Since people are comparing classes in the war room right now and it looks like we might start off one of our best classes ever after this coming weekend then why not fight over how we rank CMS classes.
1. 2017 - Lynn Bowden 3rd round pick and someone we can sell recruits on, Josh Paschal, Tyrell Ajain, Yusuf Corker, Jordan Wright, Phil Hoskins, Josh Ali, Lonnie Johnson second round pick, Jamin Davis hopefully a first round pick, Quinton Bohanna NFL prospect, Naasir Watkins, AAF, Isaiah Epps, Clevan Thomas, Cedrick Dort, Austin Dotson. 16/24 guys in this class have started in games, including top NFL talent and it will have even more draft picks after next year. Rivals Ranking 26 with 24 players
2. 2018 - This is where it gets harder because from here on out we have to project somewhat. Marquan McCall expecting a huge year, Darian Kinnard a 1st or second round pick and the fact he stayed another year really bumps this class up, Chris Oats such an awful situation always praying for him, Deandre Square 4 year starter and if he has a good year even being undersized he will be drafted, Terry Wilson don't want to fight on this, Brendan Bates seems to have promise for the next two years, Quinton Wilson starter now, Keaton Upshaw future NFL prospect, Kavosiey Smoke great when healthy, Nick Lewis, Chris Rodriguez the second best player on the team this year, Kenneth Horsey starting guard, Max Duffy Ray Guy winner. I think this class is going to barely lose out 2017 because even though it has Duffy and our three best offensive players this season not named Wandale it is being carried defensively by 2017 and the other classes. Rivals Rankings 30 with 24 players.
3. 2016 - NFL talent in Drake Jackson and Landon Young and starter in Kash Daniel, Jordan Griffin, Gunner Hoak I was told he was a Heisman and then he came in and threw the ball into the ground and never played again, Benny Snell the second best player for UK we have had under CMS and a 4th round pick, Davonte Robinson really excited for him this year, AJ Rose, Luke Fortner, Stephen Johnson my favorite UK to watch for the past 10 years, TJ Carter. Think this class just beats out 2015 because of how many starters it brought with top end players like Young, Drake, Johnson and Snell. Rivals Ranking 28 with 25 guys.
4. 2015 - Josh Allen CMS first ever first round pick that he recruited and the single greatest UK season of all time, CJ Conrad Vince Marrow's coaching replacement, Jordan Jones insert trash can joke, GAA the first OL drafted by from CMS, Logan Stenburg 4th round pick, Tavin Richardson, Chris Westry, Derrick Baity, Calvin Taylor. This class didn't have as many contributors as 2014 but the top end and starters from this class were much better. Rivals Ranking 35 with 22 guys
5. 2020 - I think it is hard to go any higher than this right now but it is our most talented class to date. Guys already with minutes or who will be in the two deep this year: Justin Rogers, OX, Josiah Hayes, Michael Drennen, Joel Williams, Jeremy Flax, JuTahn McClain, Deondre Buford, Vito Tisdale top three freshman in the SEC last year, Beau Allen, Izayah Cummings, Carrington Valentine, D'Eryk Jackson. Guys with big potential but down the depth chart: Sam Anele, John Young, Tre'vonn Rybka, RJ Adams, Torrance Davis, Andru Phillips, Ricky Hyatt, Joshua Jones. I mean this class looks like it will have the least amount of transfers out of any class in 4 years it should have the most NFL draft picks of any. Rivals ranking 21 with 23 guys. Transfers Joey Gatewood and Rayshad Lewis.
6. 2021 - Nothing really to say because we don't know anything yet but feels like a class with a lot of serviceable starts maybe not as many NFL players but a great follow to the 2020 class. Rivals Ranking 35 with 18 players. I think the transfers will really help too because they have a ton of eligibility.
