Predicting the Top 10 CFB Recruiting Classes on National Signing Day 2012

Last night I re-ranked the Top 10 classes because of a couple shake-ups we had from the Under Armour All-America game. This is how I see things now, but of course, we're in for more big announcements at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday—so things likely will change again.

However, for this read, I'm going to try to predict what the class rankings will look like come National Signing Day. After all the dust settles, all hats are put on and all tricks are made, here's who I think will be inside the Top 10 classes.

10. Texas A&M

The key for the Aggies will be what happens with Bralon Addison, Trey Williams and Corey Thompson. It doesn't seem as if Matt Davis is flying the coup, but the other three could.

If they do, then Kevin Sumlin's first class will be out of the Top 10. If not, then I think Mike Sherman put in enough work that Sumlin can add a few pieces to get inside the elite class lineup.

9. Notre Dame

The Irish sit 10th right now in my rankings, as their class is in good shape. I think they finish in the Top 10 somewhere, but their main competition will be Oklahoma, as the Sooners could leapfrog them in the rankings. It'll be interesting to see how the Golden Domers finish out this cycle.

8. LSU

LSU was not having an all-time great class for awhile, but now they've surged up. Some people have them inside their Top 10—and even Top Five classes—but for me, not yet.

However, the Tigers always find a way to have some NSD surges, and just by quality of talent in their state alone, they always lurk around the Top 10. How far could they move up if they land Mario Edwards?

7. Georgia

UGA likely isn't going to make too many more big splashes this cycle, unless they land Jordan Jenkins. But if they add some more depth to this class, they should be all right.

Georgia has 15 commitments, but it's a solid class. Three players are top-100-caliber recruits in RB Keith Marshall, OT John Theus and DT Jonathan Taylor.

Marshall and Theus are two of the top 15 to 20 recruits in the nation. DE Leonard Floyd is also one to watch. 

6. Ohio State

The Buckeyes being in the Top 10 at this point is remarkable. It was a huge question, just a few weeks ago, if they'd even finish inside the Top 25. 

Adding Noah Spence, Adolphus Washington, Se'Von Pittman and Tommy Schutt will help with that. I think they'll find themselves nestled somewhere in the Top 10 after all.

5. Michigan

Big Blue has 24 commitments, and 14 of them are four stars or higher. The key here are the 24 commitments, which means they're almost at capacity. I think they'll wait on Josh Garnett and Jordan Diamond before they close up though.

4. Florida State

FSU holds 15 commitments, and the class is stocked with talent. Big time talent. However, class headliners Mario Edwards and Jameis Winston don't appear as locked in on the 'Noles as before, and I slightly expect Edwards to sign elsewhere at this point.

I think I likely may drop FSU even lower.  

3. Texas

Hey! Remember now, this is a predictions piece, thank you. I know I have Texas No.1 right now, sure. But don't the Longhorns always slide a bit on NSD? It's because they finished up recruiting so early.

So Texas, as a staff, is currently more primed on their 2013 class right now because they're all but finished with 2012 recruiting. So with the other teams gobbling up the remaining big names, they'll move up the rankings, while Texas will slide some in all likelihood.

2. Alabama

'Bama is doing it big on the trail this year—like it always does. The Tide have 26 commitments and 16 players who are at least four stars or higher.

They easily could have the No.1 class—right now! If Tide fans want to argue that they do, trust me, it's a valid argument. 

1. Florida

Florida could end up with the No. 1 class if things shake out right. They are in on some of the top uncommitted prospects all over the country and will likely land several of them.

They're seriously in on prospects like Stefon Diggs, Darius Hamilton, Nelson Agholor, Jordan Jenkins, Avery Young, Tracy Howard, Josh Harvey-Clemons and Johnathan Bullard. Wow. 

For now, the Gators have 18 commitments, and 11 of them are four-star (or higher) prospects, including five-star players Brian Poole and D.J. Humphries, a CB and OT, respectively.