As of 12/20/2018 8am EST.

The below figures are from 247 site. What isn't clear to me is how many scholarships each team has to offer. Particularly interested in how many scholarships ODU available since you have 31 commits. Even though some may have signed a lot, doesn't mean your class average is that great (ex. ODU). Most teams pulled in some nice recruits.

Team: Signed / Unsigned
Charlotte: 10 / 2
FIU: 12 / 0
FAU: 6 / 9
LaTech: 11 / 4
Marshall: 17 / 2
MTSU: 12 / 7
N TX: 22 / 1
ODU: 22 / 9
Rice: 16 / 1
USM: 19 / 6
UAB: 7 / 12
UTEP: 9 / 0
UTSA: 12 / 3
WKU: 17 / 3

I know everyone likes to debate stars vs coaching, etc, but at this time, the star system is the metric to rate a player during the recruiting process.

Top 5 rated players:
1: 3* 0.8866 WR (WKU)
2: 3* 0.8784 QB (USM)
3: 3* 0.8700 CB (MTSU)
4: 3* 0.8668 RB (UTEP)
5: 3* 0.8627 OT (UAB)

These are the early rankings, but they will change as we get to Feb signing day.

247 Ranking: Team (prev year ranking)
1: N TX (9)
2: USM (5)
3: MTSU (10)
4: LaTech (4)
5: UAB (8)
6: WKU (6)
7: FAU (3)
8: Marshall (2)
9: ODU (13)
10: UTSA (7)
11: Rice (11)
12: FIU (1)
13: Charlotte (12)
14: UTEP (14)

Clearly, schools have wildly different strategies in signing recruits. Some have signed most of their recruits, some have left them for later. Some have gone for numbers, some have gone for ratings. Obviously, the number of scholarships available also plays a role.

We picked up a OT that is 6'7" 350 from JUCO. He was a 4 star out of HS and started as a RS Freshman for Florida State. He got in to some trouble with a girlfriend and left school. He was subsequently cleared by FSU and was going to return, but changed his mind and didn't want to go back. He didn't play at JUCO, so I think he is a 3 to play 3 guy.


Don't know what he was ranked in his re-recruitment, but was good enough to start as a FR at a P5 school.

As someone who doesn't follow it too closely, football recruiting rankings is a disappointing topic for ODU. The only time we had a highly rated class compared to the conference was our first FBS class so it was naturally huge and inflated the rating. I would've hoped that a new stadium opening next year would bring some extra juice, but maybe that is offset with the fact that these kids might not know if their head coach will be here in 2 years which is totally understandable.

It is certainly humbling to always be in the bottom half, even though we are in a great recruiting area and what should be the 2nd/3rd best team in the state (behind Va Tech and usually UVA). This year our coach brought in a lot of JUCOs to get the immediate help he knows he needs. He no longer has the leash to have an emphasis on developing young talent.

(12-20-2018 01:50 PM)banker Wrote:  We picked up a OT that is 6'7" 350 from JUCO. He was a 4 star out of HS and started as a RS Freshman for Florida State. He got in to some trouble with a girlfriend and left school. He was subsequently cleared by FSU and was going to return, but changed his mind and didn't want to go back. He didn't play at JUCO, so I think he is a 3 to play 3 guy.


Don't know what he was ranked in his re-recruitment, but was good enough to start as a FR at a P5 school.

That would be Josh Ball from Butler CC. At this time, he's listed as a 3* 0.8200. in 2015, he was the #5 player in Virginia and a 4*. Also was the #19 offensive tackle prospect in the country.

The guy is definitely a big time player and FSU wanted him to return. Guessing his rating drop was because of his history.

https://247sports.com/player/josh-ball-61733/

Rice signed 16 (the 17th that's still showing as a "hard commit" on 247Sports actually signed with Buffalo).

Bloomgren told the media yesterday that he plans to sign 9 more in February... He also hopes to bring in some more preferred walk-ons (which, depending on their family income, we can offer full scholarships without the cost of attendance stipends).

(12-20-2018 02:22 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 01:50 PM)banker Wrote:  We picked up a OT that is 6'7" 350 from JUCO. He was a 4 star out of HS and started as a RS Freshman for Florida State. He got in to some trouble with a girlfriend and left school. He was subsequently cleared by FSU and was going to return, but changed his mind and didn't want to go back. He didn't play at JUCO, so I think he is a 3 to play 3 guy.


Don't know what he was ranked in his re-recruitment, but was good enough to start as a FR at a P5 school.

That would be Josh Ball from Butler CC. At this time, he's listed as a 3* 0.8200. in 2015, he was the #5 player in Virginia and a 4*. Also was the #19 offensive tackle prospect in the country.

The guy is definitely a big time player and FSU wanted him to return. Guessing his rating drop was because of his history.

https://247sports.com/player/josh-ball-61733/

From what Ive read Taggart and the coaching staff wanted him back, the players took a vote and it was unanimous that the team wanted him back also.

