I remember back when @EH used to do these long recruiting posts (please - do them again!) and he would look meticulously at trends, variations and set "rules of thumb" of how we should think about recruiting.
One thing I noted in the last decade was that when we were at our recruiting peak in 2006, 2007 and 2010 we would get 20 plus 4 and 5 star guys aka "the Primos". If you look at other teams, this too is the "magic" number - when you have star players on both sides of the ball and across the various position types (OL, QB, WR, etc.)
Right now, we are at 14, and if the other 3 flips happen, at 17. One could argue whether the special teams players (who are always sub-3 stars) fall into this cohort, but let's call it 17 for now. Transfer Portal may get us 2-3 more and therefore at 19-20 or the "Magic" number.
Before a few weeks ago, we were barely at 10. That is not enough to sustain a 9-10 win program, especially, when we are playing the new SEC schedule and potentially (hopefully) in the CFB playoffs. You need quality depth - and lots of it.
There is also probably a "magic number" around number of 5 stars. In each of those years, we had 4 5 stars. Specifically:
2006: Tebow, Harvin, Spikes and Carl J. We all know about the first three. Carl J. was similar to James W. below.
2007: Cam, Torrey Davis, James Wilson and Carlos Dunlap. We all know what Cam (other team) and Carlos did. Torrey made a heroic play in 08 and James was very solid throughout.
2010: Ease, Floyd, Elam and Powell (Powell was the only one not to be a real "game changer") - in the Muschamp years, yes, he was (and is) a phenomenal defensive coach, but when you have those four, you will have points of domination across your defense.
I post this to share my utter excitement and delight around the progress that we have made and how powerful this class may be in the end. I do hope we close with 1-2 more 5 star "Primos", but again I am thrilled with our progress.
One thing I noted in the last decade was that when we were at our recruiting peak in 2006, 2007 and 2010 we would get 20 plus 4 and 5 star guys aka "the Primos". If you look at other teams, this too is the "magic" number - when you have star players on both sides of the ball and across the various position types (OL, QB, WR, etc.)
Right now, we are at 14, and if the other 3 flips happen, at 17. One could argue whether the special teams players (who are always sub-3 stars) fall into this cohort, but let's call it 17 for now. Transfer Portal may get us 2-3 more and therefore at 19-20 or the "Magic" number.
Before a few weeks ago, we were barely at 10. That is not enough to sustain a 9-10 win program, especially, when we are playing the new SEC schedule and potentially (hopefully) in the CFB playoffs. You need quality depth - and lots of it.
There is also probably a "magic number" around number of 5 stars. In each of those years, we had 4 5 stars. Specifically:
2006: Tebow, Harvin, Spikes and Carl J. We all know about the first three. Carl J. was similar to James W. below.
2007: Cam, Torrey Davis, James Wilson and Carlos Dunlap. We all know what Cam (other team) and Carlos did. Torrey made a heroic play in 08 and James was very solid throughout.
2010: Ease, Floyd, Elam and Powell (Powell was the only one not to be a real "game changer") - in the Muschamp years, yes, he was (and is) a phenomenal defensive coach, but when you have those four, you will have points of domination across your defense.
I post this to share my utter excitement and delight around the progress that we have made and how powerful this class may be in the end. I do hope we close with 1-2 more 5 star "Primos", but again I am thrilled with our progress.
