Investigating the Accuracy of College Football Recruiting Rankings

[@cory8080]

I played at a P5 program and went there in large part because of my future teammate/roommate. He was a future NFL stud in my eyes, but turned out to be one of those overrated 18 year olds. We had a long talk one night about why it ended the way it did. He was a coaches dream in T-shirt and shorts and that’s why he was a 5-star. Tall, stout, rocket for an arm, accurate, great footwork, and ran a 4.6. In college, he couldn’t process fast enough and that alone was enough to kill everything. In meetings he’d see it all but in games he’d get stuck on reads, not make proper calls pre snap to post snap. So if that’s from HS to college then I can only imagine what it’s like at the qb position from college to the NFL.

[@geo.j27]

Dang really cool perspective thanks for sharing

[@yawn1025]

as an eagles fan and jalen hurts lover, i'm scared this is what he is

[@Lightgreen57]

@@yawn1025 I feel like the issue was just bad playcalling. You don’t suddenly go from great to terrible for no reason. And the past season has shown that Steichen is a great play caller, so hurts was great. And Johnson was a terrible play caller, so hurts wasn’t very good

[@jemiller226]

Did your friend go on to coach? He sounds like he had a head for film analysis.

[@cory8080]

@@jemiller226 Left the game behind and went into finance. He thought about coaching but it's a grind to start your career.

[@SteakFromJakeFarm777]

bro, is this an ESPN side project? i mean the research, images, graphics, sound design, score… i mean daaaayum!!! bravo!!! cable needs to step their game up to compete with MacKelvie!

[@michaelmackelvie]

Is this…Steak…from Jake Farm? Thanks Brody!

[@aceacemania]

With the quality of what you've been putting out, you sure deserve more subscribers. The research, the presentation, the graphs, the editing, the narration, all top notch. I'm commenting to hopefully trigger the algorithm to recommend you to more people. Keep it up!

[@michaelmackelvie]

Thank you! Much appreciated...

[@francescoaddis]

​@@michaelmackelvie Keep going. I'm not sure how inspiring one KZbin comment can be, but this video is the one that finally compelled me to subscribe. Your videos are novel and cover subjects I've continually thought don't receive nearly enough retrospective coverage considering the depth of coverage they're afforded initially.

[@EJD339]

He’ll get there. He has the whole package. Got a great voice, presentation and interesting content.

[@michaeldimicco1504]

@@michaelmackelvielove your content. The sport insights are great

[@andersahlberg3633]

It found me

[@tanner.mackey.mp3]

"Being an overrated 18 year old shouldn't be viewed as a character defect" is an absolutely savage line to end this video on, well done!

[@heatcheckgroup]

The QB findings are in line with what we've been tracing for 7 years. The needs of a QB in college are considerably different than the NFL.

[@kenw2225]

Needs of the team were different

[@LoganNagol]

Aka Johnny Manziel

[@quetzalcoa]

There is so much more space for improv in college. Players aren't as good and qbs can run around while players get open because they aren't getting closed down

[@adamdickinson2894]

Exactly what I think. COLLEGE recruiters should be judged on COLLEGE success not NFL because that's basically irrelevant to them

[@jeffstricken8549]

If I were an NFL GM, 95 times out of 100, I wouldn't take a QB in the 1st round, especially if the team s*cked. Would probably favor edge rushers instead.

[@KINGPOOPS]

This is why the transfer portal will only make the rich get richer because the big programs can now scout players at positions that are a crap shoot to scout in highschool further along in their development, and poach them from smaller schools. The big schools have always had an advantage in recruiting great defensive linemen and running backs, but there was less of a difference at the positions that require intangibles. Not anymore.

