The 2010 MAC Recruiting Report is up from VanDelay Sports. This year is a scaled-down version compared to past years but Nick ranks the recruiting classes as well as the Top Recruits, Sleepers and JUCO/Transfers.
All of the
VanDelay Sports MAC Football Recruiting Reports can be found online at VanDelaySports.com.
Interesting read, but if you accept that WMU has received 'Outstanding' classes in 2008 and 2009 (and 'Excellent' class in 2007) and 4th rated class this year then we should be kicking azz and taking names. At least in the West Division.
Apparently something we're doing (or not doing) trumps the talent we're bringing in? All I know is the expectations for next season are very high. Anything less than a West Division championship is going to be hard to accept.
(02-12-2010 02:14 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote: [ -> ]Interesting read, but if you accept that WMU has received 'Outstanding' classes in 2008 and 2009 (and 'Excellent' class in 2007) and 4th rated class this year then we should be kicking azz and taking names. At least in the West Division.
Apparently something we're doing (or not doing) trumps the talent we're bringing in? All I know is the expectations for next season are very high. Anything less than a West Division championship is going to be hard to accept.
Philly- some of those classes were ranked high because of some players that never showed up on campus(Yuds, Moody, Robinson, etc). Another reason was because he just flat out didnt know the talent of some of our recruits(he had Andy Wersel rated a top 5 DL in all the MAC incoming freshman that year).
With that said, our classes in the past have been pretty good, but with so many departures, the talent has really taken a hit.
2006 was really Cubits only bad year. Not much talent, and not many guys stayed the course. 2007 had talent, but not many stayed the course. 2008 was pretty good. So far 2009 has been the best year on guys staying but it is still early. And on paper, 2010 has been by far his most talented class. Hopefully 90-95% of these recruits will graduate from WMU.
I set up a point system that avoids penalizing small classes, and of course rewards quality. Here was my final point totals. I did include O'Neill and Dex Jones in our class. I'll release it from the premium board in a few days.
http://westernmichigan.rivals.com/
Rankings
Scary Good
1. Toledo 414 points
Excellent
2. Western Michigan 330 points
3. Northern Illinois 328 points
4. Temple 312 points
5. Kent State 300 points
6. Akron 294 points
Good
7. Miami 284 points
8. Bowling Green 280 points
9. Ball State 274 points
Fair
10. Central Michigan 260 points
11. Buffalo 258 points
12. Eastern Michigan 232 points
13. Ohio U 220 points
Pretty good list, Dip. The only dispute might be in regards to NIU. Their fans sure didn't think much of the recruiting class Kill brought in...and don't seem too impressed with Kill either. Not sure what the issue with him is all about, but he doesn't get a lot of love from the Husky fans.
That's surprising, from here I think he's doing a great job. Wow, that's like how Kent State fans were surprised to hear that some of our fans weren't too enthralled with Hawkins in hoops.
Jubba, quite correct on the 2007 class where all those guys dropped out of the program or left WMU. But the point remains we're consistently getting top-of-MAC talent if you can believe the various analysts. Not translating into consistent winning THUS FAR.
Two points I'm trying to make: Firstly individual talent doesn't necessarily translate into on-the-field success (Note ND and their year after year top classes back in the 1980's/90's). Secondly there are a lot of other things which determine a program's success on the field than just bringing in good talent.
Cubit has been a great recruiter, no question. But we've yet to put together the rest of the picture, IMO.
Who are the top players in our class? Do any stand out above the others?
(02-13-2010 10:32 AM)GEORGEWINS Wrote: [ -> ]Who are the top players in our class? Do any stand out above the others?
Bozeman, Drake, Simon, Pettway, Buxton, Perish...and the ultimate sleeper of the class is Michael Johnson. I really think he will be tremendous for us.
(02-13-2010 11:07 AM)jubbasubba Wrote: [ -> ] (02-13-2010 10:32 AM)GEORGEWINS Wrote: [ -> ]Who are the top players in our class? Do any stand out above the others?
Bozeman, Drake, Simon, Pettway, Buxton, Perish...and the ultimate sleeper of the class is Michael Johnson. I really think he will be tremendous for us.
...if he/they stay.
the only one that scares me about leaving would be Buxton
Buxton doesn't scare me about leaving that much really. I think he will see PT as a true frosh. As will Tevin Drake I think. Guys that scare me a little leaving early because of their talent level, and they may not see the field this year are Pettway, Simon, and Bozeman. I think Bozeman can play, however, he has Woody Legrier and Mitch Zajac in front of him. It would be smart of Cubit to redshirt Bozeman but will be hard to do. We have guys like Ross, Jones, Prom on the outside and are often only going with 2 backers anyway. I haven't even brought the hybrid Hazel into the discussion, or Kyle Lark.
If you notice, a lot of those DB's we brought in were talking about instant playing time, they are talented, but we are pretty deep back there, they are going to have to beat out some guys to see the field, and not sure I see that happening.
They may see the field on special teams, though. Not everyone who isn't in the starting 11's ends up warming the bench.
(02-13-2010 02:16 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote: [ -> ]Buxton doesn't scare me about leaving that much really. I think he will see PT as a true frosh. As will Tevin Drake I think. Guys that scare me a little leaving early because of their talent level, and they may not see the field this year are Pettway, Simon, and Bozeman. I think Bozeman can play, however, he has Woody Legrier and Mitch Zajac in front of him. It would be smart of Cubit to redshirt Bozeman but will be hard to do. We have guys like Ross, Jones, Prom on the outside and are often only going with 2 backers anyway. I haven't even brought the hybrid Hazel into the discussion, or Kyle Lark.
If you notice, a lot of those DB's we brought in were talking about instant playing time, they are talented, but we are pretty deep back there, they are going to have to beat out some guys to see the field, and not sure I see that happening.
Bozeman is projected to be playing immediately, he's been labeled as a guy who can make a difference during the recruiting process, I don't see him being redshirted.
(02-13-2010 02:38 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote: [ -> ]They may see the field on special teams, though. Not everyone who isn't in the starting 11's ends up warming the bench.
True, but I wouldn't want to burn a season on say Simon just for special teams. Either way, hopefully its like the previous years class and we don't have the attrition, cause if they stay, this class has the makings of being very successful, especially when added to the previous two.
Oh I agree. He will be hard to keep off the field. Essentially he is going to have to be better than Zajac to see time at MLB, which is my assumption of the position he is going to play. Just was saying our LB core is pretty deep considering only 2 see the field once we hit MAC schedule with all the spreads. But I have no doubt if he is better than guys in fall practice, he will see the field. Just would be nice to have the extra year with Legrier being a sophomore.
(02-13-2010 05:11 PM)DesertBronco Wrote: [ -> ] (02-13-2010 02:16 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote: [ -> ]Buxton doesn't scare me about leaving that much really. I think he will see PT as a true frosh. As will Tevin Drake I think. Guys that scare me a little leaving early because of their talent level, and they may not see the field this year are Pettway, Simon, and Bozeman. I think Bozeman can play, however, he has Woody Legrier and Mitch Zajac in front of him. It would be smart of Cubit to redshirt Bozeman but will be hard to do. We have guys like Ross, Jones, Prom on the outside and are often only going with 2 backers anyway. I haven't even brought the hybrid Hazel into the discussion, or Kyle Lark.
If you notice, a lot of those DB's we brought in were talking about instant playing time, they are talented, but we are pretty deep back there, they are going to have to beat out some guys to see the field, and not sure I see that happening.
Bozeman is projected to be playing immediately, he's been labeled as a guy who can make a difference during the recruiting process, I don't see him being redshirted.