Who's Next? - 2026 Edition

[SeekNDestroy]

Having a class all but wrapped up in August is about as good as it gets. Recruit your verbals, stay in touch with prospects, focus on actual football.

It's a beautiful thing as far as I'm concerned.

Recruiting never stops.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Yeah, overall those rankings are pretty much as expected, with two glaring exceptions.

I wouldn't have McKeogh that high. Granted, he absolutely has that kind of ceiling, just that I think he needs to show it before reaching 5-star territory, but whatever.

But yeah, O'Brien has no business being outside of the top 25. That dude is an absolute freak of nature.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Yeah, overall those rankings are pretty much as expected, with two glaring exceptions.

I wouldn't have McKeogh that high. Granted, he absolutely has that kind of ceiling, just that I think he needs to show it before reaching 5-star territory, but whatever.

But yeah, O'Brien has no business being outside of the top 25. That dude is an absolute freak of nature.

This is where I don't get the rankings, they are ranking Mckeough based on potential, Where O'brien has been the most dominate guy at any 7 on 7 event or camp circuit at both WR and S how isn't he a top 10 player

 

[KPENN]

This is where I don't get the rankings, they are ranking Mckeough based on potential, Where O'brien has been the most dominate guy at any 7 on 7 event or camp circuit at both WR and S how isn't he a top 10 player

They factor in potential and position for the rankings. From Charles Power.

O'Brien is Rivals' #3 safety and inside the top 50. He's a clear stock up prospect for us going into this release given what he did in the offseason. Positional value plays a role in where the safties fall, as it's a position that doesn't churn out a bunch of high draft picks. We generally won't have a ton of safeties in the top 32 (currently zero) based on draft trends. It's a very high bar. But Joey could get to S1 with a great senior season relative to the competition at the position.

 

[greyhammer90]

They factor in potential and position for the rankings. From Charles Power.

O'Brien is Rivals' #3 safety and inside the top 50. He's a clear stock up prospect for us going into this release given what he did in the offseason. Positional value plays a role in where the safties fall, as it's a position that doesn't churn out a bunch of high draft picks. We generally won't have a ton of safeties in the top 32 (currently zero) based on draft trends. It's a very high bar. But Joey could get to S1 with a great senior season relative to the competition at the position.

That's pretty stupid methodology.

 

[NDpendent]

That's pretty stupid methodology.

I mean I get it, their (on3) model for defining a five star top 30 player has always been the 30 most likely to be first round picks.

JOB is definitely one of the top 30 players though

 

[Irish#1]

That's pretty stupid methodology.

Agree. Basically penalizing the kid because he plays safety.

 

[greyhammer90]

I mean I get it, their (on3) model for defining a five star top 30 player has always been the 30 most likely to be first round picks.

JOB is definitely one of the top 30 players though

The way that its always been previously understood by me is that they were modeling the NFL by putting a lot of emphasis on measurables and combine testing to determine who has the physical tools to become a pro, and they used 32 as the convenient cut off for five stars to mirror draft rounds aesthetically. That has its own logic issues, but it has some merit. The idea of rating a certain kid lower/higher because they play certain positions is taking that mindset to a completely different extreme.

It also doesnt even really make sense if you think about it for more than a second. The rankings are solely based on a scouting number (0-1.00) given by scouts. So the only way this works is if they are changing the scouting number to make the final rankings look the way they think is correct for an imaginary NFL draft. So does this mean all QBs are getting a bonus to their scouting number because good QBs go higher in the draft?

I know that scouting rankings are made up bullshit but when you have somebody in the industry say something like this it really emphasizes that the whole thing is a farce.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Recruiting never stops.

You weirdos want to have sleepovers in some kid's front yard, I'm not judging.

Actually, I am. It's fucking weird and there should be a list of names for people like that.

 

[Rocketman84]

Yeah, overall those rankings are pretty much as expected, with two glaring exceptions.

I wouldn't have McKeogh that high. Granted, he absolutely has that kind of ceiling, just that I think he needs to show it before reaching 5-star territory, but whatever.

But yeah, O'Brien has no business being outside of the top 25. That dude is an absolute freak of nature.

McKeogh is a bit too high but should be top 50, Adams and O'Brien are both top 25 players and Robinson is definitely top 150-175.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

That's pretty stupid methodology.

Idk. I somewhat get it.

Y’all play fantasy football? QBs are never in the top 10-20 player rankings. Reality is, if I’m drafting a team, I care about value over replacement.

