Real Recruiting System

[stonecold]

Let me begin by saying thanks to KUJustin. The work you put into the SRS is very much appreciated. Without the SRS, we wouldn't be getting all of these good ideas about recruiting restrictions. You are a pioneer my friend.

Next, let me thank msuforever, locke888, and DrWiCiD. The work and ideas that you guys have done has also led to good ideas. I give them credit along with many of you other guys who posted on the SRS thread. (If it weren't for this thread, I probably be getting some work done during the day.) I have tried to put many ideas together with mine for a challenging, realistic, and simple recruitng system. I can't wait to hear what you guys think.

Now some background about me:
I really like to start with a bad team, build them up to a national power, or close, and then take a job with a 1st or 2nd tier program that has been down, and likely would have fired their coach. Then I start rebuilding again. Scraping together wins and then the real rebuilding begins... RECRUITING! The best part of the game. Maybe the recruiting will eventually be realistic, but I sort of think us geeks wouldn't have anything else to do if the game were perfect. Here is my dynasty.

Year Team Record(Conf.) NR Conf. Bowl

2003 ECU 9-4 (5-3) - 3rd Houston(def. KU 31-3)

2004 ECU 10-3 (7-1) - 2nd GMAC(lost Toledo 24-35)

2005 ECU 10-3 (7-1) 21 2nd GMAC(def. Toledo 51-42)

2006 ECU 12-1 (8-0) 8 1st Rose(lost USC 24-45)
- 3 undefeated teams, did not play for NC, rightfully so

2007 Clemson 8-5 (4-4) 16 5th Cont. Tire(def. BC 27-13)

2008 Clemson 11-2 (6-2) 7 3rd Peach(def. Ole Miss)
(38-31 OT)

2009 Clemson 12-1 (8-0) 4 1st Orange(def. OSU 34-24)

2010 Clemson 5-0 (2-0) 1 Last Game def. #30 NCSt. 30-27

I play on tough AA sliders, for more realism. I have made them tougher every year. I hope to win the NC this year and then start over with a Navy dynasty. I played Navy's first game v. W&M on my sliders and could barely keep it even. Navy is so slow. It is great!

Here is my Recruitng Manifesto, along w/ some points to let you know what I was thinking:

1. Sign only 15 players per year.
-15 to 55 close to 25 to 85 (% wise)
-You may have to grind through it or recruit a couple extra if you have a big senior class.
-Allows you to cut a few, after following recruiting rules, like IRL where players who don't get to play would transfer to smaller schools.
-If you get to 14, then don't target more than 2-3. If you go over you can cut, but you have to follow the rest of the rules for signees per year. ie. you may be cutting 5* players.

2. 5* limit = Prestige minus 1
-RL ratio would be 2-3, but this lets you compete with the CPU, which obviously lets 6* teams load up
-remember it is all based on signees, target whom you like but if you sign too many 5*'s you have to cut them
-trying to go after the right number of players will keep you from going over and having to cut, which we want to avoid, it will also keep you under your limits quite often, so you end up with more 3*, 2*, & maybe a few walkons, very realistic

3. All schools, except service academies, have a regional limit of 7.
-regions based on KUJustin's SRS

4. Other Limits:

Prestige_________4* & Up_____________3* & Up____________Other States

6_______________10_________________13_____________ ______5

5________________9_________________12_____________ ______4

4________________7_________________11_____________ ______3

3________________6_________________10_____________ ______2

2________________5__________________9_____________ ______1

1________________4__________________8_____________ ______0

5. Service Academies
-no geographical recruiting restrictions
-weight limit: under 290 *** change to 290 or less
-min. GPA: 2.75 (hardly any recruits are 3.0 or better) ***change to 2.5
-Prep School Exemption: May sign players from 2.5-2.74. ***change to 2.3-2.49*** You must redshirt them. If their awareness does not rise to 50 before start of redshirt freshman year, you must cut them. For every PSE that you cut, you may add a signee the following year.
-cannot recruit juco's

