So there's a lot of talk about the 3 stars bringing down our average. I think that begs the question as to what a realistic ideal class looks like at every position (including recruitments we already lost but in theory had a decent shot at) and how we measure up to that. I'll be generally operating off of Bodacious Bevo's position counts because I largely agree with it with a few changes.
Realistic Ideal
Offense
QB: Arch
RB: Baxter, Wisner
WR: Cook, Pettaway, Niblett, Hale, Greathouse
TE: Duce, Kaiuway, Randle
OL: Sewell, Heard, Deal, Robinson, Chatman, Reed
(17)
Defense
DL: Hicks, Spencer???
EDGE: Gullete, Shelby, Vasek
LB: Ant Hill, S'Maje, Lefau, +1
CB: Toviano, Malik, Matthews, Bell
S: Williams, Johnson
ATH: MHP
(16)
===
(33)
QB: nailed the realistic ideal with the best QB in the country and a true bellcow on the recruiting trail
RB: looks like we're in great position to nail the RB1 of the class and have a great RB2 behind him
WR: Got Cook and Niblett already. Going to lose Greenhouse to ND, oh well. Pettaway is still on the board. Hale is looking good, but has unknown character concerns or something causing schools to hesitate. Jonah Wilson seems ok enough, though had a weaker junior year production wise than I would have liked given his solid sophomore year post-conversion from QB to WR.
TE: If we somehow pull Duce it'll be incredible. If not. the TE class will be largely forgettable to me and I'll just hope 2 years from now they'll have been well coached and serve as a surprise breakout in their junior year.
OL: Not a huge fan of Stroh or Goosby, but with no counters it isn't the worst idea to offer them a spot and see what level they can get to. Cojoe is young but has potential as well, but isn't on the same level as the ideals either. Chatman was a great get though and I trust Flood on these evals way more than I trust myself or scouts. Heard seems to be trending towards LSU which I dislike. Sewell is out.
DL: In better shape than expected for Hicks and have Spencer locked up.
EDGE: In decent position for all candidates. Hope to see some start to commit.
LB: Went from a position of weakness and doubt before Lefau to a position of hope at this point. Major position of need has a chance to get filled with talent
CB: In a good position for Toviano, should see a commitment from Malik soon, Matthews and Bell would both also be great to have.
S:Already have both safeties committed with 5* Williams dropping as part of Arch-mas and 4* Johnson having committed earlier.
ATH: MHP is a fun athlete, we're in a good position for him, and I can't wait to see him play for us and see what he can do