Gap Down Backer.

[Sonny]

over recruited

intentionally. i'm trying to push out any guys that i feel would leave in real life as they are not starters by year 3 and are highly rated enough to start elsewhere. hoarding talent is an easy way to stay at the top imo and happened too much in my CFB 25 chise.

You can bring players in and have them take the squad places of other players?

This is very well written Soapy. I do not understand a lot of college football but the articles are fun to read.

[Soapy]

over recruited

intentionally. i'm trying to push out any guys that i feel would leave in real life as they are not starters by year 3 and are highly rated enough to start elsewhere. hoarding talent is an easy way to stay at the top imo and happened too much in my CFB 25 chise.

You can bring players in and have them take the squad places of other players?

This is very well written Soapy. I do not understand a lot of college football but the articles are fun to read.

Yeah, you can "encourage players to leave" which is essentially cutting them and allowing them to go to another team. Appreciate the love, bro

[Soapy]

Reviewing the Classes: The Class of 2029
Chris Wallace -- 247Sports Stanford Football Insider

We spend so much time focusing on recruiting, and with good reason, but as soon as the class is signed and the players are added to the roster, it's onto the next one.

The 2029 recruiting class was the first full class under Coach Mack as he landed two top 30 classes in both high school and transfer with several players that would play a major role in the team's three consecutive playoff appearances, including winning a national championship last year.

When it was all said and done, how does this class grade out? The grading criteria is as follows: 1 star for non-contributor, 2 star for depth player, 3 star for contributor, 4 star for impact starter, 5 star for a star player.

2029 Stanford Cardinal High School Recruiting Class (No. 27 Nationally, No. 5 ACC)
Mike Good [WR #16]: 6'3", 196lbs | Hueytown, AL | 4-star
Career Stats » 6 Rec, 96 Yds at Stanford » 2 GP at Colorado
Analysis » A big time get from SEC country, Good didn't play much as a true freshman as he played behind Zach Yelk and Nate Devey, who ironically would both transfer as well late on. He spent the 2030 season at the FCS level before transferring to Colorado where he played in two games last year and projects to be a backup this season as well. He honestly would have been a good fit for this year's team and possibly last year as they are still looking for an outside receiver opposite of Rodney Cookus.
Grade » 1-star

Dorian Droogsma [TE #5]: 6'6", 242lbs | Nashville, TN | 4-star
Career Stats » 15 Rec, 131 Yds at Stanford » 2 Rec, 16 Yds, TD at Georgia Tech
Analysis » Unlike Good, Droogsma stuck around at Stanford for a while, redshirting in 2029 before finding a role as a redshirt freshman where he caught 15 passes for 131 yards behind Tyrone Nicks, the Mackey Award winner. Unfortunately for Droogsma, he got sandwiched between Nicks when he was a young player and then just when it was his turn to take that starting spot, Colt Mixon came on as a true freshman and the writing was on the wall that Mixon would be an instant impact player which he was, winning the Mackey in his first season
Grade » 2-star

James Gattis [ILB #10]: 6'3", 234lbs | Tucker, GA | 4-star
Career Stats » 61 Tkl, 16 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, PBU, FF
Analysis » Gattis was a special teams player his first two seasons before emerging as a co-starter last year, registering seven tackles for loss and thirty eight tackles as part of the rotation at linebacker. He projects to be an even bigger piece of Stanford's defense as they look to repeat and was a solid get out of Georgia by this staff.
Grade » 3-star

Emmett Suggs [HB #55]: 5'10", 204lbs | Covina, CA | 3-star
Career Stats » No stats at Stanford » 89 Car, 275 Yds, 4 TD at UTEP
Analysis » You can't really blame Suggs for leaving when you look at the transfer portal haul that Stanford brought in. He's been a solid player for the Miners but realistically was never going to play at Stanford as the talent got upgraded at the position.
Grade » 1-star

