Don't know about that. It is the consensus #1 this year. In fact I havent seen anyone (rivals, espn, cnn, sporting news) not name Texas a land slide #1. But, I'm not sure you can say best ever. Well, let's wait till we paste UNT first. It may be one of the best since scholarship limits though.
Ok, I'm probably being a tad too hyperbolic when saying its the best recruiting class ever. Its just that the talent level in this class is obscene - its one thing to recruit well, but this class, the talent in it boggles the mind.
In terms of sheer numbers, Texas is #1. But... Where will all of the DLs play? You can't play 11 defensive linemen at once, unless Mack decides to use the 11-0 defense...I find that doubtful. But, if you look at the ratings of all of the players, Florida State has a higher overall ranking by about 0.15 over Texas, per Rivals. FSU has 30% of the top 10 and 14% of the top 50, including the #3 and #4 recruits in the nation in Lorenzo Booker and Chris Davis. Texas may have the best class in sheer numbers alone, but in terms of star quality and top players, FSU is right there.
I think Mack redshirts half the DL class. Martin and Pickryl for sure. Mack also got a pretty good LB class and his DB class last year was impressive as well. I guess it depends how you look at it. Both teams got 6 5*'s. FSU has a higher average, but UT got 10 out of the top 100, FSU got 8. Also, I'm pretty sure that everyone in UT's class is qualified, but I don't know about FSU's. FSU got a stellar class regardless. One positive sign, if you are a UT fan, is that Mack once again shut the door in Texas. I've noticed fewer kids going to the Florida or Big Ten schools. Kudos to Mack for that.
ESPN: Class of 2002 recruiting -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- While college football coaches across the nation are still anxiously waiting by their fax machines, ESPN.com recruiting expert Tom Lemming offers up his Signing Day Top 20. Lemming's Early Signing Day Top 20 Team Coach Catch Why it ranks 1. Texas Mack Brown Vincent Young, QB The most dominating DL class I've ever seen Hey, it least its the best DL class he's ever seen.
A surprise was that QB from Westlake going to A&M when I thought he was going to Purdue to follow in the steps of Brees. McNeal said he would not sign with a school that signed 2 QB's. I guess the guy from Westlake didn't want to play QB at the next level.
A couple of things of the espn.com chat with Mack Brown: To answer mfclark, "The thing that happened this year is after losing Rogers and Hampton we were kind of thin. We are trying to get it where we can get 4-6 lineman to keep someone fresh and rotates guys during ballgames. You play 13 or 14 games so you need depth. And you need depth to have a physical practice." SirMackChokes didn't answer any of my questions. I started off with cheesy underhand toss questions then broke out the 100 mph fastball comments about the QB position - be prepared for more boos if Vincent doesn't start! "You guys get the wrong wrap sometimes but you are great." I am a Vincent Young cultist.