6. Head Coach Visits = 7 per week

This system makes it very tough and realistic to build up a bad program, my favorite thing to do. It also makes it more of a challenge to keep up with the big boys once you make it. And there is less to keep up with, I just don't have the time anymore. The problem with recruitng too loosely is you crush almost everybody, just to play a couple of close games a year vs. good teams. I started with the SRS and some personal versions of it when I went to Clemson. With that and uping my sliders, it has been pretty realistic, but too easy to get them in NC contention. Plus, the ACC is loaded in my dynasty. Maryland won the 2007 NC and is always top 10. UVA is top 10. NCSt is almost always ranked. FSU stays in the top 30. Wake is solid, plus I play one high ranked team a year. I now play at least 5-6 close games per year, 2-3 come from behind late wins. In an average ACC it would be way to easy.


Well there it is. Let me know what you think. How would you tweak it? Does it suck? Need me to clarify anything?

I have a life, I swear! But my wife works most nights, and I can't watch college basketball until the real Conf. tourneys start Thur. Maybe classic CFB is on!!!

[locke888]

I think they look pretty good. I like your service academy rules. Kinda tough on the 5* limit but makes for good games. New ideas are good.

[msuforever]

kinda tough on the 5 stars, but overall some great ideas. I think you service academy rules will become standard with any new service academy dynasties. I like your progressive limits, although I might increase them a little (but then again, you've seen my recruiting philosophies, so...). Overall, well researched, well thought out.

[stonecold]

The restrictions on 5* signees are tough, but I think they're realistic. Remember that if we base it on percetages of a 15 signee class, then we should only sign 2-3 5*'s. And that is for 6*teams. I have loosened up the restrictions to keep up with the 6* cpu teams. Also, if you try not to over target, to prevent signing more than 15, you will likely only sign 12-14 many times. You may have to over cut several players if you only have 9 or 10 leaving, but if you stick to these rules, you will balance out after 4 years.

I simmed the rest of my 2010 Clemson season where I was #1 (5-0). Clemson ended up #9 (11-2), ACC champs, and Def. #5 Mich. in the Orange Bowl. Now to the recruiting.

9 players leaving

I probably never targeted more than 20 players, b/c I was willing to sign less than 15 with only 9 leaving. Here they are:

5 * Signees

#1 G, FL
#3 HB, GA

4* Signees

#14 G, GA
#16 G, WA
#18 CB, FL
#19 DE, SC
#20 T, AR
#20 QB, VT
#24 HB, Ct

3* Signees

#24 SS, SC
#29 FB, FL
#77 CB, GA
#80 WR, FL

2* Signees

#100 WR, GA

Overall Info.

# 24 Class

14 Signees (2 - 7 - 4 - 1)

2 In State, 8 Region, 4 Other States (extra in region, falls into other states)

Since this class fits into all the restricitons, I do not have to cut any of them immediately, I can wait and see where they fit in on the depth chart. If you over sign in an area, say too many 5*'s you have to cut them 1st. You can't keep them and cut a Jr. backup, for example.

[locke888]

I like the spread of talent in that class. But what prestige was Clemson at the time?

[stonecold]

I like the spread of talent in that class. But what prestige was Clemson at the time?

Clemson's Prestige = 6*

I had a couple of bigtime, 5*'s that had me #1 and then ditched at the last minute. Overall it was a pretty good and realistic class. However, I think most years with that kind of team, the recruiting would be better of 5* players. There just weren't that many 5* players interested, probably b/c I have so many starters coming back.

Somebody try these rules out and tell me what you think.

