Class rankings by the 4 major recruiting services

[permdaddy]

Rivals---#35

247-----#40

Scout---#44

ESPN--#43


Considering all the decommits, the way the season ended and replacing 2 coaches who were key recruiters we didn't do to bad. I'm not going to try and convince anybody it's great or where we wanted to be but it's good enough that it's not a progress killer. This class looks to be the outlier if you look at the last 2 years and the way next year has started. If that's the case and I believe it is we are still progressing nicely.

This post was edited on 2/5 10:32 AM by permdaddy

This post was edited on 2/5 10:33 AM by permdaddy

 

[UKStoops81]

OUCH...not very good.

 

[UK90]

Still 13th out of 14 teams in the SEC (and just barely edging out Vandy to avoid last place). Don't really care how our recruiting compares to MAC schools, our football plight ain't changing much as long as that talent imbalance compared to our conference mates remains so severe.

 

[sambowieshin]

We really have to go bowling next year to sandwich this mediocre class in between better classes. Until we consistently crack the top twenty five class rankings we will never compete in the SEC.

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by sambowieshin:
We really have to go bowling next year to sandwich this mediocre class in between better classes. Until we consistently crack the top twenty five class rankings we will never compete in the SEC.

Oh, I'm sorry, I must have missed something.. How have these players done in college so far? I haven't seen them on the field in college myself yet, so maybe you'd like to tell me?

 

[KapitalCat]

We just finished our best 3 year run in recruiting since at least the late 1970's. Our average star rating was 3.0 which isn't that far off from others within the SEC. Add Love and Hart and it's a very good class. Not as good as last year but all things considered this staff did a good job closing. Don't get so caught up in how we rank in the SEC. We need to at least be bringing in SEC quality guys. We are doing that. These aren't classes that have average star ratings of 2.7-2.8 which is where we were during the Brooks and Joker years. I admit this class could have been better and the flips hurts...especially the Dowell twins..(screw their dad).

Now we need to get to a bowl...and I believe 2016 will be the best class in UK history.

 

[KumarCat]

This will not get it done in the SEC. But let's don't over react, it was one class with some bad luck. Win 7 next year and all is well.

 

[C1180]

I think UK has some under rated recruits. IMO this class will turn out better than many think.

Concerning UK being ranked thirteenth in the SEC signings. You did notice that 8 or 9 of the SEC schools had top fifteen in college football signing classes. Asking our coaching staff to have those type classes in their third year in a big rebuild job is asking a little much don't you think. UK could be in the top teens to early twenties and still be only ranked 11 or 12 in the SEC rankings.

Lets stop complaining and get on with trying to have a better season and recruiting class next season.

 

[ukalumni00]

Class has a lot of unknowns. If this staff is truly elite at developing talent this class could eventually be a top 15 class. Other hand, KY's staff may not be good at developing and the class ends up being what it is perceived to be. One thing is for sure, there is a lot of size in this class. Something previous staffs were terrible at bringing in. Some players may not be SEC caliber when it's all said and done, but KY will at least look more like an SEC team with the three classes Stoops has brought in.

Not happy with how it ended, but we all really will not know its true standing for 3-4 years. We knew Joker's staff could not develop. We knew Brooks could but recruiting was not his strong suit. We are still in a holding pattern with this staff. This coming season will give us a better idea if they are going to get it done or not.

 

[why_not_kentucky]

Like a boss.

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by KumarCat:
This will not get it done in the SEC. But let's don't over react, it was one class with some bad luck. Win 7 next year and all is well.

What is this, an oxymoron? I get so disgusted when I hear the words "This will not get it done in the SEC"
Teams handled the SEC pretty well with less talent than we have.

Georgia Tech beat Georgia and Mississippi State
Wisconsin beat Auburn
West Virginia gave Alabama all they could handle
TCU obliterated Ole Miss
Mizzou has won the East for the past TWO years with typically worse recruiting classes than us, and have gotten far worse classes both times. (This class is their best in the past 10 years)
Even Vandy had a couple of 9 win seasons before the coaching changes

Stop burying your head in the sand. I think I've specifically told you that 10 times now, Kumar.

