Recruiting Tidbits

#1
Bloodrunsorange27

Bloodrunsorange27

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#1
As I search daily hoping for news on the top recruits we are in on and daydreaming of finishing with a great class, I thought it would be interesting to go back and look at some past recruiting classes.

I started noticing the 5 star players we've signed in the past who didn't pan out and a lot of 3 star players who have been big contributors.
I'm not making statements about star ratings, just thought it was interesting and figured I'd share.

The following is from '02 thru '10:

Forgettable 5 stars
James Banks
Mondre Dickerson
Brandon Jeffries
Albert Toeaina
Walter Fisher
Chris Donald
Kenny O'Neal
Brent Vinson
Bryce Brown

* From '02 thru '10, we signed 18 5 star players and 9 were busts (50% success rate)

Notable 3 Stars
Brad Cottam
Jonathan Heffney
Tony McDaniel
Arian Foster
Anthony Parker
Jeff Cottam
Austin Rogers
Dan Williams
Jarrod Shaw
Luke Stocker
Lamarcus Thompson
Gerald Williams
Kevin Cooper
Denarius Moore
Dennis Rogan
Austin Johnson
Herman Lathers
Tauren Poole
Dallas Thomas
Prentiss Waggner
Zach Rogers
Channing Fugate
Zach Fulton
Mychal Rivera
John Propst

We've got a lot of 3 star players in this current class and while I'd like to see us landing more of the big time prospects, I have confidence that our staff believes in the players we have offered and that they are better evaluators of talent than the folks at Rivals, Scout, etc.

The list above is a good reminder of that.

Go Vols!:loco::loco:
 
#2
#2
chris donald??? holy crap. he must have really sucked it up if i don't even recognize the freakin name.
 
#3
#3
who was the guy that came in with jayson swain? i remember there was 2 big wrs in his class but i can't recall the other 1.
 
#4
#4
While I don't completely disagree with the sentiment since many times there are diamonds in the rough, your comment neglects the fact the 02-10 is possibly one of the roughest stretches in UT football history. Perhaps b/c we are relying on too many 3* players (along with too many 5* busts). Let's hope we get a few Luke Stocker types in this bunch coming in.
Go Vols!
 
#7
#7
leffie said:
While I don't completely disagree with the sentiment since many times there are diamonds in the rough, your comment neglects the fact the 02-10 is possibly one of the roughest stretches in UT football history. Perhaps b/c we are relying on too many 3* players (along with too many 5* busts). Let's hope we get a few Luke Stocker types in this bunch coming in.
Go Vols!
Click to expand...


I would agree with you. I would say that any program who has a large number of 3 star players as strong contributors over a long span is most likely struggling.
Unless your Boiste St and you play cupcakes
 
#9
#9
VOLNBAMA said:
Also you need to list all the 3* players that didn't pan out
Click to expand...

Exactly. I don't have a strong opinion on this argument. Never have. I can see both sides. But I would really like to know how many total 3 stars we had during that time and how many did or did not become big contributors. 5 stars have a 50% success rate with us over the last decade. I see that. To truley make this argument though we need to know what the 3 star success rate was as a percentage. I'm not trying to advance a side of this argument, just truley curious. Anyone with time on their hands, feel free to do the research!
 
#10
#10
VOLNBAMA said:
Also you need to list all the 3* players that didn't pan out
Click to expand...


There were a lot. Definitely not implying that a higher percentage of 3 star players had impact than 5 star players.
The difference to me is the expectation. When you sign a 5 star player you expect them to be a major contributor very quickly. Just thought it was interesting that half of them had virtually no impact.
 
#12
#12
You don't call Walter Fisher a bust and Jarrod Shaw notable in the same post.
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#17
#17
Wasn't. Crompton a forgettable 5* and his great teammate briscoe was horrible too
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#18
#18
Bloodrunsorange27 said:
We've got a lot of 3 star players in this current class and while I'd like to see us landing more of the big time prospects, I have confidence that our staff believes in the players we have offered and that they are better evaluators of talent than the folks at Rivals, Scout, etc.

The list above is a good reminder of that.

Go Vols!:loco::loco:
Click to expand...

That list of 3-star players is the reason that we're 6-6 this season and damn lucky to have even made a bowl game. Our defense is absolutely horrific.
 
#20
#20
Appreciate the comments. Couple of responses

Jarrod Shaw was a solid contributor on the o-line last year, that's why I included him in the 3 star list. Not saying he was great by any means, just notable.
Walter Fisher rotated a little on the d-line and had no impact which to me is a bust if you're rated that high.

I thought Gerald Williams was rated higher also, thought he was a 4 star. I was going by the Rivals listings and they had him as a 3 star. May have been moved to 4 star by the time he was finally eligible.

As for Toeaina, if he moved to defense at the next level and has had success that's great. Doesn't mean he had a major impact here on the offensive line.
 
#21
#21
tenn_opie said:
chris donald??? holy crap. he must have really sucked it up if i don't even recognize the freakin name.
Click to expand...

He was one of the top linebackers in the country and from Tenn. He transferred last year to UTC I believe? Never played up to his talent and barely saw the field. Similar situation to Jerod Askew.
 
#22
#22
Fisher had at least as much positive impact as Shaw. Shaw was benched as a fifth year senior in favor of a true freshman.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#24
#24
It would be interesting to see the percentage of 3*s failed. Probably around 50% as well. Players usually get 5*s because they are great athletes. But taking that and succeeding at the next level is another thing. The ones who succeed at the ones who have the 5* attitude and work ethic.
 
#25
#25
kptvol said:
Fisher had at least as much positive impact as Shaw. Shaw was benched as a fifth year senior in favor of a true freshman.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
Click to expand...


I'm not an advocate of Shaw. Truth is if he had been her 4 or 5 years ago he wouldn't have made the list of notable 3 stars so point taken.
But I really was disappointed in Fisher.

One other note, I'm not one of those people claiming stars mean nothing. In most cases, having 4 or 5 stars means the guy is pretty freakin talented.
Just thought it was interesting to reflect on some of the hits and misses we have had over the years.
 
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