NC State 2004 — Recruiting Outcomes

Hits & Misses

Hit: Anthony Hill (OT) — Originally unranked. Outcome: NFL Drafted. Despite his unranked status at the time of recruitment, Hill was able to prove his skills and develop significantly, earning himself a spot in the NFL Draft. Hit: Dajuan Morgan (WR) — Originally ranked 215. Outcome: NFL Drafted. Despite his original ranking, Morgan showed considerable improvement over his college career, culminating in being drafted into the NFL. Miss: Octavius Darby (TE) — Originally ranked 280. Outcome: Bust. Despite being a promising recruit, Darby did not perform as expected, ending his college career with a disappointing "Bust" label. Miss: Lamarte McGhee (DL) — Originally ranked 511. Outcome: Bust. McGhee, despite his notable ranking, did not live up to expectations, underperforming during his time at NC State.

Development Story

The 2004 NC State recruiting class was one that seemed promising but delivered mixed results. With a rerank significantly higher than the original class rank, there were clear instances of player development that exceeded initial expectations. Unranked players like Anthony Hill rose to the challenge and proved their worth, being drafted into the NFL despite their initial obscurity. Meanwhile, higher-ranked recruits like Octavius Darby and Lamarte McGhee could not meet the expectations set for them - a reminder that rankings aren't always indicative of future performance.

Outcome Summary

Taking into account the performance of the individual players and the overall development of the class, it can be said that the class met, and in some cases exceeded, expectations. The significant jump from the original class rank to the S2S rerank is a testament to the development capabilities of the NC State program, as well as the potential that some recruits held despite their initial rankings. However, the underperformance of some key recruits served as a reminder of the unpredictability of player development. In summary, NC State's 2004 recruiting class was a mixed bag - a showcase of unexpected rise and unfulfilled potential.