[Bruce Wang]

Stanford didn't sign a QB in both 2012 and 2015. Shaw has often stated that he likes to occasionally skip a year in QB recruiting so that the depth chart doesn't get too crowded at a position where nominally only one plays. How seriously he himself takes that statement isn't clear, as Stanford tried to sign Winston in 2012 and offered at least two guys in 2015 (Towne, Wimbush).

Maybe taking nobody in 2015 was a mistake - I'd certainly like to see the current version of Browning playing for us. But who knows the alternative universe?  With Burns and Chryst in the fold, 2015 didn't seem critical. If there were a star 2015 guy around, maybe Costello doesn't come in 2016 (whom I hear the staff views more highly than Burns/Chryst).

Dallas Lloyd came back from mission so arguably he was a 2012 QB recruit, and as you point out Shaw did try to get Winston and offered guys in 2015.  At that position, I think you should take a best available every year because a) you never know and b) QBs can be pretty good athletes that can play other positions.  I don't think you should fear scaring off future recruits.  Costello didn't scare off Mills, and Costello and Mills didn't scare off West.  You want guys that aren't afraid of competition.

[Bruce Wang]

Stanford didn't sign a QB in both 2012 and 2015. Shaw has often stated that he likes to occasionally skip a year in QB recruiting so that the depth chart doesn't get too crowded at a position where nominally only one plays. How seriously he himself takes that statement isn't clear, as Stanford tried to sign Winston in 2012 and offered at least two guys in 2015 (Towne, Wimbush).

Maybe taking nobody in 2015 was a mistake - I'd certainly like to see the current version of Browning playing for us. But who knows the alternative universe?  With Burns and Chryst in the fold, 2015 didn't seem critical. If there were a star 2015 guy around, maybe Costello doesn't come in 2016 (whom I hear the staff views more highly than Burns/Chryst).

Dallas Lloyd came back from mission so arguably he was a 2012 QB recruit, and as you point out Shaw did try to get Winston and offered guys in 2015.  At that position, I think you should take a best available every year because a) you never know and b) QBs can be pretty good athletes that can play other positions.  I don't think you should fear scaring off future recruits.  Costello didn't scare off Mills, and Costello and Mills didn't scare off West.  You want guys that aren't afraid of competition.