The Top 25 2011 College Football Recruiting Classes Heading Into December

No one made out better in November than Florida State, and no one came out of the month worse than Notre Dame. 

Three top-rated prospects abandoned ship in South Bend, and two of them made their way to Tallahassee, while the third headed to Ann Arbor and the Wolverines. 

November isn't traditionally a big month of recruiting as most prospects are focused on the end of their seasons and most colleges are doing the same for their own, but this year, there was quite a bit of movement to shake things up at the top of the standings.

Here are the top 25 2011 recruiting classes heading into December.  

No. 16-25

16. North Carolina
17. South Carolina
18. Washington
19. Texas Tech
20. Auburn
21. Mississippi State
22. Pittsburgh
23. Tennessee
24. Virginia 
25. Mississippi

15. Notre Dame

5-Star Commitments: Zero

4-Star Commitments: Eight

3-Star Commitments: Nine

The losses of Aaron Lynch, Justice Hayes and Jordan Prestwood are big blows to Notre Dame's recruiting efforts, but the school still boasts a strong overall class that's pretty well balanced as well.

The Irish have four star talent at tight end, offensive tackle, offensive guard, running back, wide receiver, outside linebacker, defensive end, and safety.

There's no denying that Lynch and Hayes were the highlights on defense and offense, respectively, and it will be hard to replace either

 

14. Georgia

5-Star Commitments: One

4-Star Commitments: Seven

3-Star Commitments: Seven

Georgia is in the running for a few blue-chip prospects, so the Bulldogs still have the chance to climb back up to the top of the rankings before it's all said and done.

It remains to be seen how it will play out, but with Alabama and Georgia battling for 5-star running back Isaiah Crowell, that could be the difference when it comes to 2011 recruiting. 

As of now, 5-star quarterback Christian LeMay, one of the top players at his position, is the highlight of the Bulldogs class and has the potential to be a star at the next level.

13. Oklahoma State

5-Star Commitments: One

4-Star Commitments: Six

3-Star Commitments: 12

Oklahoma State's class begins with star running back Hershel Sims, a highlight just waiting to happen. He's a player who thrives in big games and saves his best for clutch moments. He'll be a thorn in the side of the entire Big 12 for years.

The Cowboys also have J.W. Walsh at quarterback, rated top 10 at his position, one of the best offensive guards in the country in Travis Cross and high-upside receiver Desmond Roland.

On defense, Oklahoma State balances out their class with 4-star safety Lyndell Johnson, 4-star defensive end Jimmy Bean and 4-star cornerback Mikeatavius Jones, all of whom are rated top 25 at their position. There's also 4-star JUCO defensive tackle John Jenkins; a mammoth at 340 lbs. 

 

12. Nebraska

5-Star Commitments: One

4-Star Commitments: Seven

3-Star Commitments: Seven

With Aaron Green on board, the Cornhuskers 2011 recruiting class suddenly has the look of a whole new beast; that should give a good idea just how good of running back he is. 

But he isn't going it alone out there. 

Nebraska has a solid bunch of offensive lineman lined up with Ryne Reeves at center, Tyler Moore at tackle and Ryan Klachko at guard. All three of them are rated in the top 10 at their respective positions.

Add in Bubba Starling and fellow 4-star quarterback Jamal Turner, and the Cornhuskers have some solid offensive pieces. But they're still lacking on the defensive side of the ball, though the addition

 

11. Arkansas

5-Star Commitments: One

4-Star Commitments: Six

3-Star Commitments: 13

Arkansas missed out on its native son, quarterback Kiehl Frazier, who instead opted for Auburn, but the Razorbacks had a huge weekend at the end of October.

On Oct. 23-24, 4-star tight end Chris Barnett, 4-star safety Kelvin Fisher and 4-star Quinta Funderburk all committed to Arkansas.

With five-star offensive tackle Brey Cook headlining the class and four-star prospects like offensive tackle Mitch Smothers and wide receiver Keante Minor already on board as well, things are looking up.

 

10. Stanford

5-Star Commitments: Zero

4-Star Commitments: Eight

3-Star Commitments: 13

Stanford has 21 commitments to this point, which is one of the highest totals in the country.They may not have any 5-star talent on the books, but the Cardinals are buying in bulk. And the quantity makes up for the slight lack of quality.

James Vaughters headlines the class and is one of the top middle linebackers in the country. With a solid senior year, he'll emerge as a 5-star talent. 

Stanford also has Evan Crower, who is rated top 10 at his position, at quarterback, tight end Charlie Hopkins, offensive tackle Brendon Austin, receiver Ty Montgomery and running backs Amir Carlisle, Remound Wright and Kelsey Young. All 4-star talents.

 

9. USC

5-Star Commitments: Three

4-Star Commitments: Four

3-Star Commitments: Seven

USC doesn't have the most talent from the Pac-10 recruiting classes, but the Trojans do have the best. 5-star athlete De'Anthony Thomas is a top five overall prospect, and if he wasn't listed at 5'8" and 165 pounds, he'd be the No. 1 overall recruit. 

He'll line up at cornerback most likely, but he's also one of the best running backs in the nation; Thomas has spoken of playing both ways.

With 5-star JUCO defensive end Sheldon Richardson joining the mix after decommitting from Missouri, he and 5-star defensive end Jalen Grimble should form a devastating duo in the trenches. 

