2008 Rivals/Scout/etc. National & Regional Rankings

[BengalsAndBucks]

I was looking at the ESPN Insider's Top 150, and it amazes me how different it is from Scout and Rivals. While Scout and Rivals arent identical, they differ greatly on only a very few players. However, ESPN just has some off the wall ratings, such as:

Jamie Harper (ESPN-15, Scout-90, Rivals-137)
Joe Adams (ESPN-24, Scout-NR, Rivals-190)
Courtney Upshaw (ESPN-31, Scout-NR, Rivals-187)
DJ Shoemate (ESPN-57, Scout-25, Rivals-22)
Nigel Bradham (ESPN-61, Scout-19, Rivals-12)
Matt Kalil (ESPN-83, Scout-7, Rivals-6)
Shayne Hale (ESPN-101, Scout-21, Rivals-20)
Kyle Rudolph (ESPN-103, Scout-18, Rivals-25)
Matt Patchan (ESPN-109, Scout-16, Rivals-19)
Baker Steinkuhler (ESPN-114, Scout-62, Rivals-21)
DeVoe Torrence (ESPN-115, Scout-42, Rivals-37)
Lucas Nix (ESPN-121, Scout-22, Rivals-28)
Tryon Smith (ESPN-124, Scout-48, Rivals-11)
Brendan Beal (ESPN-128, Scout-38, Rivals-50)

Those are some of the players I saw where ESPN differed greatly from the other recruiting services. Is this showing ESPN is a joke or do they evaluate differently, or what?

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by BengalsAndBucks

Is this showing ESPN is a joke or do they evaluate differently, or what?

It's the HUTA effect. HUTA = Heads Up Their Asses

[B-town Buckeye]

well...when you have 150 on the list and 70 come from SEC states (FL 34, GA, 16, AL 7, SC 5, LA 3, AR 2, MS 2, TN 1) some guys are going to have to fall. That's around 47% I believe. Am surprised to see them have Patchan and Bradham lower.

By comparison, the scout.com top 150 has 42 from SEC states (FL 16, GA 9, AL 7, SC 4, MS 2, AR 2, LA 1, TN 1)...or 28%. Rivals.com breaks down with 53 of 150 from SEC states (FL 17, GA 14, AL 9, SC 4, LA 3, MS 3, TN 2, AR 1)...or 35%.

My numbers might be a little off one way or the other...just scratched it out real quick as I have to get to work...but the point remains...when Rivals' southern/SEC tilt looks small in comparison to your rankings...it might be time to reevaluate your methods IMO.

[wadc45]

SI.com - High School - SI/TAKKLE.com Top 100 Football Players

Of note:

#12 Terrelle Pryor

Pryor is a unique dual-threat quarterback prospect with big-time college potential. Though also being recruited as a tight end, linebacker, wide receiver, and safety, it is his raw talent and athleticism at quarterback that has schools after him. With some seasoning and experience, Pryor could be the next Vince Young.

#14 Michael Brewster

If you're a fan of the big men in the trenches, Brewster is for you. Quick, tough, and a big time hitter, he has all of the tools to run block and pass block. His size and technique allow him to handle fast rushing defensive linemen. He has a chance to develop into a top notch player on the next level.

#30 Michael Floyd

Floyd's size makes him intimidating to defensive backs. He has great hands and excels on vertical routes. Not the most explosive speed burner he nevertheless has the ability to make the big play short or long. Floyd's penchant for coming down with acrobatic grabs conjures up memories of a young Larry Fitzgerald.

#37 Mike Adams

Don't overlook this big kid. He's huge, strong and only going to get bigger. He moves quite well for a big man and is a solid run blocker, making great initial contact. His pass blocking techniques are outstanding. Adams has all the tools to become a franchise offensive tackle. Having committed to Ohio State, Adams will likely draw comparisons to Buckeyes greats Korey Stringer and Orlando Pace.

#40 J.B. Shugarts

A big man who has the physique to get much bigger, Shugarts is destined to become a force in college. He is an aggressive and determined blocker who will only improve with time. Shugarts needs to play more and with more consistency, but that will come. Shugarts' commitment to Ohio State gives Tressel another dominant blocker along the offensive line.

