West Virginia 2004 — Recruiting Outcomes

Hits & Misses

Hit: Pat White (ATH) — Originally ranked 528. Outcome: NFL Drafted. White was a diamond in the rough, significantly exceeding expectations with his NFL Drafted status. Hit: Darius Reynaud (WR) — Originally ranked 337. Outcome: Undrafted NFL Roster. Despite a relatively lower rank, Reynaud made it onto an NFL roster, showcasing his potential. Miss: Brandon Barrett (WR) — Originally ranked 39. Outcome: Bust. Barrett was a major disappointment, failing to live up to his high ranking as a bust. Miss: Raymond Williams (RB) — Originally ranked 148. Outcome: Bust. Williams, another top recruit, also fell short of expectations, failing to contribute significantly on the field.

Development Story

The 2004 West Virginia recruiting class was a mixed bag. There were some standout successes, such as Pat White and Darius Reynaud, who have clearly exceeded their original rankings. These players were the exception rather than the rule, however, with many recruits failing to make a significant impact. The high number of busts in the class is particularly concerning. Top recruits such as Brandon Barrett and Raymond Williams significantly underperformed their initial rankings, contributing to the class's lower re-ranking. This suggests a need for improved talent evaluation and development within the program.

Outcome Summary

Overall, the 2004 class underperformed expectations. Originally ranked 43, the class was reranked to 73 by Stars2Stats, a significant drop. This rerank is likely due to the high number of busts in the class, which outweighed the successes of players like White and Reynaud. This class serves as a reminder that high school rankings are not always indicative of college and professional success. While some players outperformed their rankings, others fell short, leading to an overall disappointing outcome for the 2004 West Virginia recruiting class.