4 Star Players 2015-2017

wxman39

Freshman
Sep 18, 2007
103
50
0
Between 2015 and 2017 NU signed "17" 4* players based on Rivals. Of those 17 players, only "4" became regular starters (Morgan, Davis, Jackson and Dismuke). Let's hope the 2018 and 2019 classes turn out better.

 

Harry Caray

All-American
Feb 28, 2002
71,006
7,235
113
The 2018 class had 9 4-star players.

3 didn't last more than a year (Bell, C. Jones, Smith).

1 didn't qualify (Watt).

2 have yet to contribute (Wildeman, M. Jones).

1 was a tight end who converted to center (Jurgens).

That leaves Martinez and Tannor, and the jury is still out on whether they will live up to the hype.

So far the 2018 class looks like a major dud. The best player might end up being Cam Taylor, who was a low 3-star recruit.
 

Headcard

Heisman
Feb 2, 2005
192,509
20,878
113
Last years class had 10 4-star players. So far only Wandale and Mills have contributed. Hopefully guys like Ty Robinson, Heinrich, Rahmir and Benhart will make an impact next year.
 

wxman39

Freshman
Sep 18, 2007
103
50
0
I didn't focus on the 2018 class. But we have lost 4 players already as mentioned above. 3 left and 1 had to go JUCO. Let's hope the rest eventually pan out.
 

newAD

All-American
Oct 14, 2007
15,429
5,006
0
Between 2015 and 2017 NU signed "17" 4* players based on Rivals. Of those 17 players, only "4" became regular starters (Morgan, Davis, Jackson and Dismuke). Let's hope the 2018 and 2019 classes turn out better.


But, but, but......we have talent!
 

dand84

All-Conference
Oct 28, 2017
3,429
1,844
0
This years class has 3 4-star out of 14 commits (I'm looking at 247). Looking at the 84/85 scholarships we have and 16 freeing up when the seniors graduate, we can at most take 3 more? 2 4-star are leaning our way.

I think some of the results of last year and this year are already impacting us.
 

Headcard

Heisman
Feb 2, 2005
192,509
20,878
113
This years class has 3 4-star out of 14 commits (I'm looking at 247). Looking at the 84/85 scholarships we have and 16 freeing up when the seniors graduate, we can at most take 3 more? 2 4-star are leaning our way.

I think some of the results of last year and this year are already impacting us.
On this site we have 4, 4-star commits (Gray, Corcoran, Betts, Smothers). I think there is a very good chance at least 3 of our current commits get bumped up to four stars. Gunnerson and Hutmatcher seem like a given and Scott and/or Morrison seem likely. As far as numbers, I have heard we will take in the low to mid 20's.
 

jeans15

Heisman
Feb 23, 2011
253,663
59,077
0
This years class has 3 4-star out of 14 commits (I'm looking at 247). Looking at the 84/85 scholarships we have and 16 freeing up when the seniors graduate, we can at most take 3 more? 2 4-star are leaning our way.

I think some of the results of last year and this year are already impacting us.

Rivals is the best predictor of championships and talent.

You need to be in the top 10 in recruiting to compete for National Championhips
 

PCastro

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2019
1,299
1
0
Between 2015 and 2017 NU signed "17" 4* players based on Rivals. Of those 17 players, only "4" became regular starters (Morgan, Davis, Jackson and Dismuke). Let's hope the 2018 and 2019 classes turn out better.

The fact that K Johnson jr was a 5 star shines a light on how much info other than actual ability influences ratings. Just one example of other influences are that some schools, with larger followings, increase ratings for a given player. I believe nebraska is one of those schools.
 
