NCAA Football 14 News Post

NCAA Football 14 Recruiting Guide

10:44 AM - July 9, 2013 by RaychelSnr

This is a guest post from forum user JLoco11. Be sure to check him out on his arena page here on OS.

I did quite a bit of testing this weekend with recruiting and the skill tree to get an idea of how things will work when I do my normal dynasty (after the rosters are completed). I simmed multiple first seasons of dynasty with different level teams, progression rates and recruiting methods and gained a decent amount of knowledge in doing so.

Here�s a very early guide for those interested in some recruiting tips. As your skill tree changes, so will your need to choose different recruiting tactics.

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# 61 GGGswim @ 11/17/16 06:02 PM

Playing my first season of NCAA 14 (finally letting go of my 20+ seasons with Auburn on '13), coming up with many questions some of which I've been able to find answers to. But:

1) I'm understanding the postseason 'CPU goes all in (10K pts)'. But back in '13 if you were #1 on someone's list for many weeks and late in the season you eventually got the signing. Doesn't seem to be the case in '14, tho, or so it seems. Leading for a CB by +1800 w/ only 2 teams above Locked and all visits complete. #1 for 3wks heading into Wk 14. Is this going to be a case where he'll be waiting until offseason, and with the Center I'm also trying to get -- ahead by only +500 or so, visits complete -- I'll be basically forced to pick one or the other to go all in on myself? And the bigger question is do recruits -- regardless of being #1 for weeks -- simply take longer before committing in '14?

2) Fullbacks. Wow. From '13 I knew that they were always tough to get, and quite often -- even in off years when I didn't need one -- I'd create 3-4 of them and spread them across the country. Don't necessarily need one this season but decided to test the create/pipeline/not pipeline concept anyway, and it is looking near impossible. Created 4, one in-state, one pipeline, and 2 others. In-state didn't even have me on his preseason board. Pipeline had me -700 or so, other 2 were also no-gos on their boards (plus poor 'interests'). have battled back to #1 on the Pipeline after a good visit with bonus Pts, up on #2 by about 300 but Bama is #3 close behind and their visit is this week when I take Auburn to Tuscaloosa. Obviously going to lose him. But are certain positions -- FB, C, e.g. -- still like with '13, just plain difficult to get one? Scrolling the list of FBs show 100% Locked, tho not committed, on all but the 1*s on the listing.

# 62 jgthedon @ 11/18/16 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GGGswim


	Playing my first season of NCAA 14 (finally letting go of my 20+ seasons with Auburn on '13), coming up with many questions some of which I've been able to find answers to. But: 1) I'm understanding the postseason 'CPU goes all in (10K pts)'. But back in '13 if you were #1 on someone's list for many weeks and late in the season you eventually got the signing. Doesn't seem to be the case in '14, tho, or so it seems. Leading for a CB by +1800 w/ only 2 teams above Locked and all visits complete. #1 for 3wks heading into Wk 14. Is this going to be a case where he'll be waiting until offseason, and with the Center I'm also trying to get -- ahead by only +500 or so, visits complete -- I'll be basically forced to pick one or the other to go all in on myself? And the bigger question is do recruits -- regardless of being #1 for weeks -- simply take longer before committing in '14? 2) Fullbacks. Wow. From '13 I knew that they were always tough to get, and quite often -- even in off years when I didn't need one -- I'd create 3-4 of them and spread them across the country. Don't necessarily need one this season but decided to test the create/pipeline/not pipeline concept anyway, and it is looking near impossible. Created 4, one in-state, one pipeline, and 2 others. In-state didn't even have me on his preseason board. Pipeline had me -700 or so, other 2 were also no-gos on their boards (plus poor 'interests'). have battled back to #1 on the Pipeline after a good visit with bonus Pts, up on #2 by about 300 but Bama is #3 close behind and their visit is this week when I take Auburn to Tuscaloosa. Obviously going to lose him. But are certain positions -- FB, C, e.g. -- still like with '13, just plain difficult to get one? Scrolling the list of FBs show 100% Locked, tho not committed, on all but the 1*s on the listing.

Just go after Blocking Tight Ends lol

# 63 jhfstyle24 @ 11/19/16 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgthedon


	Just go after Blocking Tight Ends lol

Blocking TE's work, but I find it more realistic to create a few FB's in my area when I need one, then place them on my board and take whomever I am doing best on. Honestly, the overall of the FB doesn't matter. Any decent FB will play great for you.

