Top 30 FCS Recruiting Classes

[Grizaddict]

This article came out today and gives a pretty good summary of the top recruiting classes in FCS. I got beat up over here a little bit a couple weeks ago when I said the Griz were ARGUABLY putting together one of the top recruiting classes. I'm glad I was at least in the ballpark. Granted, this is just one writer's opinion, but it looks pretty well thought out with some good reasons to back it up. Of course the Bison are in the number one spot again:


http://m.herosports.com/news/ranking-th ... the-fcs#12

[VimSince03]

This article came out today and gives a pretty good summary of the top recruiting classes in FCS. I got beat up over here a little bit a couple weeks ago when I said the Griz were ARGUABLY putting together one of the top recruiting classes. I'm glad I was at least in the ballpark. Granted, this is just one writer's opinion, but it looks pretty well thought out with some good reasons to back it up. Of course the Bison are in the number one spot again:


http://m.herosports.com/news/ranking-th ... the-fcs#12

When I said the Griz didn't have the best recruiting class, they did not have about 14 of the recruits they got in the last week. Rey Green was the deciding factor for me. Here is how I rank them:

Big Sky recruiting class rankings:

1.) Montana - quality and quantity; added in transfers for much needed depth at each spot; so many playmakers on offense; the Griz definitely got better

2.) EWU - added more offensive firepower at every level; I still just don't know what their plan is on defense

3.) UC-Davis - came out of nowhere with a great class; their QB recruit was big time along with a 3-star receiver and defensive end along with several other two-star recruits on each side of the ball; good for the Aggies

4.) NAU - added a lot of offensive talent and a whole lot of secondary players; very good spread out class

5.) MSU - the quality of the out-of-state kids (8/9 were star rated), especially the transfers, helped this ranking along with the Montana kids; the Cats still have scholarships left so this class isn't done yet

6.) PSU - plenty of talent on the offensive side led by a three-star offensive line recruit and QB; Barnum has changed that program

7.) Cal Poly - added a lot of talent on the defensive side which they needed

8.) UND - beefed up offensive line and receiving corps; I guess I'm just not as high on this class on their defensive recruits

9.) UNC - Class was highlighted by three 3-star recruits on offense...that was about it

10.) Sac State - definitely got some difference makers on both sides of the ball; got bigger on the lines

11.) Weber State - got some really high quality defensive recruits, especially on the defensive line

12.) Southern Utah - loaded up on defensive side of the ball but not a lot of star rankings; I don't know I just didn't see this class as being great, especially after winning the conference

13.) Idaho State - I don't know I just didn't see a ton of quality here; got a few stud defensive players

[Hawks86]

correct forum would be http://www.bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewforum.php?f=16

[Cat4LifeHouseDivided]

This article came out today and gives a pretty good summary of the top recruiting classes in FCS. I got beat up over here a little bit a couple weeks ago when I said the Griz were ARGUABLY putting together one of the top recruiting classes. I'm glad I was at least in the ballpark. Granted, this is just one writer's opinion, but it looks pretty well thought out with some good reasons to back it up. Of course the Bison are in the number one spot again:


http://m.herosports.com/news/ranking-th ... the-fcs#12

As you said, one writer's opinion. To argue that MSU doesn't belong in the top 30 is pretty tough. Two 4 star, one 3-star transfer, one 3-star recruit, the Montana Gatorade player of the year, and a bunch of other extremely solid recruits. It is completely subjective. As many of said, tough to evaluate a recruiting class until these kids actually play. Half of MSU or UM's class could never see the field.

[Grizaddict]

Vim I think that's a fair assessment, and you have a lot of knowledge in it so no argument from me. I do have some UND buddies who were pretty excited with their class as well. Do you not feel that way? Guess they got a couple of studs from Minnesota and beat out the bison for them.

