Numbers Crunch: Big Ten slips, Miss. States rise
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An impending coaching change can destroy a recruiting class. In this case, it may have the Wolverines easily setting an all-time low. Of course, a class can be partially salvaged with the right hire, but digging out of the current hole will be a chore. Michigan finished 31st in last year's recruiting rankings. Before that, it's previous low was a No. 21 finish in 2011.
Michigan's hire will need to make an Orca whale-sized splash in order to salvage Signing Day.
9
Mississippi State's highest ever finish in the Rivals.com recruiting rankings.
According to the College Football Playoff committee, the Bulldogs are the No. 1 team in America. The program's standing on the field and place in the national conversation could help propel it to a historic recruiting year, but Dan Mullen and Co. will need to make some noise the rest of the way in order to break a school record.
The Bulldogs' 2003 class included five-stars Deljuan Robinson (tackle) and Quinton Culberson (linebacker), both of whom experienced short-lived NFL careers. Mississippi State ranks No. 11 in 2015 rankings, but with more than three months until National Signing Day, a jump is not out of the question by any means. Success tends to compound in college football, so topping 2003's finish is within reach.
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Years Clemson has landed a prospect ranked in Florida's top 25, the longest active streak of any non-Florida school.
Wide receiver Deon Cain is another elite Florida prospect headed to Clemson.
The fact that South Carolina doesn't border Florida makes the streak more impressive. The Tigers' run of success with elite Florida talent started in 2011, when they landed three of the state's top 10 players. Linebacker Tony Steward (No. 2), Wide receiver Sammy Watkins (No. 5) and running back Mike Bellamy (no. 2) all signed with Clemson in February of 2011. The Signing of wide receiver Artavis Scott (No.9) last year pushed the streak to four seasons.
Clemson's streak will likely extend to five years come February, as the Tigers currently hold commitments from athlete Ray-Ray McCloud III (No. 8), wide receiver Deon Cain (No. 10), lineman Jake Fruhmorgen (No. 18) and tight end Garrett Williams (No. 22).
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Commitments for Florida out of the current top 25 prospects in the state.
Orange is the new orange in the way that, at least on the recruiting trail, Clemson is the new Florida.
The reasons for UF's in-state struggles don't need to be further explored, obviously. Will Muschamp's job is in jeopardy and so too is his recruiting class. That's how these things tend to go, after all. The fact that struggling Texas, Muschamp's old employer, has more commitments from top 25 Florida players (one) than the one-time in-state power probably stings a little.
134
Career touchdown passes for Purdue quarterback commit Elijah Sindelar.
Sindelar, a senior at Kentucky's Caldwell County High School, broke the state record for career touchdown passes over the weekend. Sindelar passed former No. 1 overall draft pick Tim Couch, who set the previous record of 130 in 1995, and Ricky Bowling, formerly of South Laurel High School.
Sindelar, who garnered a total of five scholarship offers, committed to Purdue in February.
2
Big 12 wins in Iowa State's last 14 tries.
Paul Rhoads is everyone's favorite coach. He cried on tape in the locker room after an upset win early in his tenure and won the hearts of everyone in the process. He's great with the media and a genuinely likable person. He also may be a talented head football coach, but people are, for good reason, starting to get restless in Ames.
Rhoads has qualified for a bowl game three times since taking over the program prior to the 2009 season, but a 3-9 finish a year ago combined with a 2-6 start to 2014 is the kind of thing that can get a coach that has never come close to contending for a league title in some hot water. Rhoads has built a lot of good will with his demeanor over the years, and his spectacular reputation off the field is probably the reason his seat isn't that hot.
Turns out, being likeable is still worth something. And that's refreshing. Problem is, the Cyclones' recruiting ranking of 68 says it isn't worth all that much to high school prospects. That issue may soon compound Rhoads' problems.
Rob Cassidy
Midlands/Southwest Recruiting Analyst
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