[GK3]

Rough rule of thumb for OL recruiting.

1 Will medically retire
1 will be a bust- as in never see the field
1 will be functional backup
1 will be a starter
1 will be an anchor, potentially (hopefully) NFL caliber.

The numbers might shift a bit, but this is tends to be fairly accurate.

This is why you should always bring in 4-5 OL per class. And why you should always bring in 2-3 DL per class. The attrition at these positions are higher than any on a college football team. These are the positions where it is OK to "reach" to bring in sufficient bodies.

Does anyone have any idea of how many high school offensive lineman, nation wide,  can qualify for Stanford each year?  Then how many can we make headway with each year?  Just because they can get in does not mean they will always come when offered.  Some would just rather play for Alabama, Ohio State or other power than come to Stanford.  It just seems to me that trying to find 4 guys per year who can get in, and have good potential to contribute is a challenge.  As Beeg Dawg points out, some will medical retire, and another will turn out to be a bust.  Unfortunately, there is no certainty that any recruit will develop significantly beyond his high school level.  Some mature very early.   This makes recruiting something of a crap shoot regardless of how good you are at evaluating talent. This is also full justification for taking at least four per year.

[GK3]

Rough rule of thumb for OL recruiting.

1 Will medically retire
1 will be a bust- as in never see the field
1 will be functional backup
1 will be a starter
1 will be an anchor, potentially (hopefully) NFL caliber.

The numbers might shift a bit, but this is tends to be fairly accurate.

This is why you should always bring in 4-5 OL per class. And why you should always bring in 2-3 DL per class. The attrition at these positions are higher than any on a college football team. These are the positions where it is OK to "reach" to bring in sufficient bodies.

Does anyone have any idea of how many high school offensive lineman, nation wide,  can qualify for Stanford each year?  Then how many can we make headway with each year?  Just because they can get in does not mean they will always come when offered.  Some would just rather play for Alabama, Ohio State or other power than come to Stanford.  It just seems to me that trying to find 4 guys per year who can get in, and have good potential to contribute is a challenge.  As Beeg Dawg points out, some will medical retire, and another will turn out to be a bust.  Unfortunately, there is no certainty that any recruit will develop significantly beyond his high school level.  Some mature very early.   This makes recruiting something of a crap shoot regardless of how good you are at evaluating talent. This is also full justification for taking at least four per year.