This entry will on a topic that we have discussed at various times over the last couple of years but I think remains relevant in light of NC State’s current struggles on the football field — recruiting.
Before this season started, we observed and discussed the talent deficiency within the Wolfpack program from the perspective of pre-season expectations in this entry. These points could be summarized by the following:
The ONLY NC State player to make the TOP 41 is Jacoby Brissett who received only one vote that was for a ranking somewhere between #11 and #15. Brissett completed 41 of 74 passes for 455 yards and three touchdowns as a Florida Gator but has yet to play a single down of football in the ACC. The junior was not recruited by Tom O’Brien and announced his transfer to west Raleigh after Dave Doeren took over in west Raleigh.
Additionally, just last November our own WV Wolf penned this entry that we ask you to spend a moment reading where he asked the question – “How bare was the cupboard?” when Dave Doeren took over. WV Wolf’s approach was to analyze talent within the NC State program during past coaching transitions through the lens of future NFL players. I really liked this approach as it generally ignores imprecise recruiting rankings and sets a relatively consistent standard across past years and coaching eras inside of the Wolfpack program.
So what did Coach Doeren have to work with when he arrived in Raleigh and how does that compare with the talent levels the previous 3 head coaches inherited?
10 players on Tom O’Brien’s first team in 2007 made it to the NFL.
13 players from Chuck Amato’s first team in 2000 made it to the NFL.
8 players from Mike O’Cain’s first team in 1993 made it to the NFL.With all due respect to the players on the current roster, who on the 2013 Wolfpack team will be suiting up on Sundays? The first name that comes to mind is our kicker. Maybe Shadrach Thornton, maybe Dontae Johnson, maybe one or two of the guys on the d-line, maybe a healthy Rob Crisp. But all those are really big maybes.
Again, you should really go read that piece (linked here) to get a good feeling for the detail that WV highlighted.
This brings us to today — whereas earlier this week I was working on a quick entry that I found expanding as I wrote into a larger analysis regarding the quality and quantity of FBS level talent currently within NC State’s upper classes. The entry started to get so detailed that I realized that the odds were low that I’d ever finish it. Well, thank goodness for the fact that ‘great minds think alike’ as this afternoon our good friends at Pack Pride had done the work for us and it is linked here.
Folks, the numbers are INSANE. Of the 65 signees from the 2010, 2011 and 2012 recruiting classes that comprise what are our senior classes, redshirt juniors, juniors and redshirt sophomores, only 28 remain enrolled at NC State and only 25 are contributors on the 2-deep roster. Those three recruiting classes were ranked 48th, 75th and 61st — and that was including the full allotment of players!! Those rankings equate to LAST in the ACC in 2 of the 3 years, peaking at 9th in the ACC for the 2010 class.
Tom O’Brien’s final “full” recruiting class, the attrition has been brutal. We’re talking about players who enrolled three years ago… the team’s true juniors and redshirt sophomores, players with upside left to develop and at least a couple of seasons of eligibility remaining. Just eight of the 23 signees are even still on the roster after one of them, defensive end Joe Wright, was recently dismissed from the team.
Of those eight, none are listed as a starter on the two-deep depth chart. Tailback Shadrach Thornton is the team’s top rusher, and David J. Grinnage is a quality contributor. Also, junior linebacker M.J. Salahuddin would be starting at middle linebacker, but he’s out for the season with a knee injury. Clark, Tu’uta, Davis, Kennedy, and Sessoms are all reserves, but only Davis receives consistent playing time.
I know that is is VERY HARD to watch and suffer the pain that we have endured on the field over the last few seasons, but what else can we expect when you take an objective look at where the program currently stands?
