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[2023] Recruiting Class Grades Batch 3


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It's that time of year again! Time to hand out recruiting class grades!

This is the third batch, and I have like 30 more teams to do so don't worry I'll (eventually) do you if you want me to

A quick note: everything should be explanatory, but the rankings are: ESPN and Rivals per the interface along with 247, Ezaco's SSEC rankings are without regional bonuses, and the top-15 versions are just taking into account the top-15 croots signed. Average Rank tosses out high and low ranks and averages remainder

 

Today's: @TuscanSota @Vivid @mahrowkeen

 

:washingtonstate:

Washington State University

Pacific-12 Conference

2022: 6-8 (6-4)

Last Years Class: C-

 

 

Recruiting Class Basics:

WAST signed a 5-star, 7 4-stars, 10 3-stars, 4 2-star and 3 1-stars. They signed 11 players with B or higher potential and 2 players with B overalls. Rankings info below:

 

 

ESPNRivals247247-15SSECSSEC-15
241211163824

 

Average Rank: 19

Signees below:

 

 

TeamNameStarsOvrPotPosArchetypeCityState
WASTJoseph Reid4C+B-CRun BlockingCulver CityCA
WASTMy Aguada4C+C+CBZone CoveragePascoWA
WASTJames Ashton3CC+CBZone CoverageNewarkOH
WASTFloyd Copley3CCCBBall HawkGig HarborWA
WASTAdan Cora4C+BDEBalancedRenoNV
WASTStuart Caltabiano3CB-DERun StopperToledoWA
WASTBogdan Smith2DB+DEBalancedMercer IslandWA
WASTMario Pimentel3CB+DTBalancedAnaheimCA
WASTJohn Allison1DFDTNose TackleSpokane ValleyWA
WASTJohn Longway1DFFBBalancedEugeneOR
WASTLouis Smith4C+BFSRun StopperNicevilleFL
WASTJoseph Spurlin4C+C-ILBField GeneralEverettWA
WASTTimothy Jolly3CB+ILBRun StopperSugar CityID
WASTWilliam Mitchell3CCOGRun BlockingFerndaleWA
WASTJeffrey Sell3CB-OGRun BlockingChesterNJ
WASTTony Crowley5BCOLBPass RushOrlandoFL
WASTDonald Johnson3CBOLBPass RushPleasant GroveUT
WASTChris Cui4B-B+OTBalancedSammamishWA
WASTDean Wall4C+B-OTRun BlockingCummingGA
WASTKenneth Owens2CB-OTRun BlockingFairbanksAK
WASTRandy Gregory1DFPBalancedSnohomishWA
WASTJohn Kilgore3CBQBBalancedWashingtonDC
WASTJeffrey Seals2DARBSpeedPowayCA
WASTWilliam Kennedy3CA-TEReceivingRainierOR
WASTMauricio Rodriguez2DBTEVertical ThreatVancouverWA

 

 

Below is a breakdown position-by-position of (from L-R) their current roster, what they did on the trail, and the grade I gave them in recruiting that position.

 

 

