Mr. Cabbagehead, my comment about your posting was more in jest at your reaction about how pointless a thread could be, while hypocritically diving into a discussion about it. No hard feelings.
But oh boy, the entire point of the thread was that 2 star players CAN be productive when put into a good system with good player development coaching. That's it.
Cabbagehead, I respect your research, but you belittled the idea that 10 went to the NFL in 7 years. THE NFL. Some programs are lucky to get 10 to the NFL in 7 years... period. This weren't just 10 college starters, we had even more of those. Throughout the same period, there were plenty of other 2 star, marginal 3-stars, and walk-on guys that contributed for us. Not to mention if you looked through that 7 years of classes, we actually didn't take many 2 star guys. So yes, our return on 2 star guys was actually pretty ridiculous during the Schiano regime.
We can fault Schiano for a number of things, but identifying talent wasn't one, and the argument here is whether or not you believe Ash is good at finding and developing talent too. We don't know yet, but they're cut from the same mold and seem to be looking for very much the same kind of player, so I have faith. Guys like Chris Peterson, Justin Fuente, Matt Rhule, etc... are not just exceptions, they prove that it's more about coaching and talent evaluation than recruiting rankings. I mean just look at their classes the last few years, loaded with 2 star talent, but they produced good teams.
Obviously we all want 4 star guys, of course, but sometimes in talent rich states like NJ, FL, and TX... guys fall through the cracks. A lot of these guys develop big chips on their shoulder and work to become the best. Meanwhile, take a gander at how many 4 star or 5 star guys don't pan out. Recruiting rankings don't always put the most attention to work ethic, attitude, leadership and latent potential... instead, it's all tape, and it's real hard to predict what a 17 year old will project to talent-wise. But we're going after the hardworking, great attitude, culture kids, with potential in their tape... and the 10 NFL players above were all very much in that mold too.
Statistically, having a highly rated recruiting class is of course important. That's like saying it's important to put on clothes. But it's more because it gives you depth. Good coaches can work with lower rated talent, but it's just that much harder to develop a good team year in and out. Fact of the matter is we weren't going to score a top class this year. No way. But I think this is a good class when you take a magnifying glass to it. Programs that consistently hit on these under the radar prospects soon become perennial powers. We're not there yet, but it's how Schiano got us to the place we are now, and we wouldn't be in the Big10 without his success with these types of players. I have faith in Ash, because these kids seem to be a lot like those players in the Schiano years, as well as the type that Boise State/Navy go after. Hard working, intelligent kids with bodies to grow and a chip on their shoulder makes up for a lot.
