Do Recruiting Rankings Equal Success in College Football?

Alabama: 50 (5 five stars, 45 four stars)

Miami: 47 (5 five stars, 42 four stars)

Michigan: 46 (5 five stars, 41 four stars)

Notre Dame: 46 (6 five Stars, 40 four stars)

Ohio State: 45 (7 five Stars, 38 four stars)

Auburn: 42 (4 five stars, 38 four stars)

Tennessee: 42 (7 five stars, 35 four stars)

Looking at this list, a few things jump out. I would think USC would be first, but Florida is by a relatively high margin. Don’t think Florida is a talent rich state? Then look where the Noles and the “U” appear along with the Gators.

Wow, FSU at No. 3!!!??? Is that jumping off anyone else’s page? Is this an indictment of the coaching staff?

When was the last time Florida State was in the top three in the actual rankings? Was Ace of Base big back then? Maybe it was more of the tech stock era—I'm not sure.

As “sugarlsu” points out, “Alabama (eighth on the list) didn’t come from out of nowhere.”

But he also says, “22 of those 50 are true freshmen”—a sign of things to come in Tuscaloosa?

Either way, the cupboard wasn’t exactly bare when Saban arrived.

Oh, and by the way, LSU’s 56, which is good enough for fourth on this list, were all recruited by Les Miles. His ’09 class has a chance to be his best yet.

Miami’s stock looks to be on the rise as it has always been a place for players that want to play on Sundays.

Above all, I think it’s telling just how wonderful college football is when teams like Oregon State and Ole Miss (by the way, the Rebs have 20 total, including three five stars) knock off the top two teams on this list this past week.

South Carolina has 32 four stars and no five-star recruits since ’05 but lost this year to Vanderbilt.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?