PosCurrentCurrent situation# SignedRecruiting StatusCroot Grade
CCA B overall RS Soph is a good place to be in for center, especially with a B potential. Dude should be in line for 3 years worth of starts1Signed a 4 star with B- potential here who should take the RS and be the heir apparent to Hemingway. C position on lockB
CBBThe shophomore and junior classes are really showing out here. Their B+ overall senior unfortunately is a scheme mismatch, but the 4 Sophs / Jr.s consist of a pair of 2 stars who have had great progression to B- overall and a pair of 4 stars at B and A- overall. Very solid room overall here but probably needs some more talent soon3Very good incoming group with a 4 and a pair of 3s. Also doing a nice job keeping the theme of mix and matching zone coverage and Ball hawking guysB-
DEB-Solid talent here as well. The seniors look good and behind them there are some more B overalls with Terrence Shittu from last year not looking so shitty as he is a B- overall now. He was still their only signee last year so they probably need 2 or 3 here for numbers3Read my mind. Snagged the blue chipper balanced Adan Cora on one end and then some good development prospects with a 3 and 2 star who should grow over timeC+
DTC+Alfredo Joe (is this really his name) is an absolute stud, potentially the best player on the whole roster. Behind him you've got a Gerber who's a B overall Junior and looks real good as well. Past that though there is not a whole lot, so once Alfredo leaves they may be scrambling for depth until their underclassmen develop2A 3 star with B+ potential is going to be quite good in the long run, and I don't care at all about the local kid who walked on. Not exactly a home run signing but I'd be satisfied here if I were WASTC
FBB+They have a great senior starting blocking FB, and last cycle they redshirted a blue chip B+ potential rushing back. Few teams in the country have as good a room here1They took a walkon I assume cause this guy is ass my dudeD
FSB-They have two juniors with B overalls so this and next year are going to be pretty good. Of course they didn't sign anybody last cycle so they definitely need to look for someone this year1And a big hit here as they add a B potential 4-star all the way from Florida. Louis is a hard hitting run stopper which is a different dimension from the current coverage guys but he'll get two years to develop before his chance to startB
ILBC-Yuck, this room is very much not good right now. They have only signed one player each of the last 3 cycles. I suppose if they're going to be running a 4-3 you don't need a ton of ILBs, but when the best player in the room is a sophomore 3 star with a C overall / B potential you know you had some recruiting misses. Look for them to step it up here2Again, I'm impressed by the crooting plan so far. They signed a Field general 4 star from in-state, and went to Idaho to find a high potential run stopper as well. This should turn the room from a hole to a strengthB
KCPretty average room I think. A pair of juniors, one of them is pretty not good, the other is B+ overall. Probably this is the year to sign a development prospect0They passed. I guess it's not the biggest issue since they can get one next year (or have David Ross fill in), but it means they'll be looking for a really good prospect next cycle instead of a development playerC-
OGBA room that trends upwards over time. Their 2 best players are B overalls from the last two recruiting cycles, and Robert Tartt was one of last years best signings (B overall, A potential 4 star run blocker). They have good depth in the pipeline too, solid room overall2Adding another two floor guys in a pair of 3 stars bolsters this room even furtherC
OLBCCameron Humphrey has the nice A- overall, but this is his last year. The other two in this room are very bad and should hopefully not play much if WAST is lucky2Big position of need and Toucan delivered. A pair of pass rushing specialists, Tony Crowley was the 5 star mega prospect out of Florida while Donald Johnson was a run of the mill 3 from Utah. This addition was sorely needed and helps keep next year from looking disastorousA
OTC+The upperclassmen are pretty mediocre, and this was a position they hit hard last cycle, signing 3 players, with Terry Parry having the best name and the best progression as he's a B- now. 3Hm, taking 6 OTs in 2 years is a little excessive for my taste, but can't argue with getting available talent this year. Chris Cui was from the same town as last years signee Trae VanVleet and perhaps that's why they signed Trae as Chris was one of the best OT prospects in the country (B overall, B+ potential). They also picked up another 4 star run blocker and then a 2 star from Fairbanks, AK. Lots of talent now to sort outA-
PA+They have David Ross, what more needs to be said about the kid?1Local kid Randy Gregory idolized Ross, and Toucan must've felt bad for him as he somehow earned one of the limited 25 scholarships as a walk on. He's trash though so maybe he's just Ross's personal assistantD
QBC-They haven't quite figured out the QB position. Anfernee Rutledge is a Field General senior who isn't particularly great at throwing the ball but there aren't really any better options. They signed an A- potential scrambler last season who redshirted and didn't progress much. They are probably going to be going big for a QB this year1Not sure if there was any particular QB they were after who they didn't sign because he went to another program, but that would be a bit of a stinging loss because they are thoroughly mediocre at the most important position still. John Kilgore is a fine QB. Balanced, 3 star, B potential, but I know the Cougs wanted someone betterC-
RBCTJ Suggs is a pretty good player and quite fast, but behid him is a little meh. next year they should have some more of the same, but Max Corbin is the only underclassman rostered and I am thoroughly unimpressed by him1I am also not really impressed by Jeffrey Seals. I suppose he has high potential, but RB is a position that could've at least used a 3 starD+
SSB-They've got a junior stud run stopper hailing from in-state who was a 4 star prospect and now a B+ overall and potential A next year. Behind him they signed a 3 star B- potential kid last year who is the future by default0Didn't bring in anyone, which I guess isn't the worst with Corbin having redshirtedC
TEB-A powerful 1-2 punch of blue chip prospects who have A- and B+ overalls. Nobody else rostered though beyond last years 3 star who took a redshirt. They probably need some more depth2I almost said two receiving weapons but I wouldn't really call Mauricio a weapon. A 2 star D overall B potential is 100% filler for a team with WASTs ambitions. Kennedy Willaims though is a future baller with his A- potentialC
WRC-I'm confused by this roster comp. 4 junior eligibility guys (all developed pretty well), and then a single signee last year with B- potential. They need some more players for sure0Big big miss here. Signing even 1 or 2 throway 2/3 star WRs would've been contributors considering what this room will look like in 2 years. Very disappointingD