 

[KumarCat]

I don't thin we want to lose sight that there are some very good players in this class. Just because it finished a little lower than we hoped does not mean there aren't kids who can play. Eli Brown, CJ Conrad, Jabari Greenwood and many others can all play. I have faith this staff can recruit, so let's give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[buckkiller]

Cut it, slice it, dice it however you want 13th in SEC is not going to get it done. 2016 needs to be a top 20 at worst.

 

[Bconley39]

Take a look at Missouri. I think its worked pretty good for them the last two years.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[Bconley39]

Most years a top 25 class may still have us 13th in the SEC
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[Chuckinden]

Next season is going to be interesting on so many levels.

 

[KumarCat]

What is this, an oxymoron? I get so disgusted when I hear the words "This will not get it done in the SEC"
Teams handled the SEC pretty well with less talent than we have.

Georgia Tech beat Georgia and Mississippi State
Wisconsin beat Auburn
West Virginia gave Alabama all they could handle
TCU obliterated Ole Miss
Mizzou has won the East for the past TWO years with typically worse recruiting classes than us, and have gotten far worse classes both times. (This class is their best in the past 10 years)
Even Vandy had a couple of 9 win seasons before the coaching changes

Stop burying your head in the sand. I think I've specifically told you that 10 times now, Kumar.

You're cherry picking. In general, the team that recruits the best is the best. I can't even comment how dumb it is to say that recruiting a certain way works because of the results of certain games. The bottom line is, if you recruit like UK has always recruited. We'll finish like UK has always finished. BUT, they're not recruiting like UK recruited. That was my whole point if you took the time to read the whole comment. They're "bad" classes are as good as our old "good" classes.

and I don't think you know what an oxymoron is. You can have a negative result and not over react to it.

 

[Bconley39]

2013-12 SEC teams in top 26 we where 28 muzzy was 40th.
2014- 7 SEC teams in top 10. 10 in top 19. Miss. St. 37. Mizzu. 34 dumpster fire at Vandy 40.
2015- 11 SEC teams in top 25. Mizzu 27th us 35th and vandy 45th.
If anyone thinks we have to be middle of the pack in recruiting in the SEC to be sucessful that's just not realistic. That means we would have to have top 10 classes in the country every year. Not saying that couldn't happen someday but that day is not in sight yet. We have to be patient.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by KumarCat:

What is this, an oxymoron? I get so disgusted when I hear the words "This will not get it done in the SEC"
Teams handled the SEC pretty well with less talent than we have.

Georgia Tech beat Georgia and Mississippi State
Wisconsin beat Auburn
West Virginia gave Alabama all they could handle
TCU obliterated Ole Miss
Mizzou has won the East for the past TWO years with typically worse recruiting classes than us, and have gotten far worse classes both times. (This class is their best in the past 10 years)
Even Vandy had a couple of 9 win seasons before the coaching changes

Stop burying your head in the sand. I think I've specifically told you that 10 times now, Kumar.

You're cherry picking. In general, the team that recruits the best is the best. I can't even comment how dumb it is to say that recruiting a certain way works because of the results of certain games. The bottom line is, if you recruit like UK has always recruited. We'll finish like UK has always finished. BUT, they're not recruiting like UK recruited. That was my whole point if you took the time to read the whole comment. They're "bad" classes are as good as our old "good" classes.

and I don't think you know what an oxymoron is. You can have a negative result and not over react to it.

I'm cherry picking? You're the one sitting there with your doomsday attitude. 'Woe is UK, we aren't #1 in recruiting in the country. Every team sans Vandy out recruits UK, therefore, UK will only beat Vandy in the SEC. We're dooooomed!"
It's so ignorant.

Is any of that an anomaly though? Namely Mizzou winning the East 2 years in a row with inferior recruiting numbers to even us. What does that tell you? I'm truly curious.
Is it an anomaly that Georgia Tech beats SEC teams with typically far worse numbers than we have in recruiting? They beat 2 of them this year, and both were good teams.
After watching TCU's performance, it's hard to think that if they played Ole Miss 5 times, they wouldn't win at least 4 of them with the possibility of running the table against them. Bear in mind, that's an Ole Miss team that beat Alabama.
Speaking of Alabama, what business did WVU have in that game? How did they give Alabama so many problems?

