2009 Verbal Commitments

Jeremy Gainer LB 6-1 215 5.7 Detroit, MI
Duwyce Wilson WR 6-4 190 5.7 Columbus, IN
Ted Bolser TE 6-5 212 5.6 Cincinnati, OH
Adam Replogle DT 6-3 265 5.6 Centerville, OH
Edward Wright Baker QB 6-2 205 5.6 Jeffersonville, IN
Lawrence Barnett DB 5-10 180 5.5 Fort Wayne, IN
Dimitrius Carr LB 6-1 200 5.5 Chicago, IL
Charles Chapman OL 6-6 274 5.5 S.Rockwood, MI
Jamonne Chester WR 6-1 194 5.5 Redford, MI
Dustin Kiel QB 6-3 220 5.5 Columbus, IN
Pat McShane OL 6-5 280 5.5 Stow, OH
Colin Rodkey OL 6-4 260 5.5 Monroeville, PA
Nick Zachery ATH 6-1 195 5.5 Sheridan, IN
Kenneth Watkins DB 6-0 185 5.4 Birmingham, MI
Mitch Ewald K 5-10 165 5.3 Aurora, IL

15 Verbals.

13 of 15 verbals ranked at 3 stars. That means 86.7% of verbals are 3 star players.
The average star ranking of this potential class is 2.867.
The average ranking is 5.526

If you take the average star ranking of 2.867 and compare it to Rivals.com's 2005 class ranking, this class would rank 31 (note Illinois was 45). Compared to the 2006 class ranking this class would be ranked 34th (note Illinois was 32nd). Compared to the 2007 class ranking, this class would be ranked 37th based upon "average star per class". Compared to the 2008 classes, this class would be ranked 40th. Larger classes get more points from sheer size, which frankly is absurd.

So what do we take from this? If you place this class back to 2005 through 2008 and measure it accordingly, it looks like this:

2005: 31st (Illinois under Zook was 45)
2006: 34th (Illinois under Zook was 32)
2007: 37th
2008: 40th

I've heard the gibber gabber (i.e., Purdue whiners complaining about "star inflation"), and it appears that to the contrary, that if there is star inflation from the 2009 class, then EVERYONE benefits from the inflation--not just Indiana. Furthermore, in the 2008 class, there were 34 pages of 3 star recruits with approximately the same amount of 3 stars on each page. For the 2009 class, there were 30 pages of 3 star recruits. I would anticipate that list to grow, but not by more than 4 pages worth of recruits. Stated differently, the notion of star inflation is silly. I mean I understand where it comes from (Boilermakerville), but geesh, at least do some research....

I should also point out that I don't put too much stock in "stars". Of course a roster of 5 and 4 star guys is going to win games--if they stay. System players and guys who haven't physically matured yet but will go under the radar at time. Take an offensive lineman. Some are just physically ready to play their freshman years because they've been lifting since they were 11 years old. Others are just growing into their bodies and haven't been able to do certain things. It is amazing what a couple of years will do to develop the growth of an OL. Think Robert Gallery the former TE.

Stars are good to the lay person. Coaches know best. Tandon Doss was a 2 star WR. You think after watching him play this fall that perhaps IU knew what they were doing? Hmmmmmm... perhaps!