 

 

WAST had some ups and downs this cycle. For the most part they were bang on the money, landing the "must sign" players, upgrading talent in position groups, anticipating future roster holes. They got some high quality upper-end talent as well and the roster definitely improved because of this year. The lows though definitely sting a little. No kicker is excusable, although apparently they had room for an absolute trash punter. The biggest misses though were the most visible positions. They have some ok guys at QB but nobody special. They didn't sign any big RB prospects either, and having no WR croots at all is baffling. The rest of the roster looks to be a future conference championship contender, but it is very very clear what WAST will be desperately going after next year

 

Class Grade: C+

 

 

 

:houston:

University of Houston

American Athletic Conference

2022: 7-6(4-4)

Last Years Class: A-

 

 

Recruiting Class Basics:

HOU signed 7 4-stars, 14 3-stars, 3 2-star and 1 1-stars. They signed 8 players with B or higher potential and 5 players with B overalls. Rankings info below:

 

 

ESPNRivals247247-15SSECSSEC-15
1591313910

 

Average Rank: 11.25

Signees below:

 

 

SchoolNameStarsOvrPotPosArchetypeCityState
HOUMichael Sweeney4B-C+CBMan CoverageLexingtonTX
HOUChristopher Morse2CC+CBMan CoverageRichmondTX
HOUJorge Garcia4C+CDESpeed RusherTomballTX
HOUGregory Harris1DB+DEBalancedTuscolaTX
HOUArthur Jacobs3CCDTPass RusherReserveLA
HOUBenjamin Dunlap4B-C+FSBall HawkPearlandTX
HOUBryon Oremland3CB+ILBRun StopperManvelTX
HOUNicholas Neff2CCILBField GeneralGainesvilleFL
HOUDonald Beverage3CBKPowerGreensboroNC
HOUMario Rivera3CC+OGRun BlockingOrange ParkFL
HOUDavid Martinez3CC+OGPass BlockingPhoenixAZ
HOUTerrel Bernard4B-B+OLBSpeedLa PorteTX
HOURobert Villar4B-COTPass BlockingHoustonTX
HOUBradley Day3CBOTPass BlockingTampaFL
HOUJose Torres3CCOTPass BlockingBoerneTX
HOUHerman Brown3CC+PAccuracySpring BranchTX
HOUJim Kantor4C+CQBScramblerSt. JohnsMI
HOUSolomon Reif3CB-RBSpeedNew CaneyTX
HOUSteven Manders3CD+SSBall HawkMillingtonMI
HOUEdward Aguilar3CB-TEReceivingMissouri CityTX
HOURalph Martin2DATEVertical ThreatGrants PassOR
HOUGeorge Williams4B-CWRSpeedWest CovinaCA
HOUDonald Mckenzie3C+B+WRPossesionShallowaterTX
HOUJose Jimenez3CBWRRoute RunnerLexingtonTX
HOUEdward Austin3CC+WRPossesionFort WhiteFL

 

 

 

 

Below is a breakdown position-by-position of (from L-R) their current roster, what they did on the trail, and the grade I gave them in recruiting that position.

