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2009 Recruiting Rankings Were Wrong
We re-ranked 2,715 recruits across 121 teams based on what actually happened — not hype.
Live class note: 3 teams include active NFL players. Scores reflect earned career value to date.
The story in 3 lines
- 🏆 Florida: #7 → #1 (Elite outcomes)
- 💎 Syracuse: #120 → #23 (Best development class)
- 💀 USC: #4 → #20 (Massive underperformance)
What Stands Out — 2009
• Syracuse = biggest development success
• USC = #4 class → #20 (collapse)
• SEC dominated top-end outcomes
• Mid-majors produced elite value (San Diego State, Baylor, Syracuse)
Biggest Recruiting Busts
USC
(#4 → #20)
Ohio State
(#3 → #12)
Alabama
(#1 → #6)
Talent Factories
Syracuse
(#120 → #23)
San Diego State
(#82 → #13)
Baylor
(#51 → #16)
Lived Up to the Hype
Florida
(#7 → #1)
Stanford
(#19 → #2)
Clemson
(#26 → #3)
What This Data Shows
Recruiting rankings measure potential.
S2S measures outcomes — including NFL production, longevity, and real contribution.
⭐ Star ratings are inconsistent predictors
📈 Development programs outperform talent-heavy ones
💀 Top classes bust more often than expected
Sort by:
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Florida
🔺 +6S2S Rank
#1
Recruiting Rank
#7
✔ — NFL Players
✔ — College Starters
✔ Hit Rate —
Recruiting Rank: 7
S2S Rank: 1
Stanford
🔺 +17S2S Rank
#2
Recruiting Rank
#19
✔ — NFL Players
✔ — College Starters
✔ Hit Rate —
Recruiting Rank: 19
S2S Rank: 2
Clemson
🔺 +23S2S Rank
#3
Recruiting Rank
#26
✔ — NFL Players
✔ — College Starters
✔ Hit Rate —
Recruiting Rank: 26
S2S Rank: 3
Notre Dame
🔺 +13S2S Rank
#4
Recruiting Rank
#17
✔ — NFL Players
✔ — College Starters
✔ Hit Rate —
Recruiting Rank: 17
S2S Rank: 4
LSU
🔻 -3S2S Rank
#5
Recruiting Rank
#2
✔ — NFL Players
✔ — College Starters
✔ Hit Rate —
Recruiting Rank: 2
S2S Rank: 5
Alabama
🔻 -5S2S Rank
#6
Recruiting Rank
#1
✔ — NFL Players
✔ — College Starters
✔ Hit Rate —
Recruiting Rank: 1
S2S Rank: 6
Georgia
🔻 -2S2S Rank
#7
Recruiting Rank
#5
✔ — NFL Players
✔ — College Starters
✔ Hit Rate —
Recruiting Rank: 5
S2S Rank: 7
Mississippi State
🔺 +16S2S Rank
#8
Recruiting Rank
#24
✔ — NFL Players
✔ — College Starters
✔ Hit Rate —
Recruiting Rank: 24
S2S Rank: 8
Florida State
🔺 +3S2S Rank
#9
Recruiting Rank
#12
✔ — NFL Players
✔ — College Starters
✔ Hit Rate —
Recruiting Rank: 12
S2S Rank: 9
Miami (FL)
🔺 +5S2S Rank
#10
Recruiting Rank
#15
✔ — NFL Players
✔ — College Starters
✔ Hit Rate —
Recruiting Rank: 15
S2S Rank: 10
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