Quote:I am a stat geek so let me preface by saying yes I know that recruiting is a akin to alchemy in a lot of people's minds. But it IS the off-season and National Signing Day is our next milestone. So I have been perusing ESPN recruiting and seeing how we're doing and how we stack up to other programs. I like ESPN’s player rankings rather than the star system that Rivals and Scout uses because ESPN gives you an actual player grade and also specifies if the player is ranked in the Top 250 nationally at his position, and if applicable if the player is one of the Top 150 players nationally overall.

As of last Friday (Dec 16th) we have 19 commits of which 10 are ESPN ranked commits at their individual positions, that is commits that grade out to 60 or higher.

Where does that rank us in the CAA if it holds until National Signing Day? #1

How about in FCS? #1

To give you an idea of what we're talking about here take a look at our CAA conference mates. James Madison has 11 commits or which 6 are ranked. Old Dominion has 6 commits of which 5 are ranked. Everyone else in the CAA has far less than that. How about South Alabama which enters FBS play in the Sun Belt play next year? 11 commits overall of which 7 are ranked. UTSA which enters FBS play in the WAC, has 2 commits which are both ranked.

Speaking of the Sun Belt, FIU and Arkansas State have the best classes so far as you would expect. FIU has 20 commits with 13 ranked. Arkansas State has 15 commits with 14 ranked. North Texas often mentioned as a CUSA finalist has 15 commits of which 9 are ranked. What about the 9 remaining members of CUSA? (might as not even talk about the three headed to BE because they are killing it now that they are AQ)

Marshall 13/12

ECU 11/7

Memphis 7/6

Rice 23/12

SoMiss 22/20 and 1 ESPN 150 commit

Tulane 10/8

Tulsa 20/13

UAB 16/13

UTEP 8/6

So as you can see, even though its early we are absolutely killing it. Even the AJC is taking notice this atypical recruiting style. The striking thing is that we are obviously not recruiting like or for FCS. FCS schools generally start recruiting late and are content with FBS leftovers. We are so far ahead of even what the CAA (The best conference in FCS) is doing right now. This is absolutely a statement class.

Just for giggles, Georgia Tech? 14/14. Georgia Southern 4/3



National Signing Day February 1, 2012.