[VimSince03]

Vim I think that's a fair assessment, and you have a lot of knowledge in it so no argument from me. I do have some UND buddies who were pretty excited with their class as well. Do you not feel that way? Guess they got a couple of studs from Minnesota and beat out the bison for them.

A few lineman and a safety. Other than that, I don't know. They can come over here and debate with me! Like you say, it is all worthless until the kids play.

[TomCat88]

This article came out today and gives a pretty good summary of the top recruiting classes in FCS. I got beat up over here a little bit a couple weeks ago when I said the Griz were ARGUABLY putting together one of the top recruiting classes. I'm glad I was at least in the ballpark. Granted, this is just one writer's opinion, but it looks pretty well thought out with some good reasons to back it up. Of course the Bison are in the number one spot again:


http://m.herosports.com/news/ranking-th ... the-fcs#12

When I said the Griz didn't have the best recruiting class, they did not have about 14 of the recruits they got in the last week. Rey Green was the deciding factor for me. Here is how I rank them:

Big Sky recruiting class rankings:

1.) Montana - quality and quantity; added in transfers for much needed depth at each spot; so many playmakers on offense; the Griz definitely got better

2.) EWU - added more offensive firepower at every level; I still just don't know what their plan is on defense

3.) UC-Davis - came out of nowhere with a great class; their QB recruit was big time along with a 3-star receiver and defensive end along with several other two-star recruits on each side of the ball; good for the Aggies

4.) NAU - added a lot of offensive talent and a whole lot of secondary players; very good spread out class

5.) MSU - the quality of the out-of-state kids (8/9 were star rated), especially the transfers, helped this ranking along with the Montana kids; the Cats still have scholarships left so this class isn't done yet

6.) PSU - plenty of talent on the offensive side led by a three-star offensive line recruit and QB; Barnum has changed that program

7.) Cal Poly - added a lot of talent on the defensive side which they needed

8.) UND - beefed up offensive line and receiving corps; I guess I'm just not as high on this class on their defensive recruits

9.) UNC - Class was highlighted by three 3-star recruits on offense...that was about it

10.) Sac State - definitely got some difference makers on both sides of the ball; got bigger on the lines

11.) Weber State - got some really high quality defensive recruits, especially on the defensive line

12.) Southern Utah - loaded up on defensive side of the ball but not a lot of star rankings; I don't know I just didn't see this class as being great, especially after winning the conference

13.) Idaho State - I don't know I just didn't see a ton of quality here; got a few stud defensive players

Based on star ratings this is probably (I'll need to dig deeper to know for sure) the second or third best class I've seen MSU bring in in the past 10 years of documenting recruiting classes. It could be that the rating websites are handing out more stars and that is skewing things. Of its 10 out of state recruits, MSU averages 2.2 stars per player, but one player is a walk on. Other than UM I'm not sure how that stacks up with other BSC teams. I know UM is at 0.96.

A typical class has about 8-9 eventual starters on average. MSU brought in 31 players last year with eight-nine star rated guys in the group. Sandland 4-star, Carter 3-star, Clark 2-star, Jones PWO no star, and Strong partial no star made contributions, but Sandland and Carter are gone.

One of the best classes in MSU history only had 8-9 players in it total and almost all of them were serious contributors. It had no star rated players and most were from Montana as I recall.

All three transfers MSU brought in appear to be locks as starters with the possible exception being Bruggman, but that's because Hoy may be very good. I'm not sure how many teams brought in 2-3 transfers that are good enough to start.

I think Chase Benson is the best player in the group. I didn't at first, but when Choate said he ISN'T very polished I did a double take, because I just figured he's probably about as good as he's gonna get. If he has that much room to improve he should be a terror in the BSC.

If MSU is fifth in the BSC, then the star ratings must be watered down from what they were just 3-4 years ago. Either that or I haven't been paying close enough attention. I think SAC brought in a big group (10?) of star rated guys about 5 years ago. I don't recall many others like it.