# 64 jbrew2411 @ 11/21/16 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GGGswim


	Playing my first season of NCAA 14 (finally letting go of my 20+ seasons with Auburn on '13), coming up with many questions some of which I've been able to find answers to. But: 1) I'm understanding the postseason 'CPU goes all in (10K pts)'. But back in '13 if you were #1 on someone's list for many weeks and late in the season you eventually got the signing. Doesn't seem to be the case in '14, tho, or so it seems. Leading for a CB by +1800 w/ only 2 teams above Locked and all visits complete. #1 for 3wks heading into Wk 14. Is this going to be a case where he'll be waiting until offseason, and with the Center I'm also trying to get -- ahead by only +500 or so, visits complete -- I'll be basically forced to pick one or the other to go all in on myself? And the bigger question is do recruits -- regardless of being #1 for weeks -- simply take longer before committing in '14? 2) Fullbacks. Wow. From '13 I knew that they were always tough to get, and quite often -- even in off years when I didn't need one -- I'd create 3-4 of them and spread them across the country. Don't necessarily need one this season but decided to test the create/pipeline/not pipeline concept anyway, and it is looking near impossible. Created 4, one in-state, one pipeline, and 2 others. In-state didn't even have me on his preseason board. Pipeline had me -700 or so, other 2 were also no-gos on their boards (plus poor 'interests'). have battled back to #1 on the Pipeline after a good visit with bonus Pts, up on #2 by about 300 but Bama is #3 close behind and their visit is this week when I take Auburn to Tuscaloosa. Obviously going to lose him. But are certain positions -- FB, C, e.g. -- still like with '13, just plain difficult to get one? Scrolling the list of FBs show 100% Locked, tho not committed, on all but the 1*s on the listing.

1) In 14 each recruit has a target number they must reach before singing. That is why it seems like it takes longer for a player to sign. I have had guys have me #1 all season, been 2k points ahead of #2 and still lose the guy in the offseason. You don't know the magic # so keep going after a guy until he signs if it is someone you target.

2) My advice here is don't focus on the listed position of players. If I am looking for a FB I look at how I plan to use him. If he is a blocker then I look at TE, undersized linemen with average speed, or even athletes. If I need a runner/receiver I look at power backs or TE's.

As for finding centers I look at all o-linemen. I recruit based on my offense. If I am a spread passing team I look at pass blockers only. I recruit the best guys I can then move the around in the offseason. You can play any lineman at center. If you focus only on the centers to recruit from then you will have a weak spot along your line.

# 65 jhfstyle24 @ 11/21/16 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrew2411


	1) In 14 each recruit has a target number they must reach before singing. That is why it seems like it takes longer for a player to sign. I have had guys have me #1 all season, been 2k points ahead of #2 and still lose the guy in the offseason. You don't know the magic # so keep going after a guy until he signs if it is someone you target. 2) My advice here is don't focus on the listed position of players. If I am looking for a FB I look at how I plan to use him. If he is a blocker then I look at TE, undersized linemen with average speed, or even athletes. If I need a runner/receiver I look at power backs or TE's. As for finding centers I look at all o-linemen. I recruit based on my offense. If I am a spread passing team I look at pass blockers only. I recruit the best guys I can then move the around in the offseason. You can play any lineman at center. If you focus only on the centers to recruit from then you will have a weak spot along your line.

The game actually doesn't tell you the target number, but you CAN figure it out by looking at how much the lock percentage increases each week and how much other teams are pursuing him. The more pursuit there is, there will generally be a higher lock percentage, but you can figure it out by the rate.
For O-linemen between 75-80, look up 3/4 star guys. Here is the ideal guy you want:
1. 69-73 OVR
2. Sort by squat, and find the guys with the highest combo of squat, then bench, then 40, in that order. Those guys will almost always be gems, 75-81. I have found most of my o-linemen in this currently number 1 recruiting class this way.

# 66 jbrew2411 @ 11/21/16 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhfstyle24


	The game actually doesn't tell you the target number, but you CAN figure it out by looking at how much the lock percentage increases each week and how much other teams are pursuing him. The more pursuit there is, there will generally be a higher lock percentage, but you can figure it out by the rate. For O-linemen between 75-80, look up 3/4 star guys. Here is the ideal guy you want: 1. 69-73 OVR 2. Sort by squat, and find the guys with the highest combo of squat, then bench, then 40, in that order. Those guys will almost always be gems, 75-81. I have found most of my o-linemen in this currently number 1 recruiting class this way.

Yes I know the game does not tell you the exact number of points a recruit needs to reach before singing. Yes I know you can gage interest by the increase in lock percentage each week or look at the points gained/lost for each team.

Squat numbers are tied to acc ratings while bench is tied to strength. You can you those numbers to find gems.

