The WRC (Weighted Recruiting Composite) is the average recruiting ranking weighted based on the typical percentages of talent comprising the two-deep on a P5 depth chart. This is used to determine the functional talent level for each team in any given year. This metric has been extremely good at predicting success at the highest level.
The number 1 team of that year’s WRC has won the 3 of the last 4 National Championships.
A team in the TOP 2 of that year’s WRC has won 8 of the last 13 National Championships (62%).
A team in the TOP 6 of that year’s WRC has won 15 of the past 18 National Championships (83%).
From 2006-2023, the average WRC ranking of the National Champion is 4.8.
The lowest a National Champion has been ranked is 14th (Clemson 2016 and 2018).
Major credit and thanks to Rivals and 247 Sportsfor the player data. These are Rivals and 247 Rankings for the past 5 years combined to get an average ranking. Then those averages are weighted based on the percentage of each class that typically comprises a two deep:
First Year players (FR) count as 10% of the two deep.
Second Year players (FR*, SO) count as 22% of the two deep.
Third Year players (SO*, JR) count as 23% of the two deep.
Fourth Year players (JR*, SR) count as 27% of the two deep.
Fifth Year players (SR*, GR) count as 18% of the two deep.
You can find the WRC ranking used in the Head Coach Rating to gauge if the coach is upgrading the talent level of the program, and if so, how much. Then we will also gauge the season results vs. the talent level to find out if the coach is overachieving or underachieving.
Elite Programs are in their school colors and the “diff” column is how many spots they moved up or down from last year’s rankings.