Maybe, just maybe, and hear me out here because I think I'm onto something, but maybe coaching, playcalling, and player development has something to do with winning games, despite "talent differentials".
We have big players, we have fast players, we have very good playmakers, we have depth, we have experience, we have coaches who have excelled in their respective fields, so give me one reason to think that the current talent that we do get can't win games?
Mizzou has done it in the SEC. Twice now, in a row. This line of thinking is so old and worn out. The SEC is good, the best conference in football, but the talent game is not so absolutely insane that we have no chance to win games.
Did you see Arkansas at the end of the season? You take a look at their recruiting numbers? Man, they sure showed LSU, who consistently gets top 10 recruiting classes, yet they recruit like us. They sure showed Ole Miss, who has some very solid numbers and beat a lot of SEC teams this season.
Arkansas murdered Texas, who guess what, has similar recruiting numbers to top SEC teams, and the numbers are rated by the same people who rate the SEC recruits, so obviously the talent is similar.

Here's what I get from all of that.
The talent level difference is not so absurd like you try to perpetuate to the rest of the board. Good coaching and playcalling heals a lot of ailments, and here's one! Recruiting sites may be just a tiny bit off, wouldn't ya say? It's not a set-in-stone predictor of how teams and players on them will perform, otherwise the game wouldn't be played. It is a way to keep fans engaged and informed on what's coming to their program.

How about we play the blind resume game! It'll be fun.

Running back #1 Running back #2 Running back #3
2014 season 2013 season 2014 season
Plays in Georgia Plays in Kentucky Plays in Texas
Division 6A Division 5A Division 6A
279 carries 220 carries 234 carries
2090 yards 2621 yards 2279 yards
37 rush TD's 42 rush TD's 44 rush TD's
32 receptions - 16 receptions
236 rec. yards - 281 rec. yards
3 receiving TD's - 3 receiving TD's
=================================================
Running back #1 = unranked 2 star RB (Sihiem King)
Running back #2 (obvious) = #1 RB in the class (Damien Harris)
Running back #3 = #2 RB in class (Soso Jamabo)

All 3 were offensive players of the year in their respective states, in terms of production, Sihiem King gets similar overall production to these two very good running backs, but this kid is a 2 star "70 overall" according to 247sports, Damien & Soso are both "98 overall" players.
How do you justify that? Size? Speed? Boom Williams wasn't a 98 overall, but he's much stronger, and much faster than both. Boom Williams has shown that he's as good as any RB in the country, but did he get all of these accolades?
These are a bunch of unproven kids waiting to play in college, nothing is set in stone. The sooner that some of you get that in your head, the sooner than you'll realize that there's no reason that UK can't compete against any team. Let the coaches do their jobs, let the kids actually step onto a college football field, and then start assuming, rather than crying that we have no chance months before the season even begins.

 

[Beavis606]

Forgive me if I trust Freddie Maggard more than recruiting analysts Kumar, sambowieshin and buckkiller:






11h11 hours ago

2015 Class won't rank as high as 114. But, as for pure game film eval in my opinion I project 15 higher than 14.





9h9 hours ago

2014 Class had higher star ranking. 2015 Class has a higher ceiling and potential.

 

[BIGBLUEQ]

Originally posted by buckkiller:
Cut it, slice it, dice it however you want 13th in SEC is not going to get it done. 2016 needs to be a top 20 at worst.

Even if we landed a top 20-25 class, we could still be 11th or 12th in the SEC, so what does that tell you? There are some football players in this class, ya'll think what you will and base it all on what the talking heads have to say, but let's see where this class is in three years and then we can discuss how bad or good it was or wasn't.

The staff brought in something in this class that you just can't coach, and that is size, speed, and athleticism, at every position. Big, tall, fast, rangy defensive backs, something that we have been sorely lacking. BIG, BIG, pretty atheletic OL. LBs, with speed and football IQ, Eli Brown and Jordan Jones.

