I would appreciate it if some of you very knowledgeable coaches would cast some light on a dilemma I'm having.  I am currently recruiting players in D-II, Crum, and the problem that keeps arising for me is: What carries greater weight, with recruiting players, my assistant coache's scouting report, or how good a player's ratings are. For Example: I'm looking at 2 PG's,   (PG#1) Ath-64, Spd-63, Def-60, LP-1, Per-59, BH-43, Pa-48, WE-77, Sta-68, Dur-57, Overall-542    (PG#2) Ath-37, Spd-77, Def-50, LP-13, Per-52, BH-57, Pa-64, WE-37, Sta-60, Dur-45, overall-494... To me these players players are pretty even, but I would give a slight edge to PG#1, because of his edges in Ath, Def, WE, and Sta. Yet my ast. coach contradicts me, with a bottom line for PG#1 of: "With work should become a decent D-II player, could play at D-III school now, has no chance of playing D-1."   His bottom line for PG#2 is: "I think a D-II school would be lucky to get him, otherwise he'll probably thrive in a low  D-I program."....So my question is: Who do I give more credence to, my assistant coaches scouting report, or my naked eye analysis of  the player's ratings? Thank you in advance to all who respond.           PS: Actually both of these players have already been taken. One by me, and one by a D-III team. Guess who I took? HaHa

Ok, I am not a great coach by any means but I've read a little bit.

First things first, DO NOT put exact ratings in a forum like this unless you are talking about one of your players.  Now, somebody who is in Crum can find both of these guys and steal them away from you if they want.

Next, it isn't their rating right now that your asst. is talking about, he is talking about their potential, regardless who you, me, or anybody else thinks is better right now.  So, if PG#2 has more potential and better high-high categories, he is going to be considered the better prospect.

Ignore the assistant coach. Ratings ratings ratings.

And like jaymc said, I would delete those ratings from your post.

Don't ignore the assistant coach!  Just ignore that part of his scouting report.  The stuff above is valuable.  It tells you about the player's potential in different categories.

1. Make sure you use FSS if at all possible
2. Use the assistant coach's emails to figure build on the FSS information

I don't have time right now, but if you're unfamiliar with the above, somebody will be along shortly to elaborate.

The part that you quote from the assistant coach simply tells you where the player appeared on the recruit lists. Player 1 started on the D2 lists and was visible to higher-prestige D3 schools as a D3 player. Player 2 appeared as a D1 recruit to low-prestige D2 programs and was likely visible as a D2 recruit from the outset to higher prestige coaches in D2. 

That information has zero relevance to which player you actually want on your roster though. It is all about the ratings and potentials that both players have. The player you want is the one that will improve into the best player, not the one that starts as the best player. Can't tell that without FSS and the assistant coach's observations from the scouting trips.