Shaquille Pullard [DT #19]: 6'3", 292lbs | Brentwood, TN | 3-star
Career Stats » 46 Tkl, 19 TFL, 11 Sacks
Analysis » An instant impact player, Pullard had nine tackles for loss as a true freshman and six sacks which is an impressive number. While the counting stats haven't matched that in the last two seasons, he's continued to be a key piece of Stanford's defense and returns as a senior as one of their better players on defense.
Grade » 4-star

Tiquan Quin [ILB #36]: 6'1", 219lbs | San Mateo, CA | 3-star
Career Stats » No stats at Stanford » 26 Tkl, 4 TFL, PBU, FF at Marshall
Analysis » Similar to Suggs and Droogsma, he was stuck behind better players and after sticking it out for two seasons, he transferred last year to Marshall where he was a decent player for the Herd.
Grade » 1-star

Alex Agasiva [DT #25]: 6'2", 311lbs | Colleyville, TX | 3-star
Career Stats » No stats at Stanford » 91 Tkl, 21 TFL, 7 Sacks at Sam Houston
Analysis » Agasiva only made it through a redshirt season before jumping into the portal and it was the best decision for him as he went back home to Texas and found a competition level that was better suited for him.
Grade » 1-star

Benjamin Streeter [CB #60]: 5'10", 161lbs | Gladewater, TX | 3-star
Career Stats » 49 Tkl, 8 TFL, 2 Sacks, 5 PBU
Analysis » A rotational cornerback who is making the transition to safety this season, Streeter had been a solid backup for the last two seasons and will look to make the switch to safety where he will be competing for starting level snaps. His grade could improve to four stars by the end of next season but for now, he was a solid depth piece.
Grade » 3-star

Shontrelle Madu [T #50]: 6'4", 300lbs | Bellflower, CA | 3-star
Career Stats » 27 pancakes, Sack allowed
Analysis » Madu started last season as a backup behind Shaquille Marks, arguably the best player on the team. Injuries to Marks and the rest of the offensive line saw him finish the year as one of their better lineman, playing the second most snaps on the team and only allowing a single sack. The transition to guard has been a great one for the Bellflower product.
Grade » 4-star

Chester Oordt [ILB #42]: 5'11", 218lbs | Benicia, CA | 3-star
Career Stats » 13 Tkl, Sack
Analysis » Oodrt's grade is a bit of an incomplete as he could very well be a starter this season after patiently waiting his turn. He's shown some flashes in spring and fall practices in the past but without true in-game reps, it's hard to give him anything more than a depth tag although that could change this season.
Grade » 2-star

Salesi Overstreet [DT #31]: 6'4", 285lbs | Santa Rosa, CA | 3-star
Career Stats » 1 Tkl
Analysis » We'll see how the transition to defensive end works for Overstreet as he just never cracked the rotation at defensive tackle. A bit of a tweener, he might have benefited from this move earlier in his career as he's only played in two games in three seasons.
Grade » 1-star

Mike Cologne [CB #78]: 5'9", 193lbs | Mission Viejo, CA | 3-star
Career Stats » 11 Tkl
Analysis » His contributions on special teams earns him a second star although it could go either way. He made the move to safety last year but overall, Cologne isn't someone that should be expected to have much of an impact on defense.
Grade » 2-star

Jared March [G #51]: 6'4", 313lbs | Coos Bay, OR | 3-star
Career Stats » 9 GP, 1 Sack Allowed
Analysis » March played a few snaps in 2030 as a backup but hasn't figured much into discussions since. He does have another year of eligibility remaining and could start next season at one of the guard spots.
Grade » 1-star

Amar'e Tull [EDGE #79]: 6'6", 231lbs | Calabasas, CA | 3-star
Career Stats » 1 Tkl
Analysis » A toolsy pass rusher who has yet to put it together. He'll compete for a rotational spot behind starter Percy Cadet this season.
Grade » 1-star