We signed a RB, who was the offensive player of the year in the state of Georgia's biggest HS classification. I don't give a rat's arse where you think you played football, that right there is as good as it gets anywhere in the country in that class of Georgia football.

I'm not ready to concede jack squat just yet to anybody. Let's let these kids get on campus and get some college games under their belt before you decide that these players ain't no good because we got them to come to Kentucky. That's basically what you guys are sounding like with all this pissing and moaning about where this class is ranked nationally.

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by BIGBLUEQ:

Originally posted by buckkiller:
Cut it, slice it, dice it however you want 13th in SEC is not going to get it done. 2016 needs to be a top 20 at worst.

Even if we landed a top 20-25 class, we could still be 11th or 12th in the SEC, so what does that tell you? There are some football players in this class, ya'll think what you will and base it all on what the talking heads have to say, but let's see where this class is in three years and then we can discuss how bad or good it was or wasn't.

The staff brought in something in this class that you just can't coach, and that is size, speed, and athleticism, at every position. Big, tall, fast, rangy defensive backs, something that we have been sorely lacking. BIG, BIG, pretty atheletic OL. LBs, with speed and football IQ, Eli Brown and Jordan Jones.

We signed a RB, who was the offensive player of the year in the state of Georgia's biggest HS classification. I don't give a rat's arse where you think you played football, that right there is as good as it gets anywhere in the country in that class of Georgia football.

I'm not ready to concede jack squat just yet to anybody. Let's let these kids get on campus and get some college games under their belt before you decide that these players ain't no good because we got them to come to Kentucky. That's basically what you guys are sounding like with all this pissing and moaning about where this class is ranked nationally.

We need more people with common sense like yourself.

 

[cats2010]

Originally posted by Rhavicc:
What is this, an oxymoron? I get so disgusted when I hear the words "This will not get it done in the SEC"
Teams handled the SEC pretty well with less talent than we have.

Georgia Tech beat Georgia and Mississippi State
Wisconsin beat Auburn
West Virginia gave Alabama all they could handle
TCU obliterated Ole Miss
Mizzou has won the East for the past TWO years with typically worse recruiting classes than us, and have gotten far worse classes both times. (This class is their best in the past 10 years)
Even Vandy had a couple of 9 win seasons before the coaching changes

Stop burying your head in the sand. I think I've specifically told you that 10 times now, Kumar.

You are exactly right and TCU is a prime example. If you look up their recruiting the last 4-5 years you find mostly three star talent with 2 or 3 four stars each year. Stars are nice but they don't make the player. Look up Texas and how many four and five stars they have signed the last 4-5 years and they have been awful.

 

[ORCAT]

Originally posted by permdaddy:
Rivals---#35

247-----#40

Scout---#45

ESPN--# I can only see the top 40 and we are not there.


Considering all the decommits, the way the season ended and replacing 2 coaches who were key recruiters we didn't do to bad. I'm not going to try and convince anybody it's great or where we wanted to be but it's good enough that it's not a progress killer. This class looks to be the outlier if you look at the last 2 years and the way next year has started. If that's the case and I believe it is we are still progressing nicely.

This morning ESPN has us at 43 with Vandy just one spot below us at 44. They finally put up the rankings past the top 40.

 

[UK Cats Rock]

In a way, I think ranking "a single class" is kind of silly. In three years, these won't be the only guys playing in the games.

I think the better barometer would be to include 3-4 classes combined because there will be a mixture of all those players on the field at the same time.

In two seasons, we'll be watching Jason Hatcher, Matt Elam, Darius West, T. Gosier, Jabari Greenwood, Drew Barker, Boom Williams, Alex Montgomery, Jeff Badet, Garret Johnson, Jordan Jones, J. Stallings, Westry, etc. etc. all on the field at the same time (providing things go like we hope).

We're getting closer and closer to looking like a legit SEC team. If you go by rankings alone, this class ranked 35th will be sandwiched by a class ranked 17th and the 16 class which is off to a blazing hot start. If they continue to recruit that well in the 16 class and end up around #15, then you have #17, #35, and #15 classes in a row.

