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FWIW, it looks like these rankings are changing daily as unrated recruits are finally receiving ratings -- deserved or undeserved. Regardless, I can't remember a time SMU even sniffed anywhere close to this number.

actually No. 46 if you look at Average Per Recruit which I actually think is generally a better measurement. But they only list the Top 50 teams right now so its hard to tell whether we will stay that high. Generally most Texas recruiting classes are much more filled at this early date than other schools across the country, If you could analyze the schools from say 50-75 you could analyze more clearly if we are likely to stay that high. Based upon Scout's full list there are about 20 big BCS programs around the country that have substantially less commitments than SMU. Historically, a Top 50-62 or so is an outstanding class for a non-BCS schools as long as it is not inflated by oversigning and players not likely to qualify. Need to back out those recruits who never step foot on campus. Best measure is probably to combine ranking in Total Points and Average Per Recruit. Right now that would put us at No. 48. But if you sign Classes in the range mentioned for several years in a row and the recruits actually step foot on campus then I would expect a team competing for conference championships and winning bowl games and maybe a few upsets of BCS schools. Schools like TCU, BYU, Utah, and Houston have had some classes rated even higher and have had more success with making and/or flirting with Top 25

BTW I think that Average Per Recruit rating of 46 is statistically unreliable right now. I think it just reorganzes the Top 50 teams from the Total Points rankings-not all 120 schools. I'm basing that on the fact Rice has the highest Average Per Recruit right now in CUSA and doesn't appear in the National list of Average Per Recruit. Otherwise Rice would be tied for 43rd in Average Per Recruit.

Nonetheless, this is a far cry from the Bennett era. It is only going to get better folks.

Note: I changed the number in the headline because the latest rankings moved SMU up one spot.

Harry0569 wrote:Nonetheless, this is a far cry from the Bennett era. It is only going to get better folks.

PB's 1st full year of recruiting was actually very good per Rivals. By the time they should have been seniors, so many of them had left.

Our ranking changes once more! Number 47!

recent changes resulted from Longoria getting a 3 star-Sparling got 2 stars

Stallion wrote:recent changes resulted from Longoria getting a 3 star-Sparling got 2 stars

Wow, that rating was worth waiting for!!

What position does Longoria project to, by the way? Defensive backfield? Receiver?

he says Safety-he'll end up being a LB

He's also a pretty good punter, so he may field that job as well

Wow, only four 2-stars (out of 19) for the current class. I concede I believe there is grade inflation, but this is still great news. Last year 10 of 26 were 2-stars. Let's go for zero 2-stars next year.

Right now-3 months before signing date there are 241 three stars or above Texas High School recruits. Last year by signing date there were 288. About 70 three star recruits haveen added very recently as Rivals just got a new Texas editor. Approximately 365 Texas High School Seniors will get Division 1A scholarships

Four years ago in 2007 before the grade inflation started there were 151

2007-151
2008-163
2009-211
2010-288
2011-241(incomplete)

Stallion wrote:Right now-3 months before signing date there are 241 three stars or above Texas High School recruits. Last year by signing date there were 288. About 70 three star recruits haveen added very recently as Rivals just got a new Texas editor. Approximately 365 Texas High School Seniors will get Division 1A scholarships

Four years ago in 2007 before the grade inflation started there were 151

2007-151
2008-163
2009-211
2010-288
2011-241(incomplete)

Do you have information on the year over year increase in 3 stars in percentage terms for all D-1A athletes ranked by Rivals? I'd be interested to see in percentage terms how much it has gone up across the board.

I wonder if the inflation is Texas specific (i.e. better job of scouting Texas talent), or if it is indicative of a grade inflation across the Rivals spectrum. Regardless, having at least 66% of the college players in one state rated at 3 stars or above would seem to indicate a flawed scoring system. Might be time for a scoring system overhaul.