Angel Bass [CB #94]: 6'1", 176lbs | Newport Beach, CA | 3-star
Career Stats » 136 Tkl, 16 TFL, 6 INT, 16 PBU
Analysis » He didn't play much as a freshman at corner so they moved him to safety where he played in fourteen games as a sophomore with seventy-five tackles and nine tackles for loss and eleven pass breakups. Those breakups turned into interceptions last year with five and he returns as one of the leaders of the secondary.
Grade » 4-star

Hunter Zeise [T #86]: 6'6", 290lbs | Orange, CA | 3-star
Career Stats » 53 Snaps, 1 Pancake at Stanford » Transfer Portal
Analysis » We'll see where Zeise ends up as he's currently in the portal. Stanford signed a transfer portal tackle in Neil Pryor in the same class who started and then when Pryor left to the NFL, they then signed D.J. Baas in addition to other high school players that leapfrogged Zeise.
Grade » 1-star

2029 Stanford Cardinal Transfer Recruiting Class (No. 26 Nationally, No. 6 ACC)
Neil Pryor [LT #1]: 6'8", 330lbs | Herriman, UT | 4-Star (Jr)
Career Stats » 38 GP, 23 sacks allowed (2nd Rd Draft Pick)
Analysis » Pryor struggled with injuries but when on the field, Stanford got some pretty good left tackle play from Pryor and he turned into a second round pick.
Grade » 4-star

Jalen Ramsay [WR #18]: 6'2", 212lbs | San Mateo, CA | 4-star (Sr)
Career Stats » 33 Rec, 538 Yds, 3 TD
Analysis » While the numbers don't pop off the page, when you consider that Ramsay had nearly twenty percent of the receiving production while missing four games, you realize how important Ramsay was for this offense. If he played in a more receiver friendly offense, his numbers might be similar to Rodney Cookus.
Grade » 4-star

Jamarice Wilder [HB #11]: 5'9", 188lbs | Venice, FL | 4-star (Sr)
Career Stats » 165 Car, 1070 Yds, 13 TD, 26 Rec, 174 Yds, 4 TD (5th Rd Draft Pick)
Analysis » Wilder's recruitment was a whirlwind, leaving Kennesaw State, where he was recruited to by Mack, and signing with Florida only to leave Florida in the spring and ending up at Stanford. This saga ultimately led to a transfer portal ban the following year but Wilder's impact was lowkey worth it as Stanford made the playoffs and had he not gotten hurt, might have made a run in the playoffs.
Grade » 4-star

Trumaine Lasike [HB #14]: 6'1", 208lbs | Olathe, KS | 4-star (Jr)
Career Stats » 523 Car, 3659 Yds, 42 TD, 59 Rec, 432 Yds (6th Rd Draft Pick)
Analysis » Arguably the best player in school history since Christian McCaffrey and possibly further back. Lasike put up godly numbers in just two seasons and would have rewritten the record books if he played the standard three seasons for a player of his quality. He set the single-game record for rushing yards (304) and had his best games in the biggest moments, announcing himself in the playoffs when Wilder went down.
Grade » 5-star

Alexander Mixon [RT #6]: 6'5", 320lbs | Cincinnati, OH | 3-star (Sr)
Career Stats » 37 Pancakes, Sack Allowed
Analysis » Mixon was a key cog in Stanford's running game in 2029 that had three thousand yard rushers. While it's easy for fans to forget about him since he was only at Stanford for a season and played a less than glamorous position at guard, he was one of the building blocks for a Stanford offensive line that has been elite under Mack.
Grade » 4-star

Sam Tonga [WR #28]: 5'11", 189lbs | Lompoc, CA | 3-star (Jr)
Career Stats » 55 Rec, 709 Yds, 6 TD
Analysis » Tonga wasn't a big name but was quietly productive, especially when you consider he wasn't a full-time starter.
Grade » 3-star

