Star Gazing

When Rashaad Jackson was injured got injured I got into a discussion with a friend who said, "I looked him up and he's only a two-star, so you're probably better off, assuming his replacements are rated higher." To which I replied, "Yeah, but...he's a senior, a leader....blah blah blah". It got me to thinking (again) about how much emphasis is put on stars and the assumptions that go with the stars. Star freaks go nuts when Korn is dropped to a 4 star, and now even when Clemson signs a three star player, or god forbid, a two star the star freaks go crazy.

Spurred by my conversation, finding out that Laurinaitis was only a 3 star and the previous research we did on Athlon’s top 40 recruits of 2003, many of which you have never heard of, I decided to do a little research. I looked at the 2007 AP All-American team, researched their "stars" and what I found is below. Who would have guessed that there were actually more 2 star players on the team (5), than 5 star players (4). Are you kidding me? There was even a non-rated walk-on player on the team (Jordy Nelson).

What does it all mean? I only looked at one year, but I think the point has been made. You can't assume how good someone is by only looking at his stars (especially someone who has been in the program for 4 or 5 years, is a starter and was rated four years ago).Would I want Clemson to recruit nothing but two star players? Of course, not. My guess is these guys made AA with the help of their highly rated teammates, but it does point out the fallacy of looking at stars and assuming you know which player is better or worse when you are ignorant of the team and players you are talking about.


Tim Tebow - QB - Florida -5
Darren McFadden RB Arkansas 5
Kevin Smith RB Central Florida 2
Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech 4
Jordy Nelson WR Kansas State 0
Martin Rucker TE Missouri 3
Jake Long OT Michigan 4
Anthony Collins OT Kansas 2
Duke Robinson OG Oklahoma 4
Martin O’Donnell OG Illinois 5
Steven Justice C Wake Forest 3
Offense Avg 3.36

Chris Long DE Virginia 4
George Selvie DE South Florida 2
Glenn Dorsey DT LSU 4
Sedrick Ellis DT USC 4
James Laurinaitis LB Ohio State 3
Dan Connor LB Penn State 5
Jordan Dizon LB Colorado 3
Aqib Talib CB Kansas 2
Antoine Cason CB Arizona 3
Craig Steltz S LSU 4
Jamie Silva S Boston College 2
Defense Avg 3.27

5 stars = 4
4 stars = 7
3 stars = 5
2 stars = 5
0 stars = 1