#41 Devoe Torrence

An Ohio State commit, Torrence can do it all. He has impressive speed for his size and last year had nearly 1,000 yards of offense and 17 touchdowns. Torrence was a force in the middle of the defense as well, with 130 tackles including six sacks and two interceptions. Wherever he finds himself in Coach Tressel's system, Buckeyes fans can rest easy knowing they have one of the best all-around athletes in the nation on their side.

#44 Devier Posey

An intimidating receiver, Posey excels in the short and medium passing game. His great hands and surprising speed confuse defenders. If he can continue to build on his overall skills, Posey will be an excellent collegiate receiver.

#57 Kenny Tate

A big man with good speed and acceleration, Tate excels in man coverage. His size generates mismatches in the secondary. If he can improve his speed and techniques, Tate has the talent to be an excellent wide receiver for any program.

#79 Andrew Sweat

You can't ask for much more in an elite inside linebacker: big physique, lots of quickness, an attitude to destroy running backs and he's unblockable at the high school level. His quickness gives him outstanding ability to cover passes between the hash marks.

#82 Cordale Scott

Scott is a true athlete who will try any position the team needs him to play. A game-breaking wide receiver in high school, Scott can play there and on special teams in college.

#84 Jake Stoneburner

One of the nation's top tight end prospects, Stoneburner has outstanding pass-catching skills. With some work as a run blocker, Stoneburner will become the complete package. Coach Jim Tressel and Ohio State will enjoy his talents.

#88 Garrett Goebel

A strong and menacing player, Goebel could become devastating after adding some bulk. He excels at taking on and defeating double team blocks and is a sure tackler. Goebel is a solid pass rusher who knows how to get past the defenders. Goebel gives Jim Tressel another explosive interior defender to add to a star-studded lineup.

#100 Shayne Hale

Hale has speed sideline to sideline and is an excellent tackler, but needs to improve his pass coverage abilities. He has all of the tools to be an impact player on the next level.

FWIW...they list Cordale Scott as committed to OSU, which is inaccurate/premature...

[crazybuckfan40]

No Thomas or Jenkins...

Pryor, Brewster, and Adams are too low...

Not horrible tho for SI...

[BGriffBuckeye]

I would like to note that Devoe's profile has a pic of his brother Devon

['BusNative]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

No Thomas or Jenkins...

Pryor, Brewster, and Adams are too low...

Not horrible tho for SI...

If they are rating Thomas' potential as a college RB, they might have the same reservations that many here have about his size and college-level durability. Its hard to imagine that he's not a top-100 ATH, but the RB argument remains.

[tsteele316]

Mike Adams and Brandon Moore both fell from the rivals 100 in the most recent update.

laughable.

edit: the updated 100 link isn't working and is down at the moment.

[OSUBucks22]

Originally Posted by tsteele316

Mike Adams and Brandon Moore both fell from the rivals 100 in the most recent update.

laughable.

edit: the updated 100 link isn't working and is down at the moment.

Totally laughable... I posted on the main forum there, but we all know it won't get an answer...

It just baffles me that they fail to see anything in Mike Adams at all... Especially with how dominant he's been so far this year...

[crazybuckfan40]

What a joke...

[OregonBuckeye]

Shugarts is still a little too low, IMO. I've been really impressed with him.

[eobuck]

Josh Jenkins in the top 100, but no Mike Adams. Adams dominates great competition every night. Jenkins plays below average competition and fails to dominate. Trying to figure this one out....

[OH10]

Originally Posted by OSUBucks22

Totally laughable... I posted on the main forum there, but we all know it won't get an answer...

It just baffles me that they fail to see anything in Mike Adams at all... Especially with how dominant he's been so far this year...

Maybe it's something they'll need to be reminded of in three years. These ratings services should be held accountable when they miss as much as when they pat themselves on the back when they hit.

[Thump]

Originally Posted by OH10

Maybe it's something they'll need to be reminded of in three years. These ratings services should be held accountable when they miss as much as when they pat themselves on the back when they hit.

Who gives a care. I think OSU has shown how unreliable the star system is.

[tsteele316]

to an inquiry made earlier, rivals sent 2 guys to watch adams in person this year. both said that he was top 100 material.

however, apparently based upon the revie of his film by others he was not.

mind you, this is comical in that there has been no new film since the last update, yet he dropped in the rankings despite playing well enough that those who saw him in person thought he was quite worthy.

comical.