Player Retention Comparison

When I did the (Scholarship Player Retention)ISU player retention comparison it got me thinking what would a top Big 12 recruiting school’s retention look like compared to ISU’s? So I did the same with Texas, since they get top Texas talent every single year.

There are quite a few noticeable differences – the recruiting classes are around 20 per year instead of 25 per year and half or better of each class are redshirted. The entire remaining 2008 class was redshirted, with only one player gone.

2009 Class – 20 signed

  • Most if not all are likely to get redshirted


2008 class – 20 signed, 1 gone
  • All 20 remaining players were redshirted and have 4 years left to play
  • 1 gone


2007 class – 24 signed, 4 gone
  • 10 players redshirted with 3 years left
  • 10 players have 2 years left
  • 4 players gone


2006 class – 25 signed, 7gone
  • 11 players 2 years left
  • 7 one year left
  • 7 gone


2005 class – 15 signed, 9 gone
  • 6 one year left – includes Colt McCoy
  • 9 gone

The 2005-2009 classes total 83 of a possible 85 total scholarships retained and close to 50% retained 5 years through recruiting and NO JC recruits. This compares to ISU’s 76 of a possible 85 scholarships retained and only 35% of the 2005 – 2007 classes remaining.

That means Texas players are on average 3-4 years older than ISU’s players. That’s a big size and development advantage. Think H.S. freshman versus H.S. seniors.

To me, this clearly shows that ISU’s long-term player retention needs to go up significantly to be competitive and that this is a 4 year rebuilding plan or longer. ISU’s 2008 class is a good start, but probably need to increase redshirts and decrease JC’s over the next few years.


2009 Class – 20 signed
Tariq Allen LBIrving, TX
Thomas Ashcraft OLCedar Hill, TX
Eryon Barnett DBEuless, TX
Marcus Davis DBLeague City, TX
Garrett Gilbert QBAustin, TX
Trey Graham TEWaco, TX
Calvin Howell DTSan Antonio, TX
Derek Johnson DTHoxie, AR
Dominique Jones DEKilgore, TX
Paden Kelley OLAustin, TX
Kyle Kriegel DEElysian Fields, TX
Barrett Matthews TEGalena Park, TX
Tevin Mims DERound Rock, TX
Patrick Nkwopara LBGrand Prairie, TX
Alex Okafor DEPflugerville, TX
Garrett Porter OLOdessa, TX
Greg Timmons WRAldine, TX
Kenny Vaccaro DBBrownwood, TX
Mason Walters OLWolfforth, TX
Chris Whaley ATHMadisonville, TX

2008 class – 20 signed, 1 gone
Emmanuel Acho LBredshirted
Nolan Brewster DBredshirted
Mark Buchanan OLredshirted
Dan Buckner WRredshirted
Brock Fitzhenry RBredshirted
Blake Gideon DBredshirted
D.J. Grant WRredshirted
DeSean Hales RBredshirted
Antoine Hicks ATHGone
Jeremy Hills RBredshirted
Jarvis Humphrey DTredshirted
Dravannti Johnson LBredshirted
D.J. Monroe DBredshirted
Tre Newton RBredshirted
Luke Poehlmann OLredshirted
Kheeston Randall DTredshirted
Ryan Roberson RBredshirted
David Snow OLredshirted
Justin Tucker Kredshirted
Aaron Williams DBredshirted

2007 class – 24 signed, 4 gone
Sam Acho DE2 left
Tray Allen OL2 left
Curtis Brown DB2 left
Russell Carter DE3 left
John Chiles ATH2 left
Brandon Collins WR2 left
Ian Harris TE3 left
Tyrell Higgins DT Gone
Kyle Hix OL2 left
Ahmard Howard TE3 left
Michael Huey OL2 left
Blaine Irby TE2 left
Cody Johnson RB3 left
Andre Jones DT Gone
G.J. Kinne QBGone
James Kirkendoll WR2 left
Aundre McGaskey OL2 left
Keenan Robinson LB3 left
Christian Scott DB Gone
Earl Thomas ATH3 left
Ben Wells DB3 left
Foswhitt Whittaker RB3 left
Michael Wilcoxon DT3 left
Malcolm Williams WR3 left

2006 class – 25 signed, 7gone
Ben Alexander DT1 left
Deon Beasley ATH1 left
Chykie Brown DB2 left
Buck Burnette OL1 left
Antwan Cobb RB2 left
Dustin Earnest LB2 left
Brian Ellis DE Gone
Sherrod Harris QB2 left
James Henry DB Gone
Lamarr Houston DE1 left
Eddie Jones DE2 left
Robert Joseph DB Gone
Sergio Kindle LB1 left
Hunter Lawrence K1 left
Josh Marshall WR2 left
Vondrell McGee RB2 left
Britt Mitchell TE2 left
Steve Moore OL2 left
Jared Norton LB1 left
Phillip Payne WR Gone
Greg Smith TE2 left
Jevan Snead QB Gone
Roy Watts OL Gone
J'Marcus Webb OL Gone
Montre Webber WR2 left

2005 class – 15 signed, 9 gone
Chris Brown LB Gone
Jamaal Charles RBGone
Quan Cosby ATHGone
Jermichael Finley TEGone
Trevor Gerland K1 left
Chris Hall OL1 left
Michael Houston RBGone
Aaron Lewis DEGone
Colt McCoy QB1 left
Henry Melton ATHGone
Roy Miller DTGone
Roddrick Muckelroy LB1 left
Ishie Oduegwu DB1 left
Charlie Tanner OL1 left
Jerrell Wilkerson RB Gone