Commentary
Tebow, Spikes were underrated
Looking back at the hits, misses and surprises from the Class of 2006
Originally Published: January 28, 2010
By Scouts Inc. | ESPN.com
The Class of 2006 was Scouts Inc.'s first foray into recruiting rankings. Like any other evolving enterprise, we have fine-tuned the ranking process over the years. Still, many themes we discovered in that first year have been just as evident in each successive class. This class, just like any other class, proves one thing: Recruiting rankings on paper are always attractive. The reality is that not everyone is going to pan out. There are too many unknown variables to be right on every guy.
Led by top-ranked quarterback Matt Stafford, the 2006 class was very strong on QBs -- a couple of guys named Tebow and Bradford serve as further evidence of that fact. That's not to say there weren't some busts among QBs. Mitch Mustain, the No. 2-rated prospect at the position, doesn't look as if he'll pan out.
On the defensive side of the ball, the strength of this class was at linebacker. At that position, prospects such as Sergio Kindle and Brandon Spikes developed into some of the nation's most feared defenders. Conversely, with the exception of Oklahoma recruit Gerald McCoy, this class was very thin at defensive tackle.
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HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, CLASS OF '06
It takes four years to truly evaluate a recruiting class. We're taking a look back at how Scouts Inc. did in 2006.
REVIEWING THE ESPNU 150
- 1-25: Harvin leads Gators
- 26-50: Wells stars at OSU
- 51-75: Locker develops at UW
- 76-100: Spikes exceeds expectations
- 101-125: Scott a bruiser for LSU
- 126-150: Freeman's arm stays on target