7. .2014 - Drew Barker, Matt Elam, Darius West, Denzil Ware still mad he missed 2018 season, Boom Williams wish he was there in 2018 too, Mike Edwards CMS only Superbowl winner and 3rd round pick, Blake Bone, Dorian Baker Bunchy Stallings, AJ Stamps one of our most underrated players. This class clearly wasn't as good as it was foretold at the top but it gave a lot of contributors and made UK football fun again. Rivals Ranking 17 with 28 guys
8. 2019 - Just projecting out this class doesn't feel like it is going to be great and already had quite a bit transfer out. It's led by NFL talent JJ weaver hopefully the injury doesn't affect him. Jared Casey seems to be improving, Isaiah Gibson should start at DT, Tae Tae Crumes has been talked about a lot, Bembry was our worst player last year, Mosely is looking to start at CB, Echols was a two-year starter. Players who have a good future are: Jalen Geiger, KD McDaniel, Taj Dodson, Demarcus Harris, Eli Cox. Honestly have never heard anything on Moe Douglass, Jake Pope, Travis Tisdale. I think we will learn about this class by next year but it feels like a lot of them were passed over and already left or will leave. Rivals Rankings 30 with 22 players. Transfers that worked Kelvin Joseph and didn’t is Sawyer Smith and Xavier Peters.
9.2013 - Notable - Za'Darius Smith the best NFL player Stoops has had, Ryan Timmons people hate but he was a three-star rank and that’s the production you got almost 1000 career yards, Jojo Kemp maybe my favorite single game performance ever, Jeff Badet, Austin MacGinis kept Stoops job so we could make it to here, Jason Hatcher, Marcus Mcwilson, Blake McClain. Team Rank 29 with 23 players.
10. 2012 - Notable: Patrick Towels, Blaylock brothers, Fred Tiller, Jon Toth ended up being the closest to an NFL player but was a 4-year starter here. My personal favorite Will 'Taco Meat' Collins. This class was right as Stoops was starting and was bad looking back. Honestly don't remember half the guys from it. Rivals Ranking 63 with 26 players yikes.
One thing to notice is up until 2017 a great class has 7-10 starters hopefully for multiple years and two NFL players but from then on it really feels like it should be 10-15 starters and 4 NFL draft picks at least. I think things to consider are big misses on 4-star guys like Tate Levitt or a class like 2014 that had 15 players not ever really starting hurts them a lot. Anyway, if you have different thoughts on a class feel free to explain.
1. 2017 - Lynn Bowden 3rd round pick and someone we can sell recruits on, Josh Paschal, Tyrell Ajain, Yusuf Corker, Jordan Wright, Phil Hoskins, Josh Ali, Lonnie Johnson second round pick, Jamin Davis hopefully a first round pick, Quinton Bohanna NFL prospect, Naasir Watkins, AAF, Isaiah Epps, Clevan Thomas, Cedrick Dort, Austin Dotson. 16/24 guys in this class have started in games, including top NFL talent and it will have even more draft picks after next year. Rivals Ranking 26 with 24 players
2. 2018 - This is where it gets harder because from here on out we have to project somewhat. Marquan McCall expecting a huge year, Darian Kinnard a 1st or second round pick and the fact he stayed another year really bumps this class up, Chris Oats such an awful situation always praying for him, Deandre Square 4 year starter and if he has a good year even being undersized he will be drafted, Terry Wilson don't want to fight on this, Brendan Bates seems to have promise for the next two years, Quinton Wilson starter now, Keaton Upshaw future NFL prospect, Kavosiey Smoke great when healthy, Nick Lewis, Chris Rodriguez the second best player on the team this year, Kenneth Horsey starting guard, Max Duffy Ray Guy winner. I think this class is going to barely lose out 2017 because even though it has Duffy and our three best offensive players this season not named Wandale it is being carried defensively by 2017 and the other classes. Rivals Rankings 30 with 24 players.
3. 2016 - NFL talent in Drake Jackson and Landon Young and starter in Kash Daniel, Jordan Griffin, Gunner Hoak I was told he was a Heisman and then he came in and threw the ball into the ground and never played again, Benny Snell the second best player for UK we have had under CMS and a 4th round pick, Davonte Robinson really excited for him this year, AJ Rose, Luke Fortner, Stephen Johnson my favorite UK to watch for the past 10 years, TJ Carter. Think this class just beats out 2015 because of how many starters it brought with top end players like Young, Drake, Johnson and Snell. Rivals Ranking 28 with 25 guys.
