The thing I think that is overrated with recruiting is the star system and the rankings.
Getting a ton of 5 *'s vs. getting 3 or 4*'s don't matter to me anymore.
What ESPN thinks vs. 24/7 is just an opinion vs. someone else's opinion.
I've seen many MUST GETS in recruiting and A-mon Ra is a must get.
I think the R&R/star system is overrated PER PLAYER, however it is spot on when you look at the Average Player Rating of a program's class. Bama is Bama because they consistently have had the highest APR until last year when Ohio State passed them. They are building a juggernaut right now. When the '17 & '18 classes get to be upperclassmen... watch out.
The good news is Clemson showed you can coach up a squad with an team APR below 89 into a National Champ. It just takes a few impact All-American's, one of which needs to be the QB. I truly believe ND is doing this with the 2019 class. Every area of need is being addressed
QB: I would take Phil J over any QB in this class, or any class since Ron Powlus. In fact, he might be the all time perfect recruit regardless of position in the recruiting industry era including Powlus.
DB: I wouldn't trade Derrik Allen for any DB (CB or S) in the country. No doubt, he is the best all around DB in the country. He was a top CB before he grew out of the position and now he's a SS prospect who brings elite level coverage to the position at 6-2/215... a size bigger than most 4*/5* OLB's possess.
Safety: To go along with Allen, Griffith is right there with Jaiden Woodbey and Tyreke Johnson. Griffith's 2 years starting at IMG is a huge advantage for him vs. most S prospects. Like Allen, he's a converted CB who is also one of the best 7v7 DB's in the country. If I had my choice of any safety tandem, this is who I would pick for ND.
DT: I wouldn't trade Jay Ademilola for any DT in this class. Period.
Rover: I wouldn't trade Shayne Simon for any LB/S to man Rover. Plus he has the skillset to play Buck if Elko/Lea determine that JOK @ Rov + Simon @ Buck is better than Simon @ Rover and (ex) Ovie/Bauer @ Buck.
LB: I wouldn't trade the haul of Lamb, Bauer, Oghoufo & Simon for any other LB corp currently put together. If they get PooPoo, this class will be the all-time, absolute sh!t*.
WR: Film for film + production + measurables + fit = Austin vs ASB. There's no other Sr. WR in the country that looks more like a man over and over in their highlights like these two. Justin Shorter may have the best NFL body and measurables right now but Austin and ASB are them best combination of all the things ND needs in a WR. Pre-injury Kamryn Babb was in that list class too.
*Still got it.
