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ponyfan37 wrote:#79 on Rivals.

#72 on Rivals

just a reminder that Rivals is being extremely stingy with the 3+ star rankings this year. only 162 in Texas-down from around 273 a few years ago like in 2012

If we can close strong with Abercrumbia, English, and West then we might be looking at a class in the 60's on Rivals. Considering what he inherited and honoring all of June's commits that is ASTOUNDING.

StallionsModelT wrote:If we can close strong with Abercrumbia, English, and West then we might be looking at a class in the 60's on Rivals. Considering what he inherited and honoring all of June's commits that is ASTOUNDING.

Yeah

Looks like Wilson wasn't even the Top receiver to commit to UCF today.

http://247sports.com/Player/Tristan-Payton-31951

Shouldn't this thread be re titled -or start a new one?

How do we rank in AAC now?

It seems we need about 2 straight classes of top 1-2 to go on a run here. Need to win the AAC in the next 2-3 years. Definitely possible - need some DEFENSIVE talent though. Let's see some big time defense recruits coming here, then I'll REALLY start getting excited (I think the Scott brother is one no doubt and Clemons seems solid).

This is already such a tremendous turn around with 5 for spots still available. Defensive tackle still needs to be addressed but as anyone can see HCCM and company are working hard to get results. Can't wait to see the 2016 and 2017 classes given the connections and time this staff is already putting in!

ojaipony wrote:It seems we need about 2 straight classes of top 1-2 to go on a run here. Need to win the AAC in the next 2-3 years. Definitely possible - need some DEFENSIVE talent though. Let's see some big time defense recruits coming here, then I'll REALLY start getting excited (I think the Scott brother is one no doubt and Clemons seems solid).

Right now we are in 4th in the AAC: #1 Cinci (11 3*s), #2 USF (11 3*s) #3 UCF (1 4*, 9 3*s). Cinci is ranked #54 overall and is the top non P5 school. There is now no reason SMU can't be the top non P5 recruiting class year in and year out and make a run.

ojaipony wrote:How do we rank in AAC now?

It seems we need about 2 straight classes of top 1-2 to go on a run here. Need to win the AAC in the next 2-3 years. Definitely possible - need some DEFENSIVE talent though. Let's see some big time defense recruits coming here, then I'll REALLY start getting excited (I think the Scott brother is one no doubt and Clemons seems solid).

3rd-Scout
4th-Rivals
5th-247

Significant gap between us in 4th and Cincy, UCF, and USF ahead of us.

That said, this is a fantastic place to be in this short of a time. Finding playmakers was the biggest need of the team, and with that gap closed, we are definitely a bowl team next year.

To add another perspective to the class:

Hicks beats out Burcham to be the second highest rated QB on the roster (behind Davis). Both had the same ratings on Rivals, Hicks was a 3 over a 2 on Scout, and both were 80 on ESPN. Hicks has better offers that also put him over the top.

At WR, Gaines, Proche, and Thomas are the only players to have 3 star rating on all three services and a bunch of BCS offers. Castille for whatever reason isn't rated on ESPN. The only other WR with a 3 star rating on all three services on the roster? Lagasse. Gaines, Stewart, Ingram, and Walker are the only receivers on the current roster with multiple BCS rosters.

It is a little bit of an apples-oranges comparison, though, because all of the sites give out a lot fewer 3 star ratings than the did a couple of years ago.

ESPN ratings don't matter-they suck-they haven't rated 12 SMU commits and some others are ridiculous

and again you are comparing 3 stars on Rivals in a year in which there are 162 with the 2012 class that had 278

that's nonsense

As I pointed out...
"It is a little bit of an apples-oranges comparison, though, because all of the sites give out a lot fewer 3 star ratings than the did a couple of years ago."

I know everyone likes to rip on ESPN, but...

All of the players on our roster rated 74 or higher by ESPN and 2 stars by both of the other services:
- Eppley
- Carroll
- Seals
- McCarty (who got a 78 on ESPN)
- Evan Brown (77)
- Hyder (77)
- Severt
- Kevin Pope

Not a lot of pure "busts" in there, I don't think.

If you really want to compare 2015 with 2012 then a closer approximation would be to include all recruits in this class rated 5.4 and above (Top 308) with 2012 3 stars rated 5.5 and above (Top 278). Under that analysis the classes are tied at 12 each so far with most of our remaining targets rated above 5.4-Bryce English, Zach Abercrumbia, Jordon Williams, Wilds the UH commit, Braelon West, Malik Jemison. So we will likely blow past that 2012 Class for example. Still imperfect but much more apples to apples. Looks like this will be an unprecedented number of Texas kids signing this year

For what's it worth, my family and I ate at the new residential commons dining hall on Saturday (wow) and I happened to walk past Ajee, Hicks, and Hyder. Here's my take . . .

Hicks is NOT 6'2". I'm 6'0" and we were about same height. MAYBE 6'1". But not super skinny so that's good. Seemed a little small to me for a Div1 QB, but I know he's still really in HS and he'll fill in (wish he were about 2 inches taller, not that that really matters ultimately). Just seemed a little on the small side to me.

Ajee looks like he put on some muscle. A bit thicker than he looks on TV.

Hyder is a big ole boy. Not super tall (I'd say about 6'2" MAYBE 6'3" but dude is WIDE). Looks like a football player for sure.