College Football Recruiting 2012: Costly Unstable Coaching Situations

Recruits today are very aware of what's going on. From looking at a school's depth chart to project their potential playing time to even examining a coach's hot seat, even though these are 17- and 18-year-olds, they do their due diligence. 

For this read, we're going to give you a quick three coaching situations at powerhouse schools that are costing the program in recruiting right now.

Let's start this thing up.

3. Penn State

If you saw my story yesterday about recruiting letdowns, then you likely figured Penn State would be on this list and we all know why. Even though Joe Paterno has been the lead lion since basically when George Washington was president, any year could be his last.

It cost PSU last year as after a solid recruiting class in 2010, the 2011 class was ranked extremely low. While players like Kent Taylor and Eugene Lewis have mentioned PSU, they did lose 5-star DT Jarron Jones and will have to work to get him back.

They'll also have to battle uphill for Tommy Schutt, William Mahone, Noah Spence and Rushel Shell.

2. UCLA

UCLA recruiting has plummeted over the recent years. After two back-to-back top 10-esque classes, the Bruins have been nowhere to be found.

This year, many big names are not really checking for UCLA. They just snatched up Aaron Porter, but aside from Jordan Simmons, I don't see any 5-star recruit heading to Westwood.

Shaq Thompson in my opinion will head to Cal and the admitted hot seat for Rick Neuheisel is burning UCLA's chances in 2012 recruiting. 

1. Ohio State

Luke Fickell does have a chance to keep the job after this year, but with so much uncertainty in Columbus, it is costing Ohio State, with the biggest blow being losing 5-star OT Kyle Kalis to Michigan.

Another 5-star potential, RB Brionte Dunn, is looking at Michigan, Penn State and Miami among others, and it appears its going to take some work by the Buckeyes to keep him in line.

Other prospects like Jameis Winston, Jordan Diamond and Se'Von Pittman pretty much eliminated OSU when Jim Tressel resigned, costing the Buckeyes serious talent.