[VimSince03]

This article came out today and gives a pretty good summary of the top recruiting classes in FCS. I got beat up over here a little bit a couple weeks ago when I said the Griz were ARGUABLY putting together one of the top recruiting classes. I'm glad I was at least in the ballpark. Granted, this is just one writer's opinion, but it looks pretty well thought out with some good reasons to back it up. Of course the Bison are in the number one spot again:


http://m.herosports.com/news/ranking-th ... the-fcs#12

When I said the Griz didn't have the best recruiting class, they did not have about 14 of the recruits they got in the last week. Rey Green was the deciding factor for me. Here is how I rank them:

Big Sky recruiting class rankings:

1.) Montana - quality and quantity; added in transfers for much needed depth at each spot; so many playmakers on offense; the Griz definitely got better

2.) EWU - added more offensive firepower at every level; I still just don't know what their plan is on defense

3.) UC-Davis - came out of nowhere with a great class; their QB recruit was big time along with a 3-star receiver and defensive end along with several other two-star recruits on each side of the ball; good for the Aggies

4.) NAU - added a lot of offensive talent and a whole lot of secondary players; very good spread out class

5.) MSU - the quality of the out-of-state kids (8/9 were star rated), especially the transfers, helped this ranking along with the Montana kids; the Cats still have scholarships left so this class isn't done yet

6.) PSU - plenty of talent on the offensive side led by a three-star offensive line recruit and QB; Barnum has changed that program

7.) Cal Poly - added a lot of talent on the defensive side which they needed

8.) UND - beefed up offensive line and receiving corps; I guess I'm just not as high on this class on their defensive recruits

9.) UNC - Class was highlighted by three 3-star recruits on offense...that was about it

10.) Sac State - definitely got some difference makers on both sides of the ball; got bigger on the lines

11.) Weber State - got some really high quality defensive recruits, especially on the defensive line

12.) Southern Utah - loaded up on defensive side of the ball but not a lot of star rankings; I don't know I just didn't see this class as being great, especially after winning the conference

13.) Idaho State - I don't know I just didn't see a ton of quality here; got a few stud defensive players

Based on star ratings this is probably (I'll need to dig deeper to know for sure) the second or third best class I've seen MSU bring in in the past 10 years of documenting recruiting classes. It could be that the rating websites are handing out more stars and that is skewing things. Of its 10 out of state recruits, MSU averages 2.2 stars per player, but one player is a walk on. Other than UM I'm not sure how that stacks up with other BSC teams. I know UM is at 0.96.

A typical class has about 8-9 eventual starters on average. MSU brought in 31 players last year with eight-nine star rated guys in the group. Sandland 4-star, Carter 3-star, Clark 2-star, Jones PWO no star, and Strong partial no star made contributions, but Sandland and Carter are gone.

One of the best classes in MSU history only had 8-9 players in it total and almost all of them were serious contributors. It had no star rated players and most were from Montana as I recall.

All three transfers MSU brought in appear to be locks as starters with the possible exception being Bruggman, but that's because Hoy may be very good. I'm not sure how many teams brought in 2-3 transfers that are good enough to start.

I think Chase Benson is the best player in the group. I didn't at first, but when Choate said he ISN'T very polished I did a double take, because I just figured he's probably about as good as he's gonna get. If he has that much room to improve he should be a terror in the BSC.

If MSU is fifth in the BSC, then the star ratings must be watered down from what they were just 3-4 years ago. Either that or I haven't been paying close enough attention. I think SAC brought in a big group (10?) of star rated guys about 5 years ago. I don't recall many others like it.

I'm working on a composite list for each class on the star ratings for each team's class. I will take the highest rating between the three main sites (Scout, Rivals, 247) for each player, if they have a rating. I know 247 has a composite list but within that list, they only list 5 recruits fro Montana, 7 for NAU, and 5 for Montana State in terms total recruits, not just star players....which is incorrect.

