I was looking through the commitment lists last night and noticed UCLA only has 8 commits! I know they're only able to have a small class size this year due to 23, 27, and 23 in the previous 3 classes, but 8 is really small! I thought this was interesting to note...
But here's the real point of this thread...
Looking at Wayne Lyons top 5 schools (UCLA, Stanford, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska) if you look at where their pass defenses, BCS Rankings, and Academics are ranked it plays out like this.
Pass Efficiency Rankings This Year:
1.
Nebraska (5)
2. Stanford (21)
3. Florida (23)
4. UCLA (85)
5. Michigan (96)
BCS Ranking This Year:
1. Stanford (4)
2.
Nebraska (18)
Michigan, UCLA, & Florida are unranked.
Top 100 Undergraduate Engineering Colleges in the Country:
1. Stanford (2) rating of 4.7
2. Michigan (7) rating of 4.3
3. UCLA (20) rating of 3.7
4. Florida (34) rating of 3.4
5.
Nebraska (90) rating of 2.6
Link
To me, looking at these lists... his final 5, is really a final 3. Nebraska, Florida, and Stanford.
Why do I say this? Well...UCLA is near the bottom of the defensive categories, it isnt at the top of Engineering schools to make up for the lack of defense either, and is across the country. Plus, Wayne didn't say much about his visit there. I think this one doesn't make his final 3 cut. It just doesn't have what some of the others do.
Michigan has one of the worst defenses and BCS rankings over the last 5 years. They have had several coaching changes and their current coach is on the chopping block over the next couple of seasons. They do have a great engineering program, which is my guess why they made Wayne's top 5, but in the end I think their lack of defense and coaching stability leads Wayne to go elsewhere.
Stanford is the same distance as UCLA, still has good weather, but it offers a top 10 BCS program with a top 25 defense and a top 2 engineering program. It's a program on the rise, plus when Wayne took his visit, he got to meet Condoleezza Rice and some other African American icons and was very impressed with his visit there.
If Wayne chooses Stanford it is because of an all around GREAT opportunity both academically and athletically.
Nebraska has the best defense of these schools year in and year out under Pelini. They use a lot of DB's and run a defense that is fun to play, contains pro difficulity, and encourages DB's to hit hard and take risks for interceptions. We also have the Blackshirts and their own fan base, not to mention several DB's who have done extremely well in the NFL. Even though our Engineering school isn't ranked as high as some of the others, it's on the rise with our joining the big 10. And Wayne and his mother said they had a blast on their visit and were extremely impressed with both the football and the engineering programs. Bo and his staff are extremely honest with Wayne. This is the kind of kid that fits Bo's system well. Smart, Leader, Team Guy, Mature, Character.
If Wayne chooses Nebraska, it is because of the defense, defense, defense, honest coaches, and the growing academics.
Florida has a middle of the road defense this year and an unranked BCS ranking. Their engineering school is in the top 34 in the country. It's familiar and close to home for Wayne. His sister is there, he has camped there. He has said he loves Muschamp and has still kept them in his top 5 despite the recent coaching changes. People have said he has pictures on his facebook of him in the locker room doing the gator chomp... it's his home team. Ultimately, Florida is in his top 3 because it's the safe choice. It's middle of the road football wise and academically... but on the rise defensively with Muschamp as the new head coach.
If Wayne chooses Florida, it is because it's safe and comfortable.
When it's all said and done... I feel Wayne has 3 options...
Play for the best Defense in the country under the best defensive coaches.
Go to one of the best Academic institutions in the Country and play good football there.
Or Stay close to home where family and friends are to play some football and go to school.
Best Defense? Best Academics? Close to Home? Which will win?