[@jonathanpusar5931]

I agree, but also the transfer portal will allow someone like an Aaron Rodgers or Josh Allen who never got viability of their game in HS to shine in JuCo and get easier opportunities in NCAA. Also much easier for players who need more years of playtime and exposure to get them. Think how crazy it is that if neither of them hustled like crazy people to get any kind of NCAA offer they would have never even sniffed an NFL field. It also means that if a school wants to elevate themselves overnight they can…like right now NYS and SUNY doesn’t have a team in a mainstream conference. UB is the flagship but stuck in the MAC. Assuming Albany wasn’t corrupt and SUNY started spending money to enhance their flagship, they could now change the team overnight into every other flagship program like Rutgers or Penn State. Small schools SHOULD act like feeder programs for larger schools, while larger schools with deep pockets have the opportunity to build teams. I think the transfer reform a win win all around.

[@TrueSon4419]

While I agree with your point about smaller schools getting their players poached.. we can all agree that a group of 5 team up until maybe, this new 12 team format, never had a chance to compete with the top power 5 programs poaching in the first place. This does however, open opportunity up to middle tier power 5 programs that want to take the next step. My Missouri Tigers are a perfect example. 0 bowl wins since 2015. Commit to the portal, invest millions into your program, lobby to pass a state law allowing you to pay HS commits to win in state recruiting battles, and before you know it you’re beating the blue blood Ohio State in a N6 Bowl and picked to make the playoffs in 2025. The group of 5 schools really are getting the worst of this all though.

[@DanielSong39]

The bench players for the big programs will leave in droves though

[@anythingthoughanythingthou2453]

@@jonathanpusar5931By the gods how I hate NFL and it’s fans trying to say how college should be.

[@NAT-turners-Revenge]

👿 Go stanford

[@justinapodaca4249]

As a rivals employee, this was excellently done.

[@satisfactors]

y’all suck at scouting

[@skyrothman8651]

​@@satisfactorsI think literally anyone would. NFL GMs suck at scouting

[@NAT-turners-Revenge]

​@@satisfactorsyou wish u had his job 😅

[@lorddiethorn]

And yet those ratings are for college football saying this person should be able to play day one

[@Matt_237]

You guys were so easy to kick the shit out of. Mike Farrel and his ghost writers were absolutely horrible.

[@lilgrabbo6142]

You’re a great editor and presenter. My favorite kind of sports content

[@michaelmackelvie]

Thank you my man!

[@willcarroll9762]

Any other channels you recommend? Love these kind of videos

[@kyle2beats]

@@willcarroll9762john bois

[@MHNK77]

Bro, can't imagine all the work behind this videos. Data analysis is always very time consuming. And then producing these amazing videos, and scripting the story behind it. Amazing work! keep it up

[@macedindu829]

The graphics were also top notch. I had to pause the video at several points to enjoy them.

[@adamdickinson2894]

They analysed the wrong data though 🤦‍♂️

[@SportsPantheon]

Amazing work again. Really appreciate the level of research and analysis.

[@michaelmackelvie]

Thank you my friend!

[@GIRTHYANDITCURVES]

Really helps pull back a layer on how corrupt the entire college football conglomerate has become. Sad

[@HomemadeSubmarine]

From the concepts & analysis to the script & writing to the production & editing, this channel would be impressive as a prime time network show. The use of a critical & analytical approach applied equally to sports & finance offers an outstanding opportunity to demonstrate how this method can work in wildly different fields. This project is going to take off & rightfully so. I’m excited to see what’s in store.

[@michaelmackelvie]

Thank you! I really appreciate that my friend!

[@njones339skinnymini]

Incredible in-depth analysis, and the previous video looking into the NFL draft is a great compliment to this. Keep up the good work I look forward to seeing more!

[@corey2232]

What you said about RBs is why I think the rookie pay scale should be adjusted for the RB position. Whereas everyone else is expected to start lower & get that big pay day after their rookie deal, I believe it should be the opposite for RBs. They are used & abused early on, then discarded before they make it to that first big contract. Teams ride them as hard as they can for those first 4-5 seasons, then cut their losses & replace them once their rookie deal is up. Every other position has a much better chance of getting that first big pay day, just as players enter their prime. But the "prime" for most RBs is those first years, and few teams would shell out big money for a guy that was already heavily used for 4-5 straight seasons.