Similar thing here. He might be the best safety in the country, but if others are close enough to him (this is where you can disagree), he’s not one of the top-20 players we’d take if we could have access to anyone in the country.

Going on record that I do disagree - he different. But the methodology isn’t unreasonable.

 

[allenm5333]

Fine. I will say it: this class rocks

 

[Rocketman84]

Idk. I somewhat get it.

Y’all play fantasy football? QBs are never in the top 10-20 player rankings. Reality is, if I’m drafting a team, I care about value over replacement.

Similar thing here. He might be the best safety in the country, but if others are close enough to him (this is where you can disagree), he’s not one of the top-20 players we’d take if we could have access to anyone in the country.

Going on record that I do disagree - he different. But the methodology isn’t unreasonable.

Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are top 20 FF players that's even with the PPR leagues which caters to the RB/WR/TE positions.

I think if we had the option to take any of the 30 players in the country we could, he's absolutely one of the 30 at WORST and 20 at best but still in that group regardless. Best at your position at a position like Safety can go along way...QB, 5 WRs, 2-3 DTs, 2-3 DEs, 2 S's, 4 CBs, 2 TEs, 5 OL, 2 RBs, 3 LBs would be a good indicator of the class breakdown with 30 recruits and if you had the choice of all the players the best safety has to be in that top 20-24 range.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

If Osborne is at full health this year, he's a top 50 player. Legitimately looks like a slightly bigger Kyren Williams. His vision, cuts, contact balance, acceleration....it is all so reminiscent of Kyren.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

You weirdos want to have sleepovers in some kid's front yard, I'm not judging.

Actually, I am. It's fucking weird and there should be a list of names for people like that.

What the absolute hell are you talking about? 😂

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are top 20 FF players that's even with the PPR leagues which caters to the RB/WR/TE positions.

I think if we had the option to take any of the 30 players in the country we could, he's absolutely one of the 30 at WORST and 20 at best but still in that group regardless. Best at your position at a position like Safety can go along way...QB, 5 WRs, 2-3 DTs, 2-3 DEs, 2 S's, 4 CBs, 2 TEs, 5 OL, 2 RBs, 3 LBs would be a good indicator of the class breakdown with 30 recruits and if you had the choice of all the players the best safety has to be in that top 20-24 range.

They’re top-20 in league scoring just because QB scoring is higher. I just pulled up 2025 PPR rankings and consistently see them just outside the top-20. The value over replacement just doesn’t compare to what you might get from a top RB/WR.

I agree he’s the best safety. I just don’t know if it’s worth top 20. I do think safeties are becoming devalued like RBs used to, and the down-to-down value of exceptional LBs and CBs can outweigh that of an exceptional S.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

What the absolute hell are you talking about? 😂

The only one I'm aware of ever having sleepovers is creepy Jimbo Harbaugh and I don't believe anyone on here condoned his actions...lol

 

[KPENN]

Idk. I somewhat get it.

Y’all play fantasy football? QBs are never in the top 10-20 player rankings. Reality is, if I’m drafting a team, I care about value over replacement.

Similar thing here. He might be the best safety in the country, but if others are close enough to him (this is where you can disagree), he’s not one of the top-20 players we’d take if we could have access to anyone in the country.

Going on record that I do disagree - he different. But the methodology isn’t unreasonable.

It’s stupid. There isn’t a draft in college football. These guys aren’t getting drafted for another 4-5 years, yet they’re basing rankings on 4-5 years down the road? Just rank the best players in the country.

 

[SDIrishFan]

I agree with many here, while on the surface, trying to project these kids on the NFL potential seems plausible, the fact is, the college game is different and what makes a good college player is different than the NFL.

You're telling me Tim Tebow wasn't a 5-star HS recruit and one of the greatest college players to ever do it because he had no shot at being a good NFL QB? Go down the list of Heisman winners, it's a very long list of the best college football players in the country, who didn't do anything in the NFL. Charlie Ward, Danny Wuerfel, Ron Dayne, Chris Weinke, Eric Crouch, Jason White, Matt Lienhart, Reggie Bush, Troy Smith, Sam Bradford, Manziel, Mariota...

You get the point. I could buy having a portion of the equation being NFL potential, but not the basis for the ratings.

 

[allenm5333]

I agree with many here, while on the surface, trying to project these kids on the NFL potential seems plausible, that fact is, the college game is different and what makes a good college player is different than the NFL.