 

 

PosCurrentCurrent status# SignedClass StatusClass Grade
CB-Pretty sweet setup here.Their senior is holding down this year with a B+ overall, while last year they redshirted a blue chip, B overall B potential prospect who will be a phenomenal 3-year starter for them0Didn't sign one, but didn't really need toC
CBA-extremely strong group here. They have multiple A- starters, a lot of B overall depth, 3 4-star prospects, including signing two B overalls last cycle who got redshirted. Overall, this is going to be an extremely strong position group with a ton of ball hawks and Man coverage players2After signing two 4-stars last cycle plus a throwaway 2, they signed another B overall man corner this cycle to keep a strong room going forwards (plus a who cares 2 star again)B
DEB-A ton of redshirts here, as this room basically is filled with extra eligibility which they need as they have 4 3-stars with B potential who have extra years to develop. In addition, Sean Lee is an A overall senior who can show the rest of the room how to play well. Last year was a bit disappointing though with a 3 star and 1 star (who they wasted a RS on?) 2A bit better class this year as they still signed a bad 1 star, but paired him with a 4 star speed rusher who should be the most talented guy in the roomC
DTBThis is a huge team strength as they have a senior 5 star A overall along with a 4 star junior and then a 4 star B potential that they signed last year. Very, very good group here with a lot of high end talent1They only signed one guy, but he's a serviceable 3 so it's fine considering their haul last seasonC
FBCThey have a solid senior and then nothing else, guess they want to phase out the FB0Didn't sign any-
FSCTop of this room is mediocre at best. Luckily they signed a B overall man coverage guy last year along with an A- potential 3 star as the future of the room. Stephon Leonard was clutch to keep this room from being trash1Added another blue chipper ball hawk this cycle who they'd be wise to RS and get a few years of seperationB
ILBB-Strong signees but not many of them. They'll run a 4-3 though so not a big deal. Jordan Niang is going to be one of the X factors for this season in the middle of the field, and DeMar Taylor was a great signing last year who should become a very good player2Stocked up a little here with 2 players (albeit kind of average). Good depth thoughC
KCB- junior but I wouldn't expect him to progress much. They probably should sign somebody this cycle so he has some development time1And they do. Above average 3 is good enough at K for meC+
OGB-They have great progression at the top of the depth chart here plus a fantastic class last year with a B overall 4 and two very high potential 3s.2Added two more, both depth players in comparison to last class. Not a huge deal since they know have 5 guards with freshman eligibilityC
OLBC-The seniors are... fine but nothing special. They have a pair of redshirted sophomores who are similarly underwhelming. Last year they added a 4 and a 3 star who will eventually be an upgrade for this room1Added only one player but he was a great addition as a 4 star B overall B+ potential, this was a top-5 caliber player at the position. Great signingA-
OTCJust like the OLB, the players are a hodgepodge of 2 and 3 stars who have not reallyyy panned out super well with the exception of Geronimo Lewis, a run blocking RS SO who has hit B+ overall already. Last years class wasn't the best here3Three signings here all better than last years as they add all pass blockers including a 4 star B overall who can walk into the 2-deep alreadyB
PC-Their starter is bad and he's the only player on the roster1A future upgrade as this 3 star is already almost the better option. Solid workC
QBB-Trevon Cothran took a red shirt so has 2 years to play and had a fantastic progression to A- overall. He's almost certainly the starter with Dwight Kearse playing backup / film room genius. Last year they signed an ok field general who should pan out but likely not for more than his senior year. 1This year they signed a 4 star scrambler out of Michigan who is quite athletic but needs a lot of polishing in his passing before he should start for a team this solidC+
RBBA lot of speed in this room as speed back Moises Walker is an A- overall with a B+ RS SO waiting in the wings for the future. In addition they signed one of the best RB croots last season in Casey Gallon who was a 4 star with B+ potential. Nice assemblage here1Added another speed back in 3 star Soloman Reif who has good potential and is another example of a room with a very high standardC+
SSB-Kostas Barlow is a good thumper in the back end but it's sparse apart from him with the exception of last years signee Christian Rose who has A- potential1Their signee this year doesn't quite live up to the talent currently in the room but certainly wasn't a bad signing as he wasn't expected to overtake last years signingC-
TECEach year they'e signed a solid if not spectacular 3 star. 3 TEs is probably not enough if they want to make heavy use of the position, but they are all more than capable receiving threats who can play well when necessary2Adding two players is great for numbers, and they follow the same trend of solid not spectacular players at the positionC
WRBA lotttt of solid players in this room. a 4 star prospect plus 5 more 3 stars has the room playing well with a ton of different options and archetypes to choose from44 signees?? That's stocking this room for sure especially with a B overall and two who have B potentials. They are certainly well set for the future nowB

