[dabomb1227]

While the coaches will certainly form their opinions of specific players, who may be better than the rankings indicate, the rankings do matter.  It is all about statistical probability and the 4 and 5 stars have a much greater chance of being successful in college and going on to the NFL, then the 2 and 3 stars.  Thus teams that recruit more 4 and 5 stars will have a better chance overall of being successful.

SBNation has had some articles that discuss this.  These two articles are the only ones I could find right now http://www.sbnation.com/college-football...mpionships
http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2014/2/...ings-right

[dabomb1227]

While the coaches will certainly form their opinions of specific players, who may be better than the rankings indicate, the rankings do matter.  It is all about statistical probability and the 4 and 5 stars have a much greater chance of being successful in college and going on to the NFL, then the 2 and 3 stars.  Thus teams that recruit more 4 and 5 stars will have a better chance overall of being successful.

SBNation has had some articles that discuss this.  These two articles are the only ones I could find right now http://www.sbnation.com/college-football...mpionships
http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2014/2/...ings-right