ChuckWood

June 16th, 2011 at 9:43 PM ^

I still can not figure out why they don't have one.  It just doesn't make any sense.  They are the most well-regarded recruiting service and site out there and leave out one of the major producing regions.  ESPN must be behind this.

 

Actually if ESPN was behind this, only the SEC would be covered.  damnit

Waffles

June 16th, 2011 at 10:25 PM ^

I've switched soley to 24/7 Sports. They're doing an amazing job covering the Midwest, and the entire nation. They quickly became my favorite sources for recruiting, and they're very fast with updates.  

So, I'd say 24/7 Sports has completely filled that void and will become the best recruiting service very quickly, in terms of quality. Popularity will take a while.

DGDestroys

June 16th, 2011 at 9:16 PM ^

Scout filled out their top 50 with a 5th star, which is how they end their year. WA T Zach Banner got a fifth star, as well. Yet another reason why Scout's flawed-every year has the exact same amount of 5 stars. I prefer Rivals approach of 'you'll earn this 5th star'.

rockydude

June 16th, 2011 at 9:43 PM ^

Congrats to Jordan. He must have had to put in some serious work for this. Be nice if he decides to go blue. For whatever reason, everyone here has always liked him, and he has returned the love. I want guys that want to be here and will fit in well. They are the ones that are the most likely to be happy and successful in the program.

rockydude

June 16th, 2011 at 10:51 PM ^

There's no shortage of great players, but this is the guy that everyone has felt connected with from the beginning. It isn't just that he is a good player, because there are others. He is the guy that everyone has just felt this friendly vibe with from the getgo. Also, he seems to feel that and return it. I don't know why we clicked, but we did.

Magnus

June 17th, 2011 at 7:31 AM ^

Jordan Diamond is not a 5-star recruit.  He should be a solid 4-star and that's about it.  Scout gives out so many fifth stars that they lose their meaning.

umuncfan11

June 17th, 2011 at 8:31 AM ^

Care to say why you feel that way? 6'6, 290, very athletic.  Stars are about projecting to the next level, and if he ends up as a 6'6, 310-320 lbs offensive lineman with good athleticism why is he not a 5 star?  A guy with that kind of size AND athleticism is tough to come by

Magnus

June 17th, 2011 at 9:07 AM ^

He doesn't get off the ball very well, leans on people too much, doesn't show very good lateral quickness, doesn't have a great punch, etc.  

Don't get me wrong - he's got potential to be good.  Anyone does when he's 6'6", 290 lbs. and  somewhat athletic.  But that doesn't mean he's "the best of the best" and deserving of 5-star status.

Of course, Scout is the only service that just hands out 5-star ratings, so maybe I just don't understand it because none of the other services are that dumb.

BiSB

June 17th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^

When you have a rating system system with arbitrary cutoffs, who's to say where the five-star ends and the four-star begins?  Rivals cuts off the 5th star at a higher, "this-guy-is-gonna-be-a-star" level, whereas Scout cuts it off as "this kid is gonna be one of the top 50 players in the country." 

Both seem legit to me.  And while it may take some of the shine off of the upper echelon of the 5-stars, it isn't like they give 5-stars out like candy.

Magnus

June 17th, 2011 at 10:49 AM ^

True.  Like I said in one of the above posts, maybe I just don't understand Scout's rating system which, as you said, is somewhat arbitrary.

When I think of a 5-star player, I think of a pretty polished guy who can step in just about anywhere and be just about ready to start.  I think of a guy who looks like a future first round pick if he keeps his head on straight.

Diamond needs lots and lots of work if he wants to get to that point.