[Dickle Me Elmo]

Unsolicited brief Op-Ed:

I see a lot of people get bent out of shape (especially here in Baton Rouge) about star ratings. They get all worked up whenever they see a "three-star" guy commit, when they think the coach should only offer "four and five star guys". Well, here's a little perspective on talent level versus star ratings:

LSU is widely considered to have one of the most talented teams in the nation this season. With all that talent, you would expect a lot of four and five star guys, right? See for yourself:

Offense: (star rankings according to Rivals.com to the side)

Matt Flynn 4
Keiland Williams 5
Jacob Hester 2
Early Doucet 5
Brandon LaFell 3
Ciron Black 3
Brett Helms 3
Will Arnold 4
Herman Johnson 4
Carnell Stewart 4
Keith Zinger 3

Defense:

Glenn Dorsey 4
Marlon Favorite 4
Tyson Jackson 3
Tremaine Johnson 4
Darry Beckwith 4
Ali Highsmith 3
Luke Sanders 4
Chevis Jackson 3
Johnathan Zenon 3
Craig Steltz 4
Curtis Taylor 3

You can see that on each side of the ball, LSU has five guys rated "three-star" or less. It would be interesting to view other team rosters and find out how many "three star or less" players are starters. I think with the exception of USC and maybe Florida, you'll find much of the same as LSU this year. Anyway, I just think that people should care less about the subjectiveness of "star-ratings" and more about potential and, more importantly, the fact that these guys want to play for and represent your school.

Except for one-star players. They suck.

[Bulldog Bry]

I would agree with you, but then we would have nothing to do the rest of the year. I mean, how else could we come up with ways to call each other names were it not for recruiting rankings?

(rep for 1 star player comment)

[GatorNation]

Usually when that fear exists, it's because the fans don't have confidence in the coaching staff to recognize and develop talent.

It's just a guess, but I think most fans are like that....at least that's the initial reflex when you have a bunch of higher-rated guys on your board.

[KillerNut]

While most 5 star players end up being great in college, 4 stars are descent for the most part, but I have seen some 3 star players that have turned out to be great. The whole rating thing is overrated but it is just a way for the scouts to translate how good a recruit is into the fans perspective.

[shanksta13]

Here is Florida's projected starting lineup with recruiting ranks:

QB Tim Tebow - 5
RB Kestahn Moore - 3
WR Andre Caldewll - 5
WR Percy Harvin - 5
TE Cornelius Ingram - 4
OT Phil Trautwein - 3
OG Jim Tartt - 3
C Drew Miller - 4
OG ? - 5 (probably one of the Pounceys, Wilson or Carl Johnson all are 5)
OT Carlton Medder - 3

DE Jermaine Cunningham - 4
DT Torrey Davis - 5
DT Brandon Antwine - 4
DE Derrick Harvey - 5
OLB AJ Jones - 4
MLB Brandon Spikes - 5
OLB Dustin Doe - 4
CB Marihke Anderson - 3
FS Tony Joiner - 3
SS Kyle Jackson - 4
CB Wondy Pierre-Louis - 2

Wondy Pierre-Louis is a current best guess at CB, it could very easily be 4 star Markus Manson or 5 star Joe Haden.

[Dickle Me Elmo]

Originally Posted by shanksta13

OLB Dustin Doe - 4

Is he still on the team? What happened with this kid?

[GatorHunter]

Originally Posted by Dickle Me Elmo

Is he still on the team? What happened with this kid?

Charges were dropped...the fight was ruled self-defense...Doe vs 3 and Doe won.

[GatorHunter]

I agree somewhat about the rankings.....but more often than not, a 5-star player develops into "at least" a decent player...many 4 and 3 star players fail to do even that. I think the rankings are more "telling" on the high end rather than the low end.

[shanksta13]

Originally Posted by GatorHunter

I agree somewhat about the rankings.....but more often than not, a 5-star player develops into "at least" a decent player...many 4 and 3 star players fail to do even that. I think the rankings are more "telling" on the high end rather than the low end.

I agree completely on the 5 star thing. Look at our guys that were 5 stars; all have either already developed into great players or have shown signs that it is soon to happen.

[Dickle Me Elmo]

Originally Posted by GatorHunter

Charges were dropped...the fight was ruled self-defense...Doe vs 3 and Doe won.

Damn!

[reese]

georgia's projected starters with star ratings (i got bored so i came back and added the backups)

qb-matt stafford 5...... joe cox 3
rb-kregg lumpkin 5..... thomas brown 4
fb-brannon southerland 4..... shaun chapas 3
wr-mo massaquoi 4...... aj bryant 4
wr- sean bailey 4...... mikey henderson 2
te-tripp chandler 3...... naderris ward 4
ot-trinton sturnivant 4..... vince vance 3
ot-chester adams 3...... justin anderson 4
og-chris davis 3...... josh davis 3
og-scott havercamp 3..... tanner strickland 3
c-fernando velasco 3..... kevin perez 3

de- rod battle 4...... jeremy lomax 3
de- marcus howard 3..... jarius wynn 4
dt-kade weston 4...... geno atkins 4
dt-jeff owens 4....... ricardo crawford 3
olb-darius dewberry 4...... akeem dent 4
olb-dannell ellerbe 4...... darryl gamble 3
mlb-brandon miller 5..... marcus washington 4
cb-bryan evans 4..... prince miller 4
cb-asher allen 4...... thomas flowers 3
rover- kelin johnson 2..... quintin banks 4
fs- cj byrd 4...... reshad jones 5

a few players were ranked with stars at positions they dont even play anymore so i wouldnt think there stars meant anything at all

[reese]

just from lookin im wondering how lsu always gets called the most talented team. i bet that if u counted stars from florida and georgia's 2 deep that they would be every bit talented as lsu.

[GatorHunter]

Originally Posted by reese

just from lookin im wondering how lsu always gets called the most talented team. i bet that if u counted stars from florida and georgia's 2 deep that they would be every bit talented as lsu.

I've often wondered that myself, reese. LSU has no more "stars" on their team than UGA or UF...so, how is it the most talented team? Not to mention, they only return one proven WR...one proven DB...and have no more experience at QB than most of the SEC...hmmm.

[shanksta13]

Originally Posted by GatorHunter

I've often wondered that myself, reese. LSU has no more "stars" on their team than UGA or UF...so, how is it the most talented team? Not to mention, they only return one proven WR...one proven DB...and have no more experience at QB than most of the SEC...hmmm.

It's that cajun cookin' duh!

[hampdawgg]

Tennessee

QB: Ainge 4
RB: Coker 5
RB: Foster 3
WR: Hancock 3
WR: Oneal 5
WR: Vinson 5
WR: Taylor 4
TE: Brown 2
TE: Cottam 3
OL: McNeil 4
OL: Scott 4
OL: YOung 4
OL: Foster 3
OL: McClendon 4
DE: Mitchell 4
DE: Reynolds 3
DL: Bolden 4
DL: Mapu 5
LB: Mayo 4
LB: Karl 2
LB: McCoy 4
CB: Willingham 4
CB: Berry 5
CB: Johnson 3
FS: Hefney 4
SS: McKenzie 4

AVG. 3.8*