Because it's difficult to project how players will develop, it takes several seasons before you can truly judge a college football recruiting class.
But by every rating available, the class of 18 players signed by first-year coach Ricky Rahne and his staff on Wednesday will make Old Dominion University a better team next season.
This class stands out by two measures: other schools who recruited ODU signees and recruiting rankings.
Five players turned down offers from Power 5 schools, including Syracuse, Pitt, Maryland, Missouri, Duke, Arizona State and North Carolina, to sign with the Monarchs, and that's always a good sign.