Purdue Football Recruiting: A Reason for Optimism

247 updated their recruiting rankings recently, and I can firmly assert some of the "off the radar guys" have been located. In fact, for those of you looking for progress, Coach Hazell's second recruiting class is already surpassing last year's class in terms of overall quality. For reference, ranking in the 90's are 4* players, rankings in the 80's are 3* players, and rankings in the 70's are 2* players.

I omitted Austin McGehee and Ben Makowski from their respective class averages, not because I don't appreciate them, but because they are solid prospects for their positions. Unfortunately, their positions, place kicker and long snapper respectively, are undervalued in rankings, and skew both class averages unfairly.

One thing to also keep in mind is that David Hedlin is a season and ¾ rental from the JuCo ranks. He is an excellent prospect, but won't be wearing the gold and black for long. Consider Hedlin a band aide and Matt McCann is more of a permanent solution (hopefully).

What is even more encouraging about the 2015 class is that they have another year to progress. At the top of the spectrum, it isn't a stretch to think a player like McCann or Cook will end up ranked in the 90's at the end of the season. At the bottom end of the spectrum, Andy Chelf plays for a Texas powerhouse, and subsequently has essentially only played one season of varsity football. If he puts in another solid year, he will undoubtedly end up ranked in the 80's.

Purdue has a few more big fish/medium fish on the hook for this class, and if things break right, Hazell might be able to pull off a miracle and sign a truly solid class after a one win season. I think things are trending up on the recruiting front this season. If Hazell can have results on the field trend up as well, it might not be such a long climb out of the basement after all. I like to look at the positive side of things because hope (no not the Hope) springs eternal for this Boilermaker fan