Hits & Misses
Hit: Will Compton (LB) — Originally ranked 313. Outcome: NFL Starter. Compton exceeded expectations significantly as a linebacker, achieving a high outcome score despite being a lower-ranked recruit.
Hit: Alfonzo Dennard (CB) — Originally ranked 441. Outcome: NFL Starter. Dennard outperformed his recruiting rank, establishing himself as a key player at cornerback.
Hit: Cameron Meredith (WR) — Originally ranked 478. Outcome: NFL Starter. Meredith developed into a solid contributor at wide receiver, surpassing initial expectations.
Miss: Baker Steinkuhler (OT) — Originally ranked 28. Outcome: College Starter. Although he started at the collegiate level, Steinkuhler did not reach the expectations associated with his high ranking.
Miss: David Whitmore (CB) — Originally ranked 320. Outcome: Bust. Whitmore failed to meet expectations, resulting in a low outcome despite being a ranked recruit.
Miss: Collins Okafor (RB) — Originally ranked 334. Outcome: Bust. Okafor did not deliver on the promise indicated by his rank, contributing minimally.
Miss: Kody Spano (QB) — Originally ranked 371. Outcome: Bust. Spano's performance was significantly below expectations for a quarterback of his ranking.
Development Story
The 2008 recruiting class for Nebraska showcased a mix of successes and shortcomings, reflecting a diverse range of outcomes across different positions. The class originally ranked 17th but was re-evaluated to 52nd, indicating a significant decline in perceived talent following player development and performance assessments. This drop suggests that many recruits did not meet the expectations set during their recruitment, particularly among those ranked higher.
Among the notable successes, players like Will Compton, Alfonzo Dennard, and Cameron Meredith emerged as NFL starters, illustrating that the class contained hidden gems who significantly outperformed their lower rankings. These players demonstrated that effective development can lead to high-level outcomes, even from recruits who were not initially viewed as top prospects.
On the other hand, the class also featured several recruits who failed to live up to their rankings, such as Baker Steinkuhler and David Whitmore. These underperforming players highlight the unpredictable nature of recruiting, where even higher-ranked prospects can struggle to transition effectively to the collegiate level. Overall, the class reflected a mixed bag of outcomes, with a few standout players making an impact while others did not fulfill their potential.
Outcome Summary
Overall, Nebraska's 2008 recruiting class underperformed expectations based on its original ranking. The significant drop in the S2S rerank indicates that many recruits did not develop as anticipated. However, the presence of multiple NFL starters within the class illustrates that it also contained talent that exceeded expectations. In summary, while the class had its share of successes, the overall performance did not align with the high initial expectations set by their recruiting ranks.