Very simple actually, state wide, let's look at the number of SURE thing college prospects. You mention some really great names there and I agree they stand a great chance at taking of to the next level, but let's look at 2 to 3 hears ago by comparison.
As for Mater Dei, I am sorry but they are down. Union County has a great program and tradition, but let's be really honest here, from about 152?160 and up they are not as good as they are below that. Mater Dei is suspect in that same range. Just more experience.
What I am saying is this, if you took the kids from Mates Dei at their current weights, and took them back in time 5 years back, do you think they would be starters? Example, the Lee kid from Mater Dei is an exceptional talent, bit do you REALLY think he would have beaten Luke Welch or Wedding from Memorial? I have serious doubts he would. Would Mates Dei's current 160 have started in front of John Sims? I seriously doubt it.
The competition is just down across the board at the moment. Make no mistake it will be back up and raging soon, its just the natural order of things.