Penn State Football Recruiting: Power Ranking the Last 5 Recruiting Seasons

Penn State is off to a solid start with recruiting for the Class of 2013. Bill O'Brien said on Monday that he was feeling good about the effort he and his staff are making and that the verbal commitments that seem to be coming in.

Penn State's Class of 2013 is now up to six recruits, which got us thinking. If you had to rank the past five recruiting classes at Penn State, how would you do it?

Here is one writer's opinions. Feel free to share your own ranking or comments down below.

5. Class of 2012

Penn State's most recent recruiting class brought in just two 4-star recruits, according to the Rivals rankings.

Wide receiver Eugene Lewis was a key in-state recruit for Penn State, and New Jersey defensive tackle Jamil Pollard was a nice pick-up as well. New York running back Akeel Lynch (pictured) may make a push for some playing time as the backup to Silas Redd as early as this fall.

This recruiting class was noted more for the players who backed out of their commitments or got away from Penn State in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

Bill O'Brien and the coaching staff did bring in some players who could be considered sleeper picks, and could bring some flexibility to a few positions down the road, but this recruiting class is more likely to serve as a crop of dependable backups for the next few years, rather than provide the playmakers leading the offense and defense.

Class of 2008

The Class of 2008 at Penn State lacked pizazz, with four 4-star recruits according to Rivals.com's rankings. This was also the smallest recruiting class Penn State has had dating back to 2008.

Running back Brandon Beachum gave Penn State some solid alternatives in the running game, but injuries held him back from being a full-time player instead of Evan Royster or Silas Redd. Mike Zordich converted from linebacker to fullback and has played a mild role in Penn State's running game.

One of the highlights of the Class of 2008 was linebacker Michael Mauti. A torn ACL injury last season ended his year early on, and he will be held out of football activity during spring practices as he continues to recover from the injury. If he comes back strong, then he should be a solid defensive player.

Three-star prospect Pete Massaro has also battled devastating injuries. Two separate torn ACL injuries in ended his season before it ever started in the last few years. Bill O'Brien expects to have Massaro back in the defensive line picture this season.

Jack Crawford was a 3-star recruit in the class and he made a big splash early on once he had the opportunity, but he never was able to repeat the success he had as he battled through nagging injuries in 2010 and 2011.

Class of 2011

Penn State's last recruiting class of the Joe Paterno Era brought in five 4-star athletes, according to Rivals.com's player rankings, but one of those players, Shawn Oakman, has already been removed from Penn State due to legal issues.

Penn State's Class of 2011 did net some players who played a role on the team immediately though. Wide receiver Bill Belton was used in the Wildcat offensive system later in the season and is already being worked at running back by new head coach Bill O'Brien. Defensive back Adrian Amos (pictured) saw some playing time as well and is expected to make a legitimate run for a starting job this fall.

Kicker Sam Ficken also saw some special teams action in 2011 in the brief absence of Anthony Fera and could be used more in 2012 to relieve the workload of Fera in the special teams department.

Class of 2009

Penn State's Class of 2009 brought seven 4-star recruits to the program, according to the Rivals.com player rankings, but how many of them have played a significant role in the team to this point?

One is already gone, fizzling out as a starter before ever following in the steps of Daryll Clark. Kevin Newsome left the program prior to the 2011 season and is currently looking to win a job at Temple this fall. Offensive lineman Eric Shrive has yet to make a push for a starting job in the trenches (although that may change this season).

Wide receiver Justin Brown has been a nice player who has shown some very positive moments, but his knack for dropping the football has been frustrating almost as often. Will he emerge as a legitimate No. 1 receiver for the team in 2012?

But don't think we are too down on the stars of this recruiting class. Linebacker Gerald Hodges is a defensive leader for the team and should see his second straight season as a starter. Glenn Carson won a starting job in the middle last year as well.

Defensive back Stephfon Morris was a solid addition out of Maryland, and Devon Smith is a speedy receiver who can cause some problems if utilized correctly in the offense.

Class of 2010

The Class of 2010 at Penn State includes 12 players with 4-star rankings according to Rivals.com, and this season could see many become even more of a factor for the team's success.

the class is highlighted by running back Silas Redd, who was third in the Big Ten in rushing last season and will continue to develop in his second season as the starting tailback. Few would argue that Redd is the best offensive player on the team right now.

Linebacker Khairi Fortt, a high school teammate of Redd's, also joined the class and has seen some playing time in his first two seasons. Once a starting job opens up, Fortt should be a leading candidate for the vacancy.

This season could see one of the top prospects out of Maryland in recent years, fullback Zach Zwinak, become a go-to guy in short yardage downs. Former defensive end Dakota Royer is making a switch to tight end this season. But linebacker Mike Hull is also a viable candidate. Hull also joined the program in the Class of 2010.

And of course there are the quarterbacks. Rob Bolden and Paul Jones were also part of the recruiting class in 2010. Bolden has seen his ups and downs, from being the opening day starter two seasons in a row to seeing each season as a backup to Matt McGloin. Jones has yet to see the field after red-shirting in 2010 and being ruled academically ineligible in 2011.

Now Bolden and Jones are looking to impress Bill O'Brien and the rest of the coaching staff this spring and summer in hopes that they will be named the team's starting quarterback. Will either rise to their past hype?

Kevin McGuire is the host of the No 2-Minute Warning podcast and a member of the Football Writers Association of America and National Football Foundation. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook and add him to your Google+ circle.