That's a discussion we've had here over the years and I thought I would share some interesting data that Phil Steele compiled from last year to help elucidate us. I realize one season is not statistically significant yet I believe it's likely indicative.
By position against the top 50 ranked recruits at each position:
QB: Top 10 = 5 Redshirts; 2 full time starters (both Pac 12 players) and 2 part time starters; Other 40 = 29 Redshirts or other Did Not Play QB reasons; 1 other full time starter; 2 others who had more than 100 attempts
RB: Top 10 = Only 2 Redshirts; 5 gained more than 400 yards, one more than 1000. Other 40 = 21 Redshirted or did not play RB for other reasons (including our own Lonny Powell); 6 gained over 400 yards, 1 over 1000 yards
WR: Top 10 = Zero Redshirts! 5 caught 29+ balls; 2 had 1000 yard seasons. Other 40 = 22 Redshirted or did not play WR for other reasons (including Carlos Strickland); Only 5 had more than 12 catches, Only 3 had more than 300 yards receiving
OL: Top 10 = 4 Redshirts; 4 started 6 or more games; 2 started all of their games. Other 40 = 26 Redshirted or did not play for other reasons; 3 started 7 or more games.
DL: Top 10 = Zero Redshirts! 7 had 19+ tackles; 3 had 5+ TFLs; Other 40 = 17 Redshirted or did not play for other reasons; 6 had 19+ tackles; Zero had 5+ TFLs
LB: Top 10 = 4 Redshirts; 4 had 20+ tackles, only 1 had more than 25 tackles (one starter); Other 40 = 21 Redshirted; 7 had more than 20+ tackles, 5 had 25+ (3 starters)
DB: Top 10 = 2 Redshirts; 6 had 25+ tackles; 4 had 35+ tackles; Other 40 = Only 17 Redshirts; 6 had 25+ tackles; 2 had 35+ tackles
Takeaways? Wish Phil had broken down distinction between DE and DT as I'd guess we'd see a big difference in early PT but in general lots of early PT for elite DL, WR and DBs. Tough for QBs and OL to impact. Drop off after top 10 at certain positions was massive - WR especially and LBs as well. DL, LB and DBs even with lower RS #'s had few big contributors. You don't redshirt elite DL and WRs apparently.
Thoughts?
By position against the top 50 ranked recruits at each position:
QB: Top 10 = 5 Redshirts; 2 full time starters (both Pac 12 players) and 2 part time starters; Other 40 = 29 Redshirts or other Did Not Play QB reasons; 1 other full time starter; 2 others who had more than 100 attempts
RB: Top 10 = Only 2 Redshirts; 5 gained more than 400 yards, one more than 1000. Other 40 = 21 Redshirted or did not play RB for other reasons (including our own Lonny Powell); 6 gained over 400 yards, 1 over 1000 yards
WR: Top 10 = Zero Redshirts! 5 caught 29+ balls; 2 had 1000 yard seasons. Other 40 = 22 Redshirted or did not play WR for other reasons (including Carlos Strickland); Only 5 had more than 12 catches, Only 3 had more than 300 yards receiving
OL: Top 10 = 4 Redshirts; 4 started 6 or more games; 2 started all of their games. Other 40 = 26 Redshirted or did not play for other reasons; 3 started 7 or more games.
DL: Top 10 = Zero Redshirts! 7 had 19+ tackles; 3 had 5+ TFLs; Other 40 = 17 Redshirted or did not play for other reasons; 6 had 19+ tackles; Zero had 5+ TFLs
LB: Top 10 = 4 Redshirts; 4 had 20+ tackles, only 1 had more than 25 tackles (one starter); Other 40 = 21 Redshirted; 7 had more than 20+ tackles, 5 had 25+ (3 starters)
DB: Top 10 = 2 Redshirts; 6 had 25+ tackles; 4 had 35+ tackles; Other 40 = Only 17 Redshirts; 6 had 25+ tackles; 2 had 35+ tackles
Takeaways? Wish Phil had broken down distinction between DE and DT as I'd guess we'd see a big difference in early PT but in general lots of early PT for elite DL, WR and DBs. Tough for QBs and OL to impact. Drop off after top 10 at certain positions was massive - WR especially and LBs as well. DL, LB and DBs even with lower RS #'s had few big contributors. You don't redshirt elite DL and WRs apparently.
Thoughts?