I have been doing this thing for sometime now. Landing a #1 class is very easy in the game so not a measure of ability.

# 67 jhfstyle24 @ 11/21/16 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrew2411


	Yes I know the game does not tell you the exact number of points a recruit needs to reach before singing. Yes I know you can gage interest by the increase in lock percentage each week or look at the points gained/lost for each team. Squat numbers are tied to acc ratings while bench is tied to strength. You can you those numbers to find gems. I have been doing this thing for sometime now. Landing a #1 class is very easy in the game so not a measure of ability.

Yeah, I have 4 linemen over 77 overall coming in this class. It's not super hard once you get your tree above level 15.

# 68 GGGswim @ 11/24/16 04:20 AM

I nabbed a chart from a thread here back with '13 that gave the corresponding 40-100 ## for the 40, bench, and squat numbers. So correct me if this no longer applies to '14 (I hung on to '13 for many, many dynasty years and just completed my 1st season on '14).
Regarding the squat, there were two ratings columns, for skill players and lineman/linebackers.
The skill-offense SQ was for break tackle, for OL it was specifically the run block number. Didn't know that/if it ties into ACC.
On defense it's for Tackle, but there were different columns for CB/FS/SS and DE/DT.
I still found it difficult to tell if the ATH with a SQ of 655 was OL or DL, tho, but if the tackle rating was also high it was pretty clear he was DL.

# 69 jello1717 @ 11/24/16 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GGGswim


	I nabbed a chart from a thread here back with '13 that gave the corresponding 40-100 ## for the 40, bench, and squat numbers. So correct me if this no longer applies to '14 (I hung on to '13 for many, many dynasty years and just completed my 1st season on '14). Regarding the squat, there were two ratings columns, for skill players and lineman/linebackers. The skill-offense SQ was for break tackle, for OL it was specifically the run block number. Didn't know that/if it ties into ACC. On defense it's for Tackle, but there were different columns for CB/FS/SS and DE/DT. I still found it difficult to tell if the ATH with a SQ of 655 was OL or DL, tho, but if the tackle rating was also high it was pretty clear he was DL.

This is correct and it still applies for '14.

Code:

SPD	STR	BTK/TKL	RBK/TCK	
40	BNCH	SQT-S	SQT-L	Rating
4.24				99
4.26				98
4.28				97
4.3				96
4.32	515			95
4.34	510			94
4.36	505			93
4.38	500	410	720	92
4.4	495	405	715	91
4.42	490	400	705	90
4.44	485	395	700	89
4.46	480	390	690	88
4.48	470	385	680	87
4.5	465	380	670	86
4.52	460	375	665	85
4.54	455	370	655	84
4.56	450	365	645	83
4.58	440	360	640	82
4.6	435	355	630	81
4.62	430	350	620	80
4.64	425	345	610	79
4.66	420	340	605	78
4.68	410	335	595	77
4.7	405	330	585	76
4.72	400	325	580	75
4.74	395	320	570	74
4.76	390	315	560	73
4.78	380	310	555	72
4.8	375	305	545	71
4.82	370	300	535	70
4.84	365	295	525	69
4.86	360	290	520	68
4.88	350	285	510	67
4.9	345	280	500	66
4.92	340	275	495	65
4.94	335	270	485	64
4.96	330	265	475	63
4.98	325	260	470	62
5	315	255	460	61
5.02	310	250	450	60
5.04	305	240	445	59
5.06	300	235	435	58
5.08	295	230	425	57
5.1	285	225	415	56
5.12	280	220	410	55
5.14	275	215	400	54
5.16	270	210	390	53
5.18	265	205	385	52
5.2	255	200	380	51
5.22	250	195	370	50
5.24	245	190	355	49
5.26	240	185	350	48
5.28	235	180	340	47
5.3	225	175	335	46
5.32	220	170	330	45
5.34	215	165	315	44
5.36	210	160		43
5.38	205	155		42
5.4	195	150		41
5.42	190	145		40

# 70 jello1717 @ 11/24/16 03:04 PM

The chart is illegible in tapatalk on my iPad, but looks great in chrome on my PC.

# 71 jhfstyle24 @ 11/27/16 01:22 PM

I knew about the speed correlation, but I never thought to look for the other ones. I always go for at least one guy that runs a sub-4.3, because 96+ speed should develop into 99. 99 speed guys are fun to play with, especially if you can get an athlete who can play QB.

# 72 Locke888 @ 12/04/16 12:53 AM

Does bench and PBK correlate?

# 73 jhfstyle24 @ 12/05/16 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke888


	Does bench and PBK correlate?

