I think one of the biggest mistakes we as fans or those who cover recruiting make when it comes to recruiting is the value put on a five star. These are supposed to be the very best of the best prosects, no brainer, can't miss type players. Where you see mistakes being made with 5-star rankings is the criteria to give these guys that lofty ranking differs based on each network. Most of the networks have a set number of 5 stars they give out each year. What happens when you have 20 great players nationally one year and the next there may only be 15. Should that number be 20 every year even if the talent level is down from one year to the next.
When it comes to the NFL Draft there is a set number of guys each year who are considered ELITE or can't miss prospects. Usually there are 12-13 in any given year. This year the scouts are saying there maybe only 5-6. That once you get out of the top 10 this year that number 11-50 there may not be that much of a difference.
The reason I bring this up is Hykeem Williams. His composite ranking was a five star. Was he really a TRUE 5* prospect? I rank differently. I have a (10) ranking. I think in the past decade in the state of Florida there have been maybe 10 total. Dalvin, Jeremiah Smith, Patrick Peterson, Pat Surtain Jr. There have been very few. I have never given a 10 ranking to a QB in the state of Florida. Never given a 10 ranking to a tight end. Never given a 10 ranking to a DT or DE or a LB. You can count on two hands all the true difference makers. My rankings are 10 (these are the very best nationally - Generation type talents). I have DJ Pickett this ranking last year as he was the best DB, I saw since Surtain. I have not missed on these guys over the years. Why, because they are so elite and the flaws they do have are almost non-existent. Trust me you dig deep enough there is some flaw in almost any prospect. My scouts have not given out many (10 -Rankings) Caleb Williams, Devonta Smith were probably some of the only ones with these type of rankings.
I bring this up because here we come to Hykeem Williams. He was a composite five star prospect. The problem is Hykeem was raw. Size (Check), Speed (Check)...I spoke to someone last year who left FSU and asked him about Hykeem. He said Fish he has two things that hold him back. He does not adjust well to the football and his timing is not good. He is a little stiff and this is a weakness. He is talented but lets be real is Hykeem in the same boat as Jeremiah Smith coming out (No), Sammy Watkins (No). I am not sure he is a top ten receiver in Florida the past ten years. I remember watching AJ Green in HS. I sat with Jimbo at the state finals that year and said to him...AJ Green is the real deal coach. He said Fish there is a kid in Alabama better...It was Julio Jones. Well, I had the chance to watch Julio the following Summer at Seminole Showcase against Antonio Cromartie who was in the NFL. Julio made him look silly.
So my point is....FIVE STARS...Should the networks really have a 6th star? Have those guys who are just different (Clowney, Jeremiah Smith, Pat Surtain Jr) and then have that next level recruit Hykeem who has some of those elite traits but there is room for them to really be great or just ok? Fans get upset when a five star kid does not make it. Hykeem is one of those guys but the reality is he may not really be in that elite group.
When it comes to the NFL Draft there is a set number of guys each year who are considered ELITE or can't miss prospects. Usually there are 12-13 in any given year. This year the scouts are saying there maybe only 5-6. That once you get out of the top 10 this year that number 11-50 there may not be that much of a difference.
The reason I bring this up is Hykeem Williams. His composite ranking was a five star. Was he really a TRUE 5* prospect? I rank differently. I have a (10) ranking. I think in the past decade in the state of Florida there have been maybe 10 total. Dalvin, Jeremiah Smith, Patrick Peterson, Pat Surtain Jr. There have been very few. I have never given a 10 ranking to a QB in the state of Florida. Never given a 10 ranking to a tight end. Never given a 10 ranking to a DT or DE or a LB. You can count on two hands all the true difference makers. My rankings are 10 (these are the very best nationally - Generation type talents). I have DJ Pickett this ranking last year as he was the best DB, I saw since Surtain. I have not missed on these guys over the years. Why, because they are so elite and the flaws they do have are almost non-existent. Trust me you dig deep enough there is some flaw in almost any prospect. My scouts have not given out many (10 -Rankings) Caleb Williams, Devonta Smith were probably some of the only ones with these type of rankings.
I bring this up because here we come to Hykeem Williams. He was a composite five star prospect. The problem is Hykeem was raw. Size (Check), Speed (Check)...I spoke to someone last year who left FSU and asked him about Hykeem. He said Fish he has two things that hold him back. He does not adjust well to the football and his timing is not good. He is a little stiff and this is a weakness. He is talented but lets be real is Hykeem in the same boat as Jeremiah Smith coming out (No), Sammy Watkins (No). I am not sure he is a top ten receiver in Florida the past ten years. I remember watching AJ Green in HS. I sat with Jimbo at the state finals that year and said to him...AJ Green is the real deal coach. He said Fish there is a kid in Alabama better...It was Julio Jones. Well, I had the chance to watch Julio the following Summer at Seminole Showcase against Antonio Cromartie who was in the NFL. Julio made him look silly.
So my point is....FIVE STARS...Should the networks really have a 6th star? Have those guys who are just different (Clowney, Jeremiah Smith, Pat Surtain Jr) and then have that next level recruit Hykeem who has some of those elite traits but there is room for them to really be great or just ok? Fans get upset when a five star kid does not make it. Hykeem is one of those guys but the reality is he may not really be in that elite group.
