College Football Recruiting: The Top 5 Up-and-Coming Recruiting Head Coaches

Earlier today, I rolled out my power rankings for the top five recruiting head coaches in college football today. While I'm sure you'll voice your opinion on that list, for this read, I decided that I wanted to take a look at the next couple coaches that could join that list soon.

For this read, I'm going to rank the top five up-and-coming recruiting head coaches. These are the next five that could see themselves on the earlier list. These coaches are on their way to establishing them and their programs as recruiting juggernauts and love to get after it on the trail.

Here are the top five up-and-coming recruiting head coaches.

5. Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss

Ole Miss had the worst recruiting class in the SEC in 2012, I know. But give Freeze some time. He's from the state and was the Rebel offensive chief in 2006-2007.

I'm hanging my hat on the fact that somehow, some way, Freeze convinced 5-star DE/OLB Channing Ward to sign with the Rebels over Alabama, Auburn and LSU, among others.

Even in 2013 recruiting, 5-star DB Antonio Conner already has Ole Miss in his top three. 

4. Derek Dooley, Tennessee

According to Scout.com, since Dolley took over in 2010, he''s landed the Vols in the top 25, including a top-10 class in 2011.

Dooley is another disciple of Nick Saban and has borrowed many principles of Saban's recruiting practices and theories. Tennessee has to go out of state for much of their class, and that can be a burden.

However, Dooley has attacked the trail hard, ventures out well around the south and figures to be a growing presence in recruiting as we move forward.

3. Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M

For the most part, Sumlin did a great job at keeping the 2012 Aggie class together. He kept Matt Davis and Trey Williams and added Thomas Johnson to the class.

With his prolific, high-scoring offense, and now with the Aggies being in the SEC, look for Sumlin to rise in his profile.

He can now attract higher-profile recruits since he's in College Station, and that could lead to him becoming a great recruiting head coach.

2. Jim Mora, UCLA

Mora got hired by UCLA, and questions about his ability to recruit immediately followed. With his NFL background and very, very limited experience recruiting, would he have the prowess and knack for it?

Yes, as Mora landed UCLA a top-15 class in 2012 after it appeared the Bruins were on pace to be a Pac-12 bottom dweller assembly yet again. 

He has the moxie, charisma, pizzaz and confidence to challenge USC for prospects (Ellis McCarthy, Su'a Cravens, etc.) in SoCal and will go up and down the West to kick the tires on the elite players. I think he could be the man to turn UCLA around.

1. Dabo Swinney, Clemson

Swinney has landed the Tigers three consecutive top-25 classes, including a top-15 class in 2011 and top 10-class in 2012.  

He's been at Clemson since 2003 and was the recruiting coordinator for several years before transitioning to the HC role. Swinney has consistently been viewed one of the better recruiters in college football and was instrumental in Clemson nearly landing Jadeveon Clowney a few years ago. 

Clemson looks like a program on the rise, and recruiting is big part of that. A big part of Clemson's recruiting is because of Dabo Swinney.