So, as always this time of year college football meccas ready their campuses and fanbases for a fresh new wave of talent with their recruiting classes. This year is loaded with supremely stocked classes and picking the best was tough, but here goes...
No.1: FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES: Coach Jimbo Fisher dove head first into this year's class and immediately began chasing after the "big fish." Fisher still doesn't have a solid answer at quarterback for next season as Christian Ponder moves on and he didn't sign a top level QB either but boy will his "D" be loaded. Wilder is the key to this class as he looks like he just stepped off of the cover of a muscle and fitness magazine and looks as football ready as any prospect I have recently seen. Along with Wilder is fellow 5* Karlos Williams, but the big steals are O'Leary and Benjamin.
*Signees: 5*'s: OLB James Wilder Jr. 6'3" 216 lbs, DT Timmy Jernigan 6'2" 275, S Karlos Williams 6'1" 205 5* OT Bobby Hart 6'5" 298 5*(JC) DE Cornellius Carradine 6'5" 245
4*'s: OT Josue Matias 6'6" 290, TE Nick O'Leary 6'4" 230, WR Kelvin Benjamin 6'6" 210, CB Nick Waisome 5'10" 170, OT Jordan Prestwood 6'6" 265, (JC) OG Jacob Fahrenkrug 6'4" 315, DE Giorgio Newberry 6'6" 250, RB Devonta Freeman 5'10" 195, WR Rashad Greene 6' 170, DE Terrance Smith 6'3" 212
3*'s: DE Arrington Jenkins 6'3" 217, OT Ruben Carter 6'4" 280, QB Jacob Coker 6'5" 210, S Tyler Hunter 6' 198, DT Derrick Mitchell 6'5" 295, C Sterling Lovelady 6'3" 280, DT Nile Lawrence-Stample 6'2" 295, RB Eric Beverly 5'10" 205, S Keelin Smith 6'2" 185, S Lamarcus Brutus 6' 185, C Trey Pettis 6'5" 280, OG Tre Jackson 6'4" 300, DT Terry Bell 6'5" 297
No.2: AUBURN TIGERS: The defending national champions lose a lot in Heisman trophy winner Cam Newton and in defensive lineman Nick Fairley but help is on the way for War Eagle. Quarterback Kiehl Frazier should have a chance to see significant playing time and offensive lineman Christian Westerman, a last minute steal from Texas should also contribute largely alongside the mountainous monster OT Cyrus Kouandjio. While the Tigers probably won't repeat, don't be surprised if they make some noise in the SEC West.
*Signees: 5*'s: OG Christian Westerman 6'5" 295, QB Kiehl Frazier 6'3" 215, OT Cyrus Kouandjio 6'7" 295
4*'s: TE Brandon Fulse 6'5" 245, DT Gabe Wright 6'4" 300, RB Tre Mason 5'9" 185, OLB Kris Frost 6'3" 210, RB Quan Bray 5'11" 175, CB Robinson Therezie 5'10" 205, OG Greg Robinson 6'5" 285, CB Jonathan Rose 6'2" 180, TE C.J. Uzomah 6'5" 235, OLB Justin Garrett 6'2" 196, DE Jabrian Niles 6'3" 262, C Reese Dismukes 6'3" 285, CB Jermaine Whitehead 6' 183, S Erique Florence 6'2" 185
3*'s: DE Devaunte Sigler 6'3" 249, DE Keymiya Harrell 6'5" 238, WR Jaylon Denson 6'3" 195, WR Sammie Coates 6'2" 177, MLB Chris Landrum 6'3" 221, DT Angelo Blackson 6'5" 294, OG Thomas O'Reilly 6'4" 313, S Anthony Swain 6'2" 205
No.3: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE: Nick Saban's teams are always at the forefront of recruiting and he hauls in another stellar class for 2011. Where is Bama weak? Well, with the early departure of stud WR Julio Jones and RB Mark Ingram as well as d-line hoss Marcel Dareus and the graduation of QB Greg McElroy, there are some kinks in the Crimson armor but my guess is that Saban has done his best to sew them up. Linebacker Trey DePriest and S Hasean Clinton-Dix are the prizes but the entire class is rock solid.