It would be much more concerning if this class ranked #35 was surrounded by classes ranked #58 and #55.

Speaking of this class alone, we should be thankful we're ranked as high as #35 after that streak of decommitments we went on in the last week or so.

 

[blubo]

Re: Class rankings by the 4 major recruiting services
Bconley39 posted on 2/4/2015...
Most years a top 25 class may still have us 13th in the SEC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

very true. last years class was 17-18 i think but that was only around 11th in sec.

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by cats2010:

Originally posted by Rhavicc:
What is this, an oxymoron? I get so disgusted when I hear the words "This will not get it done in the SEC"
Teams handled the SEC pretty well with less talent than we have.

Georgia Tech beat Georgia and Mississippi State
Wisconsin beat Auburn
West Virginia gave Alabama all they could handle
TCU obliterated Ole Miss
Mizzou has won the East for the past TWO years with typically worse recruiting classes than us, and have gotten far worse classes both times. (This class is their best in the past 10 years)
Even Vandy had a couple of 9 win seasons before the coaching changes

Stop burying your head in the sand. I think I've specifically told you that 10 times now, Kumar.

You are exactly right and TCU is a prime example. If you look up their recruiting the last 4-5 years you find mostly three star talent with 2 or 3 four stars each year. Stars are nice but they don't make the player. Look up Texas and how many four and five stars they have signed the last 4-5 years and they have been awful.

A lot of very good teams don't have out-of-this-world numbers in recruiting, and vice versa. TCU, Baylor, West Virginia, and you could make the argument for Oregon alike, all get similar recruiting to us. Last I checked, all of those teams had good seasons, West Virginia was hindered by the loss of their Heisman candidate QB, and during the season, they competed with the best of them. (By the way, we have their OC now.)
TCU never recruits impressively, and they dominate. 'nuff said.
Baylor is in the same boat as TCU, but TCU is the better between the two teams (Even though Baylor won the head to head, you could visibly see it).
Oregon went to the national title game. They get recruiting classes similar to our typically, so how did they do it? How did they beat a Florida State team that had a ton of "talent"? Oh and let's not forget, it was a Florida State team that beat an SEC team, for some of you conference worshipers.

As I've said, good coaching, development, team structure, and culture heals a lot of "ailments" in recruiting.

 

[TJS4UK]

IMHO... Miggins and Provitt are both rated way too low by Rivals. Stenberg, Daniel and a few others are probably slightly better than their ranking too. Stoops didn't quite knock it out of the park, but this class certainly addressed needs.



This post was edited on 2/5 9:51 AM by TJS4UK

 

[Bank Cat]

I am not huge on trying to rationalize a relatively lower ranked class, but the truth is that it still is above almost every other class besides the past two. In addition, teams like MSU, Vandy and Mizzou have won with comparable or even lower rated players on their roster.

We need, and now I think have, some quality depth all over the field. I think 7-8 wins is a must in 2015. Simple as that.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

You are putting too much emphasis on rankings. The rankings are all about stars, they carry no emphasis on filling your needs. UT signed 3 4* qbs, how many of those will actually play? The answer is 1, the other 2 will be career backups or transfer out, heck they might all be career backups or transfer out if the guy coming in next year beats them out. But their ranking doesn't take that into account, it gives them 3 4* and point totals towards ranking. They also signed a 5*RB from JUCO, who will likely be gone after 1 year, he counts the same as a frosh. Dont' get me wrong, they signed a great class and filled alot of needs, but I don't think it is as good as many Vols believe it is for those 2 reasons. And lets not forget, UT has already lost 8 of that high ranking class they signed last Feb, is that class still as good as it was on signing day? Of course not, this class will very likely be handled the same way, heck they have signed 60 kids they last 2 years, if it isn't they won't be able to sign 10 next Feb.

So fill your needs will players who your coaches feel can play at this level. Who's evaluation do you value more, a coaching professional who will be looking for a new job if he misses on more than he hits or a journalism major who might not know how to put on a pair of shoulder pads? If he is wrong, so what, we still going to be hear reading every little tidbit he writes about the next big thing.