February 6, 201412 yr Makes sense. I still think though, they need to aim higher, and not be satisfied with a top 25 class. I understand narrowing the gap, but when teams like Tennessee (who has been largely irrelevant the last 7 or 8 years) can pull a top 10 class, even a short term goal of being able to knock of a top team every now and then, seems like it will be difficult to achieve. A gap is a gap...if you keep falling short year after year, you'll just continue to fall behind. My question is what does it take for UK to make that leap and secure top 10 classes?? 2014 ESPN class rankings and final 2013 AP ranking: 19 - South Carolina (#4) 20 - Kentucky 21 - Arizona St (#21) 22 - Baylor (#13) 26 - UCLA (#16) 27 - Oregon (#9) 28 - Oklahoma St (#17) 29 - Michigan State (#3) 33 - Missouri (#5) 34 - Wisconsin (#22) 45 - Washington (#25) 48 - Vanderbilt (#24) 51 - Duke (#23) 52 - UCF (#10) 53 - UofL (#15) UK had a better class than over half of the AP top 25. That is a high enough level to consistently compete. The top ranked recruiting classes don't automatically mean more wins.
February 6, 201412 yr Two positives jump out: Only losing ONE of the early commitments despite a 2-win season Who we got AFTER a 2-win season
February 6, 201412 yr I don't think UK will ever be a program that pulls in top 10 classes on a consistent basis if ever. They need to look north to MSU and what Dantonio has done. He pulls in quality classes of 3 and 4 star players and he is never winning the recruiting battle on paper with Michigan and OSU. But he brings in quality athletes who fits his system. He allows his players to develop in the system. Now you can make the argument over the last 5-6 years MSU has been the most consistent big 10 program. That's exactly what UK did this year, they stole all the 2nd level Ohio guys and it is gonna affect the Big 10 not named OSU/Mich. They may not be elite guys but they are quality players who can be developed, some will turn into elite players.
February 6, 201412 yr Lol, after a 2-10 season it's amazing that this is a top 20 class. Hard to complain about only being 20 after looking at the history of UK football
February 6, 201412 yr That's exactly what UK did this year, they stole all the 2nd level Ohio guys and it is gonna affect the Big 10 not named OSU/Mich. They may not be elite guys but they are quality players who can be developed, some will turn into elite players. To be clear are we saying the 4* kids from Ohio are "2nd level?"
February 6, 201412 yr That's exactly what UK did this year, they stole all the 2nd level Ohio guys and it is gonna affect the Big 10 not named OSU/Mich. They may not be elite guys but they are quality players who can be developed, some will turn into elite players. Then hopefully this builds a solid foundation to land some elite guys, not in Ohio specifically but everywhere.
February 6, 201412 yr 2014 ESPN class rankings and final 2013 AP ranking: 19 - South Carolina (#4) 20 - Kentucky 21 - Arizona St (#21) 22 - Baylor (#13) 26 - UCLA (#16) 27 - Oregon (#9) 28 - Oklahoma St (#17) 29 - Michigan State (#3) 33 - Missouri (#5) 34 - Wisconsin (#22) 45 - Washington (#25) 48 - Vanderbilt (#24) 51 - Duke (#23) 52 - UCF (#10) 53 - UofL (#15) UK had a better class than over half of the AP top 25. That is a high enough level to consistently compete. The top ranked recruiting classes don't automatically mean more wins. Not sure how this year's class rank has anything to do with last years performance. Seems prior years would be more relevant. UK's last 4 classes (rivals) 2010 - 50 2011 - 63 2012 - 62 2013 - 29 When you have recruiting classes in the 50's and 60's you're going to lose a lot, when your schedule is comprised of teams that consistently have top 25 recruiting classes. The first step is getting the top 25 recruiting classes.
February 6, 201412 yr To be clear are we saying the 4* kids from Ohio are "2nd level?" I'm not. I'll take 4* kids from anywhere.
February 6, 201412 yr Not sure how this year's class rank has anything to do with last years performance. Seems prior years would be more relevant. Agreed, it just shows the company UK is in at #20, and its good company.
February 6, 201412 yr Agreed, it just shows the company UK is in at #20, and its good company. No doubt about that. At least we've taken a good first step. Foot is in the door. Need to see the improvement on the field over the next 2-3 years to go with it.
February 6, 201412 yr Author One thing I was happy to see with this class is the depth in the secondary. We all know that is the biggest weakness on this team and I think the reinforcments are on the way. Now it is a matter of who plays where. You have guys like Darius West, Mike Edwards, Jared Tucker, etc. who can play both corner and safety, it will be interesting to see who goes where. Combine that with a 4* corner and Florida State recruit Kendall Randolph and JUCO talent AJ Stamps and you may have something. Combine that with holdovers such as Blake McClain (who played well), Nate Willis, and 4* recruit Marcus McWilson, not to mention JD Harmon and former 4* Glenn Faulkner and you may really have something. It may take a season or two but they definitely laid the foundation for a nice secondary for years to come, they really addressed a much needed area with this haul.
February 6, 201412 yr That's exactly what UK did this year, they stole all the 2nd level Ohio guys and it is gonna affect the Big 10 not named OSU/Mich. They may not be elite guys but they are quality players who can be developed, some will turn into elite players. I wouldn't call a lot of those guys lower level. During the vests tenure some of those guys would be playing in Columbus. Meyer just has a different strategy now.
February 6, 201412 yr To be clear are we saying the 4* kids from Ohio are "2nd level?" The battle I'm interested in seeing as well is can Brooks consistently beat Tubberville in his own city for recruits.
February 6, 201412 yr The battle I'm interested in seeing as well is can Brooks consistently beat Tubberville in his own city for recruits. Gonna be hard for him to do that when he's fishing and playing golf during his retirement
February 6, 201412 yr To be clear are we saying the 4* kids from Ohio are "2nd level?" A lot of them are yes. Tressell for years tried developing them against the SEC giants and we all know how that went. Some players can give you 4 solid years, some will give you a BCS wins. But you don't wanna bring a knife to a gun fight.
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