As @BryanMatthews argues, our RB recruiting has been lacking. But if that's the case, you can't then use Rivals' RB rankings to prove your point, because Rivals -- on paper -- says we have loads of talent on par with top programs. Top 10 for sure.
2018, Asa Martin (#3 RB), 2017 Devan Barrett (#8 RB), 2016 Kam Martin (#7 APB -- interestingly ahead of Trayveon Williams) 2016 Kerryon (#5 RB). That's an incredible 4 year stretch even if you didn't have 4*s Miller and Shivers. Losing Kerryon hurt, but he needs to be included in this evaluation, especially if we're going to compare ourselves to Bama and fellow '16 RB Damien Harris.
On paper that's pretty good, better than 95% of teams nationwide. Sure you can compare that to Bama and Georgia and yes, they might rank slightly higher, but on paper we're right behind them and in plenty good enough shape -- on paper -- to compete at the highest level.
So maybe we missed on all those guys? Well, then Rivals did as well. And yet Rivals' evaluations are being used to prove a point that we don't recruit as well as our rivals? They can't "not matter" for us and "matter" for UGA and Bama. You can't use stars as a measure of recruiting success if those same stars are clearly wrong for Auburn.
You can't say
1) Alabama and Georgia's backs are good, look how highly ranked they were!
And also say...
2) Auburn's backs are bad, ignore how highly ranked they were!
We all unconsciously use production as a measure of recruiting success and that production "proves" the rankings. If we had better o-line play and better play-calling/system, our RB production would be better and no one would be questioning our RB talent. Along those lines, maybe we need better QB talent? Georgia and Alabama have recruited at a better level? Or maybe our talent is just fine and a host of variables are affecting our ability to diagnose the problem.
Always appreciate your analysis BMatt. Just disagree with you here. You do a hell of a job.
2018, Asa Martin (#3 RB), 2017 Devan Barrett (#8 RB), 2016 Kam Martin (#7 APB -- interestingly ahead of Trayveon Williams) 2016 Kerryon (#5 RB). That's an incredible 4 year stretch even if you didn't have 4*s Miller and Shivers. Losing Kerryon hurt, but he needs to be included in this evaluation, especially if we're going to compare ourselves to Bama and fellow '16 RB Damien Harris.
On paper that's pretty good, better than 95% of teams nationwide. Sure you can compare that to Bama and Georgia and yes, they might rank slightly higher, but on paper we're right behind them and in plenty good enough shape -- on paper -- to compete at the highest level.
So maybe we missed on all those guys? Well, then Rivals did as well. And yet Rivals' evaluations are being used to prove a point that we don't recruit as well as our rivals? They can't "not matter" for us and "matter" for UGA and Bama. You can't use stars as a measure of recruiting success if those same stars are clearly wrong for Auburn.
You can't say
1) Alabama and Georgia's backs are good, look how highly ranked they were!
And also say...
2) Auburn's backs are bad, ignore how highly ranked they were!
We all unconsciously use production as a measure of recruiting success and that production "proves" the rankings. If we had better o-line play and better play-calling/system, our RB production would be better and no one would be questioning our RB talent. Along those lines, maybe we need better QB talent? Georgia and Alabama have recruited at a better level? Or maybe our talent is just fine and a host of variables are affecting our ability to diagnose the problem.
Always appreciate your analysis BMatt. Just disagree with you here. You do a hell of a job.
