re: Bama owns 10% of the nation's Top 100 with ten months to go.

quote:

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Signing the top class and winning a national championship in the same year isn't indicative of anything. The vast majority of those players don't contribute in the first year.

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I don't think that's necessarily accurate. I think signing that #1 class provides momentum and immediate depth, and it also creates more competition at each position, which makes everyone better. And that's assuming none of them play. When you add in the freshmen who come in and contribute immediately - I think it's clear that Freshman classes certainly have a huge impact on championship teams.

I know they have at Alabama.

In 2009, Bama signed JUCO LT James Carpenter (future first round selection) who started immediately on a dominant offensive line. They also signed Trent Richardson, who was an impact player that year. Other contributors from that class were Dre Kirkpatrick and DJ Fluker.

In 2011, we brought in Jesse Williams, HaHa Clinton-Dix, Trey DePriest, and Cyrus Kouandjio. All were contributors, and at the very least increased the level of depth and competition at each of their positions - a vital part of any championship team.

In 2012, we brought in impact freshmen Amari Cooper and TJ Yeldon.