*Signees: 5*'s: MLB Trey DePriest 6'2" 230, S Hasean Clinton-Dix 6'2" 190
4*'s: WR Marvin Shinn 6'4" 195, OLB Brent Calloway 6'3" 223, DE Joeffrey Pagan 6'4" 255, (JC) DT Quinton Dial 6'5" 310, MLB Shannon Brown 6'2" 237, WR Danny Woodson 6'2" 198, CB Jabriel Washington 5'11" 165, WR Bradley Sylve 5'11" 175, C Ryan Kelly 6'5" 280, (JC) DT Jesse Williams 6'5" 340, DE Xzavier Dickson 6'4" 248, RB Dee Hart 5'9" 189, DE LaMichael Fanning 6'7" 270
3*'s: WR Daryl Collins 6' 180, CB Christion Jones 5'10" 175, (JC) OT Aaron Douglas 6'6" 290, QB Phillip Ely 6'1" 186, MLB Vinnie Sunseri 6' 205, OG Isaac Luatua 6'3" 298, DT DJ Pettway 6'3" 255, TE Malcolm Faciane 6'6" 263
No.4: OHIO STATE BUCKEYES: Another top five class for the "senator." The sweater vest strikes again. Okay, you get the point, its the same old song and dance in Columbus as the rich get richer and OSU lands another huge class with another quarterback that will be a stud at the college level in Braxton Miller. With Terrelle Pryor returning for his senior season and most of the offensive starters and defensive starters also back, this Buckeye team will once again be picked by many to contend for the BCS title this year. Also look for NSD commit LB Curtis Grant, who is blessed with the complete package of size, strength and speed to make immediate impact.
*Signees: 5*'s: QB Braxton Miller 6'2" 185, DE Steve Miller 6'4" 230, OLB Curtis Grant 6'3" 215
4*'s: MLB Ejuan Price 6' 235, CB Doran Grant 5'10" 177, OLB Ryan Shazier 6'2" 202, S Ron Tanner 6'1" 190, TE Nick Vannett 6'6" 230, WR Devin Smith 6'1" 175, WR Evan Spencer 6'1" 185, DT Michael Bennett 6'3" 275, DT Chase Farris 6'6" 270, C Brian Bobek 6'3" 278, CB DerJaun Gambrell 6'2" 180, DE Ken Hayes 6'5" 255
3*'s: MLB Connor Crowell 6'1" 219, DT Joel Hale 6'5" 295, TE Jeff Heuerman 6'5" 240, S Jeremy Cash 6'2" 190, OT Tommy Brown 6'5" 300, OG Chris Carter 6'4" 325
2*'s: LS Bryce Haynes 6'4" 185, QB Cardale Jones 6'5" 230
No.5: GEORGIA BULLDOGS: A great class could not have come at a better time for the "Dawgs" who are reeling as of the past few seasons and young Soph. quarterback Aaron Murray has help on the way in a five star back, Isiah Crowell. Losing A.J. Green to the NFL will obviously hurt Mark Richt who is on the ropes himself and needs an old-school Bulldog season and now has much of the talent to do it.
*Signees: 5*'s: RB Isiah Crowell 6' 210, DE Ray Drew 6'5" 248
4*'s: TE Jay Rome 6'6" 240, CB Malcolm Mitchell 6'1" 190, CB Damian Swann 6' 175, OT Zach DeBell 6'7" 265, OT Watts Dantzler 6'7" 310, CB Nick Marshall 6'2" 186, QB Christian LeMay 6'2" 188, WR Chris Conley 6'2" 185, MLB Amarlo Herrera 6'2" 215, S Chris Sanders 6' 173, S Corey Moore 6'1" 185
3*'s: MLB Kent Turene 6'3" 225, OT Xzavier Ward 6'7" 255, OLB Ramik Wilson 6'3" 228, WR Sanford Seay 6'2" 200, DT Chris Mayes 6'5" 292, OG Hunter Long 6'4" 290, WR Justin Scott-Wesley 6' 202, DE Sterling Bailey 6'4" 230, CB Devin Bowman 6' 175, C David Andrews 6'3" 276
2*'s: S Quintavious Harrow 5'10" 180, LS Nathan Theus 6'3" 252
No.6: TEXAS LONGHORNS: Kudos to Coach Mack Brown who through going 5-7 and not going bowling in 2010 and losing defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to Florida was still able to assemble a fantastic recruiting class for 2011. Texas will be back, we all know that and no way that offense is as bad this year as last year. The eyes of Texas will once again be upon QB Garrett Gilbert who will need hug improvement to lead the Horns through the Big XII and into a bowl game. A defense loaded class will hopefully boost the Horns as well.
