Proof that recruiting rankings can be deceiving

Looking back at some old recruiting rankings and put together a list of our highest rated recruits on the current Vandy roster. I'll post the whole list sometime if you're interested, but in the meantime here are some highlights:

PRESSURE’S ON
The following true freshmen or redshirts are considered the most talented players at their position and they haven’t taken a snap yet in black and gold:
• Lafonte Thourogood, QB
• Dillon van der Wal, TE
• Vince Taylor, DT
• Kyle Woestmann, DE
• Derek King, CB
• Larry Franklin, S

PRESSURE’S ON, PART II
The following players will be considered the most talented at their position the second they set foot on campus in 2012:
• Brian Kimbrow, RB
• Jaydrick Declouet, WR
• Josh Dawson, DE
• Darrion Herring, OLB
• Jacob Sealand, ILB

REACHING EXPECTATIONS
The following players were top Vandy recruits who’ve emerged among the best at their position:
• Wesley Johnson, OT
• Kenneth Ladler, S

OUT OF NOWHERE
The following recruits flew under the radar until they took the field and emerged as go-to players for the Commodores
• Warren Norman, RB
• Ryan Seymour, OT
• Rob Lohr, DT
• T.J. Greenstone, DT
• Tim Fugger, DE
• Chris Marve, LB
• Casey Hayward, CB
• Sean Richardson, S

UNDERRATED
The following players have exceeded expectations:
• Jabo Burrow, OG
• Colt Nichter, DT
• Johnell Thomas, DE

OVERRATED
The following players were highly rated Vandy recruits who haven’t yet panned out:
• Brady Brown, WR
• Taylor Loftley, DT
• DeAndre Jones, LB
• Al Owens, LB
• Thad McHaney, DE

THE BEST ON PAPER
Here are the 10 players on the current Vandy roster who were the most highly rated recruits:
1. Lafonte Thourogood, FR, QB
2. Dillon van der Wal, FR, TE
3. Wesley Johnson, R-SO, OT
4. DeAndre Jones, R-JR, LB
5. Vince Taylor, R-FR, DT
6. Kyle Woestmann, R-FR, DE
7. Larry Franklin, FR, S
8. Larry Smith, R-SR, QB
9. Mason Johnston, R-SO, TE
10. Jared Morse, R-SO, DT

THE FUTURE
These verbal commitments would crack the above top 10 once they join the team in 2012:
1. Brian Kimbrow, RB
2. Josh Dawson, DE
3. Darrion Herring, LB
4. Josh Sealand, LB
5. Barrett Gouger, OL

WAY UNDER THE RADAR
These players were all considered marginal recruits by the major recruiting services:
• Ryan Fowler, R-JR, K
• Austin Monahan, R-JR, TE
• Caleb Welchans, R-JR, OL
• Steven Clarke, SO, CB
• Chase Garnham, SO, LB
• Kris Kentera, FR, QB
• Andrew Williamson, FR, S
• Akeem Dunham, R-JR, WR
• Joe Townsend, FR, OL
• Tim Fugger, R-SR, DE
• Johnell Thomas, R-JR, DE
• Archibald Barnes, R-JR, LB
• Andrew East, R-FR, LB/SN