While the Cintucky news has been rather slow of late, today was a very huge day toward future happiness. Today was signing day for the NCAA Football programs which means that for the most part the 2010 freshman classes are set.
I've said for years that it is very hard for schools like UK and UL to recruit high talent players due to their location. The Big Ten is right above them and the SEC is right below, meaning that unfortunately, any players in the region that aren't right in our backyard (read: Lorenzen, Bush, Brohm) are most likely heading elsewhere. So although there were no Cintucky schools in the top 25 recruiting classes there are some things to look forward to. Lets dive into the numbers. Player star rankings have been taken from espn.com.
University of Kentucky
Number Signed: 26
4 star players: 1
3 star players: 15
Thoughts: The prize of this class is RB Brandon Gainer out of.. wait for it.. shocker.. Florida. Gainer surprisingly chose the cats over UCF, USF, and FSU. He has top level speed, and with a little time in the weight room should be able to contribute very quickly for the Cats. Also look for 3 star TE Alex Smith from Ohio to have an immediate impact.
University of Louisville
Number Signed: 23
4 star players: 3
3 star players: 11
Thoughts: All three 4 star players were taken from... wait for it.. shocker.. Florida (apparently people in Florida are good at football.. who knew). Credit all three of them to Charlie Strong. The credibility he brought with him to Louisville has already attracted some very impressive talent, and all three 4 stars: DE B.J. Butler, LB Deon Rogers, and WR Michaelee Harris (sweet spelling bro!) will have the chance to start as true freshmen.
University of Cincinnati
Number Signed: 22
4 star players: 1
3 star players: 7
Thoughts: This class lacks the depth of the UK and UL class, but the top is just as solid. New coach Butch Jones did an excellent job of holding onto the instate talent that Kelly got in good with. 8 of UC's top 11 recruits are out of Ohio. Jones will have to pick it up to stay competetive in the Big East and on a national level like Kelly did, but staying strong in his home state is an excellent start.
University of Dayton
Number Signed: 0
4 star players: 0
3 star players: 0
Thoughts: Yeah incase ya didn't know, co-blogger Greg Richter's old stomping grounds don't have a football team. I hear the quick recall team is ranked very highly this season though.
Other recruiting notes:
- Ohio State had the 16th best recruiting class. While not the end of the world, it certainly looks like Mr. Tressel is losing his touch.
- The SEC had their always strong showing with 7 SEC classes in the top 25 including #1 Florida, #3 Alabama, and #4 Auburn.
- The Big East had 0 classes in the top 25.
Overall it was about average for the Cintucky teams. UL's class has the most potential and if forced to pick one I would take theirs, but relax UK fans, UK's isn't far behind. UC's was a bit of a disappointment, but fans need to give Butch Jones time to get his system in place. Now comes the hard part... waiting 8 months until we get to watch them.
Brian "Next post: Hot Women In Sports.. tell your friends" Reinhart
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Dayton has a football team. I went to a game this year and watched them pull out an exciting win over San Diego. Jon Gruden starred there. No love for the Flyers?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say Ohio State's ranking means Tressell lost his touch necessarily. I have not looked into it, but if his prior classes were absolutely loaded in certain areas, he may have neglected some spots this year, costing him in the rankings.
Yeah I was kinda hoping to bait Greg into a profanity laced tirade about how Dayton does have a football team, but oh well.
ReplyDeleteI agree that its not the end of the world for OSU, but still 16 is 16 and thats not OSU standards.