Continue to like the scouting and the focus on fit both to Dykes systems and academically and culturally at Cal. Big props to Dykes and staff on those fronts.
Yet, the net is did they bring in enough talent to compete for the Pac 12 title? Further, are they clearly building momentum with our recruiting year over year?
To both questions, the data suggests the answer is no. This class on paper is slightly worse than last years when measured by stars per players. Even given some questionable calls on players like Weaver, Goode and Veasy, it's at best on par with last years. The OL class finished as "okay" rather than a big strength. I don't see the type of impact DTs we have to have nor enough special athletes with size across the position groups.
We're going to finish as a top 30 class using Rivals measures and a little worse when viewed purely on stars per players. That's okay but again not good enough and not a clear step forward from last year. You can talk nuances of the class, extenuating circumstances, most of the recruiting class built before our 8 win season and while all of that is relevant to a degree, this is a bottom line business. Do you win games on the field and are you bringing in top talent in recruiting.
We need to be at or near 3.25 stars per player each and every year. Certainly not below 3.1 and hopefully with smaller classes close to 3.3. That's plenty good enough to compete and win the Pac 12 and be a player on a national stage if we have a strong coaching staff that scouts and develops well.
Our 2016 class will reinforce the view that Sonny has a lot to prove on the field in 2016. A younger team with a new QB and he needs to get us back to a bowl and maintain the momentum he's generated the past two seasons. He also needs to have a 2017 class lined up before September that tracks to a 3.25 finish.
Yet, the net is did they bring in enough talent to compete for the Pac 12 title? Further, are they clearly building momentum with our recruiting year over year?
To both questions, the data suggests the answer is no. This class on paper is slightly worse than last years when measured by stars per players. Even given some questionable calls on players like Weaver, Goode and Veasy, it's at best on par with last years. The OL class finished as "okay" rather than a big strength. I don't see the type of impact DTs we have to have nor enough special athletes with size across the position groups.
We're going to finish as a top 30 class using Rivals measures and a little worse when viewed purely on stars per players. That's okay but again not good enough and not a clear step forward from last year. You can talk nuances of the class, extenuating circumstances, most of the recruiting class built before our 8 win season and while all of that is relevant to a degree, this is a bottom line business. Do you win games on the field and are you bringing in top talent in recruiting.
We need to be at or near 3.25 stars per player each and every year. Certainly not below 3.1 and hopefully with smaller classes close to 3.3. That's plenty good enough to compete and win the Pac 12 and be a player on a national stage if we have a strong coaching staff that scouts and develops well.
Our 2016 class will reinforce the view that Sonny has a lot to prove on the field in 2016. A younger team with a new QB and he needs to get us back to a bowl and maintain the momentum he's generated the past two seasons. He also needs to have a 2017 class lined up before September that tracks to a 3.25 finish.
