Best Class Since 1997?

[OrangePA]

I Think so.

Beating Out South Carolina, Clemson, Oklahoma, Michigan State Et. Al.

 

[TexanMark]

Best since Coach P for sure...I think those mid 90 classes usually had a few 4 star kids every year and an occasional 5 star kid every other year or so.

 

[baggerbob]

This class fills important needs which we were lacking, wide receivers, players who can be WR/TE, defensive backs, linebackers, if ward and rodney commit fill the offensive line, and defensive line needs. Adding 2 talented QB's is just frosting on the cake.

 

[rrlbees]

It'll end up higher since we have more to go but as of today, there were a few classes rated higher in the past 7-8 years.

 

[supp]

I Think so.

Beating Out South Carolina, Clemson, Oklahoma, Michigan State Et. Al.

Can we wait for NLI Day for threads like? Color me superstitious but why tempt fate?

 

[OrangeBlood]

If we add Ward, Rodney, Ishamel, Watson/Thomas, Encioy, this is by far the best class since 97. That would absolutely be top 40.

 

[TexanMark]

It'll end up higher since we have more to go but as of today, there were a few classes rated higher in the past 7-8 years.

Technically you might be correct...but most of those never predicted.

 

[rrlbees]

Technically you might be correct...but most of those never predicted.

That's not true. Most? Every class has 1-2 but not near most. This class will probably have 1-2 also.

 

[TexanMark]

That's not true. Most? Every class has 1-2 but not near most. This class will probably have 1-2 also.

Ok which classes you throwing out there? At this point you can only really use average star ratings since this class isn't done

 

[PhatOrange]

I believe the class that featured Lou Gachelin was a top 25 class. May have been '99 if memory serves. I'm not sure about the 97 class though.

 

[Chip]

I believe the class that featured Lou Gachelin was a top 25 class. May have been '99 if memory serves. I'm not sure about the 97 class though.

Assuming Gachelin redshirted (can't recall), then you would have the year right. I know he was a senior in 2003 when he and Ferrara just obliterated Notre Dame in the Dome. So if he redshirted, then class of 99. If not, then 2000.

 

[GoSU96]

I Think so.

Beating Out South Carolina, Clemson, Oklahoma, Michigan State Et. Al.

From taking a quick look one four star and the rest all threes.

This class continues a trend over the last couple of years, the quality of the bottom of the class in terms of rankings is rising and therefore the overall quality of the class is improving. Less reaches and Blisters, more kids with multiple AQ offers, and that has been the case every year since Robinson.

It's continued incremental improvement. Another sign of that continued improvement will lack of late minute flips that have hurt the last couple of classes. I think it's fair to say this is the best class in at least ten years, but that doesn't mean it's a huge break through.

The next step is to land a couple of top 250 kids and win a couple of battles with Miami, PSU, ND, go into Jersey and grab one or two kids, get one or two NYS high D-1 national level recruits to come here. A class that included signing kids like Cabinda, Holley, Curtis Samuel would have been the big leap forward.

 

[cuseinchina]

From taking a quick look one four star and the rest all threes.

This class continues a trend over the last couple of years, the quality of the bottom of the class in terms of rankings is rising and therefore the overall quality of the class is improving. Less reaches and Blisters, more kids with multiple AQ offers, and that has been the case every year since Robinson.

It's continued incremental improvement. Another sign of that continued improvement will lack of late minute flips that have hurt the last couple of classes. I think it's fair to say this is the best class in at least ten years, but that doesn't mean it's a huge break through.

The next step is to land a couple of top 250 kids and win a couple of battles with Miami, PSU, ND, go into Jersey and grab one or two kids, get one or two NYS high D-1 national level recruits to come here. A class that included signing kids like Cabinda, Holley, Curtis Samuel would have been the big leap forward.

Marrone would not have been able to recruit at this level. The new staff is made for the college game, very exciting to see the results so far.

 

[GoSU96]

Marrone would not have been able to recruit at this level. The new staff is made for the college game, very exciting to see the results so far.

Jesus, I said it's the best class in ten years, which was the case last year to that point. Year over year there has been improvement since Robinson, but it's been steady and incremental, this class holds to that trend based on current verbals.

It's not an indictment of Shafer and McDonald to say that.

 

[cuseinchina]

Jesus, I said it's the best class in ten years, which was the case last year to that point. Year over year there has been improvement since Robinson, but it's been steady and incremental, this class holds to that trend based on current verbals.

It's not an indictment of Shafer and McDonald to say that.

You are overthinking my post. But since you went there - to say that this class is just another in a line of small incremental improvements in recruiting is nonsense. Many of these high three stars are the kinds of players we'd salivate over for month as Orange Fizz hyped up the recruitment and lamented the eventual failure to close on signing day. This is not incremental, it is a new level and one we haven't seen around here in a long time. When you are selling family - who wants the family with the disengaged stern father who doesn't want to waste much time talking to you?

 

[TheCusian]

Jesus, I said it's the best class in ten years, which was the case last year to that point. Year over year there has been improvement since Robinson, but it's been steady and incremental, this class holds to that trend based on current verbals.

It's not an indictment of Shafer and McDonald to say that.

Yeah - this season is the biggest jump in 10 years too. This class is a significant step up from all of the others...

