There is a whole lot a person can glean from this, but it is true the less "out going" players you have the less likely you are to have draft picks.
The problem with that is UF and Iowa among others both have a lot of returning players and still had 3 and 4 players drafted respectively. Furthermore both programs will have several more players sign free agent contracts (Iowa already has 4, not sure about UF) and I’m not sure if ISU will or wont?????
The point being in order to get the program on a level where the 2-10’s become 6-6 or 7-5’s at worst a program has to always be moving talent on to the highest level year after year. I assume that is what the original, poster was saying.
I also agree it is telling when these power house recruiting programs like Miami, UM and ND (who although they have had record down turns STILL sign top 15 classes almost always) only put in 4 together (I haven’t verified this by they way, hope it’s accurate), though again they’ll undoubtedly send some in via free agency.
It shows how hit and miss recruiting rankings truly are and how important a good coach (Kansas) and development is. And more importantly “evaluation” as many of these programs like Wiscy, Va Tech, Iowa, BC rarely sign top 20 classes but continually (regardless of record) send several kids to the NFL. Year after year both through the draft and via free agency.
Another point of interest, is much maligned Ohio State & PSU from the unathletic/slow Big 10 put 5 and 4 kids in the NFL again (I think OSU has more than anyone) while the supremely gifted and talented Texas and OU put in 2 & 4 respectively. Truly it all comes down to line play and then solid QB play, which was a huge weakness in the Big 10 last year. Also you can’t take momentum and attitude out of the equation either.
It is also quite telling how far the mighty have fallen, (UCLA & Washington) For most all of the 80’s & 90’s they were far and away better programs than USC. It’s a cycle…………………….
Note all numbers came from Yahoo draft tracker (so I can't guarantee their accuracy) and again doesn’t include the fact that many of those teams will ultimately send kids on to the NFL via free agency.
Chad