By The Numbers: The Highs And Lows of Recruiting

Over the last 15 years there have been many highs and lows when it comes to University of Miami football recruiting. It is hard to argue against the fact that the ebb and flow of talent being brought into Coral Gables on an annual basis has had a direct impact on the product on the field on any given Saturday.

Our friend TonyCane, the Canespace resident statistician and recruiting guru, summed it up by the numbers recently in a well thought out and researched blog comment. It was such good work that we brought it here to the front page spotlight where it belongs. 

The four year period between 2002 and 2005 was clearly a solid and steady high period while the four year period between 2013 and 2016 is seen as a consistently low period. Single year anomalies included the 2011 class that ranked among the weakest while the 2008 class ranked among the best.

Here is an example of what Coach Richt is accomplishing. We're still 10 months away from closing out the Class of 2018 and already it is clearly the best since 2008. Certainly, if this class holds together, it could be really, really special.

Four/Five Star Players in Recruiting Classes:

2002: 15 overall (1 *****)
2003: 14 overall (3 *****)
2004: 12 overall (3 *****)
2005: 13 overall (2 *****)
2006: 10 overall
2007: 08 overall (1 *****)
2008: 16 overall (2 *****)
2009: 10 overall (1 *****)
2010: 07 overall (1 *****)
2011: 02 overall
2012: 10 overall (2 *****)
2013: 09 overall
2014: 09 overall (1 *****)
2015: 07 overall
2016: 07 overall
2017: 10 overall
2018: 13 overall (1 *****)

And on the other side, this tells the same story in a different light:

Three/Two Star Players in Recruiting Classes:
2002: 07 overall (1 **)
2003: 11 overall (1 **)
2004: 15 overall (6 **)
2005: 04 overall (1 **)
2006: 10 overall (3 **)
2007: 10 overall (2 **)
2008: 16 overall (8 **)
2009: 09 overall (1 **)
2010: 22 overall (4 **)
2011: 16 overall (2 **, 2 unranked)
2012: 23 overall
2013: 10 overall (2 **)
2014: 18 overall (1 **)
2015: 12 overall
2016: 11 overall (1 **)
2017: 14 overall (1 **)
2018: 05 overall

It's amazing in retrospect to see how the talent (on paper) flipped between 2009 and 2012. Sure coaching matters, but we all know that it takes talent on the field to win football games.

If the Hurricanes can manage a solid season (10-2?) while breaking in a new starting QB in 2017, then Coach Richt will be able to not only keep the 2018 class together but even improve it. That is a welcome thought to UM fans and a downright scary thought to the rest of college football.

What that means is by 2019 we could witness the next period of devastating CAT 5 Hurricanes on the football field and a return to the 1983-1989 period of greatness and maybe even the 2001-2004 NFL draft pick producing machine that is unmatched in college football history. 

We like that. Yeah, we like that a lot!

Comments

[TonyCane]

AQM picked up by the Saints in the 6th round.

[Go Canes!]

Tony of course he should have stayed.

Wish he would have.

We'll have a top to bottom dominant defense but our offense going into next season will have a gigantic question mark under center, no matter who is starting.

Despite his flaws, it's obvious he was the best option on our current roster. Whether Perry ends up being better remains to be seen.

I'm hopefult but it's a lot to put on a true freshman who wasnt even an early arrival.

Regardless, the most shocking part of this draft is Stacey Coley.

Thought there was no way he'd go undrafted.

[Mountain Cane]

Wow, AQM drafted before Kayaa.

Some guys skipping bowl games. AQM leap frogging those guys by sitting out the season. Goes to NFL with less wear and tear I guess.

[NicKane]

While kaaya possibly going undrafted isn't shocking based on his position and apparent weaknesses but Stacy with all his athletic ability and great hands is a surprise. I know he has the durability issues and some so called attitude isssue but the natural god given ability to be a pro bowl type receiver is there. Really stumped on this one so far.

[herbieibis]

Biggest weakness is those slow dam boat feet of his, which will be his demise in the NFL.
Start Perry right off the bat and sink or swim this year. Don't need to wait until next year and have to start all over.

[TonyCane]

While kaaya possibly going undrafted isn't shocking based on his position and apparent weaknesses but Stacy with all his athletic ability and great hands is a surprise. I know he has the durability issues and some so called attitude isssue but the natural god given ability to be a pro bowl type receiver is there. Really stumped on this one so far.

