National Signing Day 2012: Underrated Programs That Will Surprise

While the attention on national signing day is on schools that have recently made BCS games, they are not the only schools pulling in good hauls. 

By the time these teams have finished signing their players, they will be clear factors for the next few seasons.

Current rankings according to Rivals.com.

Vanderbilt (No. 25)

In any conference other than the SEC, this recruiting class would be one that would step up and challenge for conference titles over the next four years. As it is, this program is going to be a lot better than it has been. 

According to Rivals, they have already pulled in four different 4-Star recruits, including two defensive ends. That is going to make life extremely difficult on opposing offenses, specifically quarterbacks.

As things stand now, the Commodores will improve in the SEC East. With a few more surprises, this team will be a genuine factor in the division in a few years. 

Virginia (No. 26)

Defense is the name of the game. If you recruit players that will stop the opposition, you will have a chance to succeed. Unlike Vanderbilt, Virginia does not play in a deep league that dominates the BCS. 

So, the 4-Star talent they brought in will have the Cavaliers factoring in the BCS in future years. Rivals has three defensive 4-Star recruits making their way to Virginia, and two of them are defensive ends. 

We just saw the ACC's conference champion allow 70 points in the Orange Bowl. A team with a good defense will be dangerous in that conference. 

Maryland (No. 47)

According to Rivals, the Terrapins already have two different 4-Star recruits, and this could get a lot better. 

Receiver Stegon Diggs is one of the top uncommitted recruits in the country, and Rivals lists the Terrapins as one of his final choices.

Like Virginia, Maryland is in a conference where even an above average class will make them contenders. They are already listed in the Top 50, and that's only going to get better by national signing day.

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