In reply to: North Carolina is going to have a better class than us. posted by mocopdx
3 stars are easier to recruit than 4 stars.
On some of the ND sites, the recruiting guys are wondering why Elston doesn't have more luck signing 4-star DE's. Especially given that he seems to do a good job of coaching and developing the DE's he has had.
In the last 4 recruiting cycles--ND has signed only one 4-star DE.
You can't sign them if you don't really try. And Kelly & Company don't really try. I think the assistants take their cue from Kelly and take the easy path. That means they focus on the 3 stars.
That is why it is such an insult for Kelly to claim he is interested in "winning a title". His actions speak louder than his empty words. No coach interested in winning a title would take such an awful approach to recruiting.
The last 2 classes alone have (4) 4* recruits- Mills, Fosky, Nana, Cross. 247 Linked below.
In fact, in the same 2 classes, ND has signed only 1 3* DE, with Ehrensberger. So, 4 out of the last 5 DE signees were 4 star. Per 247 Sports.
But yes, the staff only takes 3 star defensive ends, because its easier.
To be clear: Nobody is saying the recruiting is remotely good enough. Top 15 classes, top 15 program. But lazily exaggerating everything over and over certainly doesn't help the conversation. I suggest anyone inclined to listen to Mike Frank's Power Hour this week. It was dedicated entirely to the '21 recruiting. Very honest and level-headed. Typical of Mike Frank and his guys.
it includes the #32 overall player in the 2021 class (ranked just 4 spots below Tyler Buchner) as well as the #344 overall player in the 2021 class.
The term is often used by fans and ND recruiting sites to puff up the recruit's status.
The South Bend Tribune, several weeks ago, ran these two headlines side by side:
"Clemson beats Notre Dame for four-star RB Will Shipley's commitment"
"Four-star CB Philip Riley commits to Notre Dame"
You've tried this before.
This was the comment in question:
"In the last 4 recruiting cycles--ND has signed only one 4-star DE. You can't sign them if you don't really try. And Kelly & Company don't really try. I think the assistants take their cue from Kelly and take the easy path. That means they focus on the 3 stars."
Preposterously inaccurate. 4 out of 5 of the last DEs ND signed are 4 star. Rivals has Spears as a DE too. So is it 5 out of 6? Such utter bullshit.
It makes using the term “4 star” asinine and meaningless.
Recruits have to be rated somehow. At least attempt to utilize accurate statistics.
The recruiting sites want paying fans’ credit cards being hit every month, and the best way to do that is to make every fanbase hopeful and excited for the future. So more “4 stars” equals more feel-good recruiting classes, more feel-good commits and recruiting chases for more fan bases. Stir in some false-hope articles, string folks along, then wash, rinse, repeat.
Their revenue model is based entirely on blowing sunshine up your ass. Added benefit is this model keeps them in good graces with the athletic departments who can hurt their business if they deny access. You’ll never see an article on a recruiting site about which commits are overrated, never a negative word.
A secondary benefit is more recruits allocated as “4 stars” means more engagement with the supply side, so to speak. More better players is simply good for business, even though it doesn’t really work that way. More interviews, PR/excitement around camps and “earning” another star.
A great marketing trap all the way around.
If you are looking for comparative research, I believe the best way is to use 247 Sports’ Composite ranking for overall team rankings and player rankings.
Defensive End recruiting, 2017-2021:
#962 Jonathan MacCollister
Unranked Kofi Wardlow
#545 Ovie Oghoufo
#630 Justin Ademilola
#211 Isaiah Foskey
#298 Nana Osafo-Mensah
#119 Jordan Botelho
#159 Rylie Mills
Unranked Alexander Ehrensberger
#336 David Abiara
#573 Jason Onye
By your own account the recruiting is not remotely good enough(quite true) and then you quibble with Mr.E and Hanratty.
Your lack of understanding is nothing if not consistent. See thread linked below.
Lazy, exaggerated, undefended and factually wrong "drive-by" posts don't exactly raise the discourse around here. But that's all part of the schtick I guess.
Remember, after one of the most embarrassing losses in school history in Ann Arbor last season (in which Elston's D-Line received a nice ass-pounding), all ND had to do was win out over a bunch of creampuffs and all would be well, per Kelly.
10 wins...if that's a stock, you'd buy it - per Kelly.
Admin and it's PR tentacles (Irish Illustrated, Irish Sports Daily, et al.) also constantly pound the "10-win" phraseology.
And the schedule has been modified to make it a fairly easy mark.
other four and you get ten wins.
...oh, hold on a sec....