The thing is his then GF who made the unsubstantiated allegations is still at FL State and made a big stink about it. The president at FL State wouldn't reinstate him as a student because of this. He tried as late as Dec 12th to be reinstated as a student at FL State.

Here is hoping he embraces his 2nd chance and does good with it.

The kid reminds me of Nate McPeek, those at Marshall know exactly what Im referring to.

UNT had 23 scholarships available and handed out all 23. The 23rd was to a OT grad transfer from Virginia Tech so it doesn't show up in 247's numbers. The one unsigned player no longer has a scholarship available for him. We don't know why but something came up. It's possible he's blue shirting but could be a grade issue.

(12-20-2018 02:34 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Rice signed 16 (the 17th that's still showing as a "hard commit" on 247Sports actually signed with Buffalo).

Bloomgren told the media yesterday that he plans to sign 9 more in February... He also hopes to bring in some more preferred walk-ons (which, depending on their family income, we can offer full scholarships without the cost of attendance stipends).

Cool. I'm sure some of the kids that are showing as commits, but not signed, might have flipped. Why go to Buffalo if you're getting a scholarship to Rice? Buffalo? Jeez.

(12-20-2018 03:07 PM)NorthTexan95 Wrote:  UNT had 23 scholarships available and handed out all 23. The 23rd was to a OT grad transfer from Virginia Tech so it doesn't show up in 247's numbers. The one unsigned player no longer has a scholarship available for him. We don't know why but something came up. It's possible he's blue shirting but could be a grade issue.

Got it. 247 will likely get it sorted out in next couple days. UNT did good on the recruiting front. Coaching staff probably have champagne hangovers this morning

(12-20-2018 03:45 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 02:34 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Rice signed 16 (the 17th that's still showing as a "hard commit" on 247Sports actually signed with Buffalo).

Bloomgren told the media yesterday that he plans to sign 9 more in February... He also hopes to bring in some more preferred walk-ons (which, depending on their family income, we can offer full scholarships without the cost of attendance stipends).

Cool. I'm sure some of the kids that are showing as commits, but not signed, might have flipped. Why go to Buffalo if you're getting a scholarship to Rice? Buffalo? Jeez.

Buffalo's a really good university, AAU and all that.

(12-20-2018 03:57 PM)58-56 Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 03:45 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 02:34 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Rice signed 16 (the 17th that's still showing as a "hard commit" on 247Sports actually signed with Buffalo).

Bloomgren told the media yesterday that he plans to sign 9 more in February... He also hopes to bring in some more preferred walk-ons (which, depending on their family income, we can offer full scholarships without the cost of attendance stipends).

Cool. I'm sure some of the kids that are showing as commits, but not signed, might have flipped. Why go to Buffalo if you're getting a scholarship to Rice? Buffalo? Jeez.

Buffalo's a really good university, AAU and all that.

Didn't realize that. According to US news... Rice #16, Buffalo #89. Pretty good.

(12-20-2018 05:49 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 03:57 PM)58-56 Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 03:45 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 02:34 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Rice signed 16 (the 17th that's still showing as a "hard commit" on 247Sports actually signed with Buffalo).

Bloomgren told the media yesterday that he plans to sign 9 more in February... He also hopes to bring in some more preferred walk-ons (which, depending on their family income, we can offer full scholarships without the cost of attendance stipends).

Cool. I'm sure some of the kids that are showing as commits, but not signed, might have flipped. Why go to Buffalo if you're getting a scholarship to Rice? Buffalo? Jeez.

Buffalo's a really good university, AAU and all that.

Didn't realize that. According to US news... Rice #16, Buffalo #89. Pretty good.

They live almost an hour outside of Buffalo. He can play in front of family. Buffalo has been after him for awhile.

(12-20-2018 05:58 PM)Ourland Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 05:49 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 03:57 PM)58-56 Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 03:45 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 02:34 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Rice signed 16 (the 17th that's still showing as a "hard commit" on 247Sports actually signed with Buffalo).

Bloomgren told the media yesterday that he plans to sign 9 more in February... He also hopes to bring in some more preferred walk-ons (which, depending on their family income, we can offer full scholarships without the cost of attendance stipends).

Cool. I'm sure some of the kids that are showing as commits, but not signed, might have flipped. Why go to Buffalo if you're getting a scholarship to Rice? Buffalo? Jeez.

Buffalo's a really good university, AAU and all that.

Didn't realize that. According to US news... Rice #16, Buffalo #89. Pretty good.

They live almost an hour outside of Buffalo. He can play in front of family. Buffalo has been after him for awhile.

It’s actually about 200 miles from Buffalo to Cleveland so it’s a bit further than an hour. But yes, I think proximity played a role.

His dad is a HS coach in Ohio and I’m sure has/had more familiarity with the Buffalo staff than the Rice staff. Still disappointing but we have a bunch of young QBs on the roster who I think could be good with development.

We now appear to be going after more of a dual-threat guy from Conway, AR. Offers from Harvard and Central Arkansas. Not sure if he has the same polish as the guy from OH but he’s an interesting athlete at the very least. He’s super skinny though so I think a weight room program will do him some good. Hopefully we land him.