[jamesnathan]

I like it and actually don't think that the 5*s is too restrictive at all. I'm a back-2-back NC winner at BYU in the PAC-10 and, with the SRS's other state rules in place, I haven't signed more than 5 Blue Chippers in 2 seasons. Granted, this season (after my second time recruiting this way) may not turn out too great, but I think I have too good a senior class. So it's difficult to say. But I think 5 Blue Chippers is excellent!
Personally, I'd make the Other States for 6* teams even more restrictive. The SRS allows 3, which has bugged me sometimes but forced me to look for lesser players in CA or my region which keeps me from being too heavy with 4*s. Both seasons I would have killed to get a 4th person from Other States. But the challenge keeps me from being too good. Again, after my senior class leaves and I see how good these last 2 recruiting classes truly are, maybe I'll agree with 5. It's too hard to say right now because I switched to the SRS after topping out my team.
Personally, I'll go with 6 Blue Chippers (I'll probably only get 5 anyway) and allow the 3 Other States and other restrictions keep me from too many 4*s. I'm also going to stick with 55 + 2 recruits and I stop going after people when I reach 55 even if I still have a hole. I don't see much difference between that and your system in the long run. This plus limiting QB play and option calling based on awareness are sure going to make the game a lot more exciting for me. Overall, great job!

[stonecold]

jamesnathan

It's really 2 ways of doing the same thing. You keep your talent down with geographic restrictions. I think that realistically, teams (especially 6* teams)recruit more frequently out of state and region than the SRS allows. I choose to keep my talent level in check by limiting the number of high level players I can sign. Plus, it is less to keep up with and quicker for recruiting.

I only signed 14 this time and I still maxed out my region and out of state limits. That was with 6 star prestige. I can't wait to start this with a Navy dynasty. This restrictions should make it hard to build them up to a decent team.

[phatkarp]

I really like the restriction on the blue chips. I find it's more realistic and more entertaining to have a team on the field that consists of a few studs and a host of "ok's". Plus, it forces you to be a better coach, both in terms of playcalling and recruiting.

My personal "unsophisticated recruiting system" consists of nothing more than (1) strictly limiting myself to roster-size + 2, and (2) no more than 4 Blue Chippers. I still win a lot of games, but it keeps things from getting ridiculous.

[stonecold]

How do you limit QB play and option calling based on awareness?

I will try to finish my Clemson season over the weekend and recruit it again. I will post my results like above. Hopefully, I will get to starting my Navy dynasty this weekend.

Somebody try this out and post your recruiting result and your opinion.

[jamesnathan]

How do you limit QB play and option calling based on awareness?

I will try to finish my Clemson season over the weekend and recruit it again. I will post my results like above. Hopefully, I will get to starting my Navy dynasty this weekend.

Somebody try this out and post your recruiting result and your opinion.
There's another thread somewhere about limited the QB play pased on awareness. Basically, someone suggested not allowing freshmen or redshirt freshmen to be able to call hot routes or audibles then allowing more as the quarterback progressed. I then suggested that most freshmen only know a small handful of plays and, therefore, freshmen quarterbacks (especially at the beginning of the season) would only be able to run a couple of plays. Someone then suggested that it be based on Awareness instead of year because some freshmen QBs are smarter than others. So I'm going to do that this year. I won an NC with a freshman quarterback and got a lot of opportunities to try new plays that probably weren't very realistic. Instead of trying new plays in blowouts, I could have just tried plays I know I like but had restricted based on the lack of experience. But I'm going to start doing that this season.

[stonecold]

I haven't done any research on AWR, as it would pertain to moving up during a redshirt year for a prep school exemption at a service academy. Would AWR moving from 45 to 50 during a redshirt year be impossible, guaranteed, or in between those two?

Guess I'll look at it over the weekend.

[stonecold]

For service academies, I don't think they are allowed to redshirt since it is strictly a 4-year program. So, for service academies you can't redshirt.

I started my Navy Dynasty and so far, I am 2 and 1. I had a 52 yard drive in the last 3 min. to beat W&M 24-20. Next TCU beat me like 41-28. It was closer, but it got away at the end. I can't remeber who I beat in the 3rd game, but I won like 41-10. Whoever it was, was bad. I run Air Force's playbook, and run the option about 55 time per game. It is the only thing that give's me a chance. I have no defense. TCU's RB had like 4 TD runs of over 40 yards vs. me. My D is so slow. Anyway, when I get to recruitng I'll let you know how it goes.

