PSU's Player-Development put to the Test.
Posted: April 27th, 2008, 3:48 am
A few days ago, someone called me out for being an alarmist with PSU and their 2009 recruiting class. I can't remember who it was, but I think it was APBK. It doesn't matter. What matters is that person's claim as to how well PSU does of developing talent that seems to slip through the cracks of these supposed recruiting gurus. I'm not saying that the person who called me out is wrong, I am just curious as to whether or not there's a valid case to be made here. A lot of us are under the impression that they do a great job of getting 2-star players to play like 4-star ones.
See, this is what I do when it is 2:15 AM and I have been up all night studying for a certification test that I am 100% disgusted with. It's not a teaching certification, but if anyone knows any schools who are looking for a social studies teacher and a JV football coach, tell them to message me.
Okay, what I did was I went back through the recruiting classes on Rivals.com and I looked up all the current starters for 2008. Let's take a look at where they all fall.
Roll that beautiful bean footage.
OFFENSE:
===========
QUARTERBACK
- Daryll Clark: 3-star QB (2004 / 2005)
- Pat Devlin: 4-star QB (2006)
RUNNING BACK
- Evan Royster: 3-star RB (2006)
- Stephfon Green: 2-star DB (2007)
WIDE RECEIVER
- Derrick Williams: 5-star ATH (2005)
- Jordan Norwood: (not listed)
- Deon Butler: (not listed)
FULLBACK
- Dan Lawlor: 3-star RB (2004)
TIGHT END
- Mickey Shuler: 2-star TE (2005)
- Andrew Quarless: 4-star TE (2006)
OFFENSIVE LINE
- Gerald Cadogan: 3-star OL (2004)
- Rich Ohrnberger: 2-star OL (2004)
- AQ Shipley: 4-star DT (2004)
- Dennis Landolt: 3-star OL (2005)
Can't remember the other guy. Lowry? Is Wiesnewski getting time?
DEFENSE:
===========
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
- Chris Baker: 2-star DT (2005)
- Abe Koroma: 3-star DT (2006)
There's about 5 others.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
- Mo Evans: 4-star DE (2006)
- Bani Gdabyu: 4-star LB (2006)
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
- Sean Lee: 3-star LB (2005)
- Tyrell Sales: 3-star DE (2004)
MIDDLE LINEBACKER
- Josh Hull: (not listed)
- Chris Colasanti: 4-star LB (2007)
CORNERS
- Lydell Sargeant: 4-star ATH (2005)
- AJ Wallace: 5-star DB (2006)
STRONG SAFETY
- Anthony Scirrotto: 3-star DB (2005)
FREE SAFETY
- Tony Davis: 3-star DB (2004)
- Mark Rubin: 3-star WR (2004)
I think there is probably a case to be made that they do a great job developing lesser-known talent. I think it should also be noted though how many 4-star kids have come in to PSU, from all varying positions, and are not even recognizable names at this point. Obviously it is not just the coaches fault. Of the starters I have listed, I think that there are close to 10 kids who have a legitimate chance at getting drafted next season. The thing is though, with the depth and the talent they have right here on paper, can they pull this whole thing together and make a run? That is where I separate from the other PSU fans who are excited about 2008. I just don't see this current coaching staff being able to harness all of it and make a big run with it.
See, this is what I do when it is 2:15 AM and I have been up all night studying for a certification test that I am 100% disgusted with. It's not a teaching certification, but if anyone knows any schools who are looking for a social studies teacher and a JV football coach, tell them to message me.
Okay, what I did was I went back through the recruiting classes on Rivals.com and I looked up all the current starters for 2008. Let's take a look at where they all fall.
Roll that beautiful bean footage.
OFFENSE:
===========
QUARTERBACK
- Daryll Clark: 3-star QB (2004 / 2005)
- Pat Devlin: 4-star QB (2006)
RUNNING BACK
- Evan Royster: 3-star RB (2006)
- Stephfon Green: 2-star DB (2007)
WIDE RECEIVER
- Derrick Williams: 5-star ATH (2005)
- Jordan Norwood: (not listed)
- Deon Butler: (not listed)
FULLBACK
- Dan Lawlor: 3-star RB (2004)
TIGHT END
- Mickey Shuler: 2-star TE (2005)
- Andrew Quarless: 4-star TE (2006)
OFFENSIVE LINE
- Gerald Cadogan: 3-star OL (2004)
- Rich Ohrnberger: 2-star OL (2004)
- AQ Shipley: 4-star DT (2004)
- Dennis Landolt: 3-star OL (2005)
Can't remember the other guy. Lowry? Is Wiesnewski getting time?
DEFENSE:
===========
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
- Chris Baker: 2-star DT (2005)
- Abe Koroma: 3-star DT (2006)
There's about 5 others.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
- Mo Evans: 4-star DE (2006)
- Bani Gdabyu: 4-star LB (2006)
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
- Sean Lee: 3-star LB (2005)
- Tyrell Sales: 3-star DE (2004)
MIDDLE LINEBACKER
- Josh Hull: (not listed)
- Chris Colasanti: 4-star LB (2007)
CORNERS
- Lydell Sargeant: 4-star ATH (2005)
- AJ Wallace: 5-star DB (2006)
STRONG SAFETY
- Anthony Scirrotto: 3-star DB (2005)
FREE SAFETY
- Tony Davis: 3-star DB (2004)
- Mark Rubin: 3-star WR (2004)
I think there is probably a case to be made that they do a great job developing lesser-known talent. I think it should also be noted though how many 4-star kids have come in to PSU, from all varying positions, and are not even recognizable names at this point. Obviously it is not just the coaches fault. Of the starters I have listed, I think that there are close to 10 kids who have a legitimate chance at getting drafted next season. The thing is though, with the depth and the talent they have right here on paper, can they pull this whole thing together and make a run? That is where I separate from the other PSU fans who are excited about 2008. I just don't see this current coaching staff being able to harness all of it and make a big run with it.