SoCon Recruiting Class Rankings

[SouthernPigskin]

Our lead SoCon writer, Russell Varner, recently released his rankings of the nine SoCon recruiting classes. What do you think of the list, and how do you feel about the class you just brought in?

http://www.southernpigskin.com/SOCON/vi ... s-rankings

[BeauFoster]

I think App has one the best classes on the SoCon, if not the nation, based on my limited research. I was impressed with Samfords, as well.

[moehler]

The Furman's coaching staff really came thru, really surprised that Wofford had such a bad, atleast on paper, recruiting class

[Appst1]

First of all I hate recruiting rankings because nobody ever goes back and ranks them and while people say this is the best class we ever had, you never know. This should be a great class. I think we certainly got some players who are a level above what we usually get but it's obvious Varner did nothing but rank players based on stars and in FCS you can't do that.

People need to remember that on Rivals we only had 3 or 4 players with stars when they committed. Gossett and the rest who were given 2 stars got them after they committed to us. Rivals never did that before which makes me wonder what is up there.

Anyone else notice the lack of coverage from McLawhorn this year? He didn't post nearly as much as before. We had some here on the board giving more and better info than McLawhorn did. The only thing he really did was post when we had commitments but did not post player interest and offers as much. His coverage has really tapered off compared to when he first started.

Speaking of past classes, has anyone ever gone back and looked at the 2003 class? They were a major factor in 3 national titles and put several in the NFL. While Nate Biggs and Bryan Manning were the only star recruits from that class we had Kerry Brown, Matt Isenhour, Kerry Brown, Marques Murrell, Corey Lynch, and Jeremy Wiggins in that group.

[hapapp]

My guess is Brian is more careful in what he publishes because his site is more than a message board. He awaits confirmation before posting much of his information. I think the guys on this board (FM and 78) do a great job and I know everyone is appreciative of what they do. However, they work under different parameters than Brian. Brian has also been dealing with some family health issues that have diverted his time and attention.

As many have said, a more telling sign maybe who else offered the guys we signed. I think there is enough evidence to show that some of our best players were guys without stars. My guess is too with so many recruiting services out there today, fewer players slip under the radar.

[Appst1]

I did not realize that about Brian but that certainly explains it. He always did a solid job in the past. Perhaps this year he will have more information.

As for who offers them at our level that is not really important for a guy with no stars. Look at LeGree and Quick. They both had just one offer. App State is a very good offer. If our coaches go after a guy that nobody else has then you should star that guy. They probably know something.

However, when you compare 2 and 3 star guys I agree with looking at who offers. Almost every guy we signed this year turned down 1-5 FBS offers to come. Many of them also got what I call very good FCS offers such as ODU (moving to FBS), Georgia Southern, etc. I'm sorry but if I see a player who has an offer from Montana, NDSU, App State, GSU, Delaware, JMU, etc. I put more stock in that than I would if they had offers from UAB, NIU, Akron, etc. because the FCS schools I just mentioned all have a better track record of NFL players than those FBS schools I mentioned. The best thing to do is look at the schools who offered and star the players offered by schools with a good track record. That tells you an awful lot about how good the player may be.

[kgblade]

If this were a job for Brian at the Rivals site he would have been fired long ago. He has totally stopped answering posters (subscribers) questions. He was late on every player and the coverage has gone to pot. He should sell the site or get back to covering it respectfully. We should have had interviews everyday from players who committed and we haven't heard from any of them.
I understand about his family health issues and I hope all turns for the better. But, the coverage is lacking way more than if that was the sole reason. He has to realize he's running business and people pay money in this economy for responsible coverage. I've about had it with his site.
If not for this blog, namely Moose and 78, we all would have had a terrible recruiting season and more people would be raising cane about the rivals site. If you have to pay for it, then it should be superior, not inferior, IMO.

[Appst1]

I certainly agree and if the coverage does not pick up this year then I believe he should hand the site off to someone else. We should not have posters on here following social media and articles on players to get updates when people are paying someone at Rivals to do it.

I think the best thing to do is email Brian and let him know how you feel. If that does not work I would email the head analyst at Rivals, Mike Farrell.

[hapapp]

I don't believe Brian's job is to report what is traveling the social media circles. Twitter is not exactly a source one should rely on for actual reporting. The job that FM and 78 do is outstanding but they are operating under much looser standards than Brian. Brian has access that he might lose if he reports every rumor that arises.

[JCline0429]

I think App has one the best classes on the SoCon, if not the nation, based on my limited research. I was impressed with Samfords, as well.

The nation? I hope you're kidding.

[firemoose]

I think App has one the best classes on the SoCon, if not the nation, based on my limited research. I was impressed with Samfords, as well.

The nation? I hope you're kidding.

I can't speak for Beau but I believe he is talking about "national" in terms of FCS recruiting. And that is not far off the mark. Most FCS sites had us near the top even before we got Norwood and Upshaw, both of whom were listed with other schools (Norwood-Jax State; and Upshaw-Samford). Adding them puts us ahead just based on what I've seen.

[BeauFoster]

I think App has one the best classes on the SoCon, if not the nation, based on my limited research. I was impressed with Samfords, as well.

The nation? I hope you're kidding.

No, completely serious, as it refers to FCS.

[JCline0429]

I think App has one the best classes on the SoCon, if not the nation, based on my limited research. I was impressed with Samfords, as well.

The nation? I hope you're kidding.

No, completely serious, as it refers to FCS.

That clarifies it.