[stonecold]

It has been a while, but here is an update.

I've been real busy lately, but have gotten back in to playing some. I am 4-2 in my Navy dynasty. I lost to TCU and Air Force. Speed killed me in both games. In my last game I beat Vandy like 42-40. They scored with 57 seconds left and I recovered the onside kick. Their HB was pretty good. Of course pretty good vs. Navy means you are kinda fast. If a decently fast HB breaks through my LB's and I don't have a safety right there, or the safety misses the tackle, it is a TD. I've got a couple of tough games ahead. I know that one is with ND, who is currently #5 and 5-0. I think I have a chance to go 8-4 or 7-5, because most of my games are against bad teams. I can't wait to finish my season and use my recruiting system for a military academy. I will hunting SPEED so that I can play a tougher schedule.

Has anybody tried any or these ideas yet?

[joshuahuskers]

I get it except this bit:


Prestige_________4* & Up_____________3* & Up____________Other States

6_______________10_________________13_____________ ______5

5________________9_________________12_____________ ______4

4________________7_________________11_____________ ______3

3________________6_________________10_____________ ______2

2________________5__________________9_____________ ______1

1________________4__________________8_____________ ______0


all those lines are confusing!!! NEED EXPLANATION!!

other than that, this is sweet. I will have to try this on my dynasty!

[stonecold]

sorry for the confusion, I was just trying to keep everything lined up.

If you look at a 6* prestige team then the chart means:

1. they can only sign 10 players that are 4* or better (5*)
-since 5* recruiting = prestige - 1, they can sign 5 5*'s & 5 4*'s
-if they only get 3 5*'s, then they can sign up to 7 4*'s

2. they can only sign 13 players that are 3* or better
-5 5*'s, 5 4*'s, and 3 3*'s = 13
-less 5*'s = more 4 & 3 *s

3. Other States is simply the limit of players that you can sign out of your region.

I beat Rice last night 34 - 28 (5 - 2). I stoped them on four plays from the one with less than a minute left. Other than that, my defense stinks. Although my DE, # 92 Pierre Moss, leads the nation in sacks with 10 after 7 games. It is just bad competition, b/c I never control him. My safties are too slow to play halves (cover 2), so I play man 2, but my LB's get burnt by HB's and fast TE's. I'm trying to give them more safety help. Notre Dame beat # 1 USC, so it looks like I will play # 1 ND ,who is undefeated, in a few weeks. That will be ugly. I'm really getting into this dynasty, because the games are close and I can't wait to build up this terrible team, using this system. Maybe I'll be recruiting by the weekend.

[joshuahuskers]

OK cool...also what are your "regions?"...is there anyway that you could maybe like post a picture so we can see?..or a link to the divided regions or something...I'm so gonna be doing this next off season on my nebraska dynasty!

[stonecold]

My system uses KUJustin's regions from his Sophisticated Recruiting System.
There is thread with a picture on this forum.

[stonecold]

I finished season 1 of my Navy dynasty yesterday. 8 - 4. No bowl game. I lost to # 8 ND 35 -21. It was 21 - 21 at the end of the fourth qtr. I ran the clock the whole game and didn't throw it until a hail mary at the end of the 1st half. But they were to much in the 4th. I beat Army about 48 - 32. All three of my QB's got hurt and I finished the game with a WR at QB. It looks like I will get a three year extension and an invite to the ACC. Not sure if I should take it. I have to play those eight plus Army, AF, and ND. That will be pretty stout considering I barely beat the Tulanes and Vandys of the world this season. Plus, my talent level won't jump that much.

I looked through a couple of recruiting classes yesterday. I will have to move down my GPA requirement. It will be impossible to recruit at 2.75. I had about 16 or so interested recruits and only like 2 of them were over 2.75. I may go down to 2.6 or 2.5. Probably 2.5. and then move the prep school exemption down to 2.35 or so. I should get to some recruiting tonight.