George Vallos [RT #9]: 6'8", 332lbs | San Antonio, TX | 3-star (Jr)
Career Stats » 21 Pancakes
Analysis » Even with injuries, Vallos ended up being a really good player for the Cardinal in his lone season as a starter, making the switch to center where he earned All-ACC honors.
Grade » 4-star

Zach Hoppes [QB #19]: 6'5", 198lbs | Baton Rouge, LA | 3-star (Jr)
Career Stats » 267-352, 2852 Yds, 19 TTD, 6 Int, Sacked 30x, 83 Car, 287 Yds, 3 TD » Did not play at Louisiana-Monroe
Analysis » Probably the most controversial player on this list. Hoppes succeeded Tavien St. Clair and had a pretty decent season for a first-time starter, leading Stanford to the playoffs only to bolt to the portal where the market wasn't as great as he expected and he landed at UL Monroe where he failed to win the starting job.
Grade » 3-star

DeAndre Megna [CB #22]: 5'9", 178lbs | Gardendale, AL | 3-star (Sr)
Career Stats » 53 Tkl, 4 INT, 9 PBU
Analysis » A really good player for the Cardinal in his lone season who unfortunately, a lot of people will remember for the 425 yards that Deuce Knight and Oklahoma hung on Stanford in the Sugar Bowl.
Grade » 4-star

Javon Canady [EDGE #26]: 6'5", 235lbs | Montgomery, AL | 3-star (Soph)
Career Stats » 97 Tkl, 42 TFL, 14.5 Sacks, PBU, FF
Analysis » Quietly the last elite pass rusher for the Cardinal when he posted 8.5 sacks in his first season. Since then, injuries hampered the rest of his career, never finishing with more than four in a season.
Grade » 3-star

Most Important Signing: Getting someone like Mike Good was such an elite pull for this class, although the player never backed it and landing Neil Pryor in the portal was a major statement for this coaching staff as they've continued to be big players in the transfer portal market among elite linemen.

Most Productive Signing: It's Lasike by a mile. For high school, probably Bass although Pullard has a solid argument as well, just at a less sexy position.

Biggest Bust of the Class: Mike Good. Congrats on the double.

Most Untapped Potential: If the circumstances were different, Droogsma could have been a really good player for the Cardinal.

Biggest Steal of the Class: Bass being the second lowest ranked player in the high school class and ending up as a three-year starter is certainly a success story.

Biggest Lost of the Class: UCLA offensive tackle Layne Cook is one of the top tackles in the country and seriously considered the Cardinal. It all worked out for Stanford, getting Pryor in the portal but he would have bee a nice get.

Average High School Class Rank: 3.2 Stars

Final High School Class Grade: 2.0 Stars

Average Transfer Class Rank: 3.4 Stars

Final Transfer Class Grade: 3.8 Stars

Final Analysis: The numbers bore out what the eye test saw which was that this high school recruiting class was a complete bust and buoyed by the transfer portal class. Not a single high school recruit has been drafted and it doesn't look like one will as even the productive players like Gattis, Pullard and Bass aren't exactly on draft boards right now. The hits in the portal were such big hits that it masked a lot of the issues that would arise from such a poor class.

[Captain Canada]

Always loved your class analysis updates, really fun and informative wrinkle

[redsox907]

Final Analysis: Bubba Mack can't' recruit

fixed for ya

[Soapy]

Always loved your class analysis updates, really fun and informative wrinkle

appreciate it gang

Final Analysis: Bubba Mack can't' recruit

fixed for ya

Not gonna lie, I didn't realize how bad this class was until I did this which is the fun part of these articles

a miracle we won the natty

[Soapy]

Bronx native Paul Garrison brings some 'nasty' to the Stanford defense
Kam Seidu-Harris
August 3, 2032

Fair warning to all: if you're not a fan of cuss words, don't show up to Stanford football's practice.