*Signees: 5*'s: MLB Steve Edmond 6'3" 225, DT Desmond Jackson 6'1" 275, RB Malcolm Brown 6'1" 220, WR Jaxon Shipley 6' 170
4*'s: DT Quincy Russell 6'3" 284, CB Josh Turner 5'11" 170, DE Cedric Reed 6'5" 243, CB Quandre Diggs 5'9" 190, OLB Kendall Thompson 6'2" 235, OT Garrett Greenlea 6'7" 285, OG Sedrick Flowers 6'3" 275, S Sheroid Evans 6' 175, CB Leroy Scott 5'10" 185, WR Mykkele Thompson 6'1" 170, WR Miles Onyegbule 6'4" 200
3*'s: QB David Ash 6'3" 190, FB Joe Bergeron 5'11" 230, OG Marcus Hutchins 6'5" 270, M.J. McFarland 6'5" 235, OT Josh Cochran 6'7" 270, OG Taylor Doyle 6'5" 270, MLB Chet Moss 6'1" 225
No.7: NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH: Brian Kelly is beginning to rebuild the powerhouse that is Notre Dame the only way you can... recruiting. Kelly has a great first class and it seems that touchdown Jesus is finally smiling down on the Irish again. What Kelly is doing in South Bend can only be good for the sport of college football, Notre Dame belongs at the top. Multiple five stars and solid four stars are definitely the way to do it and he has three five star defensive ends that are as fast as they are big and we all know... speed kills in this game.
*Signees: 5*'s: DE Stephon Tuitt 6'5" 252, DE Aaron Lynch 6'6" 255, DE Ishaq Williams 6'5" 225, TE Ben Koyack 6'5" 230
4*'s: QB Everett Golson 5'11" 170, WR DaVaris Daniels 6'2" 175, S Eilar Hardy 6' 170, OT Matt Hegarty 6'6" 281, OLB Jarrett Grace 6'4" 230, OT Troy Niklas 6'5" 265
3*'s: DE Chase Hounshell 6'5" 250, OT Nick Martin 6'5" 260, RB Cam McDaniel 5'10" 190, CB Josh Atkinson 6' 180, RB George Atkinson 6'3" 198, CB Jalen Brown 6'1" 186, DE Anthony Rabasa 6'3" 215, OLB Ben Councell 6'5" 225, OT Connor Hanratty 6'4" 290, DE Tony Springmann 6'6" 260, CB Matthias Farley 6'1" 185, K Kyle Brindza 6'2" 195, OT Brad Carrico 6'6" 270
No.8: LSU TIGERS: Another great class for another SEC school that is used to great classes. Les Miles has definitely secured some needs with this class as he reeled in big linemen on both sides of the ball as well as added some speed on the outside and in the backfield. With Patrick Peterson gone, there is a hole in the secondary but I think that the Tigers will manage just fine and along with Bama, be the front runners for the SEC West.
