This is kind of one of those Memes we throw out (probably rightfully so) to pull folks back to reality when they get excited about offseason happenings (mostly recruiting) but also comments about how team looks from coaches or insiders that never seemed to pan out for Riley or Frost and even early in Rhules tenure.
Though I would compare the top 20 classes from Riley/Frost to Rhules first two. Obviously we will need to see things fully play out, but we have already had enough production from 24 class to start comparing.
-2017 Class (rating 20, 7 4*, 4 rated 5.9 or higher)
-2019 Class (rating 15, 11 4*, 5 rated 5.9 or higher)
-2020 Class (rating 17, 11 4*, 4 rated 5.9 or higher)
Of these 29 players, only 1 was drafted from Nebraska (Wandale- Kentucky) and 23 never provided any meaningful on field contributions. (played when game was on the line). Really quite stunning how bad the 4 stars were in those four classes and explains a lot of why coaches are not here anymore and those teams sucked.
Let’s compare that to 2024
2024 Class (rating 17, 10 4*, 3 rated 5.9 or higher)
Raiola, Barney and Shavers are all highly recruited returning starters (at least 1 start) and conservatively projected at this point to be minimum 4th rounders. Very likely there is at least one first rounder in this group in 26. Additionally, four stars from 25 like Nelson, Brix, Davis will be either be on two deep or play when game matters. Davis also a possible starter at some point. Tamau and Tarver are still developing but don’t appear to be busts yet. 8 of 10 still on roster with 3 high end starters and 3 two deep guys is very solid and not aligned to our past failures for high end recruits Also interesting top note that high end 3 stars like Mcgahee/Sanders appear poised play a ton of snaps, if not start.
2025 looks to be equally as good on paper
2025 Class (rating 19, 9 4*, 5 rated 5.9 or higher)
Portal also saw at least 6 4* level players in (Key, Hunter, Pritchett, Spindler, Nwaneri and McCullough) and additional 2 starters in Trent and Marshall
In addition to portal adds 5,9 4* Parker, Mozee and Mills will all play when game matters from that freshman class. I will state that while it is impossible to predict results 2024 success leads me to believe there are probably at least 6 drafted players from 25 additions when all is said and done which means we may finally be starting to stack talent. Hopeuflly that will start showing in draft selections and All Conference teams.
Overall, staff as done a really nice Job in last two classes competing for players and 24 results seem to indicate they have more effectively selected the right players and will get them on the field as quickly as possible in an effective role. I think if Rhule and staff can follow up with at least 8-9 win this year 26-27 will only get better as commitment of 5 * Trae Taylor in 27 is actually worthy of the offseason National Champion designation we joke about.
Everything is really lining up nicely with roster. Holgerson/Ekelar where great replacement for initially inept hires and now staff and players just have to win games to avoid the Callahan death spiral.
Though I would compare the top 20 classes from Riley/Frost to Rhules first two. Obviously we will need to see things fully play out, but we have already had enough production from 24 class to start comparing.
-2017 Class (rating 20, 7 4*, 4 rated 5.9 or higher)
-2019 Class (rating 15, 11 4*, 5 rated 5.9 or higher)
-2020 Class (rating 17, 11 4*, 4 rated 5.9 or higher)
Of these 29 players, only 1 was drafted from Nebraska (Wandale- Kentucky) and 23 never provided any meaningful on field contributions. (played when game was on the line). Really quite stunning how bad the 4 stars were in those four classes and explains a lot of why coaches are not here anymore and those teams sucked.
Let’s compare that to 2024
2024 Class (rating 17, 10 4*, 3 rated 5.9 or higher)
Raiola, Barney and Shavers are all highly recruited returning starters (at least 1 start) and conservatively projected at this point to be minimum 4th rounders. Very likely there is at least one first rounder in this group in 26. Additionally, four stars from 25 like Nelson, Brix, Davis will be either be on two deep or play when game matters. Davis also a possible starter at some point. Tamau and Tarver are still developing but don’t appear to be busts yet. 8 of 10 still on roster with 3 high end starters and 3 two deep guys is very solid and not aligned to our past failures for high end recruits Also interesting top note that high end 3 stars like Mcgahee/Sanders appear poised play a ton of snaps, if not start.
2025 looks to be equally as good on paper
2025 Class (rating 19, 9 4*, 5 rated 5.9 or higher)
Portal also saw at least 6 4* level players in (Key, Hunter, Pritchett, Spindler, Nwaneri and McCullough) and additional 2 starters in Trent and Marshall
In addition to portal adds 5,9 4* Parker, Mozee and Mills will all play when game matters from that freshman class. I will state that while it is impossible to predict results 2024 success leads me to believe there are probably at least 6 drafted players from 25 additions when all is said and done which means we may finally be starting to stack talent. Hopeuflly that will start showing in draft selections and All Conference teams.
Overall, staff as done a really nice Job in last two classes competing for players and 24 results seem to indicate they have more effectively selected the right players and will get them on the field as quickly as possible in an effective role. I think if Rhule and staff can follow up with at least 8-9 win this year 26-27 will only get better as commitment of 5 * Trae Taylor in 27 is actually worthy of the offseason National Champion designation we joke about.
Everything is really lining up nicely with roster. Holgerson/Ekelar where great replacement for initially inept hires and now staff and players just have to win games to avoid the Callahan death spiral.
