2017 Recruiting Class

[Gophergrandpa]

Of all of PJ’s Gopher recruiting classes, 2017 ranked the lowest: 12th in B1G and 59th nationally. Contributors from the class include Blaise Andries, CrAB, John Michael Schmitz, Mo Ibrahim, Tanner Morgan, Boye Mafe, Esezi Otomewo, Justus Harris, Jake Paulson, Demetrius Douglas and Noah Hickox. Actually, this was a very accomplished class. There were no transfers into this class. As the success of many of these players demonstrates, there is a benefit to sticking around and developing in a system that some early entrants into the transfer portal are depriving themselves of.

 

[stocker08]

Good thread. Not a four star guy in the class (according to 247). Goes to show that coaches evaluations hold a lot more weight than paid scouts. Sure....it's easy to pick out the 100 or so best players in the country because they are so obviously dominant....but really after that.....it's more or less a crap shoot. Offer lists really matter more. Add in some development time with the program and staff stability and these lower rated guys can shine.

Trust the staff.

 

[Gophergrandpa]

Good thread. Not a four star guy in the class (according to 247). Goes to show that coaches evaluations hold a lot more weight than paid scouts. Sure....it's easy to pick out the 100 or so best players in the country because they are so obviously dominant....but really after that.....it's more or less a crap shoot. Offer lists really matter more. Add in some development time with the program and staff stability and these lower rated guys can shine.

Trust the staff.

Right. And even some top 100 guys fail to pan out, often for non-football reasons.

 

[paulser21]

Of all of PJ’s Gopher recruiting classes, 2017 ranked the lowest: 12th in B1G and 59th nationally. Contributors from the class include Blaise Andries, CrAB, John Michael Schmitz, Mo Ibrahim, Tanner Morgan, Boye Mafe, Esezi Otomewo, Justus Harris, Jake Paulson, Demetrius Douglas and Noah Hickox. Actually, this was a very accomplished class. There were no transfers into this class. As the success of many of these players demonstrates, there is a benefit to sticking around and developing in a system that some early entrants into the transfer portal are depriving themselves of.

Would they benefit from sticking around and developing in a system? Definitely. But some of these guys realize that they are behind others in the depth chart and may not see the field as much as they could in other programs. You win some, you lose some. If you have guys transferring out at least you know there is comparable or better talent here in the immediate future (which will help in recruiting based on the successes of the players in said immediate future).

 

[Gophergrandpa]

Would they benefit from sticking around and developing in a system? Definitely. But some of these guys realize that they are behind others in the depth chart and may not see the field as much as they could in other programs. You win some, you lose some. If you have guys transferring out at least you know there is comparable or better talent here in the immediate future (which will help in recruiting based on the successes of the players in said immediate future).

Right. And PJ looks to be bringing in about 4 or 5 immediate contributors now via the portal. Many guys are multiple year eligibility guys. If you begin re-sculpting classes each year via the portal, some guys will leave because the writing is on the wall and some might leave simply because the odds of playing quickly have moved. It is tough when proven contributors like Ky leave, … but most of the transfers are still unproven (regardless of recruiting rankings).

 

[paulser21]

Right. And PJ looks to be bringing in about 4 or 5 immediate contributors now via the portal. Many guys are multiple year eligibility guys. If you begin re-sculpting classes each year via the portal, some guys will leave because the writing is on the wall s as be done might leave simply because the odds of playing quickly have moved. It is tough when proven contributors like Ky leave, … but most of the transfers are still unproven (regardless of recruiting rankings).

But I’m sure they can see the writing on the wall that they are buried. We all knew where we stood in the pecking order of sports while playing.

 

[hungan1]

Good thread. Not a four star guy in the class (according to 247). Goes to show that coaches evaluations hold a lot more weight than paid scouts. Sure....it's easy to pick out the 100 or so best players in the country because they are so obviously dominant....but really after that.....it's more or less a crap shoot. Offer lists really matter more. Add in some development time with the program and staff stability and these lower rated guys can shine.

Trust the staff.

The 2017 Recruiting Class was truly a developmental class. This group and the Claeys/Kill holdovers formed the 2019 team that beat an Auburn team loaded with 4-Stars and some 5-Stars in the Outback Bowl. Kudos to PJ Fleck and the staff.

 

[Five for fighting]

I love checking out the recruiting sites, particularly 247. But to think they are the final word is absurd. The guys with the real talent in evaluating players are all under contract with the various universities they coach/work for.