Over the past few years when arguably the academy was stronger than it is now because of the likes of Georges Prost the academy produced about two players a year that made the grade.
It is likely that there is no difference now, we are just playing more youngsters because we have no choice, it doesn't mean that they are all ready or will even make the grade of CCC or better.
IMO the ones we are playing who are good enough currently are only Lallana and Lancashire.
Gillet, Thomson, James, McGoldrick, Hatch are all borderline currently.
White and Mills are not ready yet.