[@michaelmackelvie]

Corey I have said this my friend! They take the most abuse and are getting paid the least…idk if there’s an answer, but I have proposed the same hypothetical. Not sure if it’d pencil out…

[@corey2232]

@michaelmackelvie Thinking back on it, I may have heard you talk about this before. Maybe I stumbled across your videos before & didn't realize it, but you may be the one that convinced this needs to change.

[@dylankrejci9965]

My idea is that rookie running backs get a player option going into year 3. If they want to stay with their original team, they can stay for the full contract, but if they’ve become an elite RB, they get the opportunity to test the open market at 24 instead of 26/27.

[@Zombie1Boy]

This was true 20 years ago when backs regularly averaged 350+ totes a season. Now they're barely averaging 250+ with only the quality backs or completely run-oriented teams giving a back in the area of 300 rushes. Unless your Derrick Henry or a CMC you'll be lucky to tote the rock 350 times a year both rushing and receiving. As it stands outside of injuries teams don't do RB1 85% of the time now unless they can run, block and catch passes at a pro level. Most backs coming out of college can barely do two of the three at a pro-level at best. 3-down backs are rare enough already but a 3-down back that has all-pro levels of talent? Thats why most get discarded after their rookie deals cause for a situational player you can just draft one or sign one for cheap. The majority of whom are dime a dozen runners who don't provide anything in the passing game. This is why the Steelers will let Najee Harris walk at the end of his contract and fill his void with draftees and free agent signees.

[@zacharycooper9152]

I also like the idea of paying running backs higher on their rookie deals. That being said, the NFL teams will do some shady stuff like claim this dude is a linebacker or tight end, but play him as a running back.

[@brycent]

Michael, your content is legitimately the only channel I've been able to watch the entire video without stopping. So compelling, so powerful, insightful and just the perfect amount of humor. PLEASE keep educating us like this

[@AndrewBelliston]

This channel is super underrated! Would love to see a video on conference realignment

[@michaelmackelvie]

Thanks Andrew!

[@greeneibball36]

LT Joe Alt at Notre Dame who is projected as a top 15 pick came in to ND as 3 Star Tight End Recruit.

[@EmmanuelPerez88]

I think football is a lot more difficult to predict on a player to player basis. The 5 star high schooler probably didn’t have any injuries, but once you make it to college, careers do end there and in the nfl. Rankings can’t account for that. Also, the mental part, the pressure, or the lack of ridicule at the lower levels can hamper players success when they meet it in college and pros. Adding the element of money also changes ppls drives. The reason I’m guessing a lot of guys who were low or undrafted succeed because of the financial opportunity while others may make their money and coast. Not all just some. Also, how someone’s body matures after 18 is also not predictable which all adds up to make sense why not incredibly accurate

[@liamryan7239]

This is a totally new thing. It reminds me of when I saw a Jon Bois video for the first time, not in terms of style necessarily, but just in terms of how cool and different it feels (the toy soldier-style football players probably help that connection too)

[@sillydonkeydj3527]

Bro I love your videos the cinematography is insane ❤️

[@michaelmackelvie]

Thank you, much appreciated!

[@islandpenguin5056]

@@michaelmackelvieBy any chance do you know the song used from 1:00 to 1:25 ? it's super hype

[@devinlee10]

Really love/appreciate the work that you do and the amount of time you put in to produce these awesome videos. Research/data aside, the snippet between 1:00 and 1:25 gave me the chills, and manages to perfectly convey the aura that is CFB.

[@rayzeusmusic]

Southern university band brah!!!! Best in the world 💯💯💯

[@islandpenguin5056]

@@rayzeusmusic What song is it ?

[@rayzeusmusic]

@@islandpenguin5056 my president is black by young jeezy

[@whitjones249]

Yeah I was wondering too what song is that they’re playing in the montage?

[@rayzeusmusic]

@@islandpenguin5056 sorry thought I replied. It’s my president is black by young Jeezy.

