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It does seem the 2015 class could be epic in terms of skill position talent, based on offers and reported recruit interest.

I have no idea if Jabril Peppers was offered because it was believed he could get admitted, or if it was more hope, without much evidence, but based on on how things played out with his recruitment, it seems Peppers was not interested in doing the work required to get admitted.  The question is are guys like Christian Kirk and Iman Marshall willing to do it, and has Stanford learned to not offer kids unless they sign up for AP classes their Senior year of High School?

To me, that's the biggest thing to watch, given recruits have no reason to take AP classes unless they want a Stanford scholarship.  Actions speak louder than words, and this is one very rare action for elite recruits to take.  You'll have University of Spoiled Children  telling a guy like Marshall that he can come in Spring and compete for a starting job as a Frosh.  Stanford will say take two AP classes, write essays, get letters or recommendation, and come in the Summer.  Big difference.  As Casey Tucker showed, if someone gives up enrolling at University of Spoiled Children  early and has a Stanford offer, that is more instructive than any interview that can be given to a fan site reporter.

on Peppers, not only did he have an offer, but we led for a long period of time.  family and distance appeared to be the turning point.  we had long threads on Peppers on this board (see http://thecardboard.org/board/index.php?topic=7155.0)

I agree with you about the willingness to do the work necessary in 7th semester as being a big differentiator between Stanford and other colleges recruiting these kids.  some like Tucker will choose to put in the work, gain admittance and we are all happy.  however, I believe a turnaround like Tucker is an outlier, and the concerns you have with Marshall to be more the norm.  I think this is one of many reasons to get more offers out earlier to try and expand our pool of recruits.  if we don't, we end up with a dicey end game.  last year worked out well, the year before not so well.

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It does seem the 2015 class could be epic in terms of skill position talent, based on offers and reported recruit interest.

I have no idea if Jabril Peppers was offered because it was believed he could get admitted, or if it was more hope, without much evidence, but based on on how things played out with his recruitment, it seems Peppers was not interested in doing the work required to get admitted.  The question is are guys like Christian Kirk and Iman Marshall willing to do it, and has Stanford learned to not offer kids unless they sign up for AP classes their Senior year of High School?

To me, that's the biggest thing to watch, given recruits have no reason to take AP classes unless they want a Stanford scholarship.  Actions speak louder than words, and this is one very rare action for elite recruits to take.  You'll have University of Spoiled Children  telling a guy like Marshall that he can come in Spring and compete for a starting job as a Frosh.  Stanford will say take two AP classes, write essays, get letters or recommendation, and come in the Summer.  Big difference.  As Casey Tucker showed, if someone gives up enrolling at University of Spoiled Children  early and has a Stanford offer, that is more instructive than any interview that can be given to a fan site reporter.

on Peppers, not only did he have an offer, but we led for a long period of time.  family and distance appeared to be the turning point.  we had long threads on Peppers on this board (see http://thecardboard.org/board/index.php?topic=7155.0)

I agree with you about the willingness to do the work necessary in 7th semester as being a big differentiator between Stanford and other colleges recruiting these kids.  some like Tucker will choose to put in the work, gain admittance and we are all happy.  however, I believe a turnaround like Tucker is an outlier, and the concerns you have with Marshall to be more the norm.  I think this is one of many reasons to get more offers out earlier to try and expand our pool of recruits.  if we don't, we end up with a dicey end game.  last year worked out well, the year before not so well.