Posted by: NicKane | April 29, 2017 at 04:37 PM

The thing that I would have questioned is that he seemed to get shaken up on every big play that he made.

[Go Canes!]

Kaaya to Detroit

[Go Canes!]

Come on Colbert!!

[orange 'n green in the vein]

LMAO but but but the mass amount of wonderlicing that was given up all those losing seasons and losing games to the gold-hen girl loser for life against the primary rival dude . . .

How many wonderlic points does it take to put a single point on the scoreboard in a college football game? Anybody? Anybody? GD?

Must be UF's defensive coordinators fault as the only explanation! He's probably part a far reaching mi@spiracy somehow, I'm sure. And he would have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for you meddling bloggers and fatso/doofus apologists.

No sid-tard slurp crew departments in the pros. The gold-hen girl was cooked from the jump of the selection process as a result. Good riddance to smelly garbage now he can have that honeymoon with the loser who got canned four and a half seasons too late.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Congratulations BK. Now let's go Colbert, and Coley, and other Canes!

[CoCane]

Coley to the Vikings

[Go Canes!]

Lmao at the psychotard who swore all last season Allison, sight unseen, was the solution for what ailed us at QB.

How'd that proclamation work out for you.

Honestly, just shut up stupid.

Unless the conversation is about antipsychotic drugs or best ointments for healing chronic, self induced bloody scabs, just go back into whatever hole you crawl out of every few months.

[CoCane]

Ooooo...

OGV, I know you ain't gon let him try you like that...

Lol

[Go Canes!]

Happy for Stacey.

Going to a good organization and coaching staff.

[1mg Of epi]

Glad BK and SC got picked up

[BEERicane]

Kaaya and Golden sitting in the "D". F-U-C-K-I-N-G!

: )

[1mg Of epi]

Kaaya and Golden sitting in the "D". F-U-C-K-I-N-G!

: )

Posted by: BEERicane | April 29, 2017 at 06:03 PM

Oh snap!!

[Go Canes!]

That one made me laugh Beer.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Colbert and Williams are drafted as well.

[CaneRock]

CIS...not sure if this was before or after Coley got drafted:

Drafted players by team:

Michigan: 11
Steroid U (Bama): 10
The U: 9
Florida: 8
LSU: 8
Ohio State: 7
Florida State: 4

[CaneRock]

In a medicore season by post-1983 UM standards, we still get 9 players drafted.

[Go Canes!]

Big 12....oof.

2017 #NFLDraft  complete. Most picks by conference: #NFLDraft2017

#SEC - 53
#ACC - 42
#Pac12 - 36
#B1G - 35
#Big12 - 14

[TonyCane]

Brad begins a new "Process", starting now. Hopefully the Lions deserve victory.

Al is getting the band back together.

[SinisterCane]

Canes Undrafted Free Agents
I'll try to keep this updated

Broncos - Jamal Carter

Dolphins - Malcolm Lewis

Falcons - Jermaine Grace

Packers - Justin Vogel

[🐜🌀]

Oh no we suck again

[WWIN]

Posted by: CaneRock | April 29, 2017 at 06:41 PM

But...but...but... but we don't have any talent!!!

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[1mg Of epi]

Posted by: CaneRock | April 29, 2017 at 06:41 PM

But...but...but... but we don't have any talent!!!

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Posted by: WWIN | April 29, 2017 at 08:25 PM

It's frustrating to know that it's been the coaches to submarine these last 6 Seasons, and not the talent, which should be the hard part.

[1mg Of epi]

Same staff that dismissed AQM vouched for him to be drafted.

http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_9f00808a-2d17-11e7-ad2f-e70d50201b45.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share

[BigWindyCane1]

Drafted players by team:

Michigan: 11
Steroid U (Bama): 10
The U: 9
Florida: 8
LSU: 8
Ohio State: 7
Florida State: 4

Posted by: CaneRock | April 29, 2017 at 06:41 PM

It's amazing what the Canes do to develop talent to send to the NFL. in a down year, the Canes. The Canes always have talent, and the Canes are in the top 5 for the NFL draft.

[Dude]

Chad Kelly is Mr. Irrelevant.

[Go Canes!]

I believe of the nine draftees two were grad transfers, one was pretty much a first year starter and another was suspended, suspended, dismissed and not even on the team last year.

Lot's of new blood last year that helped get things going in the second half.

