is that you can take a high school tight end and forecast him to be first round pick from the jump. Nebraska doesn't even have a QB on the roster that has shown the ability to get the ball to a TE down the field. Without the QB, the TE is a glorified OT.

But you do you homie

Uh...No! Dude, you're about as wrong as wrong can be. Sorry but it makes a difference.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

Uh...No! Dude, you're about as wrong as wrong can be. Sorry but it makes a difference.

?

 

[run4fun11]

It is true that team recruiting rankings are suspect. To me, it seems they are too heavily infuenced by mediocre talent and sheer numbers. Penn State, or example has 7 4* recruits, but only 16 signed overall, so they are several spots behind Nebraska. But I'd take that class any day. Iowa has 6 4* recruits, but because they have two 2* recruits, they somehow fall down the rankings list. Average star ratings might be a little more accurate. Nebraska would then be #28.

Even so, they are not so inaccurate as to totally discount them. It also gives us something to waste time on in the off season.

I agree.
Recruit a kicker and a long snapper and your rating will plummet.

 

[DaServo]

?

Just saying recruiting rankings matter. The OP says they don't and they do. Kids pay attention, momentum can be delivered with a couple top 10-15 classes. At the very least it's optics. Scott needs to land a "buzz" class or a super stud 5* to get us on the road to recovery. That's my opinion anyway since I've been critical of his recruiting. We should be stamping our authority regionally. I have no problem with his in-state, you can't get em all. My concern is his out of state and no getting the Nebraska name out there. If anyone can do it it's him. To date he hasn't done so...

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

Just saying recruiting rankings matter. The OP says they don't and they do. Kids pay attention, momentum can be delivered with a couple top 10-15 classes. At the very least it's optics. Scott needs to land a "buzz" class or a super stud 5* to get us on the road to recovery. That's my opinion anyway since I've been critical of his recruiting. We should be stamping our authority regionally. I have no problem with his in-state, you can't get em all. My concern is his out of state and no getting the Nebraska name out there. If anyone can do it it's him. To date he hasn't done so...

ok so you agree with me? Just curious why you quoted me and wrote I was wrong.

carry on

 

[STUCKNKS]

They do matter even if it's just for optics. It's no surprise the perennial top rated recruiting schools are also the perennial top football schools. The portal does change some things but kids watch these rankings which is why optics are important. I still say Scott's biggest flaw is not being able to change the recruiting culture. He has yet to land a major stud player or a top class. He's yet to show he can do more with less so he better start recruiting some top 10 classes.

Well let's see. His 1st class he didn't have much time. 2nd class hurt with staff recruiting the wrong kids and third class you have think Fidone being the 2nd ranked player at the tight end position is a stud.
It's just going to take some breaks, breaks on the field and time.

 

[cornhustler]

Having an elite coach is the only thing that matters. Look at USC/Texas/Miami. They have no shortage of top flight classes. Or look at DONU "out recruiting" the West almost every year. Nebraska was an absolute fire-breathing, slobber-knocking supercharged machine with a HOF coach... and a bumbling one legged, cross-eyed ostrich without one. TO quit a decade too early! #gbr

 

[19Football19]

And the two highest rated kids that come with a lot of bonus points are local and grew up Husker fans. This class isn’t nearly as good on paper as Frost’s first classes. That should worry Husker fans.

You are 100% correct!!! This class is really in 28 to 32 range. ESPN has Neb at 33. That’s closer and More IMO.

 

[PeliniTheCrutch_rivals294365]

Well let's see. His 1st class he didn't have much time. 2nd class hurt with staff recruiting the wrong kids and third class you have think Fidone being the 2nd ranked player at the tight end position is a stud.
It's just going to take some breaks, breaks on the field and time.

You are missing a class(and I assume another excuse with it) in there somewhere.

 

[STUCKNKS]

You are missing a class(and I assume another excuse with it) in there somewhere.

Again, I'm not one to run scared and come on here whining like many here.
Ballin their eyes out crying, wanting attention.
Screw those screwball you know whats!

 

[STUCKNKS]

You are 100% correct!!! This class is really in 28 to 32 range. ESPN has Neb at 33. That’s closer and More IMO.

I would agree with this. Somewhere around 28 to 35 but I'm not going to cry about it.
Nobody knows who pans out in any one class till they are on the field.
Get over it!