The Junkyard

Because he is white.. Just sayin. White boys.generally dont excel at this posistion in college. Let Ryne be the exception.

Little exposure up to this point.... Hence the rankings.

Cos, I have to disagree with you completely. First of all race has ZERO to do with it and is a cop out for an excuse. We were just hard after Dillon Lee last class who everybody else was after as well and just so happens he's white. No way is that the reason. We didn't offer a lot of black kids that were/are ultra talented for various reasons at various positions but race wasn't one if them I'm sure.

Brian Cushing, (even without the roids), Keith Brooking, Zach Thomas, Clay Matthews, Mike Vrabel, this had to be a joke we all missed right?

I think most talent people on the recruiting sites think, with him being a coach's son, he has maxed on his potential moreso than others. If you haven't noticed, athleticism displayed at camps and other simulated football scenarios always seem to be more highly ranked than actual football stats by pretty much all recruiting sites. Not that they are wrong, I just think there is a little bit of a bias in "discovering" prospects involved there. However, they certainly aren't completely wrong- I think most of Buford High and Texas state guys have pretty much maxed their potential by having a really good high school programs on their side.

this is a really good post. i'll say i was quite impressed by rankin's film, but highlight film can be deceiving because it hides weaknesses-- indeed, it's supposed to do that. we have to remember that rusty and these other guys have watched these kids in camps and other competitive situations. of course, those simulated situations can be misleading as well, but rusty in particular seems to have a really sharp eye (except, of course, where johnny o'neal is concerned ).

having said all that, rankin will be reevaluated as his senior year unfolds and his stock can only go up if he keeps hitting and tackling like he does on film.

He has a great motor :)