From a Gator message board someone posted this assessment of the 2006 Rivals 100 list of stud recruits: "Rivals 100 in 2006 1) Percy Harvin (2 NC later...nuff said) 2) Andre Smith (will be a Top 3 pick) 3) Chris Wells (1st rounder) 4) Gerald McCoy (Dominant Dt and future 1st rounder) 5) Sergio Kindle (great LB at Texas) 6) Matthew Stafford (probable #1 pick) 8 CJ Spiller (great college RB) 9) Allen Bradford (got lost in the USC RB stable) 10) Mitch Mustain (will be a star for USC) 12) Myron Rolle (feel good story for CFB) 13) Brandon Spikes (Nuff said) 14) Reshad Jones (Stud for UGA) 16) Taylor Mays (future top 15 pick) 18 Stafon Johnson (Best RB at USC) 21) Ricky Sapp (dominant DE for Clemson) 22) Tim Tebow (think they want this ranking back?) 23) CJ Gable (Yet another stud RB at USC) 28 Carl Johnson (OL Stuf for the Gators and Future 1st rounder...just wait)" When you look at those results the player ratings do seem to make a difference on the top guys.
While it's easy to point out a player who was not in the top 100 and had a great college career and a player who was highly rated and flopped...I'd still prefer to have a roster full of highly rated players, than hope my coaches can find the hidden jewels or develope the players.
You have to admit that Rivals did their homework in 2006. I think the level of accuracy with these recruiting services is much better in the internet age.
With the departure of Sanchez, Mustain will be battling the kid Corp who had actually overtaken Mustain twice just this past year. That isn't even considering Matt Barkley who will enroll. I had read a few posts over on a SC board that seem to indicate many people there believe that Sanchez was the least TALENTED of the QBs on the roster this season and that this job will be Barkley's before long... We'll see.
The top 6 are pretty damned good players.... It's pretty unusual that so many listed turned out to be so good.
As one who suffered thru CJ Spiller with Fantasy football this year... I can tell you that he's nothing more than a 3rd down back and kick return threat... He's not an every down player.
That's probably how I would have evaluated Steve Slaton before his rookie season this year. You just never know how a player's game is going to translate into the big leagues. I know a lot of analysts have wondered for a long time why the Clemson coaching staff didn't get Spiller more involved in the offense.
That's how the Texans evaluated Steve Slaton as well. His frame/size didn't seem to indicate that he could be an everydown back or that he would show the toughness running the football that he did this year. Not to mention that he was sort of prone to getting knicked up at WVA. I can think of several big games, Louisville 2 years ago for 1, that he had little injuries and didn't seem to show the toughness that you expect from an NFL back who plays every down.
I don't know enuogh about Spiller to compare the two, but I personally thought Slaton would never make it in the NFL. He was a terrific back in the RR system at WVA but as I said he seemed to be prone to finger/hand/etc nicks. Seemed to find a way to miss parts of their biggest games.
I agree Terry. On average the higher ranked players will perform better year in and year out. Sure their will be flops and there will be players who far exceed where they were ranked. But I would go with the same philosophy.
Corey, Spiller continued to share time with Davis this year didn't he? Or did Davis graduate a year ago. Anyway Spiller had 1700 all purpose yards I believe. I think he will be a high draft choice after he finishes next year.
Bill, I had the (dis)pleasure of following Spiller closely as he was on my fantasy team. He still split carries with Davis, but even Clemson didn't use him in anything more than a kick returner/3rd down type of back. His athletic ability can't be denied but he was constantly hurt or knocked out of games.. I suffered with that guy for a while before dumping him.