Oct 30, 2017
1,027
566
0
The fact that K Johnson jr was a 5 star shines a light on how much info other than actual ability influences ratings. Just one example of other influences are that some schools, with larger followings, increase ratings for a given player. I believe nebraska is one of those schools.
I don't think he was a 5 star? I thought he was a 3 star in one and a 4 star in another. I could be wrong though
 

mpbrown27

Junior
May 17, 2006
3,333
303
0
On this site we have 4, 4-star commits (Gray, Corcoran, Betts, Smothers). I think there is a very good chance at least 3 of our current commits get bumped up to four stars. Gunnerson and Hutmatcher seem like a given and Scott and/or Morrison seem likely. As far as numbers, I have heard we will take in the low to mid 20's.

Maybe the ratings bumps are part of the problem with managing fan expectations? It seems like Nebraska is often the beneficiary of mid-season or end-of-season ratings increases, which could be a byproduct of its legacy and hype. Maybe our rankings are artificially high?
 

dand84

All-Conference
Oct 28, 2017
3,429
1,844
0
On this site we have 4, 4-star commits (Gray, Corcoran, Betts, Smothers). I think there is a very good chance at least 3 of our current commits get bumped up to four stars. Gunnerson and Hutmatcher seem like a given and Scott and/or Morrison seem likely. As far as numbers, I have heard we will take in the low to mid 20's.
How can we do that? We can take a max of 25 (yes, there are some edge conditions) but we can't go over 85? Am I missing something or are we expecting 4+ people to drop off the team beyond the seniors?
 

MOHUSKER

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2009
16,561
1,806
113
How can we do that? We can take a max of 25 (yes, there are some edge conditions) but we can't go over 85? Am I missing something or are we expecting 4+ people to drop off the team beyond the seniors?

We have 2 on suspension, some may transfer and you can always +3 over the 85 and then work through attrition over the spring and summer.
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,663
13,102
78
The 2018 class had 9 4-star players.

3 didn't last more than a year (Bell, C. Jones, Smith).

1 didn't qualify (Watt).

2 have yet to contribute (Wildeman, M. Jones).

1 was a tight end who converted to center (Jurgens).

That leaves Martinez and Tannor, and the jury is still out on whether they will live up to the hype.

So far the 2018 class looks like a major dud. The best player might end up being Cam Taylor, who was a low 3-star recruit.
Given the last minute nature and the number of reaches in Frost's first class, it should have been expected to have a high percentage of wash outs. This most recent freshman class however I think will be much better and as long as he keeps landing full classes like this most recent one, we will be fine talent wise. You never though until they show it on a Saturday. Tom had a HUGE number of underperformers during his tenure too. It's just the nature of high schoolers growing up and adapting to college.
 

TheBeav815

All-American
Feb 19, 2007
18,955
5,101
0
Between 2015 and 2017 NU signed "17" 4* players based on Rivals. Of those 17 players, only "4" became regular starters (Morgan, Davis, Jackson and Dismuke). Let's hope the 2018 and 2019 classes turn out better.


I count 10 of them who don't even play at NU any more, including Stanley who graduated. That's almost 60% of them. Brutal.

2018 they had to take wild swings on some high risk guys, they got here in December to try to sign a class, not as shocking that several didn't make it.
 

JabroniBlvd

Redshirt
Nov 5, 2005
1,390
4
0
We lost 4/5 4* players from 2017 class. 33% of those kids aren't even on campus. The cupbaords were BARE when Frost arrived. No NFL talent anywhere.
 

Lincoln100

All-Conference
Jun 16, 2010
12,989
2,077
0
But, but, but......we have talent!
Stop trolling, or use your brain. People aren't pissed because we aren't in the top 10, they are pissed because we look like a middle-of-the-road FCS program right now. We have enough talent to at least look like we have a pulse. Unless you are calling our players "teddy bears," then I know of one that is willing to meet you for a 1v1.
 

TheNewNU_rivals50820

All-Conference
Dec 27, 2014
4,513
2,760
0
We lost 4/5 4* players from 2017 class. 33% of those kids aren't even on campus. The cupbaords were BARE when Frost arrived. No NFL talent anywhere.
Outside of LJax, and maybe Cam Taylor Wandale and Mo Wash we have no NFL players on our roster. OSU probably has 20. PSU MICH WISKY and MSU probably have 10 each. We dont have the horses. Unless Scott Frost magically turns into a good recruiter that trend is going to continue.
 