 

 

 

This was not a bad class, but it's hard not to look at it in a slightly disappointing light considering how strong last years class was. Luckily they still signed some game changers, and they didn't have many misses. Plus with redshirts and last years class, this years crops were unlikely to be relied on at any position so overall it's fine. Reallyyy tough to live up to high standards the program creates

 

Class Grade: B-

 

 

 

 

:baylor:

Baylor University

Big 12 Conference

2022: 9-5 (7-3)

Last Years Class: B-

 

 

Recruiting Class Basics:

BAYL signed 2 5-stars, 10 4-stars, 4 3-stars, and 9 1-stars. They signed 5 players with B or higher potential and 6 players with B overalls. Rankings info below:

 

 

ESPNRivals247247-15SSECSSEC-15
333203272

 

Average Rank: 13.25

Signees below:

 

 

NameStarsOvrPotPosArchetypeCityState
Dennis Baskin1DCCLine CaptainAledoTX
Antonio Villasenor4B-CCBBall HawkOcoeeFL
Daniel Eckmann4B-CCBMan CoverageWellingtonFL
Stanley Mangosing3CCCBMan CoverageNaplesFL
Michael Baisden1DADEBalancedFort WorthTX
Thomas Lewis1DFDEBalancedArlingtonTX
Michael Lohman1DC+DTNose TackleRowlettTX
Michael Sayle1DA+DTPass RusherAustinTX
Mikael Boyd3CC+FBBlockingNorth MiamiFL
Shawn Spencer1DC+FSMan CoverageJustinTX
John Kwiecien5BC+ILBRun StopperGastonNC
David Ruiz4C+C+KAccuracyOrangeCA
John Raymond5B+D+OGPass BlockingConwaySC
Joey Harper4C+C+OGRun BlockingBrantleyAL
Daniel Siverly4C+COLBPass RushTampaFL
Andrew Stinson4B-COTBalancedWinderGA
Gustavo Johnson4B-COTRun BlockingSan AugustineTX
Joel Ruben3CC+PPowerPaceFL
Charles Finlay4C+CQBBalancedGilmerTX
Mark Howell1DB+QBScramblerCarrolltonTX
Jermaine Lewis3CCRBBalancedFlossmoorIL
Luis Brusuelas4B-CSSMan CoverageNew Smyrna BeachFL
Scott Aho1DB+TEReceivingMartTX
Donald Masterson4C+C+WRRed Zone ThreatAbbevilleAL
Rudy Eisenhour1DA-WRRed Zone ThreatVanTX

 

 

 

Below is a breakdown position-by-position of (from L-R) their current roster, what they did on the trail, and the grade I gave them in recruiting that position.

 

 

