Some posters have noted that class recruiting rankings are based on the total number of commits and specialists can skew the rankings, particularly the averages. I understand that but at the end of the cycle the specialists don’t really have much impact on the class score because 247 adjusts the contribution of each commit every time a new commit is added until the class is complete and by that time the lowest rated guy just doesn’t make much difference in the total or even the averages. I think 247, rivals, and ESPN, in their evaluation and ranking schemes, might not have much respect for how much the kicking phase of the game can impact the final outcome. jmo.
I’ve often thought there ought to be a certain number of each position group identified as the best in that group and while that is the case for most position groups, specialists are rarely, if ever, rated by the big three as blue chips. Kohl’s Kicking and Rubio Long Snapping are two of the leading outfits that rate specialists. Kicking Kids and long snappers travel all over the country to participate in these evaluation camps. Cimaglia was a 5-star kicker, 6th best in the country, and a 4.5-star punter. Brooks was a 5-star punter , ranked 2nd in the nation, and a 4.5-star kicker. Doyle was a 5-star punter, 6th best in the country, and a 4-star kicker. Lovingood was the 10th best long snapper in the class of 2015. Jake Yelich was the 13th best long snapper in the class of 2016. Will Albright is the No.1 Long Snapper in the class of 2020 out of 286 guys ranked. LSU got the top guy last year.
Statistically, for everyone else, about 60% of 5-star recruits turn out to be legitimate NFL draft prospects, around 25% of 4-star recruits, 6% of 3-star recruits, and 1% of 2-stars and unranked. The blue chip ratio is considered by many to be a good indicator of talent comparison between various teams. It doesn’t address experience or coaching, only talent.
With that in mind, and not adjusting for specialists, this is the way the blue chip ratios currently stack up for where we are at the present moment in the 2020 recruiting cycle for SEC teams. It’s only June.
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