Further proof we should stop paying attention to Tom Lemming

So a quick count: only one 5 star DL recruit drafted (3rd round). There were 13 5-star, can't miss recruits in 2005 (4 year graduation path). If you include the 2004 recruiting class (5 year plan), there were 22 5-star can't miss recruits. In the 2009 draft, 42 DL were selected. Somehow ~95% percent of these can't miss prospects weren't among them

The number 1 DL selection: Tyson Jackson. In 2004, scouts.com listed him as a 2 star OFFENSIVE lineman. Too bad the LSU recruiting staff doesn't publish a recruiting ranking...

How bad is Tom Lemming?

This is kind of fun: break down the 2009 RB draft class by (Scout.com) star rankings out of high school. Some observations:

1) There were as many 2 stars as 5 stars drafted in the first round.

2) There were more 3 stars drafted than 4 stars.

3) In the later rounds (4-7), 2 stars dominated the draft boards.

This analysis is kind of painful to do, since it requires wading through the mounds of historical scout.com rankings, but it proves a point. Rankings are a pretty poor predictor of college performance. Would anyone trade Kevin Grady (5 star) for Donald Brown (scout 2 star) at this point?