Recruiting rankings matter. You know it, I know it, every college fan knows it. How much they matter? That’s a much more interesting debate.
Recruiting at a top 10-15 ranking doesn’t guarantee winning seasons. Just ask Tennessee. Recruiting in the 20-40 range isn’t a doomsday scenario. Just ask Gary Pinkel.
But, generally speaking, recruiting rankings tell us a pretty clear story - the more talent you acquire, the better your chances are of winning at a high level.
It’s not just about college success, either. There are always players that fall through the cracks, but the chances of finding an NFL caliber player is just significantly higher in 4 or 5-star prospects than it is with 2 or 3-star prospects.