Iowa 2011 recruiting class: Underrated on paper?

[homerHAWKeye777]

First off ... here we're talking about "underrated" with regard to their exploits in the high school game. Obviously, the ACTUAL value of the recruiting class is determined by how they play on the COLLEGE GRIDIRON.

Anyhow, I found it striking that quite a number of Iowa's recruits got injured through their JR or SR seasons ... and that ended up preventing many of the guys from having their recruitment blow up more. From a brief parsing of their bios, here's a quick (and possibly incomplete list):

- Alston (missed most of SR year)
- Raymon (missed most of SR year)
- Bullock (missed most of JR year)
- Hamilton (missed a hunk of JR year)
- Fisher (ACL injury ... missed some action)
- Coe (injured through much of SR year)

Furthermore, there are also guys who arguably get tagged as being underrated due to geographic factors.

- Blythe (fairly small town Iowa)
- Krieger-Coble (fairly small town Iowa)
- Lowdermilk (fairly small town Ohio)
- Canzeri (up-state New York is typically viewed as not being very "talent-rich" with regard to football)
- Grant (New England is often viewed as not being terribly "talent-rich" either)

There's also the issue of guys who proved to be impressive football players, but possibly didn't have "ideal" measureables or were viewed as rather "raw" at their projected position.

- Rudock (physically was a bit of a "late-bloomer" and that probably skewed how some evaluators viewed him)
- Campbell (didn't regularly play on D ... so was mostly viewed as an ATH)
- Duzey (likely viewed as a tweener)

And lastly there are just guys who appeared as though they simply might have just "slipped" through the cracks. Here I'm talking about guys who had tremendous high school production, guys who arguably shouldn't have contended with geographic bias, but still were seemingly only sparingly recruited.

- Spears (WTF ... I don't get it. I can only fathom that some viewed him as not having ideal LB speed.)
- Hillyer (Maybe this guy also isn't viewed as having elite speed and possibly has plenty of work when it comes to reading Ds and/or blocking downfield ... however, the kid can definitely catch the rock)

 

[jameskalina]

Could be those who missed playing time due to injuries are prone to injuries.

We'll see if some or all of these guys stay healthy at Iowa.

 

[Lazersharpe]

Homer, I am with you. I am very excited about the incoming class. It did not get the stars like the 2006 class, but it looks to be a very athletic class and will met some of our upcoming needs.

 

[AHawk1]

Speaking of 2006. Where did Bain end up.

 

[GravyJones]

Speaking of 2006. Where did Bain end up.

Akron

 

[Mac50702]

Until this class wins at least a big 10 title, they will not be underrated.

 

[clim33]

Homer........Thanks for the great info and question.....As usual i think you are on the money here. This class may well be the best in my time. We had a tough year but still managed to get some really good players and really at all positions. I am also excited about the potential of guys like Raymon, Coe, and others to contribute in many different positions potentially. Although it would be great to see coker and coe just knocking the snot out of opposing LBs next year. What a one/two punch.