4. 2015 - Josh Allen CMS first ever first round pick that he recruited and the single greatest UK season of all time, CJ Conrad Vince Marrow's coaching replacement, Jordan Jones insert trash can joke, GAA the first OL drafted by from CMS, Logan Stenburg 4th round pick, Tavin Richardson, Chris Westry, Derrick Baity, Calvin Taylor. This class didn't have as many contributors as 2014 but the top end and starters from this class were much better. Rivals Ranking 35 with 22 guys
5. 2020 - I think it is hard to go any higher than this right now but it is our most talented class to date. Guys already with minutes or who will be in the two deep this year: Justin Rogers, OX, Josiah Hayes, Michael Drennen, Joel Williams, Jeremy Flax, JuTahn McClain, Deondre Buford, Vito Tisdale top three freshman in the SEC last year, Beau Allen, Izayah Cummings, Carrington Valentine, D'Eryk Jackson. Guys with big potential but down the depth chart: Sam Anele, John Young, Tre'vonn Rybka, RJ Adams, Torrance Davis, Andru Phillips, Ricky Hyatt, Joshua Jones. I mean this class looks like it will have the least amount of transfers out of any class in 4 years it should have the most NFL draft picks of any. Rivals ranking 21 with 23 guys. Transfers Joey Gatewood and Rayshad Lewis.
6. 2021 - Nothing really to say because we don't know anything yet but feels like a class with a lot of serviceable starts maybe not as many NFL players but a great follow to the 2020 class. Rivals Ranking 35 with 18 players. I think the transfers will really help too because they have a ton of eligibility.
7. .2014 - Drew Barker, Matt Elam, Darius West, Denzil Ware still mad he missed 2018 season, Boom Williams wish he was there in 2018 too, Mike Edwards CMS only Superbowl winner and 3rd round pick, Blake Bone, Dorian Baker Bunchy Stallings, AJ Stamps one of our most underrated players. This class clearly wasn't as good as it was foretold at the top but it gave a lot of contributors and made UK football fun again. Rivals Ranking 17 with 28 guys
8. 2019 - Just projecting out this class doesn't feel like it is going to be great and already had quite a bit transfer out. It's led by NFL talent JJ weaver hopefully the injury doesn't affect him. Jared Casey seems to be improving, Isaiah Gibson should start at DT, Tae Tae Crumes has been talked about a lot, Bembry was our worst player last year, Mosely is looking to start at CB, Echols was a two-year starter. Players who have a good future are: Jalen Geiger, KD McDaniel, Taj Dodson, Demarcus Harris, Eli Cox. Honestly have never heard anything on Moe Douglass, Jake Pope, Travis Tisdale. I think we will learn about this class by next year but it feels like a lot of them were passed over and already left or will leave. Rivals Rankings 30 with 22 players. Transfers that worked Kelvin Joseph and didn’t is Sawyer Smith and Xavier Peters.
9.2013 - Notable - Za'Darius Smith the best NFL player Stoops has had, Ryan Timmons people hate but he was a three-star rank and that’s the production you got almost 1000 career yards, Jojo Kemp maybe my favorite single game performance ever, Jeff Badet, Austin MacGinis kept Stoops job so we could make it to here, Jason Hatcher, Marcus Mcwilson, Blake McClain. Team Rank 29 with 23 players.
10. 2012 - Notable: Patrick Towels, Blaylock brothers, Fred Tiller, Jon Toth ended up being the closest to an NFL player but was a 4-year starter here. My personal favorite Will 'Taco Meat' Collins. This class was right as Stoops was starting and was bad looking back. Honestly don't remember half the guys from it. Rivals Ranking 63 with 26 players yikes.
One thing to notice is up until 2017 a great class has 7-10 starters hopefully for multiple years and two NFL players but from then on it really feels like it should be 10-15 starters and 4 NFL draft picks at least. I think things to consider are big misses on 4-star guys like Tate Levitt or a class like 2014 that had 15 players not ever really starting hurts them a lot. Anyway, if you have different thoughts on a class feel free to explain.
