Recruiting Class Review 2007

For all the energy spent evaluating recruiting classes on singing day, I have always contended that the best time to evaluate them is when they are done...high on the truth scale, low on the immediate gratification scale.  Of course, you have to wait until the class is 5 years past so the guys who redshirt get their senior year in.

I use the following scale...

STAR--ALL MAC, top flight starter and producer, etc.
Starter--player in starting lineup consistently at some point in career.
Role Player--Corn McGrady type. #4 WR or special teams player. You get the idea.
Finished, no footprints. Completed eligibility without doing much.
Washed out--Did not finish career.

It is admittedly subjective, but they are broad categories too.  Obviously, if you see any of it differently, I'd be interested in hearing that.

Essentially, the end results of this class are a disaster.  There were 20 players announced on that day, and of those, 60% did not  finish their career as Falcons.  Nothing against the guys who did succeed, including 2 very good players and 5 other guys who were consistent starters...they were just badly outnumbered.  Also, of the 5 starters, 2 of them were JUCO special teams players, which is a shorter putt, in my opinion.

This was talked about a lot...but if you want to know why BG was 7-17 over the past two seasons, this is it.

I have actually compiled some statistical numbers tracking this over time...I do understand there will be some attrition, but a ratio of 7 stars/starters to 12 washouts is terrible.  BG has, in recent memory, and should in the future, generate 1.5 - 2 stars and starters for every player who washes out.

Two more notes:  Eric Ransom is in the wash out category only with my reluctance, because he heroically battled through injuries to try and play at this level...

And Glen Stanley...remember him?  Yeah, he started here before committing verbally to nearly a half dozen top programs (including USC and Florida State).  No idea how it turned out, but here is a little chronicle that captures the story, though it fails to mention his start as a Falcon.  Obviously a talented player with some flaws...

Anyway, here is how it all works out...

STAR (2)
Ben Bojicic
Willie Geter

Starter (5)

Kevin Alvarado

Adrian Hodges

Nick Iovinelli

Nick Torresso
Sinisa Vrvilo


Role Player (1)

Ray Hutson


Finished, no footprints (0)

Washed out (12)
Darren Branch
Nate Brown
Preston Burrell
Jerrson Davis
Josh Dodge
Andrew Johnson IV
Eric Ransom
Anthony Smith
Glen Stanley
Mark Wooldridge
Gary Wright
Christopher Young