2002 and 2010 class head to head

[Colt McVince]

with the incredible finish to the 2010 class, there's been lots of talk that this is the best recruiting class we've seen in the modern era at texas. let's take a look at the 'other' jaw dropping class from 2002, using rivals rankings (since there are easy comparisons to be made). i'm going to count will russ as our last commit, given the information that's been brewing about a commitment today.

By the numbers:
2002 - 28 commits, 6 5 stars, 15 4 stars, 5 3 stars, 1 2 star (plus another 2 star that was unsigned)
2010 - 25 commits, 2 5 stars, 19 4 stars, 4 3 stars
Edge - Push. Ridiculous talent on both sides. 26 5 stars were given in 2010, 39 in 2002. thus, there would be 5 5 stars in 2010, if there were the same 5 star cutoff in 2002.

Star power:
2002 - VY #1 overall, Rod Wright #13 overall, Blalock #15 overall.
2010 - JJ #12 overall, Hicks #16 overall
Edge - 2002. having the #1 player overall plays big here. (again only looking at rivals. i know espn has JJ and Hicks at 2 and 4).

Position rankings:
2002 - VY #1 QB, Blalock #1 OG, Rod Wright #2 DT, Bryan Pickryl #2 SDE, Marquis Johnson #3 WR, Ed Mccullough #3 CB, Albert Hardy #4 FB, Aaron Harris #4 ILB, Neale Tweedie #4 OG, Michael Williams #5 OLB, Selvin Young #5 RB
2010 - Hicks #1 OLB, JJ #1 SDE, Espinosa #1 C, Hopkins #1 OG, Jackson #3 OLB, Wood #3 QB, Davis #4 WR, Wilson #4 SDE
Edge - Push. 11 guys top 5 at their position in 2002, versus 8 in 2010 (but an incredible 4 at #1)

Overall class balance:
2002 - 7 3 stars and below
2010 - 4 3 stars (one a kicker)
Edge - 2010. I don't remember who was a sleeper in 2002 (i think i remember robison was, and of course he ended up being awesome), but if you got the lowest ranked guys like Adrian White and McCoy... WOW.

Overall:
I'm calling this a tie. Both classes ridiculous. We know how 2002 turned out. Still, despite the hits, there were a ridiculous amount of misses. Imagine how good we would have been if Johnson, MCullough, or Timmons would have panned out. Or Marco Martin for that matter if it wasn't for that injury. I think the 2010 class has a much better chance of staying intact.

We are in fine shape for years to come my friends.. especially adding this to the last 2 classes (and the monster class to come in 2011).

 

[bazbo]

2010 = no. 2 or 3 under Mack's tenure at signing day. Probably 2 (I haven't done the analysis yet). Rivals only granted 26 5* this year, whereas the last 3 years were 33,30,29. Reggie Wilson could have been 5* and Mike Davis was close. Darius White was downgraded mid-late season, so he was close too. All starred in post season action and looked dominant against future D1 starters.

2002 was possibly a once in a coaches lifetime class. Even better than UFLa's class this year. We have the luxury of hindsight with the turnover, but my gawd that was an unbelievable calss at signing and in August when they reported. 24 months later the attrition was heavy. We still won a NC and that's what counts.

Congrats on another class that can lay the foundation for a return to the title game.

 

[everybodygodeep]

We lost a lot off that 2002 class, but the core won us a title. If we keep 75 percent of this class - we should be playing for a title again soon. What a class on D.

 

[Nytejag]

If all stays healthy and pans out on last years DEFENSIVE class, and THIS years class, it could rival the '83 team as far as stats in a couple of years! What a shut down D we could have!!!

 

[brint]

Don't get me wrong, this class looks amazing on paper! Just give it a few years before comparing it to the 2002 class

Remember that 9 guys (if I'm counting correctly) from 2002 made it to the NFL:
Justin Blalock
Brian Robison
Aaron Ross
Lyle Sendlein
Kasey Studdard
David Thomas
Rodrique Wright
Selvin Young
Vincent Young

There were also guys like Larry Dibbles and Aaron Harris who gave us a ton of starts and were work horses for us.

 

[Colt McVince]

of course this comparison is a signing day comparison. who would have known the 1/3 of that 02 class would flake out, but that we would still have so many nfl guys and a nc to show for it?

 

[brint]

Agreed, McVince, signing day comparison is definitely valid. Here's to hoping for many more discussions like this in the coming years!

 

[hornpharmd]

Yes, I will like to compare this class to 02 in about 3-4 years. 02 Had ton of attrition but was still a beast of a class with what was left. 07 stacks up well too and even 2 years later there is quite a bit of talent left there.