[@TheHalfpipeHeroes]

The way you delivered this information and the general depth of the research is amazing. I've just found your page but I know I'll be watching a lot more of your videos from here on out. There is an art to delivering somewhat dense analytics and you sir do it with a finesse!

[@CienaOlenna]

These videos deserve a bigger audience, can tell the work that goes in!

[@shalmeneseriii]

Incredible! Amazing production values and fantastic information. Thank you for finally bringing solid data to the public.

[@jacobcamenzind6365]

Great production value in this. Top tier narration, music, lighting, pacing, etc

[@dwy3r]

YT algo is amazing for putting this #1 in my feed despite me never seeing a vid from you. this vid right up my alley. great stuff

[@dorians4043]

This was one of the best football videos I’ve ever seen on KZbin

[@mikaanuba659]

Quality stuff as usual. You'll become HUGE in the KZbin Sports Analysis field in no time!

[@CoachKeithRobinson]

This channel is one of the best on the YT. From my experience with some of the writers and evaluators it’s more about relationships ( with the HS coach, the top kids handler & college recruiters) than actually being accurate. Also if a kid has an offer and he goes to a camp that the press is attending, the writers will pump him up. This leads to more top kids showing up, the more top kids the more not top kids equals more money and eyes on the website. I have read and seen scouting sites down grade a kid for not going to a camp….. even say some of their offers were not real.

[@OGMilooo]

I don’t comment on many youtube videos but I have to mention how well done this video is. It’s something I would expect a highly popular channel to put out and you deserve that for sure if you continue this!

[@j.manning_YT]

I DEFINITELY needed this. I’m working on a project of ranking all FBS & FCS teams together for the 2023 season. All D1 ranking w/ new strength of schedules elements and everything

[@interentnerd4729]

Dude I just found your channel and I have been watching tons of your videos now. Not only is the quality of your videos amazing, but the topics you pick are unique and interesting.

[@michaelmackelvie]

Thank you!

[@Bryanmoore11]

Man I really hope you keep making videos. S-Tier level stuff

[@michaelmackelvie]

Thanks Bryan! Much appreciated man.

[@44booder]

You've become my fav youtuber recently, if only people knew what they're missing ! Hoping you get the recognition you deserve soon.

[@thomas_delaney]

It is remarkable to me how few subscribers you have and, whether you've had offers or not yet, that you haven't even done an ad read. This channel is incredible quality - please keep up the great content!!

[@RollTide1987]

At the end of the day, it's all about winning championships for the college football fan. As history as shown since these websites became a thing, the more elite your recruiting class the better chance your team has of winning at an elite level.

[@stephenayeni992]

As someone who enjoys data science and College Football (especially recruiting), this is an amazing video. I might just subscribe

[@andrewlee1883]

Never watched a video until today, just sent it to a few people around a college scouting department. High quality work that I think we can look at and really learn something from.

[@abzeromusic]

As someone who played high school football in Miami, and played with and against multiple 3,4, and 5 Star recruits. Scouts don't base the star ratings off intangibles almost at all. I know multiple 4 star recruits who weren't good in highschool, but had good combine results and therefore were high rated recruits. Combine is like 95% of the rating. Almost no one is even looking for intangibles.

[@KWillo]

Big facts.Intangibles can be coached.Tangibles like size and speed aren't coachable.

[@huskguy1987]

WOW, that was fricken awesome, gotta love ur content!!

[@LearAndrew]

The most professional sports content I've seen on youtube. We need to get the word out!

[@michaelmackelvie]

Man…really appreciate that, thank you!

[@lvxtu3472]

This dude reminds me of those videos your teachers would play that are so damn engaging you cannot look away

[@seatownfan]

Subscribed, a fun presentation and also very insightful. 👍

[@themr.hickspodcast5204]

The most fascinating article on college star rankings I've ever seen. I've always speculated that the positions that require intelligence and discipline correlate poorly from HS to the NFL. This solidifies that theory for me! Great job!

