How much do recruiting classes matter?
Scout --
TOP 10 RECRUITING CLASSES IN SCOUT HISTORY -- Jamie Newberg
http://recruiting.scout.com/story/1506815-top-10-recruiting-classes-in-scout-history
Scout has been around as a recruiting network since 2001. We thought it would be a fun exercise to look at the ten very best Scout ranked recruiting classes since the Class of 2002.
The criteria was simple - it was based on the star power of the class combined with accomplishments - wins and championships.The bonus were the NFL prospects each produced.
Of the ten classes below, five were former No. 1 recruiting classes for their respective seasons, with one coming in at No. 2 and a pair of classes coming in at No. 3. Who said rankings don't matter?
On a side note, Ohio State's class of 2013, Scout's top rated recruiting class that year, didn't make the cut simply because it's too soon. But this group of players (Ezekiel Elliot, J.T. Barrett, Joey Bosa, Vonn Bell, Jalin Marshall, etc.) already has a national title and will be gunning for more.
6)
Texas
Class of 2002
Five Year Record (55-9)
Accomplishments:
2005 BCS National Champions, 2005 Big 12 Champions, 2004 & 2005 Rose Bowl Champions
The class was 28 strong, led by quarterback Vince Young, running back Selvin Young, tight end
David Thomas, offensive tackle
Justin Blalock, offensive guard
Kasey Studdard and center
Lyle Sendlein, defensive tackle Rodrique Wright, linebacker Brian Robinson and safety Aaron Ross.
Young was by far the most prolific of the class and one of the great Longhorns in Texas football history. He put on his Superman cape and helped Mack Brown and the Longhorns to an incredible national title win over powerhouse
USC. Texas won a classic 41-38. Young finished second for the Heisman Trophy and finished his career 30-2 as a starter.
The program also got major contributions for Young’s ’02 classmates. Blalock become the first Texas player to have 50 consecutive starts. Wright started his last 45 game and was a Lombardi Award finalist. Ross won the Jim Thorpe Award while Thomas set school records for a tight end in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Sendlein and Studdard had 64 starts between them at center and guard respectively. Robinson finished his career with 41 tackles for a loss and six career blocked kicked while Young had over 3,000 all-purpose yards and 29 scores.
In terms of the NFL, Young was the third pick overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. Ross was also a first round pick (N.Y Giants). Blalock was a second round pick (Atlanta), Thomas a third round pick (New England), Robinson a fourth round pick (Minnesota), Studdard a six round pick (Houston), Wright a seventh round pick (Miami) while Young and Sendlein were free agents.
Seven members of the class eventually left the program. Wide receiver Marquis Johnson was the highest profiled signee that busted out.
1) Alabama
Class of 2009
Five Year Record (60-7)
Accomplishments:
2009, 2010 and 2012 BCS National Champions, 2009 and 2012 SEC Champions
Like the ’08 Alabama class this ’09 group was part of three national titles. What separates the two is the depth of this one. Plain and simple more prospects from 2009 contributed in a bigger way and there were more NFL Draft picks, if you can believe that.
Quarterback
A.J. McCarron became one of the schools very best ever signal callers and Alabama’s all-time leading passer. Running backs
Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy came in together and they played their roles in a huge way. When it was their turn they did their jobs effectively. Richardson was a first round pick (Cleveland) and Lacey (Green Bay) became a second.
Three offensive linemen became first round picks in offensive guard
Chance Warmack (Tennessee), and offensive tackles
D.J. Fluker (San Diego) and James Carpentar (Seattle).
There’s a fifth first round pick from this class in cornerback
Dre Kirkpatrick(Cincinnati).
Other 2009 Alabama class standouts were linebacker
Nico Johnson, wide receivers Kenny Bell and
Kevin Norwood, offensive guard
Anthony Steen, and defensive linemen
Quinton Dial and
Ed Stinson. All of these players made it to the NFL.