Hits & Misses
Hit: Aldon Smith (EDGE) — Originally ranked 616. Outcome: NFL Pro Bowl. Smith significantly exceeded expectations despite his lower ranking, achieving a high outcome score.
Hit: Jacquies Smith (EDGE) — Originally ranked 811. Outcome: NFL Starter. Jacquies Smith also outperformed his ranking, achieving a notable outcome as a starter.
Miss: Blaine Gabbert (QB) — Originally ranked 15. Outcome: NFL Starter. Gabbert's outcome met expectations as a high-ranked recruit, though he did not reach the highest career potential.
Miss: Dan Hoch (IOL) — Originally ranked 400. Outcome: Undrafted NFL Roster. Hoch underperformed compared to expectations set by his original ranking.
Development Story
The 2008 recruiting class for Missouri demonstrated a unique development pattern, showcasing a mix of notable successes and underperformances. With a class originally ranked 33rd, the significant leap to a 3rd place S2S rerank indicates that the program developed talent effectively. The blue chip percentage of 16 suggests a focus on foundational recruits, but the overall class consisted of many lower-ranked players who exceeded expectations.
Among the standout performers, Aldon Smith and Jacquies Smith exemplified the program's ability to nurture talent, achieving high outcomes despite being rated outside the top 600 recruits. In contrast, Blaine Gabbert, who was originally ranked 15th, met the expectations of being an NFL starter, suggesting that while he performed well, he did not surpass the lofty projections set for him.
The presence of several recruits, such as Dan Hoch, who did not meet expectations, highlights the variability inherent in recruiting classes. While the majority of players contributed positively to the team, the class also included a few underperformers, demonstrating the challenges of translating high rankings into on-field performance.
Outcome Summary
Overall, the Missouri 2008 recruiting class met expectations but did not fully exceed them, particularly regarding higher-ranked recruits. The S2S rerank indicates a strong development program that maximized the potential of lower-ranked players. However, the mixed outcomes for the top recruits suggest that while the class had bright spots, it also faced challenges with a few players not living up to their original projections.
In conclusion, this class serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of recruiting, showing that while rankings can provide insight, outcomes ultimately define success.