I believe that bench is run blocking.

# 74 jello1717 @ 12/05/16 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhfstyle24


	I believe that bench is run blocking.

Squat is RBK, bench is STR.

# 75 jhfstyle24 @ 12/10/16 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jello1717


	Squat is RBK, bench is STR.

Is there a number that correlates with PBK? I should probably know this, but I don't.

# 76 jello1717 @ 12/11/16 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhfstyle24


	Is there a number that correlates with PBK? I should probably know this, but I don't.

No.
A pass blocker's PBK will be at least 2-3 points higher than his RBK (which you know).
A balanced guy's PBK will be within ~2 of his RBK.
A run blocker's PBK will be at least 3 lower than his RBK and could be a whole bunch lower, so run blockers are a crap shoot (if you're not scouting).

# 77 jhfstyle24 @ 12/12/16 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jello1717


	No. A pass blocker's PBK will be at least 2-3 points higher than his RBK (which you know). A balanced guy's PBK will be within ~2 of his RBK. A run blocker's PBK will be at least 3 lower than his RBK and could be a whole bunch lower, so run blockers are a crap shoot (if you're not scouting).

Alright, thanks! That's a big help.

# 78 coachcolbert @ 12/15/16 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jello1717

This is correct and it still applies for '14.

Code:

SPD STR BTK/TKL RBK/TCK 40 BNCH SQT-S SQT-L Rating 4.24 99 4.26 98 4.28 97 4.3 96 4.32 515 95 4.34 510 94 4.36 505 93 4.38 500 410 720 92 4.4 495 405 715 91 4.42 490 400 705 90 4.44 485 395 700 89 4.46 480 390 690 88 4.48 470 385 680 87 4.5 465 380 670 86 4.52 460 375 665 85 4.54 455 370 655 84 4.56 450 365 645 83 4.58 440 360 640 82 4.6 435 355 630 81 4.62 430 350 620 80 4.64 425 345 610 79 4.66 420 340 605 78 4.68 410 335 595 77 4.7 405 330 585 76 4.72 400 325 580 75 4.74 395 320 570 74 4.76 390 315 560 73 4.78 380 310 555 72 4.8 375 305 545 71 4.82 370 300 535 70 4.84 365 295 525 69 4.86 360 290 520 68 4.88 350 285 510 67 4.9 345 280 500 66 4.92 340 275 495 65 4.94 335 270 485 64 4.96 330 265 475 63 4.98 325 260 470 62 5 315 255 460 61 5.02 310 250 450 60 5.04 305 240 445 59 5.06 300 235 435 58 5.08 295 230 425 57 5.1 285 225 415 56 5.12 280 220 410 55 5.14 275 215 400 54 5.16 270 210 390 53 5.18 265 205 385 52 5.2 255 200 380 51 5.22 250 195 370 50 5.24 245 190 355 49 5.26 240 185 350 48 5.28 235 180 340 47 5.3 225 175 335 46 5.32 220 170 330 45 5.34 215 165 315 44 5.36 210 160 43 5.38 205 155 42 5.4 195 150 41 5.42 190 145 40

so...

i been playing this game for years and never knew this. lmao

so, if i sort by squat, then look for the highest combo of bench and 40, i should run across some gems?

# 79 jello1717 @ 12/15/16 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachcolbert


	so... i been playing this game for years and never knew this. lmao so, if i sort by squat, then look for the highest combo of bench and 40, i should run across some gems?

It's all relative. A "gem" isn't a good player. It's someone that's better than originally thought. Say you sort OL by squat (RBK) and you see a balanced guy with 85 RBK (balanced means that his PBK will close to 85 as well. If this guy is thought to me an 80 OVR, then he's not a gem (but still a stud). If he's thought to be a 70 OVR, then he would be a gem. Regardless of whether or not he's a gem, they're both probably equally as good, even if 1 is a gem and the other isn't.

# 80 coachcolbert @ 12/15/16 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jello1717


	It's all relative. A "gem" isn't a good player. It's someone that's better than originally thought. Say you sort OL by squat (RBK) and you see a balanced guy with 85 RBK (balanced means that his PBK will close to 85 as well. If this guy is thought to me an 80 OVR, then he's not a gem (but still a stud). If he's thought to be a 70 OVR, then he would be a gem. Regardless of whether or not he's a gem, they're both probably equally as good, even if 1 is a gem and the other isn't.

gotcha! so this is more of a tell for guys that dont scout. i mean, i can still use this table but i do still scout. i win most games but not all, and i get most recruits i want but not all. not scouting would add another level of difficulty that im not ready for yet LMAO

thanks!!

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