Recruiting 4 & 5 star players compared to PWO's

[HoustonHawkeye]

Looking at past rankings of players, 4 & 5 star players make it at 50% rate. My definition of success is to start for more than one season for recruited team. Does not matter why the player does not make it. Same happens at other schools. Red are the 1+ year starters:

2002: Edmond Miles, Chris Felder
2003: Mike Jones, Albert Young, Drew Tate
2004: Walner Belleus, Kyle Williams
2005: Ryan Bain, Anthony Moeaki, Dace Richardson, Dan Doering, Kelvin Bailey, Rafael Eubanks, Jake Christiansen
2006: Jerimiah Hunter, Adrian Clayburn
2007: Cedric Everson, Jordan Bernstine, Diauntae Morrow, Christian Ballard, Bryan Bulaga
2008: ----
2009: Brandon Wegher, Keenan Davis
2010: CJ Fiedorowicz, AJ Derby, Marcus Coker, Andrew Donnal
2011: Rodney Coe, Jordan Walsh, Ray Hamilton, Austin Blythe
2012: Greg Garmon, Faithe Ekakitie, Ryan Ward, Jaleel Johnson
2013: ----
2014: Tyler Wiegers, Jay Scheel
2015: James Daniels
2016: ---
2017: AJ Epenesa, Tristan Wirfs

I know injuries limited some of these players. The same happens to 3 star and 2 star players. My point of this analysis is that we have 18 PWO players coming, of which we hope 3-4 will earn scholarships and one of the 4 becomes a stud. I think in past years, we usually had about 10-12 PWO's if my memory serves me correctly.

Hoping that this strategy is the difference for Iowa to compete yearly with teams like OSU, PSU, & Michigan to a lessor extent...since we have had our way with them over the last 10 years(5-1 record). Question: Can we continue the 18 PWO's each year and is the early signing period allowing our coaches to line up the PWO's more easily?

And if you look at our recruiting, it has been getting better over the last 3 years & overall national rankings. Most of the PWO are positions of less skill and more about smarts, effort & built up strength. Hopefully, this strategy allows us to improve year to year.​

 

[spbc7]

We cannot continue with that many PWO’s each year as I have been led to believe. PWO’s are guaranteed roster spots on the first day of fall camp. Only 105 players are allowed on the roster until the first game or school starts. Older scholarship players or walk-ons will get left off the fall camp roster if we continuously bring in that many PWOs. That is valuable practice time that will be missed. You can bring in that many walk-ons each year, just not as many of the preferred variety. If anyone knows differently, feel free to correct me. I’m not 100% certain on the rules

 

[DodgerHawki]

We cannot continue with that many PWO’s each year as I have been led to believe. PWO’s are guaranteed roster spots on the first day of fall camp. Only 105 players are allowed on the roster until the first game or school starts. Older scholarship players or walk-ons will get left off the fall camp roster if we continuously bring in that many PWOs. That is valuable practice time that will be missed. You can bring in that many walk-ons each year, just not as many of the preferred variety. If anyone knows differently, feel free to correct me. I’m not 100% certain on the rules

It depends on what happens each year. 18 PWO may be on the high end, but if a guy doesn't show enough during his first year on campus there is nothing that says if you are a PWO as a freshman that your spot on the 105 for fall camp is secure the next year. I would guess that of the 18, if half of them showed enough to make it on the 105 the next year that would be a really good showing. Iowa has demonstrated that if a walk on shows he is good enough to play, he will get on the field. But it doesn't mean that a high percentage of walk ons will make it. Just the way it goes.

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

Quick glance through and noticed Keenan Davis. Wasn't he a multi year starter?

 

[SLarew]

It depends on what happens each year. 18 PWO may be on the high end, but if a guy doesn't show enough during his first year on campus there is nothing that says if you are a PWO as a freshman that your spot on the 105 for fall camp is secure the next year. I would guess that of the 18, if half of them showed enough to make it on the 105 the next year that would be a really good showing. Iowa has demonstrated that if a walk on shows he is good enough to play, he will get on the field. But it doesn't mean that a high percentage of walk ons will make it. Just the way it goes.