 

[OrangePA]

From taking a quick look one four star and the rest all threes.

This class continues a trend over the last couple of years, the quality of the bottom of the class in terms of rankings is rising and therefore the overall quality of the class is improving. Less reaches and Blisters, more kids with multiple AQ offers, and that has been the case every year since Robinson.

It's continued incremental improvement. Another sign of that continued improvement will lack of late minute flips that have hurt the last couple of classes. I think it's fair to say this is the best class in at least ten years, but that doesn't mean it's a huge break through.

The next step is to land a couple of top 250 kids and win a couple of battles with Miami, PSU, ND, go into Jersey and grab one or two kids, get one or two NYS high D-1 national level recruits to come here. A class that included signing kids like Cabinda, Holley, Curtis Samuel would have been the big leap forward.

I guess I'm basing my reaction on the schools that are apparently recruiting our committed players - Oklahoma, Michigan State, Clemson, South Carolina, Michigan, Tennessee, Arizona et al.

That is what I find so striking - the extent to which we seem to be beatting out top notch programs.

 

[OrangePA]

Marrone would not have been able to recruit at this level. The new staff is made for the college game, very exciting to see the results so far.

Can't agree with the post.

The impact of the now three bowl wins, the ACC and the new IPF is pushing the program forward.

I strongly suspect that Marrone and his staff - including Shafer and Moore - would have had the same level of success.

 

[OrangePA]

I believe the class that featured Lou Gachelin was a top 25 class. May have been '99 if memory serves. I'm not sure about the 97 class though.

I'll have to check but I though LG was earlier than 1999.

 

[cusefan88]

'97 had Freeney and Mungro correct. Maybe Will Harris as well?

 

[GoSU96]

You are overthinking my post. But since you went there - to say that this class is just another in a line of small incremental improvements in recruiting is nonsense. Many of these high three stars are the kinds of players we'd salivate over for month as Orange Fizz hyped up the recruitment and lamented the eventual failure to close on signing day. This is not incremental, it is a new level and one we haven't seen around here in a long time. When you are selling family - who wants the family with the disengaged stern father who doesn't want to waste much time talking to you?

Where did I say "small"?

Here's the thing, I see anything post Robinson as all part of the same rebuild effort, you're the one making negative comparisons.

 

[cuseinchina]

Where did I say "small"?

Here's the thing, I see anything post Robinson as all part of the same rebuild effort, you're the one making negative comparisons.

You tend to be a Marrone apologist and get your knickers in a wad when anything is posted that sets him in a negative light. In this case I am just stating my opinion that this class is more than an 'incremental' improvement and that in my opinion a guy who hates recruiting would not have put us in this position. Basically I am happy we have our current staff when it comes to recruiting and see a significant shift versus what we had with Marrone. It's an opinion, you don't have to like it.

 

[SUFan44]

It'll end up higher since we have more to go but as of today, there were a few classes rated higher in the past 7-8 years.

I don't think this is true. Need to look at star average, not overall class ranking.

By the overall metric, Western Michigan has a better class than us according to Rivals, just because they have 26 commits and we have 17. Which is preposterous.

As you can see below, 2.82 is by far our best average ranking over the last 12 years. It's not even close.

Rivals Rankings
2014 - 2.82 (59th)
2013 - 2.58 (74th)
2012 - 2.62 (66th)
2011 - 2.46 (76th)
2010 - 2.38 (78th)
2009 - 2.29 (118th)*
2008 - 2.54 (48th)
2007 - 2.56 (48th)
2006 - 2.42 (52nd)
2005 - 2.40 (56th)
2004 - 2.28 (50th)
2003 - 2.48 (53rd)
2002 - 2.52 (44th)

 

[TheCusian]

Can't agree with the post.

The impact of the now three bowl wins, the ACC and the new IPF is pushing the program forward.

I strongly suspect that Marrone and his staff - including Shafer and Moore - would have had the same level of success.

Nope. This group of coaches are way better than we've had in a long time. McDonald pulling some of the FL kids we're in on this year and last - is better than we've had in a while.

 

[rrlbees]

I don't think this is true. Need to look at star average, not overall class ranking. By the overall metric, Western Michigan has a better class than us according to Rivals, just because they have 26 commits and we have 17. Which is preposterous. As you can see below, 2.82 is by far our best average ranking over the last 12 years. It's not even close. Rivals Rankings 2014 - 2.82 (59th) 2013 - 2.58 (74th) 2012 - 2.62 (66th) 2011 - 2.46 (76th) 2010 - 2.38 (78th) 2009 - 2.29 (118th)* 2008 - 2.54 (48th) 2007 - 2.56 (48th) 2006 - 2.42 (52nd) 2005 - 2.40 (56th) 2004 - 2.28 (50th) 2003 - 2.48 (53rd) 2002 - 2.52 (44th)

Two different topics. Yes, our ave per player is better, but it would be too if we had one 3 star. Quantity isn't as good as quality, but quantity has to count for something. Like I said, this class isn't done. So it could go up or down. It's also a relative rating. We could be recruiting better but if the competition is recruiting better even more so, then we aren't getting anywhere. Our class of 50th may be better than a class of 40th in the past, but there are still 49 better classes vs 39.

But since it is such an inexact science, the coaches say it best when they say they'll tell you how good the class is in 4 years.