John Galt
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2011
- Messages
- 11,557
- Reaction score
- 2,570
- Points
- 113
Everyone likes to discuss where the 2019 class will end up ranked, but I find it interesting to go back and evaluate past classes and how they performed. The 2015 class was Jerry's final class, and these are players that are this year's seniors and redshirt juniors. The class was ranked 63rd in the nation, and 13th in the B1G. Here is how it stacks up: https://247sports.com/college/minnesota/Season/2015-Football/Commits/
Of the 24 commits, 14 weren't on the roster this season: Dior Johnson (#1), Tyler Moore (#3), Charlie Rogers (#4), Demry Croft #5, Ray Buford, Hunter Register, Ted Stieber, Jaylen Waters, James Johannesson, Nick Connelly, Mose Hall, Zo Craighton, Kiante Hardin, Rashad Still.
Rogers was a JUCO so he never would have been in the program this long, and Connelly retired and passed away. 3 guys were forced to leave due to the scandal. We also have a new coach, so higher than normal attrition would be expected, but this still seems really high. Of the 10 remaining players:
Quinn Oseland: back-up, very little playing time
Shannon Brooks: Stud, home run recruit but has been plagued by injuries
Bronson Dovich: back-up, very little playing time
Winston D: occasional starter, solid contributor
Antonio Shenault: occasional starter, solid contributor
Jonathan Femi-Cole: very little playing time
Bryce Witham: minimal playing time
Jacob Huff: multi-year starter, strong contributor
Julian Huff: solid contributor and special teams player
Colton Beebe: solid contributor and special teams player
So for the entire class, we have two players that could be considered regular starters: Brooks and Jacob Huff. And Brooks has been injured more than he's been healthy. 3 guys that were occasional starters in Winston D, Shenault, and Beebe. 2 that didn't start but were valuable contributors in Huff and Witham.
Bottom line, who knows what this class could have looked like without the attrition, but the recruiting rankings seem to have gotten it right. There just weren't enough impact players in the class.
Of the 24 commits, 14 weren't on the roster this season: Dior Johnson (#1), Tyler Moore (#3), Charlie Rogers (#4), Demry Croft #5, Ray Buford, Hunter Register, Ted Stieber, Jaylen Waters, James Johannesson, Nick Connelly, Mose Hall, Zo Craighton, Kiante Hardin, Rashad Still.
Rogers was a JUCO so he never would have been in the program this long, and Connelly retired and passed away. 3 guys were forced to leave due to the scandal. We also have a new coach, so higher than normal attrition would be expected, but this still seems really high. Of the 10 remaining players:
Quinn Oseland: back-up, very little playing time
Shannon Brooks: Stud, home run recruit but has been plagued by injuries
Bronson Dovich: back-up, very little playing time
Winston D: occasional starter, solid contributor
Antonio Shenault: occasional starter, solid contributor
Jonathan Femi-Cole: very little playing time
Bryce Witham: minimal playing time
Jacob Huff: multi-year starter, strong contributor
Julian Huff: solid contributor and special teams player
Colton Beebe: solid contributor and special teams player
So for the entire class, we have two players that could be considered regular starters: Brooks and Jacob Huff. And Brooks has been injured more than he's been healthy. 3 guys that were occasional starters in Winston D, Shenault, and Beebe. 2 that didn't start but were valuable contributors in Huff and Witham.
Bottom line, who knows what this class could have looked like without the attrition, but the recruiting rankings seem to have gotten it right. There just weren't enough impact players in the class.