You're telling me Tim Tebow wasn't a 5-star HS recruit and one of the greatest college players to ever do it because he had no shot at being a good NFL QB? Go down the list of Heisman winners, it's a very long list of the best college football players in the country, who didn't do anything in the NFL. Charlie Ward, Danny Wuerfel, Ron Dayne, Chris Weinke, Eric Crouch, Jason White, Matt Lienhart, Reggie Bush, Troy Smith, Sam Bradford, Manziel, Mariota...

You get the point. I could buy having a portion of the equation being NFL potential, but not the basis for the ratings.

All I ask is they are consistent. Say "we evaluate on nfl talent" or "we evaluate on college impact"

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

What the absolute hell are you talking about? 😂

Defense Tackles

 

[Irish#1]

Some of you guys are so deep in this recruiting, you're not in the weeds, you're in the swamp! lol

 

[Terry Jillery]

ND gets a fast start. I think that’s a big advantage. Coaching actual football in season is a demanding job. Any distraction from that has a cost. Love that our coaches can focus on the game prep more as opposed to flying around begging and kissing ass during season (at least a bit less).

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

ND gets a fast start. I think that’s a big advantage. Coaching actual football in season is a demanding job. Any distraction from that has a cost. Love that our coaches can focus on the game prep more as opposed to flying around begging and kissing ass during season (at least a bit less).

This.

 

[Blazers46]

ND gets a fast start. I think that’s a big advantage. Coaching actual football in season is a demanding job. Any distraction from that has a cost. Love that our coaches can focus on the game prep more as opposed to flying around begging and kissing ass during season (at least a bit less).

Yes and No, I’m sure most of these guys will be coming to visit during season. Recruiting is as much defensive as offensive, meaning retention is sometimes just as rigorous. And we have 2027 to focus on. I’m sure it takes stress off the coaches but I assume they are still recruiting those verbals until ink hits paper.

 

[Rocketman84]

If Osborne is at full health this year, he's a top 50 player. Legitimately looks like a slightly bigger Kyren Williams. His vision, cuts, contact balance, acceleration....it is all so reminiscent of Kyren.

Alot of people think Walton is even better, which is crazy to think about given how talented he is now. I believe Lemming had Walton as the #1RB in the country, and I think both are "genuinely" top 5 RBs for sure and top 70 players. You gotta love Osborne's "jump cut" and slashing style coupled with Walton's elite vision and get North style with great speed. Interested to see how they both do as SRs after regressing last season from huge Soph seasons.

 

[allenm5333]

Yes and No, I’m sure most of these guys will be coming to visit during season. Recruiting is as much defensive as offensive, meaning retention is sometimes just as rigorous. And we have 2027 to focus on. I’m sure it takes stress off the coaches but I assume they are still recruiting those verbals until ink hits paper.

New recruiting development and departments definitely help them focus on coaching in season

 

[allenm5333]

Yes and No, I’m sure most of these guys will be coming to visit during season. Recruiting is as much defensive as offensive, meaning retention is sometimes just as rigorous. And we have 2027 to focus on. I’m sure it takes stress off the coaches but I assume they are still recruiting those verbals until ink hits paper.

New recruiting development and departments definitely help them focus on coaching in season

 

[Rocketman84]

I agree with many here, while on the surface, trying to project these kids on the NFL potential seems plausible, the fact is, the college game is different and what makes a good college player is different than the NFL.

You're telling me Tim Tebow wasn't a 5-star HS recruit and one of the greatest college players to ever do it because he had no shot at being a good NFL QB? Go down the list of Heisman winners, it's a very long list of the best college football players in the country, who didn't do anything in the NFL. Charlie Ward, Danny Wuerfel, Ron Dayne, Chris Weinke, Eric Crouch, Jason White, Matt Lienhart, Reggie Bush, Troy Smith, Sam Bradford, Manziel, Mariota...

You get the point. I could buy having a portion of the equation being NFL potential, but not the basis for the ratings.

Tebow was definitely a 5*, he and Stafford were the top 2 QBs after Mustain dropped from the top spot. Urban had 4 top 25 guys and Harvin was #1.

But your right the notion of trying to project guys to the NFL is "asinine" when it's already hard enough to do from a college stand point.

 

[allenm5333]

Tebow was definitely a 5*, he and Stafford were the top 2 QBs after Mustain dropped from the top spot. Urban had 4 top 25 guys and Harvin was #1.

But your right the notion of trying to project guys to the NFL is "asinine" when it's already hard enough to do from a college stand point.

They have actually gotten really good. Like if you look at five stars who become first rd picks, it had gotten better