[@promptlyjoebrown4305]

The quality of that College football montage hit me so hard it made me miss my alma mater. And it was a throwaway bit for this video. Excellent work, sir.

[@michaelmackelvie]

@@promptlyjoebrown4305 that segment took the most effort actually…a lot of sound mixing and searching for clips/timing. I put a lot into it and it means a lot to hear others enjoyed it.

[@TXSTSportsFan]

There has never been a better video on the subject. Fantastic job!

[@sammerikallio4288]

Easily my favorite new sports analytics channel. Fascinating stuff as always

[@stylesmarshall6990]

The production of these videos always dumbfounds me. This one was cinema

[@michaelmackelvie]

Thank you!

[@KoalaKuddle]

Being super talented at a young age can be a curse in sports because those players get pushed the hardest. If you want to make it to the nfl you have to make the cut but not be too good that your coach overworks you till you break.

[@AlexODriscoll-zu9nf]

best production i have ever seen on a football video. props keep it up

[@PolCoolguy]

I'm not a big sports person but I love learning random things and this channel is perfect for that :D

[@Kortrix]

Truly fantastic analysis. Not many people put out content like this, and it's honestly a great watch every time you post a new video. Thank you for your insight, and keep up the great work!

[@eskewroberts7663]

So i discovered your videos 6 months ago, and i must say, your videos never disappoint!

[@markhanson4692]

A great as always. Love the data. Love the analysis. Keep the charts coming!

[@JacobRenfer]

Excellent work as always. The stop motion was the cherry on top.

[@Wowreally42]

Top notch content. Can’t wait to see this channel explode.

[@percnowitzki3808]

The production quality is amazing on this

[@DaeValarauko]

A question I have wondered about for a long time. Beautifully done.

[@yeahaight3495]

Man, this production is fantastic. Based on production alone, this is better than any 30-for-30 or NFL special that I’ve seen. And this video is a great concept to look into. First time seeing a video of yours. Definitely earned a sub; I hope you keep this up because this is IT.

[@seanl1164]

This man has mastered the art… of the dramatic… pause. Excellent content. I’m glad KZbin has 1.25x speed so I can watch it.

[@wyattlee5617]

Thanks for reminding me about the speed option. I like this guy’s content but he talks as if every sentence is extremely profound and it’s too annoying for me

[@aidanhg5]

This was an extremely well done video. Great job!

[@morde24]

Now thats a high quality video roght there. Great soundtrack, buttery smooth voice, an interesting title and an incredible amount if legwork. Looking forward to kore videos

[@dylanscott8186]

Awesome job man! I hope your channel continues to grow. You are so different, so original, so interesting! Keep it up!!!!

[@k1ng_chamberlain]

This is insane statistics. So much effort. Loved the video. Subscribed.

[@TobiasHardt-vz2bu]

Thank you for this incredible video! The quality of it is just amazing. Huge respect from Germany! Really enjoyed it

[@procharliee5575]

Absolutely the best video I’ve ever seen on college football rankings

[@jamesknapp64]

4:08 says it all; while NFL draft isn't the end all be all for College success metrics, its a pretty good one. Thus its not that you have a 5-star Lineman, its how many 5-stars you got on the OL and DL. We saw that with Alabama and Georgia last few seasons, they've got the most 5-star linemen and they've been dominating the line of scrimmage in games and win a LOT. 5:00 but isn't what Star Rankings are about; their about College potential not their NFL potential. And yeah that is obvious at 6:05 as well 7:08 I'm not shocked, what makes a good RB isn't much different from HS to Pros and you have a good approximation of what they'll be at 18 and at 25

[@benswolio3226]

Wow I could have sworn I was watching a video with atleast a million views. Great quality keep up the good work.

[@matthewknauer7466]

This quality of production is incredible

[@AnOpenMindedDrinker]

Great video! I had a couple things I was going to mention before I watched it, but I waited and you addressed both of them! Very entertaining!

