College Football Recruiting 2013: 7 Schools on a No. 1 Recruiting Class Pace

Coaches say they could care less about recruiting class rankings, stars, ratings, hype, lists and other merits of recruiting statuses. Some tell the truth, but the majority of them lie.

Having a No. 1 recruiting class is the aim for each program, and it's important. While it's extremely early, as we're barely into May and National Signing Day isn't until next February, there are a couple schools on pace to land a No. 1 class.

Here are the top seven on the best pace.

7. Notre Dame

The Irish have a top 10 class right now with 12 commitments for 2013. It's a solid class that isn't heavy on high profile names, but a solid haul of darn good football players.

Steve Elmer and Hunter Bivin get me the most excited, but this is a good class so far. If the Irish can get some top targets like LB Jaylon Smith, WR Robert Foster and RB Ty Isaac among others, they'll be in good shape next winter. 

6. Georgia

The Dawgs are sizzling on the trail right now and have re-established themselves a top-tier recruiting program over the past three cycles.

Mark Richt has 15 pledges already for 2013, and he's not done. I think it's a longshot to land Robert Nkemdiche or Reuben Foster, but there's still good talent out there for UGA to haul in.

If they can land OT Laremy Tunsil, DT Montravius Adams, DB Vonn Bell and DT Kelsey Griffin, then this class will find itself in the thick of the No. 1 class conversation. 

5. Ohio State

The Buckeyes have 11 commits right now, but that number surely will increase as we move closer to NSD.

Led by ATH Jalin Marshall, CB Cameron Burrows, CB Eli Woodard, QB J.T. Barrett and DT Joey Bosa, Urban Meyer's class looks very good.

On a great pace so far, if OSU can land WR Robert Foster, LB Jaylon Smith and OT Ethan Pocic, then the Buckeyes would take this class to another level.

4. Florida

Will Muschamp is taking all he can get and getting all he can take this year on the recruiting trail. Florida already has 15 players committed for 2013 and had over 10 pledges before we even hit March.

Led by RB Kelvin Taylor, DT Caleb Brantley, WR Ahmad Fulwood, DB Nick Washington and LB Daniel McMillan, the Gators have a good list of young talent en route to Gainesville.

Top remaining targets like CB Vernon Hargreaves III, WR Robert Foster, OT Laremy Tunsil, LB Matthew Thomas and RB Ryan Green would definitely make it hard to not give UF the No. 1 class should the Gators land them. 

3. Texas

Texas is dominant right now but like the Longhorns typically do, they will finish up their recruiting early, not going after many remaining national targets and keeping steady.

It's questionable approach and pace, but the 14 commitments they have at this point still point to a possible No. 1 overall recruiting class.

Nearly the entire class is rated no lower than a 4-star recruit, and the top remaining targets are RB/ATH Dontre Wilson and DL Torrodney Prevot.

2. Michigan

The Wolverines already have 17 commitments for their class, and it's an impressive and excellent class. In fact, right now I rank their class is the No. 1 haul in the country.

QB Shane Morris, RB DeVeon Smith, OG Patrick Kugler, OT Kyle Bosch and DB Dymonte Thomas lead the class.

Yet RB Ty Isaac, ATH Su'a Cravens, OT Ethan Pocic and WR Laquon Treadwell are still on their radar and could cement Brady Hoke his first No. 1 recruiting class in Ann Arbor. 

1. Alabama

The Crimson Tide have 11 commitments, but they have so many realistic, highly touted targets that it's clear they're still on a No. 1 class pace.

Currently the class is led by LB Reuben Foster as the clear-cut headliner.

Yet Alabama is fiercely on the trail of DE Robert Nkemdiche, LB Matthew Thomas, QB Cooper Bateman, S Antonio Conner, OT Laremy Tunsil, DT Montravius Adams, WR James Quick and OLB Kendall Beckwith among a slew of others.

The Tide could be en route to second consecutive No. 1 recruiting class.