You will hear cornerback Paul Garrison before you see him, whether clowning with his position group, engaging in a spirited debate with the coaches about basketball or, the more likely option, trash talking the opposing defense with not a single expletive spared.

"[Garrison] brings a different energy to the team," says nickel Kentrell Marvin, the unquestioned leader of the secondary and defense, "He gets the guys going, gets them into the practice, makes it feel like a game really in any of our competitive period and just raises the level of intensity for everyone and we love it."

Marvin, in his third season with the team after signing with them out of high school as a five-star prospect, used to be that spark plug. As a true freshman, Marvin joined an experienced but fairly mild mannered defense whose talking on the field was limited to barking out assignments and the occasional cheering among teammates. The coaching staff had to reign the talkative Marvin a few times during his first training camp. Now it's Marvin who sometimes has to reel Garrison back in but more often than not, he's right there with him.

----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------

Unlike Marvin, Garrison wasn't a five-star recruit from sunny Honolulu. He signed with Miami of Ohio out of the Bronx as a three-star recruit, spending his first two seasons as a redshirt and then on special teams. As a redshirt sophomore, he started in fourteen games, recording eighty-three tackles and two interceptions with thirteen pass breakups in a breakout season for him.

Wanting to compete for championships, Garrison transferred to conference rival Toledo where he would be a key component of a ten-win Rockets team that won the MAC, bringing down four interceptions in the process and allowing less than two receptions per game. Garrison would jump in the portal for a third time in three years, wanting to make the jump to the Power 4 level.

"I think people have always doubted whether or not I was a [Power 4] player," Garrison says, "I've always had that chip on my shoulder that I was going to make it to the NFL and show that I can compete at that level."

The path to Stanford wasn't a linear one. Penn State and Notre Dame were heavily involved and closer to home for Garrison who had played in the Midwest before at both Miami (Ohio) and Kent State. Trekking all the way out to the West Coast was an entirely different ball game and there was no guarantee of a starting spot with Stanford recruiting after the likes of Thomas Gann, the top ranked cornerback in the portal, and Emmanuel Ogbogu, ranked slightly below Garrison.

Gann ended up at LSU, Ogbogu signed with Ohio State and Garrison ultimately picked Stanford over Penn State and Notre Dame, two teams that the Cardinal will play this season on the road.

The adjustment period was equally for Garrison as it was for the coaching staff. If Marvin, as a freshman, was a five, Garrison is a fifteen. There is no turning up, there is only on and he's on from the get go. Stanford head coach Bubba Mack, who tries to avoid cursing as a coach, said he had to get used to it but that he appreciates what Garrison has brought to a team that is now the hunted as the defending national champions.

"He's definitely added some nasty to our team and you need some of that," Mack says, "I don't think [Garrison] looks at himself like an overachiever, I think he views himself internally as a championship caliber player so you definitely need those guys with you in the trenches when you're going to play a very tough schedule and are going to need to be able to lick your wounds and deal with the adversity of a season without letting it affect your confidence because on that very next play, very next drive, very next week, you've got some really talented players and teams that are going to circle you."

It didn't take long for Garrison's impact to be felt. In the first week of practice, he got into a scuffle with star receiver Rodney Cookus. In an effort to resume practice without incident, Marvin had moved to the outside to cover Cookus and bumped Garrison inside. The switch only lasted two plays before Garrison was barking at Cookus to stop ducking the smoke.

"His presence is definitely felt out there," Cookus says with a smile, "We've had some good battles and we'll have some more in camp and I can't wait. I won't say whose winning right now but I welcome that matchup."

[redsox907]

gotta have an edge out on the island

[ShireNiner]

Average Transfer Class Rank: 3.4 Stars

Final Transfer Class Grade: 3.8 Stars

Man is grading himself and is barely passing.

I like a DB that can talk and be phsyical but a man named 'Paul' better get a cool nickname because no way a guy is shit-talking me with that name.