Hits & Misses
Hit: Geno Smith (QB) — Originally ranked 111. Outcome: NFL Pro Bowl. Smith significantly exceeded expectations, emerging as a top performer in his position.
Hit: Tavon Austin (WR) — Originally ranked 321. Outcome: NFL Starter. Austin demonstrated remarkable potential, contributing effectively at the college level.
Hit: Stedman Bailey (WR) — Originally ranked 322. Outcome: NFL Drafted. Bailey's performance exceeded his ranking, culminating in a successful transition to the NFL.
Miss: Logan Heastie (WR) — Originally ranked 215. Outcome: Bust. Heastie failed to meet expectations after being a mid-level recruit.
Miss: Deon Long (WR) — Originally ranked 308. Outcome: Bust. Long's performance did not align with his recruitment status, resulting in a disappointing outcome.
Miss: Chris Snook (LB) — Originally ranked 510. Outcome: Bust. Snook did not fulfill the expectations set during his recruitment.
Miss: Dominik Davenport (DL) — Originally ranked 523. Outcome: Bust. Davenport's recruitment as a ranked player did not translate into on-field success.
Development Story
The 2009 recruiting class for West Virginia reveals a mix of successes and disappointments. The class, originally ranked 31st, saw a slight drop to 34 in the S2S re-rank, indicating that while some players exceeded their projections, others did not live up to the expectations placed upon them. Notably, the class had a blue chip percentage of 21, suggesting a reasonable level of talent, though the outcomes reflect a need for better development or fit for some recruits.
The hits from this class, including notable players like Geno Smith, Tavon Austin, and Stedman Bailey, show that West Virginia was able to identify and develop talent effectively in specific positions. Each of these players exceeded their original rankings, indicating that the coaching staff had a good eye for potential. However, the class also included several misses, particularly among ranked recruits who were unable to make a significant impact, marking a clear divide between the hits and misses in this recruiting cycle.
Outcome Summary
Overall, the 2009 recruiting class for West Virginia met mixed expectations. While the identified hits performed exceptionally well, the presence of several busts among ranked players indicates that the class did not fully capitalize on its potential. The slight drop in S2S ranking suggests that while there were standout performances, the overall depth and consistency of the class fell short of the initial promise. In conclusion, this class serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of recruiting, where potential does not always translate into performance.