8. Louisiana State

5-Star Commitments: Two

4-Star Commitments: Five

3-Star Commitments: Eight

LSU really should have five 5-star talents because receiver Jarvis Landry, running back Kenny Hilliard, and outside linebacker Trevon Randle are disrespected by not receiving another star.

Landry might be a little small and not as fast as some of the other receivers in the country, but he might go down as the best in the bunch. The guy gets it done regardless of the situation and definitely puts together the most impressive highlight reel.

Hilliard and Randle are in the same mold. They're gamers who will shine at the next level, regardless of the flaws some scouts are pointing out.

WIth La'El Collins, who's at worst the second-best offensive tackle in the class, and defensive tackle Anthony Johnson rated top five at his position, the Tigers have the makings of a very well-rounded and extremely high-potential class

 

7. Clemson

5-Star Commitments: Three

4-Star Commitments: Four

3-Star Commitments: 10

Clemson reeled in 5-star receiver Sammy Watkins to join a class that was already stacked on the offensive side of the ball and now is just scary good. 

With Watkins as well as 5-star receiver Charone Peake, top 10 running back Marlin Lane, top five tight end Eric Maclin, and 5-star running back Mike Bellamy, it's hard to imagine this team not quickly developing into the best offense in the ACC.

Bellamy is one of the fastest, most electric prospects in the country. It'll be hard to defenses to game plan for him alone. How they react to all of this talent together is going to be a headache. 

 

6. Florida

5-Star Commitments: Two

4-Star Commitments: Eight

3-Star Commitments: Eight

The Gators really started picking up steam since June, with 15 commitments in the last five months, with 4-star running back Mike Blakely one of the most recent and one of the most coveted. 

Florida's two 5-star prospects, defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan and quarterback Jeff Driskel, are two of the most intriguing prospects in the country, headlining what's turning out to be one of the top classes in the country. 

The Gators still have some catching up to do if they're going to pass Alabama for the top class in the SEC. But with the addition of Blakely and 4-star tight end A.C. Leonard they're getting closer.

 

5. Florida State

5-Star Commitments: Three

4-Star Commitments: Five

3-Star Commitments: 10

Florida State had a huge month in November, stealing away 5-star defensive end Aaron Lynch and 4-star offensive tackle Jordan Prestwood from Notre Dame.

The blows are huge for the Fighting Irish but bump the Seminoles' recruiting class easily into the top five. 

With commitments from 5-star athlete James Wilder, a top 10 overall prospect, as well as 5-star safety Karlos Williams, FSU has one of the most talented classes in the nation and still has a chance at top-rated in-state talents like 5-star linebacker Tony Steward.

 

4. Oklahoma

5-Star Commitments: Two

4-Star Commitments: Seven

3-Star Commitments: Nine

Oklahoma has two of the top offensive players in the country in running back Brandon Williams and wide receiver Trey Metoyer, both of whom have the chance to be the top prospect at their position when their careers are over. 

With quarterback Kendal Thompson, ranked top 15 at his position, tight end Max Stevenson and running back Danzel Williams, the offensive weapons should be strong for the Sooners.

On the defensive side of the ball, Oklahoma has three 4-star defensive tackles and top 25 talent at defensive end, safety and linebacker

 

3. Ohio State

5-Star Commitments: Two

4-Star Commitments: 10

3-Star Commitments: Six

Ohio State should be in good shape at the quarterback position for years to come, thanks to Braxton Miller committing to follow in Terrelle Pryor's footsteps.

Miller is one of the top overall prospects in the country, and hands down the top quarterback of the 2011 class. He's a dangerous dual-threat passer who can dismantle a defense in any number of ways.

He's joined by a stacked class of talent that includes defensive end Steve Miller, ranked top five at his position, the No. 1 center in the country in Brian Bobek, two of the best defensive tackles in the country in Michael Bennett and Chase Farris, as well as their newest addition, safety Ron Tanner, ranked top 10 at his position.

That's just naming the headliners too. The rest of the class is pretty darn good as well.

 

2. Alabama

5-Star Commitments: Three

4-Star Commitments: Eight

3-Star Commitments: Eight

Alabama hasn't had a major commitment since 4-star JUCO defensive tackle Jesse Williams joined the fold in early September, but the Crimson Tide already have a ton of talent on board. 

Particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where Alabama has 5-star safety Ha'Sean Clinton Dix and 5-star linebackers Brent Calloway and Trey DePriest.

Add in top 10 recevier Marvin Shinn, the No. 2 ranked center Ryan Kelly and five other 4-star prospects, and Alabama is just a notch behind Texas. All the Tide need now is a commitment from No. 1 overall recruit Jadeveon Clowney, and they'll be good to go. 

 

1. Texas

5-Star Commitments: Seven

4-Star Commitments: Nine

3-Star Commitments: Seven

By now, most college football fans who follow recruiting are well aware of the situation in Austin. The Longhorns are 2011 class is simply stacked with talent on both sides of the ball.

Their seven 5-star commitments are as many as Alabama, Ohio State and Oklahoma together. 

With top rated running back Malcolm Brown and top 10 talent at offensive guard, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, cornerback, and safety, there's no doubt Texas stands alone at the top of the rankings. 

Now whether everyone sticks around after the Longhorns disappointing 2010 season is a different story.