Power 5 and Group of 5 Teams Succeeding on the Recruiting Trail Despite Recruiting Rankings

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

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Success on the collegiate gridiron does not always tie back into the recruiting rankings, but there is a commonality at the top for those teams that bring in consistent top classes and develop their players. Yet, a recruiting class stocked predominately with three-star prospects that fit a team’s scheme and needs can be just as amazing as those lauded bluebloods with the puffery of five- and four-star recruits landing in the Top 20 every year.

One needs to look no further than the end of season 2020 college football rankings for a direct correlation between recruiting top three-star players and finding success on the field. The bottom half of the Top 10 included No. 8 Cincinnati, No. 9 Iowa State, and No. 10 Northwestern. Per the Class of 2020 rankings on 247, Cincinnati finished No. 41 nationally followed by Iowa State at No. 46, and Northwestern at No. 47. Those three same programs are on a similar track for the 2021 haul with the Bearcats at No. 44 holding onto 24 commits, all three-stars, the Cyclones at No. 52 with 20 commits, all three-stars, and Northwestern at No. 60 with 14 commits, a mix of two four-stars and 12 three-star players.

Another program seeing a successful turn around in recruiting from one year to the next is Missouri. With a transition at the top from Barry Odom to Eliah Drinkwitz, the Tigers finished the 2020 cycle ranked No. 51 with 17 players, one four-star and 16 three-stars. Playing a 10-game SEC only schedule, the Tigers finished 2020 with a 5-5 record seeing that success translate to future promise with a current 2021 recruiting ranking of 27th, a mix of one four-star and 21 three-star prospects.

While some teams see a dip in recruiting with a transition on the sidelines, Vanderbilt is bucking the trend. After a 2020 class rated No. 53 nationally under former head coach Derek Mason, new head coach Clark Lea is finding success. The former Notre Dame defensive coordinator has kept the pieces put together by the former staff while adding onto it sliding up to No. 49 with 22 commits. The blend includes one four-star and 21 three-stars. That difference may not seem like much, but compare Vanderbilt to Auburn. The War Eagles are also making a change, but are struggling. Auburn was ranked No. 7 a year ago and are now 48th.

Two teams outkicking their typical recruiting coverage in this round are the ACC’s Boston College and Pittsburgh. The Eagles ended their last cycle under first-year head coach Jeff Hafley at No. 62. A 6-5 season has helped churn enthusiasm among high school kids jumping up to No. 35 nationally with two four-stars and 24 three-stars. The Panthers also finished their season at 6-5 led by sixth-year head coach Pat Narduzzi. The stability on the sidelines has turned recruiting from No. 45 overall, to a Top 25 spot at No. 22. One of the glaring differences is the number of commits/signees, 18 to 23, which includes a third four-star and 20 three-stars as opposed to a 2:15 split with 18 players in the 2020 class.

A few other programs on the rise from a year ago includes Minnesota at No. 24, a 14-position jump, No. 25 Iowa, an 11-point jump, and No. 26 Cal improving from No. 39 to 26th.

All the hard work and countless hours building relationships between coach and player culminates on Wednesday, Feb. 3, when players sign their National Letters of Intent on National Signing Day.

Related Link: Power 5 College Football Teams Underperforming Ahead of National Signing Day

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Photo credit: Pride of Detroit; Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell