Definitely a change in recruiting strategy. According to Scout - Kill/Claeys offered an average of 25.5 - 4* prospects/year, and 0.7 - 5* prospects/year from 2011-2016 (average # of offers = 140.5). During that time period they landed 4 - 4* players (Mayes - TX, Jones - MN, Coughlin - MN, Green TX/MN) and no 5* prospects. In 2017 (Claeys/Fleck) there were 35 - 4* prospects offered and 1 - 5* prospect offered (total # of offers = 173). They landed 2 - 4* prospects (Handy-Holly - AL, Andries - MN).
For Fleck in 2018 he has already offered 23 - 4* prospects (none from MN) and 0 - 5* prospects (Total offers = 63). 10 of the prospects that he has offered are unranked yet. Fleck is definitely targeting higher ranked recruits earlier with his offers. It is still really early, the prospect rankings may change, and the coaches seem to just be getting started but this is impressive start. Star ratings are subjective and can be misleading but the fact that Fleck and staff appear to be aiming much higher than Kill/Claeys is what folks on this board tend to get excited about. Not a knock on Kill/Claeys, just a different approach. This all sounds promising but the proof will be if Fleck & Co. can actually start landing some of these higher rated recruits on a consistent basis, but for now I am definitely intrigued with this approach.
