How accurate are the stars? Can we win anyway?

[The Football Fan]

I eagerly looked over the signees and really liked what I saw, but I must admit, I do get star envy when I see all the other ACC schools seem to get better class rankings.

I've heard evidence on talk radio shows to support the notion that individually, rankings are frequently problematic for football, but there's no denying that programs with frequent top 10 rankings in recruiting typically fair better than others.

I've always thought that there's really not much difference between a 2 star kid and a 3 star kid. There's not a huge difference between a 3 star and a 4 star and the same for 4 and 5 star kids. BUT...there's a noticeable difference in play making, strength, or some tangible item between 2 and 4 star kids and 3 and 5 stars.

Coaches can talk about their lack of interest in whether a player has 2,3, or 4 stars, but in their own mind I'm sure they see the difference in certain players. It does no good to say, "hey couldn't get the better player, but this one here is good too," so they'll always say they don't pay attention to the stars, but come on...

So, do you think Duke can win the ACC championship without a 5 star guy and only 1-2 4 star recruits?

[wilson]

So, do you think Duke can win the ACC championship without a 5 star guy and only 1-2 4 star recruits?

Not easily, but yes. Just ask Jim Grobe and the rest of the folks in Winston-Salem.

[captmojo]

So, do you think Duke can win the ACC championship without a 5 star guy and only 1-2 4 star recruits?

Not easily, but yes. Just ask Jim Grobe and the rest of the folks in Winston-Salem.

And therein lies the answer to getting the 4s and 5s. Winning cures all ills. The higher rated players want to go to a winning program. Look at Oregon's recent past. The more you win...the more higher prized are the recruits want to sign on.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

So, do you think Duke can win the ACC championship without a 5 star guy and only 1-2 4 star recruits?

Not easily, but yes. Just ask Jim Grobe and the rest of the folks in Winston-Salem.

And therein lies the answer to getting the 4s and 5s. Winning cures all ills. The higher rated players want to go to a winning program. Look at Oregon's recent past. The more you win...the more higher prized are the recruits want to sign on.

Well said! Coach Cutcliffe and his staff are very thorough in screening recruits. He's attracting players who can be coached to play better and better, raising the level of play in the program. The day is coming when more multi-star recruits will sign up to stay and play at Duke.

I think the most important question is not related to how many stars current recruits have, but rather is the program gradually improving. As the program advances, so will the talent levels attracted to play at Duke.

One sign of improvement is the renewed interest in football..... we're talking about football and discussing quality of recruits in the context of championships and bowl games.

[The Football Fan]

Wake Forest is actually a good example to look at...
They won an ACC championship and yet, the multiple star athlete's haven't come in droves
They did win without 4-5 star guys, but would you say the coaching and recruiting in the league dramatically improved, stayed the same, or declined. I think both have improved, but I don't have any data to support that notion right now.

Don't get me wrong...I'm pretty confident in our coach, but after this year, we'll likely start to have Florida State and Clemson on the schedule rather than Wake Forest and Maryland. That's going to make bowling really tough even with a senior class of Renfree and Scott. It's almost like this coming year is absolutely critical. If we don't get to a bowl this year, will we get the recruits were getting now?

[robertduke32]

As has been said already, attitude of the program, belief from the fan base, and Administration commitment will start attracting better athletes on the recruiting trail for this coaching staff. We have a wonderful environment to offer, good facilities, the best education, all around excellence everywhere you look. Coach Cut is everywhere now, a media darling of sorts, which helps a lot I'm sure and will start paying off. We may not be landing 4 and 5 stars yet on a consistent basis, but give it time. Remember, we have to recruit a higher level of intellect with our players than that of a lot of other programs. (Looking at you UNCheat)

Remember when K was starting out, he got that 1 recruit that started it all. (Johnny D.) Here soon, Cut will deliver that one guy and the rest will start following. I'm actually surprised this hasn't happened yet, at QB especially.

Here's to a GREAT Football season to come!!