And as we look at the new Power Five head coaches, let’s grade their recruiting efforts so far.
Luke Fickell, Wisconsin
A-plus
Fickell has done a great job recruiting so far as there is a discernible uptick in interest amongst top prospects. His class is squarely in my Top 15, led by QB Mabrey Mettauer, RB Darrion Dupree, and DB Omillio Agard. He’s done an excellent job in the Midwest and has hit the east coast, a former stomping ground for the Badgers, well.
Matt Rhule, Nebraska
A
I like what Rhule has been doing, as he has the Huskers right in the middle of the Big Ten and in my national Top 25. TE Carter Nelson is a great in-state keep, and he’s done a solid job reaching into Texas with his former ties from Baylor.
Troy Taylor, Stanford
A
Taylor has been killing it by Stanford standards, led by QB Elijah Brown, who had many other options. Stanford is once again hitting the east coast well, and if they shore up recruiting in California and Arizona they could be formidable. This should finish as a top-25 class.
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Hugh Freeze, Auburn
B plus
A small class so far and a slow start, but that’s because of what he was left – a disaster. Efforts to get back into Georgia have been successful, led by DB Jalyn Crawford. This should end up as a top-20 class.
Deion Sanders, Colorado
B plus
There is certainly more interest in the program with Deion there, and guys like WR Aaron Butler would never have sniffed at Colorado without him. But it’s a small class because of how he overextended in the portal.
Jeff Brohm, Louisville
B
Florida recruiting continues to go well thanks to Coach Hova on staff, and Brohm is winning some Midwest battles. If he can continue his work in the Sunshine State, watch out.
Zach Arnett, Mississippi State
B
In-state recruiting is going well, and taking WR JJ Harrell back was key. Now if they can step up efforts in other states, they will be fine.
Ryan Walters, Purdue
B
It’s been a solid start for the young coach led by QB Marcos Davila in Texas. He’s in the mix for a lot of Midwest guys and could make waves in Illinois, where he made his name.
Brent Key, Georgia Tech
B
In-state recruiting has been solid by Georgia Tech standards, and the efforts overall in the Southeast have been good. This will be a class in the 35-40 range.
Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State
B minus
Kenny Dillingham has done a better job in the portal so far, but keeping ATH Dylan Tapley in-state is big. He’s also done a nice job in the state of Texas, and this class will be 35-40 range.
Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati
C
This hasn’t been a home run so far, as I don’t have a player ranked 4-stars or better in this class.