[Hawks86]

Hero sports is using 247 composite rankings. Not even close to being complete or accurate. http://montanastate.247sports.com/Seaso ... ll/Commits

These rankings also reward large classes. Total stars isn't really a fair conclusion.

[CelticCat]

correct forum would be http://www.bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewforum.php?f=16

Agreed, belongs in college forum.

[TomCat88]

The one constant is that by the start of the next season most fans can't even name 1/3 or their latest recruits.

[VimSince03]

The one constant is that by the start of the next season most fans can't even name 1/3 or their latest recruits.

Who?

[GoCats18]

The funny thing is that until these kids actually start playing, we won't know how good any of them are. You can have an amazing recruiting class, and not have much success from those players. Kids get hurt, quit, don't live up to their expectations....only time will tell. I think coaching is the biggest part of these kids futures. Hope we did a good job of finding good athletes and great coaches.

[77matcat]

And some that don't have high expectations under the watchful eye of a good coach blossom into all Americans.

Think our new coaches will be great developers of young men.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nodak78]

Vim I think that's a fair assessment, and you have a lot of knowledge in it so no argument from me. I do have some UND buddies who were pretty excited with their class as well. Do you not feel that way? Guess they got a couple of studs from Minnesota and beat out the bison for them.

The fan board is very impressed with our recruits this year. Actually the defense secondary is our strength in this class. 3 safeties over 6' 2" with speed. 2 CB one made 1st team in Minnesota. our need was secondary and OL and we added more length, size and speed. This will give us depth that was sorely needed last year. It cost us 2 games for sure and a spot in the playoffs.

I haven't looked at the whole league but have watched both the Bobcats and the Griz. I think all three schools have very good recruits. I very impressed with the new coach for the Bobcats.

I think the Big Sky will be very strong and a few teams should made deep runs into the playoffs.

[luckyirishguy25]

Vim I think that's a fair assessment, and you have a lot of knowledge in it so no argument from me. I do have some UND buddies who were pretty excited with their class as well. Do you not feel that way? Guess they got a couple of studs from Minnesota and beat out the bison for them.

The fan board is very impressed with our recruits this year. Actually the defense secondary is our strength in this class. 3 safeties over 6' 2" with speed. 2 CB one made 1st team in Minnesota. our need was secondary and OL and we added more length, size and speed. This will give us depth that was sorely needed last year. It cost us 2 games for sure and a spot in the playoffs.

I haven't looked at the whole league but have watched both the Bobcats and the Griz. I think all three schools have very good recruits. I very impressed with the new coach for the Bobcats.

I think the Big Sky will be very strong and a few teams should made deep runs into the playoffs.

We all hope so, but I think most of us will be content with a winning season next year as that will be a huge improvement over this year.

[onceacat]

Vim I think that's a fair assessment, and you have a lot of knowledge in it so no argument from me. I do have some UND buddies who were pretty excited with their class as well. Do you not feel that way? Guess they got a couple of studs from Minnesota and beat out the bison for them.

The fan board is very impressed with our recruits this year. Actually the defense secondary is our strength in this class. 3 safeties over 6' 2" with speed. 2 CB one made 1st team in Minnesota. our need was secondary and OL and we added more length, size and speed. This will give us depth that was sorely needed last year. It cost us 2 games for sure and a spot in the playoffs.

I haven't looked at the whole league but have watched both the Bobcats and the Griz. I think all three schools have very good recruits. I very impressed with the new coach for the Bobcats.

I think the Big Sky will be very strong and a few teams should made deep runs into the playoffs.

We all hope so, but I think most of us will be content with a winning season next year as that will be a huge improvement over this year.

I'm 95% certain we would have had a winning season next year with Ash. Its called reverting to the mean. With the LBs and DBs getting a year more experience, natural growth would have easily taken the Cats to 6-5 or 7-4. The question is if Choate and co can improve on that. The standard has been set: 7-4 with a loss in the 1st round is unacceptable.