It is very doubtful that all 18 are PWOs.
Some have stated they are in interviews others have not. Safer to say 18 walkons committed for time being but pretty sure they are not all Prederred walkons. Will find out this summer

 

[SoDakHawk]

We cannot continue with that many PWO’s each year as I have been led to believe. PWO’s are guaranteed roster spots on the first day of fall camp. Only 105 players are allowed on the roster until the first game or school starts. Older scholarship players or walk-ons will get left off the fall camp roster if we continuously bring in that many PWOs. That is valuable practice time that will be missed. You can bring in that many walk-ons each year, just not as many of the preferred variety. If anyone knows differently, feel free to correct me. I’m not 100% certain on the rules

This is why when you hear Nebraska fans talk about "bringing back the walk-on program" you know you are talking to a pure numbskull. Due to Title 9 rules and roster restrictions the days of bringing in huge numbers of walk-ons and having this huge walk-on program has been over for some time now.

Iowa is bringing in quite a few this year but that is not guaranteed to happen in future years and the number of walk-ons will be determined by the roster size and number of returning players.

 

[DodgerHawki]

It is very doubtful that all 18 are PWOs.
Some have stated they are in interviews others have not. Safer to say 18 walkons committed for time being but pretty sure they are not all Prederred walkons. Will find out this summer

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Hawkdome]

You forgot snerd snorklewaud

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

No Matt Roth? Come on man!

Wasn’t Fred Russell a 4 Star?

You left off a four star running back in the 05 class, Corey Robertson I believe or something like that.

Kyle “Bonecrusher” never signed w/ Iowa after a visit and theft in the locker room.

Rodney Coe never made it to Iowa due to grades.

DJK was a 4 Star late signee due to grades.

List is incomplete for comparative purposes.

 

[GarryO37]

Quick glance through and noticed Keenan Davis. Wasn't he a multi year starter?

I believe he was behind DJK and McNutt. He played a lot prior to becoming a starter. I don’t believe the measure in the OP’s post is a particularly good one.

Guys like Marcus Coker, Brandon Wegher and Greg Garmon played as true freshman at Iowa but left the program for different reasons, not important.

Jake Christiansen started for more than a year.

Jordan Bernstein was injured a lot in his career at Iowa. He was drafted and made a 53 man roster in the NFL and signed a 4 year deal prior to having a career ending injury.

AJ Derby is playing in the NFL right now.

Ray Hamilton was behind CJ Fed and bounced around on practice squads in the NFL.

I wouldn’t say our 4 stars haven’t been successful.

 

[singlet]

This is why when you hear Nebraska fans talk about "bringing back the walk-on program" you know you are talking to a pure numbskull. Due to Title 9 rules and roster restrictions the days of bringing in huge numbers of walk-ons and having this huge walk-on program has been over for some time now.

Iowa is bringing in quite a few this year but that is not guaranteed to happen in future years and the number of walk-ons will be determined by the roster size and number of returning players.

And yet, there aren't any posts over on our site talking about trying to compete with Penn State and Ohio State by taking more walk-on players. Another example of an Iowa fan trying to tell Nebraska fans what they think.

 

[PerkyForHerky]

And yet, there aren't any posts over on our site talking about trying to compete with Penn State and Ohio State by taking more walk-on players. Another example of an Iowa fan trying to tell Nebraska fans what they think.

Don't you have an action figure to go play with?

 

[singlet]

Don't you have an action figure to go play with?

IF someone had bought that for me, I'd have him body slamming all of my He-Man and GI Joe guys all over the living room floor for sure. But alas, I didn't get one for Christmas. Plus, you know that my post is right. Every conversation with every Iowa fan turns out the same way.

 

[PerkyForHerky]

IF someone had bought that for me, I'd have him body slamming all of my He-Man and GI Joe guys all over the living room floor for sure. But alas, I didn't get one for Christmas. Plus, you know that my post is right. Every conversation with every Iowa fan turns out the same way.

Hyperbole much?

 

[Curt Furence]

No Matt Roth? Come on man!

Wasn’t Fred Russell a 4 Star?

You left off a four star running back in the 05 class, Corey Robertson I believe or something like that.

Kyle “Bonecrusher” never signed w/ Iowa after a visit and theft in the locker room.

Rodney Coe never made it to Iowa due to grades.

DJK was a 4 Star late signee due to grades.

List is incomplete for comparative purposes.

DJK was a 3 star on Rivals at least

Kyle Williams was in camp for a couple of days and practiced before leaving

 

[SoDakHawk]

And yet, there aren't any posts over on our site talking about trying to compete with Penn State and Ohio State by taking more walk-on players. Another example of an Iowa fan trying to tell Nebraska fans what they think.

Wait. What? Every Husker fan has had the words "we have to get the walk-on program going again" pass through their lips as being one of the tenets of restoring Nebraska football to greatness. Are you denying that? Are you seriously denying that?

