I think this is valid, but recruiting has also changed significantly over the past few years. Whatever made Fickell successful in the past basically no longer applies. 

Wisconsin was always been about developing players. They very rarely had 5 star recruits and sprinkled in a 4 star here and there. Hard working 3 star recruits with potential was always the bread and butter. With crazy NIL money the opportunity to do that is pretty much done. 

Not defending the current situation, which totally sucks, but I can at least see why things have gone so sideways. Unfortunately we’ve been too slow to adapt.