One of my favorite things to do after the recruiting class is all wrapped up is to look collectively at the 2 most recent classes to see how the youngest levels of the talent pipeline fit together. For tonight, I'm just posting the merged '15 and '16 classes, but tomorrow I'll try to share thoughts.
I've attempted to move players to where they might be expected to develop this season and beyond. It's obviously an inexact science, as it's not easy to tell who will stay at tackle vs. sliding inside to guard. Similarly, corners vs. safeties are just major guesswork. And MLB or OLB, similar challenge. But for relative positioning, this gives us an interesting look at the young talent. I've placed the '15 players higher within each position group except when a higher star rating '16 player is present. So this is sorted by star ranking and class. And of course, all listening are Rivals rankings and ratings.
What jumps out at you? Where are we stacked for the future? Where do we have depth but less star power? Where do we need to strike big in '17? Who needs to show something this year or risk being jumped by younger talent?
QB
I've attempted to move players to where they might be expected to develop this season and beyond. It's obviously an inexact science, as it's not easy to tell who will stay at tackle vs. sliding inside to guard. Similarly, corners vs. safeties are just major guesswork. And MLB or OLB, similar challenge. But for relative positioning, this gives us an interesting look at the young talent. I've placed the '15 players higher within each position group except when a higher star rating '16 player is present. So this is sorted by star ranking and class. And of course, all listening are Rivals rankings and ratings.
What jumps out at you? Where are we stacked for the future? Where do we have depth but less star power? Where do we need to strike big in '17? Who needs to show something this year or risk being jumped by younger talent?
QB
- Dwayne Haskins [#5 Pro-style QB, 4*]
- Joe Burrow [#24 Dual-threat QB, 3*]
- Mike Weber [#7 RB, 4*]
- Antonio Williams [#4 RB, 4*]
- DeMario McCall [#2 APB, 4*]
- Torrance Gibson [#15 Dual-threat QB, 4*]
- KJ Hill [#18 WR, 4*]
- Binjimen Victor [#18 WR, 4*]
- Austin Mack [#21 WR, 4*]
- Alex Stump [#44 WR, 3*]
- Jake Hausmann [#4 TE, 4*]
- Luke Farrell [#7 TE, 4*]
- Kierre Hawkins [#11 TE, 4*]
- AJ Alexander [unranked WR, 3*]
- Rashod Berry [#23 WSDE, 3*]
- Isaiah Prince [#4 OT, 4*]
- Kevin Feder [#11 OT, 4*]
- Grant Schmidt [#20 OT, 4*]
- Malcolm Pridgeon [JUCO unranked OT, 4*]
- Michael Jordan [#6 OT, 4*]
- Matthew Burrell [#10 OG, 4*]
- Tyler Gerald [#15 OG, 4*]
- Jack Wohlabaugh [#22 OG, 4*]
- Branden Bowen [unranked OT, 3*]
- Gavin Cupp [#30 OT, 3*]
- Nick Bosa [#2 SSDE, 5*]
- Jashon Cornell [#8 SSDE, 4*]
- Jonathon Cooper [#5 WSDE, 4*]
- Dre'Mont Jones [#14 SSDE, 4*]
- Malik Barrow [#27 DT, 4*]
- Robert Landers [#33 DT, 3*]
- DaVon Hamilton [unranked DT, 3*]
- Joshua Alabi [#24 SSDE, 3*]
- Keandre Jones [#6 OLB, 5*]
- Jerome Baker [#5 OLB, 4*]
- Tuf Borland [#24 OLB, 3*]
- Malik Harrison [#44 Athlete, 3*]
- Justin Hilliard [#3 ILB, 4*]
- Nick Conner [#8 ILB, 4*]
- Eric Glover-Williams [#7 Athlete, 4*]
- Wayne Davis [#25 CB, 4*]
- Denzel Ward [#60 CB, 3*]
- Josh Norwood [#45 CB, 3*]
- Damon Arnette [#51 CB, 3*]
- Rodjay Burns [unranked Athlete, 3*]
- Kareem Felder [unranked CB, 3*]
- Jordan Fuller [#34 S, 3*]
- Jahsen Wint [unranked Athlete, 3*]
- Liam McCullough [unranked C, 2*]
- Drue Chrisman [#5 K, 3*]
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