Hope the new transfers can have the same impact as the homegrown guys continue to improve.

[NicKane]

So happy for every cane drafted but super happy for Colbert. Not only has he been a recruiting MVP for us but being a grad transfer is a big risk and he definitely showed out for us and made the most of it..

[DallasTX Cane]

No apology necessary, TSully! I see the guy as a mixed bag - cannot deny the numbers and when he was "on", it was a beautiful thing to watch. But his drawbacks are ones that will be super magnified at the next level. I wish him nothing but good luck and think he repped The U well during trying times with a crappy coach. Not sad that it's time to turn the page though

Congrats to all CANES drafted!!

[Terrance Sullivan]

Well said DallasTX Cane!

[Old Skool]

Hmm no Yearby signings

[Go Canes!]

Coach Kool-the best in the business:

@Dave_Matter Missouri's 2013 team had 15 scholarship D-linemen on the roster. Nine are under NFL contracts after the draft.

[BigWindyCane1]

Coach Kool-the best in the business:

@Dave_Matter Missouri's 2013 team had 15 scholarship D-linemen on the roster. Nine are under NFL contracts after the draft.

Posted by: Go Canes! | April 30, 2017 at 07:29 AM

In four years, I would not be surprised if at least ten of the Canes' current DLs in the NFL

[BigWindyCane1]

1 29 David Njoku, TE Cleveland Browns
4 113 Rayshawn Jenkins, DB Los Angeles Chargers
5 152 Corn Elder, DB Carolina Panthers
5 180 Danny Isidora, OL Minnesota Vikings
6 196 Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL New Orleans Saints
6 215 Brad Kaaya, QB Detroit Lions
7 219 Stacy Coley, WR Minnesota Vikings
7 229 Adrian Colbert, DB San Francisco 49ers
7 124 Marquez Williams, FB

[BEERicane]

The U UDFAs:
Malcolm Lewis - Fins (love it!!)
Jamal Carter - Broncos
Justin Vogel - Packers
Jermaine Grace - Falcons

Joe Yearby - still looking

[BEERicane]

Also no 1st round pick for FSU.

[1mg Of epi]

Good to see Malcom getting a shot. I'm rooting for him.

[Go Canes!]

Once again, hats off to CMR and company.

They took two senior transfers and helped turn them into draftable players in just one season.

Took Njoku from raw to 1st rounder.

Helped Corn see the importance of run defense, turning him from excellent pass defender to our defensive MVP.

The future is so bright.

Feels great.

[CGNC]

DTC - when are yuo going to come down for a game?

I had to LOL at the Wonderlic test. Personally, when I first moved here and was job hunting I went to some whack law firm that made me take one. I was told that I didn't do great on it but called me back for a second interview. I did not get that job but instead landed the gig I have now - NO wonderlic test and am making $20K more than the other place was willing to pay me. So much for the Wonderlic LOL

[Go Canes!]

Wunderlic should only be used as part of a much larger picture.

Taken it and given it as part of the hiring process.

It shouldn't be used as a stand alone that's for sure.

[Terrance Sullivan]

I am happy for the young men the former student athletes who have either been drafted or signed as free agents. Hopefully Joe Yearby catches on with the CFL. Good luck Canes. Love you guys. Now that the 2016-17 season is completely over. Now the 2017-18 season is in full view. I am hoping for winning the ACC Coastal, Win 10 games, Win Bowl game. Hopefully we can win ACC Championship and Get to Orange Bowl and win it.

[HillViewCane]

Kaaya will be the next Tom Brady

[Dude]

Im really surprised Brad dropped as far as he did. I think he's better than the vast majority of the QBs selected ahead of him when he is on. That said, he has his stretches of putrid play also. His big thing to work on is pocket pressence. All great QBs can make throws when things arent perfect and will disect you when things are.

[Alex D]

What's good Legion/Canespace? The end of the draft just signified the end of the 2016-17 football campaign for the U; now it's time to focus on the current 2017-18 team and the incoming freshmen enrolling over the summer. Nevertheless, I still think they will roll the dice with Malik Rosier at QB for the season opener. He just needs to cut down on the turnovers and make more plays with his feet. Enjoy your Sunday!

[Crack Pipe]

Put...me...down!

[WWIN]

Posted by: Dude | April 30, 2017 at 01:01 PM

What do you consider "on"... throwing to WIDE OPEN receivers???

If so... You can do that!