Relative to the rest of the SEC, at least. The Worldwide Leader ranks Auburn's 2009 class 10th in the SEC, ahead of only Kentucky and Vanderbilt. Grade? B-minus. National rank? 25th.Here's what ESPN had to say specifically:
A once top-15 class has imploded after Tommy Tuberville's resignation in December. But new head man Gene Chizik inherited some quality prospects and landed a few of his own. The loss of WR Brandon Heavens (Bessemer, Ala./Bessemer Academy) to Mississippi State is significant, but landing top-25 quarterback Tyrik Rollison (Sulpher Springs, Texas) down the stretch was a great "get" for the program; he could develop into a productive dual-threat at that position. Rollison is an important piece to this class, but whether he qualifies remains a big question. Athlete Travante Stallworth (Leesville, La.) will enhance this roster at a position in need of young depth. Philip Lutzenkirchen (Marietta, Ga./Lassiter) is one of the more athletic pass-catching tight ends in the country. Auburn traditionally has recruited well on defense, and it shows in this class. Terrance Coleman (Mobile, Ala./Williamson) can provide some pressure as a speed rusher. Athlete Izauea Lanier (Gordo, Ala.) was Chizik's first commitment in his return to The Plains. Lanier's is an underrated skill player with the versatility to play both safety and receiver. Also, former Southern Miss commit Jamar Travis (East Brewton, Ala./W.S. Neal) will be a handful in the trenches.Interesting analysis. No mention whatsoever of wide receivers DeAngelo Benton and Emory Blake, junior college transfers Eltoro Freeman and Demond Washington or Hargrave transfer Onterio McCalebb, a group of players many folks feel might have the biggest (or at least most immediate) impact in the class.
It just goes to show you that nobody knows anything about how these players are going to project. As far as an exact science, it's about on par with figuring out the stock market. You think you might know, but as these times show, nobody really has a clue.
10 comments:
I read somewhere that ESPN does not count JUCO transfers when coming up with rankings, and whoever wrote that article is an idiot... Chizik pulled in a much better class than anyone anticipated, and he did it in a very short period of time with an entirely new coaching staff.
Also, to say that Auburn had a top 15 recruiting class under Tubbs that imploded after his "resignation" is one of the most moronic things I have read, I think Chizik managed to pull in a better class than Tubbs would have. Tubss would never have went after Rollison, Benton, or possibly even Aycock.
Auburn is stacked when it comes to QBs, RBs, and WRs. I think the only real concern is the OL.
But you're right in your stock market analysis Andy, There are many 2 and 3 star players that have outperformed their 5 star counterparts over the years. High School rankings are nothing more than opinions and best guesses that are wrong just as often as they are correct.
I'm hoping to go back through some of Auburn's previous classes and see how the star ratings matched up to actual on-field performance.
Hopefully I can get something up about it today.
Here's a perfect example of a 2* outplaying a 5*.
2005 draft
Sen'Derrick Marks 2*
Tray Blackmon 5*
I'm sure there are many more, but this was an easy one.
I would really like to see someone post the steps in the process of how a kid gets his stars. This would be a great story piece for a Sports Illustrated or major newspaper. I hope one of the better bloggers like yourself could eventually put together a detailed story following each step from juinior year through signing day. Who eveluates? Whats the criteria? Is it through tape or physicaly sitting in the stands, how many times do they look at him? Is it one guys opinion or is there a round table? How does opposing talent play into it? Have any of these scouts got a resume that backs up their ability to grade players?
I would also love to see someone list out all 5 star recruits over the last 5 years and then list where they are now! That would be the most important piece of recruiting stats in the country.
I would like to see all that right here on the EXTRA.
My guess for how they assign stars is they throw a dart at a board and wherever it sticks that's it. ESPN's analysis was ridiculous. I agree with Scott H. that to say the class imploded was a serious misstatement. I thought the lack of mention of Blake and Benton was ridiculous not to mention we're also still in it for David Oku. To go out and pull recruits from non-traditional areas was big if you ask me.
Read on Auburnundercover.com, an ESPN affilate, that they do not include JUCO or prep school players. That would make AU class a lot lower.
That still doesn't explain why Aycock and Blake aren't on the list, though.
This class definitely did not implode. But time will tell.
And who was on ESPN all of signing day? This is obviously a shot at ousting Tuberville. AU quit recruiting Heavens...they didn't lose him. I think Chizik upgraded every loss.
I like Tuberville, but he admitted he would not go after a kid if Saban wanted them. He had to go. Auburn is much better off today.
Again, this ranking is meaningless and nothing more than a shout out to Tuberville.
Andy,
You must see Phillip Marshall around some. Since he is with Auburnundercover and ESPN, ask hime why they did not include Blake or Aycock? That would be interesting to know the answer why some kids are counted and other are not? But at the end of the day, it really does not matter if they are scoring come Fall.
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