 

[somebody once]

Marcus Coker had almost 1400 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2011. Also, Keenan Davis, while I think he wasn't a "starter" (I think was behind KMM) he was second on the team in receptions behind McNutt.
The program has done pretty well with the 4/5 star guys. Take out the few that were injured guys like Alex Kanellis) and compare the production of the rest and you'll see very few busts.

 

[singlet]

Wait. What? Every Husker fan has had the words "we have to get the walk-on program going again" pass through their lips as being one of the tenets of restoring Nebraska football to greatness. Are you denying that? Are you seriously denying that?

I am 100% saying that your representation of "Nebraska fan" is incorrect. I see a bunch of posts about Iowa's totally sweet walk on class over here, and I see posts from an Iowa fan about how delusional Nebraska fans are when it comes to walk ons. I just find it kind of funny, in the same way that it's funny that I have developed an internal clock when it comes to Iowa fans bringing up the 90s during any conversation about football at work, for instance.

 

[GarryO37]

No Matt Roth? Come on man!

Wasn’t Fred Russell a 4 Star?

You left off a four star running back in the 05 class, Corey Robertson I believe or something like that.

Kyle “Bonecrusher” never signed w/ Iowa after a visit and theft in the locker room.

Rodney Coe never made it to Iowa due to grades.

DJK was a 4 Star late signee due to grades.

List is incomplete for comparative purposes.

This is going back to the early years of the star system and rivals. I was in high school at the time these players were recruited, so this is just going off of memory. Rivals doesn't have these players in the system anymore.

Matt Roth was a 4 star. Blake Larsen was a 5 star. Brad Banks and CJ Jones were 4 stars coming out of Junior College.

Fred Russell was not a 4 star. I know that for sure. I'm thinking he was a 3 star.

 

[HoustonHawkeye]

The whole point of my original discussion is that it is not the end of the world getting 4 star players if only 50% of them pan out...if you can get 20 walk on's where 20% of them pan out.
Your arguments about players leaving for "reasons" doesn't change the fact of them having left. My point was only 50% are starters for more than 1 year.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

I am 100% saying that your representation of "Nebraska fan" is incorrect. I see a bunch of posts about Iowa's totally sweet walk on class over here, and I see posts from an Iowa fan about how delusional Nebraska fans are when it comes to walk ons. I just find it kind of funny, in the same way that it's funny that I have developed an internal clock when it comes to Iowa fans bringing up the 90s during any conversation about football at work, for instance.

Dude WTF are you talking about and why are you hear? Outside of the 30 mile radius of Lincoln Nebby here is the representation of Nebby fans:
1) Starter Jackets
2) Saved by The Bell and Murder She Wrote-stuck in the past
3) Trying to win (trying is key word here)> over values- Case in point positional coach getting 3rd DUI and continuing to mentor college athletes- 100+ walk-ons during your glory days, Lawrence Phillips, and a handful of other players
4) Not realizing the 100+ ranked Iowa offense put up 100+ points in the last 2 games and have been the better team for the past 5 or more years
5) Talking smack that the mighty huskers were going to own the big ten and now are not even top 3 team in the Big Ten West- funny what happens when you play against a good conference that plays defense.....Frost will find this out soon (I hope so anyway)
6) THE MOST DELUSIONAL AND PATHETIC FANBASE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY- there were several polls from several sources that had nebby in the top 3 LMAO

 

[GarryO37]

The whole point of my original discussion is that it is not the end of the world getting 4 star players if only 50% of them pan out...if you can get 20 walk on's where 20% of them pan out.
Your arguments about players leaving for "reasons" doesn't change the fact of them having left. My point was only 50% are starters for more than 1 year.

No one is saying that it's the end of the world. But you shouldn't act like they aren't important to the success of the program. Whether the coaching staff pays attention to star ratings or not, they obviously believe they need to get these types of players.

That being said, if players are playing as true freshman at Iowa, they are special players. The coaches think highly enough of that player, they are willing to burn their redshirt.

You're omitting facts in an attempt to strengthen your argument. It doesn't stand up to minimal scrutiny because the majority of the players you listed made a meaningful contributions in their time at Iowa.

50% of them start for more than a year? Considering that they make up about 12% of our recruits over your time period and most of them end up starting and contributing at Iowa, that's a pretty good rate.

Also, Jake Christiansen and Keenan Davis started for more than 1 year at Iowa.