JabroniBlvd

Redshirt
Nov 5, 2005
1,390
4
0
Outside of LJax, and maybe Cam Taylor Wandale and Mo Wash we have no NFL players on our roster. OSU probably has 20. PSU MICH WISKY and MSU probably have 10 each. We dont have the horses. Unless Scott Frost magically turns into a good recruiter that trend is going to continue.

Frost is doing fine in recruiting. Can't expect all freshmen to come in ready to win B10 games for you.
 

spinner4_rivals42045

All-Conference
Jan 29, 2003
6,139
1,819
0
Outside of LJax, and maybe Cam Taylor Wandale and Mo Wash we have no NFL players on our roster. OSU probably has 20. PSU MICH WISKY and MSU probably have 10 each. We dont have the horses. Unless Scott Frost magically turns into a good recruiter that trend is going to continue.


So you willing to wager that? 4.5 Over/Under on this current roster that makes an NFL roster. I’d take the over. All day, I’d take the over.
 

spinner4_rivals42045

All-Conference
Jan 29, 2003
6,139
1,819
0
Here’s a shocking stat for you, Rex Burkhead was the last 4-star recruit (non-Juco) that was drafted at Nebraska. Bigger shocker - the last 3, 4 stars or better HS recruits drafted at Nebraska

Burkhead
Niles Paul
Suh

Yikes, that’s awful
 

newAD

All-American
Oct 14, 2007
15,429
5,006
0
Stop trolling, or use your brain. People aren't pissed because we aren't in the top 10, they are pissed because we look like a middle-of-the-road FCS program right now. We have enough talent to at least look like we have a pulse. Unless you are calling our players "teddy bears," then I know of one that is willing to meet you for a 1v1.

Feel better now?

I wasn’t trolling and this wasn’t directed at any players. If you have paid attention to my posts this season you’d get who this was jokingly directed at.

Personally I feel bad for the players (because I used my brain) as they are catching the wrath from so called fans who drank too much kool aid before the season, and set the expectation level way too high.

Oh and if a player wants to kick the *** of a forty something year old over a message board posting not intended directed towards them to make himself feel better have at it.
 

Dean Pope

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2001
13,288
1,055
0
Here’s a shocking stat for you, Rex Burkhead was the last 4-star recruit (non-Juco) that was drafted at Nebraska. Bigger shocker - the last 3, 4 stars or better HS recruits drafted at Nebraska

Burkhead
Niles Paul
Suh

Yikes, that’s awful

We’ve seen NU sign a lot of 2 or 3 star players who were mistakenly given four star rankings. Some slow guys, some lazy, some with character issues, some who just aren’t good football players. There’s no comparison between 4 star Like Wandale and many other 4 stars we’ve brought in who had an equal amount of stars but no where close to the recruiting interest.
 

leodisflowers

Senior
Feb 25, 2011
14,801
808
0
Here’s a shocking stat for you, Rex Burkhead was the last 4-star recruit (non-Juco) that was drafted at Nebraska. Bigger shocker - the last 3, 4 stars or better HS recruits drafted at Nebraska

Burkhead
Niles Paul
Suh

Yikes, that’s awful

Jared Crick?
 
Feb 1, 2006
2
0
0
I had a post about this a few days ago that has since been buried.

1st time poster, long time listener...
I realize there has been a lot of talk about our talent level and I agree that rivals is a pretty good barometer of where our talent is in regards to recruiting. I think the consensus is we have an average class somewhere between 23-26 the last 4-5 classes. What would really be interesting is for someone do dive deeper to see how much lack of talent there really is on the team. Maybe it's impossible to calculate lack of development and 4 star misses but we have had our fair share of both.