[stonecold]

I recruited for my Navy dynasty last night. I made some changes to the original post regarding military academies. Mainly lowering the GPA. I think that the restrictions our pretty realistic. It is almost impossible to find lineman who are 290 or less and have over a 2.5 GPA and have even average interest in Navy. I think that is probably where the academies have the biggest deficit, besides speed, in talent level.

I finished the season 8-4 and did not get a bowl invite. I got a contract extension and joined the ACC, mainly because of the bowl problem. Navy's prestige went up to 2 stars. This is my recruiting class:

# 56 class in America

5* HB
4* FB
3* CB
3* CB
3* K
2* OLB
2* HB
2* OG
1* OG
1* DT
1* OT
1* CB
1* QB

Prep School Exemptions
2* OG
1* DE
1* SS

Almost all of these recruits will start immediately. If they are a high 2* or better, then they are drastically better than the people I have. My highest rated players last year were the K and P. Those two were pretty intimidating during all of those coin tosses. I think my highest returning player is a Sr. CB who might be at 80. The 5* HB and the 4* FB will be a huge help in my option attack. The 1* QB will start. He is better in all categories than the two returning QB's.

The problem will be my schedule:

Army
#24 Virginia
Air Force
#10 Notre Dame
#11 FSU
Duke
#6 Maryland
WF
NC St.
GT
Clemson
UNC

That is 5* baby. Joining the ACC, took the Army/Navy game off of the locked list, which sucks. I was able to get them them week one, but it won't be televised. I was also able to keep traditional rivals like ND and AF. I will be lucky to go .500, but that is the kind of realism I am looking for.

[acanefan]

how do u get invited to get to another conference?I recruited for my Navy dynasty last night. I made some changes to the original post regarding military academies. Mainly lowering the GPA. I think that the restrictions our pretty realistic. It is almost impossible to find lineman who are 290 or less and have over a 2.5 GPA and have even average interest in Navy. I think that is probably where the academies have the biggest deficit, besides speed, in talent level.

I finished the season 8-4 and did not get a bowl invite. I got a contract extension and joined the ACC, mainly because of the bowl problem. Navy's prestige went up to 2 stars. This is my recruiting class:

# 56 class in America

5* HB
4* FB
3* CB
3* CB
3* K
2* OLB
2* HB
2* OG
1* OG
1* DT
1* OT
1* CB
1* QB

Prep School Exemptions
2* OG
1* DE
1* SS

Almost all of these recruits will start immediately. If they are a high 2* or better, then they are drastically better than the people I have. My highest rated players last year were the K and P. Those two were pretty intimidating during all of those coin tosses. I think my highest returning player is a Sr. CB who might be at 80. The 5* HB and the 4* FB will be a huge help in my option attack. The 1* QB will start. He is better in all categories than the two returning QB's.

The problem will be my schedule:

Army
#24 Virginia
Air Force
#10 Notre Dame
#11 FSU
Duke
#6 Maryland
WF
NC St.
GT
Clemson
UNC

That is 5* baby. Joining the ACC, took the Army/Navy game off of the locked list, which sucks. I was able to get them them week one, but it won't be televised. I was also able to keep traditional rivals like ND and AF. I will be lucky to go .500, but that is the kind of realism I am looking for.

[OnOnUofK]

how do u get invited to get to another conference?
You play enough as an Independent or in a smaller confrence and hope to get invitied.

Right now I have a fun sim dynasty I don't post, 4 created teams, only 1 is still ind.

[stonecold]

This recruiting system had worked perfectly. I think that I am actually worse than last year. My o-line is bad. The move to the ACC will make it very hard.
So far I am 1-3. Army beat me 41-38, by scoring with :57 seconds left. #24 UVA crushed me 45-10. I beat AF 20-7 and then ND scored 26 unanswered in the 2nd half to beat me 33-21. I have never looked forward to playing the next game like I do now.