PosCurrent RoomCurrent Status# SignedCrooting StatusCroot Grade
CB+Chris Watkins is a RS SO and already has A- potential? That is a lock down road grader in the middle of the line for the next 3 years so they are firmly positioned for success1Added a walk on 1 star. Hopefully he doesn't matter for the teamC-
CBBThey have a ton ton ton of talent in the room but a lot of it is kneecapped due to scheme mismatches as I'm a little unsure whether they are better positioned as a man or zone team. No denying the talent with 4 players at B+ or above overalls. Unfortunately after this years seniors graduate they haven't signed a ton of cohesive pieces to step in yet3Ok well now they did. A pair of B overall players: ball hawk and man coverage are a huge bump for the room as instant impact players. They also added a 3 star for good measure as they preemptively address this possible future issueA-
DEB+Another extremely deep room featuring no seniors and 3 4-star prospects, the Dline is heavily focused on run stoppers. The class last year was pretty strong and overall they have a great pipeline of talent going2Uhhh a pair of 1 star walkons? Ew. The only thing these guys are doing is messing with all the calculations of average talent per team. SadC-
DTC+Really sparse here: only 3 players, but the two junior eligibility guys have enough talent to hold their own for the next two years. They just have almost no depth2Another room with 2 bad walkons?? What a hold when you project the roster. They certainly need some good DTs next yearD
FBB-They have an A- junior Balanced player which is quite good at this position. He is starting to get old though, so it may be time to start grooming his replacement1This is that guy. He's a blocker so won't have a lot of glory but is a good team-first lunchpail kind of playerC+
FSBTwo players rostered, both B+ overalls, one a RS Soph. Luckily they only need one good starter here but they probablyyy need to sign at least one dude for depth purposes1Well.. This is basically the same as not signing a guy as he would be garbage depth. Why so many walkonsD
ILBB+A really deep room here which they need with having so few DT options. The number one player is last years 5-star signee Kevin Cole who is a B+ overall and will dominate for several years1Wow wow wow, a second 5-star at one position? The middle of this defense will be SO STOUT with Kwiecien and Cole. Amazing recruiting work here as they build the defense from the inside outA
KC+One K has been signed each class but none of them have really panned out that well. Meh1Continued the trend except they signed a 4-star this year representing the most talent availableB
OGC+A lot of players but they're all of the 2 and 3 star variety without having fantastic progressions. Best player was last years A+ potential signing who didn't progress as much as you'd think but represents a lot of hope2Wowww another haul here. John Raymond is a star pass blocker who snagged the 5 star designation and is actually the best option they have so should get immediate starting time. They also added a 4 star for good measure leading to 4 years of potential studdageA
OLBB-A couple of B overall 3 stars have this room being ok, but nowhere near the ILB standards. Last year they added a really good B overall coverage player who took a RS and can start for years.1They added another 4 star this year which adds some solid talent here. Nice ickupB-
OTB7/7 players are 3-stars, and 4 of them have B+ overalls. I'm impressed by the options they have available even if they don't have a superstar currently (although Cory Escalona certainly looks good). 2They added two B overall 4-stars who represent that next step up super-star potential playersA
PB+Last year they signed a 4 star player who has progressed to a B overall and will be a multiple year starter. Very solid room1Added a depth piece 3 sar in case last years guy gets hurt. FineC
QBA-Travis Knebel is one of the best QBs in the nation and has 2 more years of starting time. Super, super good at the top of the depth chart. As for the QBOTF: he likely is not yet signed as I don't really believe Alex Johnson is gonna be the guy2Charles Finlay certainly has the possibiltiy of being the guy even if he isn't Knebel-levelB-
RBB+A lot of B+ overall options so far on the roster, and the best is RS SO Shareece Hinojosa speed back who can play for several years. last years signees were alright1Adding another average 3 star, nothing real special to write aboutC
SSB-Garrett Smith is an extremely good player and has lived up to his 5-star billing. Unfortunately this is his last year and the only other option is a bad 2-star the year below him. Probably need to seek his replacement ASAP1They did add a great option for the future. Luis Brusuelas was a heated battle if I recall correctly and one of the few that Baylor came out ahead on. B overall means he'll be more than competent to take the reins next yearB+
TEC+A bunch of slightly above average 3s in this room. Plenty of options but no standouts1Added a walk on. I don't care about himD
WRB+No seniors meaning all 3 of the B+ and above overalls will return next year. They also have star power with Tyler Prochnow being a 5-star stud.2They added a good 4-star red zone threat and another walkon, overall this is going to be a very solid room for yearsC+

 

 

OOF. Baylor got hit hard with bad luck in decisions and added way more walkons than they would've liked. A shame too as this was shaping up to be a top-3 class. They signed some absolute stars in a lot of areas and several rooms were home runs. Unfortunately several more were duds and they are going to need to perform some damage control in next years cycle to make up for those misses. Overall though this is still a really good roster that should position them to continue competing for conference titles and playoff bids for years to come

Class Grade: B

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