For Example since 2015 - 4 stars or better:

OSU - 80 Nebraska - 37

Not as lopsided as you might think, but when you look a little deeper 14 out of our 37 either never made it to campus or left their Freshman year. So, is that number really 80-23? I can't say because I didn't dig into OSU's roster. Having 38% of your 4 stars not make it to school or leave early is a real problem.

Of those 23 how many are All Conference type players (1st, 2nd)? My math shows ONE, just one, Stanley Morgan. Our best 4 star player right now (in my opinion) is Lamar Jackson, and (also in my opinion) he is average, probably not an All Conference type player. 1-23, is that even possible?

Does that mean we haven't developed these players? We probably haven't, with more stability we will. Does that mean we have missed on our 4 stars since 15'-16'? I think so, probably as equal to lack of development. Have we missed more than other schools? I really don't know. But I would venture to say yes.

With that said, we have had very good 3 star players and I think the majority of our good and great players will come from our 3 stars in the years to come. But you have to get your fair share of horses too and you can't afford to miss as often as we have. Our average class rank might be 25th or so, but our team talent is probably in the 50-60 range. That will change.
 

ridge222

Sophomore
Jan 19, 2015
366
147
43
Kind of off topic here, but has there been much backlash or bitching about Xavier Watts committing to Notre Dame?
 

TheBeav815

All-American
Feb 19, 2007
18,955
5,101
0
Kind of off topic here, but has there been much backlash or bitching about Xavier Watts committing to Notre Dame?
Not really because Notre Dame is good and we're not so people kinda get it. ND has been his dream school, people are starting to understand that a kid in HS right now has never seen Nebraska be very good. What was it, 2010 when they lost the CCG to Texas? These kids would have been 8 years old or younger. They don't really remember that.
 

TheBeav815

All-American
Feb 19, 2007
18,955
5,101
0
I had a post about this a few days ago that has since been buried.

1st time poster, long time listener...
I realize there has been a lot of talk about our talent level and I agree that rivals is a pretty good barometer of where our talent is in regards to recruiting. I think the consensus is we have an average class somewhere between 23-26 the last 4-5 classes. What would really be interesting is for someone do dive deeper to see how much lack of talent there really is on the team. Maybe it's impossible to calculate lack of development and 4 star misses but we have had our fair share of both.

For Example since 2015 - 4 stars or better:

OSU - 80 Nebraska - 37

Not as lopsided as you might think, but when you look a little deeper 14 out of our 37 either never made it to campus or left their Freshman year. So, is that number really 80-23? I can't say because I didn't dig into OSU's roster. Having 38% of your 4 stars not make it to school or leave early is a real problem.

Of those 23 how many are All Conference type players (1st, 2nd)? My math shows ONE, just one, Stanley Morgan. Our best 4 star player right now (in my opinion) is Lamar Jackson, and (also in my opinion) he is average, probably not an All Conference type player. 1-23, is that even possible?

Does that mean we haven't developed these players? We probably haven't, with more stability we will. Does that mean we have missed on our 4 stars since 15'-16'? I think so, probably as equal to lack of development. Have we missed more than other schools? I really don't know. But I would venture to say yes.

With that said, we have had very good 3 star players and I think the majority of our good and great players will come from our 3 stars in the years to come. But you have to get your fair share of horses too and you can't afford to miss as often as we have. Our average class rank might be 25th or so, but our team talent is probably in the 50-60 range. That will change.
It definitely points to a problem in the way NU hasn't been able to retain and develop young, talented players. IMO Frost is doing a good job of it so far.

I was on here bitching for years that Pelini was chasing off too many of his best players with his, "You'll do it my way and you'll do it right or you can GTFO" mentality. Pretty much only upperclassmen and elite talents were able to thrive under him.

With prized recruits, you need to be able to mix them in and throw them a bone sometimes and he really didn't do that.

Then we went through years of turmoil and turnover with coaches, losing on the field, getting blown out, that stuff makes the kids who believe they have access to greener pastures go seek them out.