[@macedindu829]

I can't believe you're only at 58K subs. Wow. I don't even really follow sports anymore, but damn if your videos aren't thought-provoking and well put together.

[@pineapplecuber4173]

Please keep these NFL evaluation videos going. They're awesome!

[@killerjag]

Just subscribed. I hadn't come across your videos before, but based on the quality I was sure you had at least a couple hundred thousand subs already. This is genuinely some of the best production quality I've seen from any sports channel. I love the way you presented the data and the use of the figurines in stop motion is awesome. Looking forward to watching the rest of your work.

[@JamesGalbraith-fj8wk]

Just watched all of your videos and subscribed. Appreciate your insights and investigative approach, thanks!

[@michaelmackelvie]

Thanks James!

[@rayzeusmusic]

Brah I love the fact you put southern university band at the beginning!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 hbcu bands need more love in the college game. 💯💯🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@michaelmackelvie]

My man noticed! Let’s gooo…slightly weird fact about me - I have a playlist full of southern marching bands similar to this lol...gets me hyped.

[@rayzeusmusic]

@@michaelmackelvie yea man I played baritone at Alabama state so I still keep up with all the bands. lol football season is always paired with band season 😂

[@lukeowens7120]

The best creator on this app. It's unbelievable how under the radar you're flying -- a mix of KTO and JxmmyHighroller, but smarter. Great stuff please keep it up!!

[@justinlawson3493]

Glad this popped into my feed….High quality stuff with solid analytics…Subscribed!

[@JMill77]

Top notch analysis as always, I wish tv had content this good

[@randomestdragon]

Incredible work!

[@calba4018]

Awesome content! So many variables in recruiting certain positions

[@kuls88]

Incredibly high quality work

[@James-tw3hy]

Keep up the work. Videos with production like this keep people engaged throughout and lead to more likes, views, subs, etc. You’re headed up

[@lukekiefer5964]

What a great surprise to see another vide by you! Always fantastic content!

[@jobnyangacha6321]

This video should have more views. Well done.

[@Jack-ms4ug]

Love the cam rising feature. One of the more hype plays I’ve ever seen.

[@InstinktzBTW]

Bro you have to give us more content more often. Your channel is a gem

[@spcfl1461]

Amazing content, Sports Vsauce!! Dope vids keep it going 👍🏾👍🏾

[@_thomas1031]

Man the research and ability to teach here is great🙌

[@Yeebees]

These videos are so insightful and well written, keep it up!

[@ActuallyBear207-ud6vo]

Love the content, keep it going. One of the best football channels on here

[@calebsulzberger8761]

Dude you make quality stuff. Earned your subscription

[@LukeLockwood]

Glad I subbed. Simply breathtaking work, the level of analysis AND storytelling combined is very special.

[@421292]

Incredible research, fascinating stuff and well put together. Definitely something everyone interested in sport should watch.

[@joshuagabriel8538]

That “College Football” edit was fucking crazy 🔥🔥🔥 had to subscribe. Keep it up!!!

[@richzuker9295]

Really damn good. Third vid I've watched of yours and all are high quality.

[@ZtehGreat]

Great video! Editing and production had me sucked in as always. Would love a video about Legendary NFL Coaches and how their success correlated to the success of their coaching tree

[@thomasclarke9342]

Such underrated videos these hit every time

[@victorsrandomvideos5208]

I dropped by this video and I’d like to say well done. I loved the mix of graphics of actual footage and stats. I think overrated is a bad term that puts so much pressures on players, while underrated is what makes players feel they can try harder to show up more. I don’t pay attention to lower levels of football since I grew up outside the US so thanks for opening my eyes to what those rankings are and how they actually correlate in the NFL

[@MrFreezOut]

Instantly subscribed a few minutes in, best of luck growing the channel which is the only reason why I’m leaving this comment, I hope it exploooooooodrs

[@angelamerkel3622]

This content is insane!! Thank you very much

[@kylejellinek2891]

Had KZbin for years and this is the first account I’ll Sub after watching half of a video