Hell, Ty Johnson was a two-star recruit and he's the best running back Maryland's had in a decade. Colby McDonald was one of the lowest-rated players in the entire class, but was the team's second-leading rusher as a true freshman despite only playing in 7 games. There were 21 other players in Maryland's 2021 recruiting class, many of whom contributed far more on the field than Jennings or Lewis. There are countless stories of schools paying them to improve their recruits' rankings (*cough* USC *cough*), or bumping certain players because of their attendance at events they hosted (*cough* Rivals *cough*). I think one thing many people fail to realize is how truly arbitrary those rankings are. You've fixated on the departures of Jennings and Lewis, I assume because of how they were rated as high school recruits. If the game has changed and it's no longer about stacking classes, incremental growth.then go get what you need in the portal to take another (more significant) step in '22. then it's about some immediate growth, and finding pieces which help you produce (more) 2022 results.Ĭertainly realize this (the portal) isn't a situation unique to MD, but what's the bigger point to me are the things which are unique to MD as MD tries to build a program which can compete in the Big Ten East. If it's about going out and pounding the portal and offering immediate playing time etc. If you are stacking classes and building a roster. then you really aren't attempting to incrementally build a roster over several years imo. However, the flip side to me is that if you lose guys like Jennings, and Lewis. And if he adds players who want to be here (and removes those who don't) that's a good thing overall. The one thing Locks can do is acquire talent. I wouldn't be surprised if many college staffs have either already expanded or plan to expand just to have people responsible for scouting college players across the country, just so when names hit the portal you as the coaches have someone as a resource to give you info on who would be fit for your team.just like there have been people on staffs for years that do this sort of thing with HS recruiting. Many of the names we were most excited about moved on in one way or another. If you go back and look at the list of names, only 4 were still around this season, and while all 4 had an impact this season they were also among those ranked in the bottom half of the class. Coaches are really going to have to be adept at adjusting to how they build their rosters, and embrace a lot of different methods of bringing in the players you need.

And this is not going to be particular to just MD. I think that will be one of the new normals fans will have to adjust to, that being getting excited about a particular recruiting class.

That #18 recruiting class last year means nothing if you can't keep the guys there.

Colby reeder 247