I'm not 100% sure what Tech's strategy was but it looks like they went hard after a smaller group of kids they really liked instead of casting a wide net. It'll be interesting to see what the class looks like come February.

(12-20-2018 09:33 PM)RonBurgundy Wrote:  I'm not 100% sure what Tech's strategy was but it looks like they went hard after a smaller group of kids they really liked instead of casting a wide net. It'll be interesting to see what the class looks like come February.

QUALITY over quantity.
https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2019/cusa/football

(12-20-2018 03:45 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 02:34 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Rice signed 16 (the 17th that's still showing as a "hard commit" on 247Sports actually signed with Buffalo).

Bloomgren told the media yesterday that he plans to sign 9 more in February... He also hopes to bring in some more preferred walk-ons (which, depending on their family income, we can offer full scholarships without the cost of attendance stipends).

Cool. I'm sure some of the kids that are showing as commits, but not signed, might have flipped. Why go to Buffalo if you're getting a scholarship to Rice? Buffalo? Jeez.

The benefit of a Rice education is a great recruiting tool if the kid or his parents are capable of understanding that.
Picture walking into your first interview out of college and the interviewer just interviewed a kid who graduated from Rice and you got Buffalo on your diploma. Oh well.....

(12-21-2018 12:06 AM)SoMs Eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 03:45 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 02:34 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Rice signed 16 (the 17th that's still showing as a "hard commit" on 247Sports actually signed with Buffalo).

Bloomgren told the media yesterday that he plans to sign 9 more in February... He also hopes to bring in some more preferred walk-ons (which, depending on their family income, we can offer full scholarships without the cost of attendance stipends).

Cool. I'm sure some of the kids that are showing as commits, but not signed, might have flipped. Why go to Buffalo if you're getting a scholarship to Rice? Buffalo? Jeez.

The benefit of a Rice education is a great recruiting tool if the kid or his parents are capable of understanding that.
Picture walking into your first interview out of college and the interviewer just interviewed a kid who graduated from Rice and you got Buffalo on your diploma. Oh well.....

clt loves wings, so hire the buffalo grad. Rice is a carb

(12-20-2018 06:14 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 05:58 PM)Ourland Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 05:49 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 03:57 PM)58-56 Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 03:45 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  Cool. I'm sure some of the kids that are showing as commits, but not signed, might have flipped. Why go to Buffalo if you're getting a scholarship to Rice? Buffalo? Jeez.

Buffalo's a really good university, AAU and all that.

Didn't realize that. According to US news... Rice #16, Buffalo #89. Pretty good.

They live almost an hour outside of Buffalo. He can play in front of family. Buffalo has been after him for awhile.

It’s actually about 200 miles from Buffalo to Cleveland so it’s a bit further than an hour. But yes, I think proximity played a role.

His dad is a HS coach in Ohio and I’m sure has/had more familiarity with the Buffalo staff than the Rice staff. Still disappointing but we have a bunch of young QBs on the roster who I think could be good with development.

We now appear to be going after more of a dual-threat guy from Conway, AR. Offers from Harvard and Central Arkansas. Not sure if he has the same polish as the guy from OH but he’s an interesting athlete at the very least. He’s super skinny though so I think a weight room program will do him some good. Hopefully we land him.

Once we got Jaden to commit, our pro style QB commits decommited (sure coaches told them to).

One of the decommits looks perfect for Rice (if you wanted a pro style QB).

Sam Sexton from Austin, 3* 0.8477, 6-5 / 190lb with offers from Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Tulane, Rutgers, and many more.

https://247sports.com/Player/Sam-Saxton-46052270/

(12-21-2018 09:25 AM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 06:14 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 05:58 PM)Ourland Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 05:49 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 03:57 PM)58-56 Wrote:  Buffalo's a really good university, AAU and all that.

Didn't realize that. According to US news... Rice #16, Buffalo #89. Pretty good.

They live almost an hour outside of Buffalo. He can play in front of family. Buffalo has been after him for awhile.

It’s actually about 200 miles from Buffalo to Cleveland so it’s a bit further than an hour. But yes, I think proximity played a role.

His dad is a HS coach in Ohio and I’m sure has/had more familiarity with the Buffalo staff than the Rice staff. Still disappointing but we have a bunch of young QBs on the roster who I think could be good with development.

We now appear to be going after more of a dual-threat guy from Conway, AR. Offers from Harvard and Central Arkansas. Not sure if he has the same polish as the guy from OH but he’s an interesting athlete at the very least. He’s super skinny though so I think a weight room program will do him some good. Hopefully we land him.

Once we got Jaden to commit, our pro style QB commits decommited (sure coaches told them to).

One of the decommits looks perfect for Rice (if you wanted a pro style QB).

Sam Sexton from Austin, 3* 0.8477, 6-5 / 190lb with offers from Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Tulane, Rutgers, and many more.

https://247sports.com/Player/Sam-Saxton-46052270/

Certainly an interesting prospect!