OSU vs. UM (and others)

comparison is valid, since they both played pro-style offenses through the time period (except for 2008 & 2009 for M & the Troy Smith period for OSU). If you assume those 2 negate each other, than I guess Lloyd was just out recruited by OSU, Wisky, and maybe PSU.

That goes into the talent deficit that was talked about earlier in a diary post (don't remember when).

I compiled the Top 10 list from that source.

OSU - 69
Miami - 63
USC - 61
FSU - 56
Georgia - 55
Tennessee - 54
Florida - 50
LSU - 49
Virginia Tech - 47
Michigan - 44

It becomes easier to understand, but their list of busts is well documented. AJ Hawk only plays 2 downs, they take him out on 3rd down because his pass coverage is so god awful, also his tackle totals have gone down every year. He has in no way justified his high draft selection. Troy Smith is on the bench, Ted Ginn is an absolute bust. Of course how can I not mention Gholston. That's 3 top 10 picks from Tressel's regime that have in no way justified their selections. Bobby Carpenter never got off special teams, and Schlegel isn't even in the league anymore. Will Smith was pretty good, but I believe he got busted for PEDs. Mike Doss flamed out, I personally thought he would be better. Ashton Youboty hasn't really done anything. Chris Gamble has started most of his career, but you would say he's average at best. Pitcock quit football. Vrabel has had a great career, and Nick Mangold is an absolute stud, you could also add Winfield to that list. In total, I would say that Tressel has only produced a few above average NFL players, I think the jury is still out on Chris Wells, and Gonzo. Rob Sims is decent if I'm not mistaken. Lauranaitus is doing what he did at OSU, racking up huge tackle totals, but they're all made 5-10 yards down field. I guess I see your point, but I don't want to accept it without giving the Vest a little jab.

I agree that NFL careers would be a better measure of player quality. You'd have to make adjustments for injuries and development (for players who got substandard coaching in college).

I've sometimes wondered if OSU players have become slightly overrated as a group because of the success of predecessors (e.g., Eddie George and Orlando Pace). There might be something similar going on with the SEC schools. They have the most NFL players, but maybe not as many as you'd expect after looking at the draft results.

I would say almost always their linebackers are overrated. Besides Vrabel, how many great linebackers have they produced in the last 20 years? I never understood why Michigan isn't considered linebacker U. Dhani, Foote, David Harris, Woodley, Cato June, Hobson, Hendricks were all starters/contributors in the league. Maybe someday you can add Prescott and Crable if they can ever stay healthy. Good call on Pace and George, I guess you can add Glenn, Galloway. I was just trying to focus on Tressel and throw in a few others as a sample. Stringer was a good lineman before his very unfortunate death. Robert Smith was a great running back. It just seems like the majority of Tressel's players flame out. Of course I would much rather have great college players/NFL busts if it meant we beat Ohio State 6 years in a row.....fuck, oh, and I also forgot Michael Jenkins, he's never reached 800 yards receiving, and he doesn't have the Vick passing skills excuse anymore.

I wonder if the "flaming out" of many OSU players is due to better testing for PED's at the NFL level?

Its all in the retention rate. Sure OSU has had a lot of players drafted. But on current NFL rosters they have 35 players.....UM has 38.

The Big 12 looks rather weak on this list. Not one team in the top 10! Michigan even did better than Texas, although Texas had more first round picks.