The CheckerBoard

I mean I still don't care that much I look more at ability, mentality, how raw a player is or isn't and whether the physical tools are there all 5 stars means is that guy can step in and make a difference today if what we have seen follows suit and is less of a risk then some 3 star but you never know ratings are getting better but Mr.football was a 3 star an there have been quite a few more that were low on the stars that have made impacts or have been all sec I also believe it's harder to "guess" where a player will be who is a non-"skill" player lineman linebackers etc I just think there are way too many external factors to say a 5 star is guaranteed to excel at college or that a 3 star is no good these coaches know what's up and who to get some three stars may have had a bad high school coach or be extremely raw technique wise or may put on 30 lbs and learn how to really tackle come college I think the coaching matters more but hey I'm in the minority but look at Fulmer consistent top 5 classes but couldn't coach it up I won't deny having 5 stars help and are way more polished and ready to step in but don't underrate what a three star may bring

Very Well Stated philosophized!! There are still alot of players out there that still don't have any stars? Sometimes you wonder if there are so many players these days it's just almost impossible to get them ALL rated? With that said, I said it before on a posting that this New Coach is a relentless recruiter No matter what your star rating is. He has time and time again and still is combing this state for talent and leaving NO Stones unturned at this point!!
I think this is why alot of us have been SOO Frustrated over the past few years because Tennessee was losing so many excellent players to other schools and with the STAR***** factor it really became frustrating to watch them give up in a ball game or read about them on the MUG Shots magazine lol. Things are changing No Doubt and I'm like you about the stars thing!! Give me a Kid with Heart and Soul and the rest will follow Just my opinion fwiw?

Stars are important as they are generally a good indication of a player's natural athletic ability. But I always have and always will care more about the offer list. That tells you what successful, intelligent D-1 college coaches think of a prospect and that carries more weight with me.

Look at Orlando Brown for instance. 3* player with a 5* offer list. I WANT....

I like stars......but I like coaching better........If you go by the stars and compare us to every other team in the SEC last year, based on the number of stars on each roster, on paper we would have been 4-4 or 5-3 in the SEC, not 1-7........Hurd is a huge get, no doubt. I think he can carry a team, but you never know.........Riggs was a 5 star and barely saw the field until he was a jr.

While I will always appreciate solid 3 stars players, I can't help but get excited about landing a 5 star player. There is a reason that they are 5 stars. Just gotta coach em up and keep em out of trouble.

For those who say a 3 star with a chip is better than a 5 star prima donna - sure - but the thing is you don't know when the 5 star signs whether he will be a prima donna most of the time.

that sounds verrry famililar... pretty sure i've seen that somewhere before.. +1

Yeah, I definitely plagiarized that!

If the player fits the needs of the team and the mindset/mentality that this staff has established for the program, Jones will go after them. That's why Kelly, Creamer, and Hurd (among others) have already committed. But I think it's those marginal cases where factors other than star ratings get more consideration. For example, if you had a 4-star WR with legitimate concerns over his willingness to take criticism and instruction and dedication in the weightroom and a 3-star WR who was more than willing to improve his skill set, then I feel Jones would go for that 3-star player, because they already demonstrate that willingness to get better and develop as a player.

Personally, whether Hurd is a 5 star or 3-star player isn't nearly as important as the fact that he a) wants to be at Tennessee, b) is willing to do whatever it takes to win in Knoxville, and c) is already working with Wharton and Kelly on the 2014 class. It's those intangibles that are ultimately going to shape the future of this team and program, not the cumulative star rankings.

What, a downvote for facts..........do the math. Look at last years rosters, count the stars. We had more stars than nearly half the league yet finished at the bottom...........Talent certainly matters, but so does coaching.............Last year is a perfect example. Or just blow it off, don't investigate........just downvote anyone who disagrees.