*Signees: 5*'s: DE Jermauria Rasco 6'3" 250, WR Jarvis Landry 5'11" 185, DT Anthony Johnson 6'2" 296, OT La'el Collins 6'5" 305
4*'s: DT Mickey Johnson 6'1" 310, WR Odell Beckham 5'11" 175, RB Jeremy Hill 6'1" 215, (JC) QB Zach Mettenberger 6'6" 250, CB David Jenkins 6'1" 190, OLB Travon Randle 6'2" 205, RB Kenny Hilliard 6' 238
3*'s: OT Jonah Austin 6'5" 315, S Micah Eugene 5'10" 190, QB Stephen Rivers 6'6" 200, S Paul Turner 5'11" 185, CB Jalen Collins 6'2" 175, S Ronald Martin 6'2" 180, OG Trai Turner 6'4" 330, DT Quentin Thomas 6'3" 265, WR Alonzo Lewis 6'3" 200, RB Terrance Magee 5'10" 200, OG Corey White 6'4" 307
2*'s: K James Hairston 6' 190
No.9: USC TROJANS: Even though Lane Kiffin's Trojans still reside on NCAA probation for one more year, he still continues to land big time talent in Los Angeles. Kiffin was able to stockpile last year after he deserted the Vols for Southern Cal and picks up in 2011 right where 2010 left off. The key get is homegrown five star WR George Farmer to go along with last year's five star duo Kyle Prater and Markeith Ambles. The Trojans are readying themselves to be back and ready in 2012 and maybe win some meaningless games in 2011.
*Signees: 5*'s: WR George Farmer 6'3" 210, CB DeAnthony Thomas 5'10" 175
4*'s: S Marqise Lee 6'1" 185, OG Aundrey Walker 6'6" 355, DT Christian Heyward 6'4" 266, MLB Lamar Dawson 6'2" 230, OG Cyrus Hobbi 6'3" 285, MLB Anthony Sarao 6'1" 220, RB Amir Carlisle 6' 190, DE Greg Townsend 6'4" 240, (JC) S Isiah Wiley 6'1" 188, QB Cody Kessler 6'2" 225, WR Victor Blackwell 6'2" 195, QB Max Wittek 6'3" 205, DT Antwaun Woods 6'1" 310
3*'s: OG Marcus Martin 6'5" 335, OT Torian White 6'6" 280, RB Javorious Allen 6'1" 210, DE DeVante Wilson 6'3" 215, FB J.R. Tavai 6'2" 250, DE Steve Dillon 6'3" 260, DT Cody Temple 6'3" 285, DE Charles Burks 6'1" 230, K Andre Heidari 5'11" 185, OLB Tre Madden 6'1" 217
2*'s: (JC) OT Jeremy Galten 6'5" 295, (JC) MLB Dallas Kelley 6' 227, (JC) OT David Garness 6'6" 290, P Kris Albarado 6' 180, LS Peter McBride 6'2" 210
No.10: CLEMSON TIGERS: Dabo Swinney has put together the best recruiting class in his tenure in Clemson. This class is loaded with speed and athleticism and NSD was definitely kind to Swinney's Tigers as he landed a five star linebacker in Stephone Anthony and a four star backer in Tony Steward to go along with five star WR Sammy Watkins. Swinney, much like Mark Richt may have needed this class the most in order to protect his future in purple and orange.
*Signees: 5*'s: OLB Stephone Anthony 6'3" 220, WR Sammy Watkins 6'1" 180
4*'s: OLB Lateek Townsend 6'2" 207, MLB Tony Steward 6'1" 215, WR Martavis Bryant 6'4" 195, DE Corey Crawford 6'5" 235, WR Charone Peake 6'3" 175, RB Mike Bellamy 5'10" 190, TE Eric MacLain 6'5" 246
3*'s: OG Spencer Region 6'6" 345, DT Roderick Byers 6'3" 262, K Ammon Lakip 5'11" 175, QB Cole Stoudt 6'4" 190, DE Kevin Dodd 6'5" 270, S Cortez Davis 6'5" 180, DT Grady Jarrett 6'1" 273, OT Isiah Battle 6'7" 260, OT Joe Gore 6'6" 250, CB Adam Humphries 5'11" 175, C Ryan Norton 6'4" 274, OT Jerome Maybank 6'4" 320, S Robert Smith 6' 194, QB Tony McNeal 6'1" 170, OT Shaq Anthony 6'4" 260, DT Deshaun Williams 6' 290
2*'s: QB Morgan Roberts 6'3" 201, WR Stanton Seckinger 6'5" 195, MLB B.J. Goodson 6'1" 215, MLB Colton Walls 6'3" 230
There you have it the Top 10 classes of 2011 pending on whatever decision the No.1 player in the country Jadeveon Clowney makes, but a few other schools had great classes that couldn't crack the top 10 but would make the top 15 like Tennessee, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington, and Oregon.
