I get the disappointment in the guys that Purdue missed out on and the concern over the rank of some of the guys who signed. But I personally don't subscribe to the extremes some people go to when it comes to class rank.
My opinion on recruiting ranks:
5 star recruits can play right away and usually do except for at blue blood programs. Virtually all contribute eventually and most are key contributors.Some 4 star recruits can play right away and some need a year in the program to acclimate. Most will contribute eventually and some will be key contributors, while others will never pan out.Few 3 star recruits can play right away. Most need a year in the program and some don't contribute until they are upperclassmen. Some are eventually key contributors and some never pan out.The difference between 2 and 3 star recruits is IMO negligible and frequently a result of exposure or injury. Few 2 star recruits can play right away. Most need a year in the program and some don't contribute until they are upperclassmen. Some are eventually key contributors and some never pan out.JUCO's are a different animal. Most only have 2 years of eligibility and while they are more mature than incoming freshmen, the step up in class makes them a 50/50 proposition.
The key in all of this is to assess where your program's pressing needs fit with the class you brought in. Ideally, you build your program such that you don't need any incoming players to contribute immediately and only the special recruits become key players early.
Does Purdue have that luxury this season? Outside of a couple of positions, I think it does. The good news is the pressing needs are at the skill positions, which tend to be areas where new players can more easily contribute.
At WR, Purdue picked up 2 JUCO WR's who are both 6'4 and intriguing. If Anthrop and Knauf can stay healthy (always a key at a developmental program), Purdue just needs one of the 2 to contribute. I like those odds.At RB, Purdue may need one of Jones or Worship to contribute early. Can they? I don't know. This is where it may hurt that Vaughn picked Illinois as having 3 guys available would have increased those odds.TE is a big question mark as I'm not sure Purdue has a guy who is both a run blocker and pass catcher. Hikutini could have been that guy but he bailed. As such, we have to hope either the light comes on for Carvajal or Herdman and/or Burke can step up. I'd rather not have to rely on the freshmen here.DE is a big concern. I like Panfil and Gelen but Purdue has little depth at this position and will need the JUCO Henley and possibly the true freshman Turner (if he signs) to provide depth.
All in all, I don't hate this class, but there are some key misses that may impact this team in the near term. Beyond the near term, it is all about whether the coaches can develop guys into B1G level contributors. IMO this staff hasn't been on campus long enough to make that determination. As such, and as always, it will be 3-4 years before we can truly evaluate this class.
My opinion on recruiting ranks:
5 star recruits can play right away and usually do except for at blue blood programs. Virtually all contribute eventually and most are key contributors.Some 4 star recruits can play right away and some need a year in the program to acclimate. Most will contribute eventually and some will be key contributors, while others will never pan out.Few 3 star recruits can play right away. Most need a year in the program and some don't contribute until they are upperclassmen. Some are eventually key contributors and some never pan out.The difference between 2 and 3 star recruits is IMO negligible and frequently a result of exposure or injury. Few 2 star recruits can play right away. Most need a year in the program and some don't contribute until they are upperclassmen. Some are eventually key contributors and some never pan out.JUCO's are a different animal. Most only have 2 years of eligibility and while they are more mature than incoming freshmen, the step up in class makes them a 50/50 proposition.
The key in all of this is to assess where your program's pressing needs fit with the class you brought in. Ideally, you build your program such that you don't need any incoming players to contribute immediately and only the special recruits become key players early.
Does Purdue have that luxury this season? Outside of a couple of positions, I think it does. The good news is the pressing needs are at the skill positions, which tend to be areas where new players can more easily contribute.
At WR, Purdue picked up 2 JUCO WR's who are both 6'4 and intriguing. If Anthrop and Knauf can stay healthy (always a key at a developmental program), Purdue just needs one of the 2 to contribute. I like those odds.At RB, Purdue may need one of Jones or Worship to contribute early. Can they? I don't know. This is where it may hurt that Vaughn picked Illinois as having 3 guys available would have increased those odds.TE is a big question mark as I'm not sure Purdue has a guy who is both a run blocker and pass catcher. Hikutini could have been that guy but he bailed. As such, we have to hope either the light comes on for Carvajal or Herdman and/or Burke can step up. I'd rather not have to rely on the freshmen here.DE is a big concern. I like Panfil and Gelen but Purdue has little depth at this position and will need the JUCO Henley and possibly the true freshman Turner (if he signs) to provide depth.
All in all, I don't hate this class, but there are some key misses that may impact this team in the near term. Beyond the near term, it is all about whether the coaches can develop guys into B1G level contributors. IMO this staff hasn't been on campus long enough to make that determination. As such, and as always, it will be 3-4 years before we can truly evaluate this class.
