College Football Recruiting 2013: 5 Strong Recruiting Programs That Are Lagging

They say it's not how you start, but how you finish.

Well, these five schools must be really invested in that theory, because they are not off to very good starts.

Recruiting is marathon, and we see a lot of programs jump out of the gate with a couple commitments. Then, when National Signing Day (NSD) comes, they have only added a couple more players, and their class isn't as good as we thought it was going to be.

For the 2013 class, here are five programs that are usually strong in recruiting that are lagging behind the pack right now. 

5. Arkansas

Well, of course Arkansas would be on this list after what it has gone through the past couple of months with the Bobby Petrino scandal. 

There is good talent in the state, but having just two commitments is really putting the Razorbacks behind.

They are working on tight end Hunter Henry, but more depth is needed in this class. Arkansas isn't a sexy school when it comes to recruiting, but the Razorbacks quietly do a good adding talent to their roster each February.

Surely the Razorbacks won't arrive on NSD with just two commitments, but right now, they are behind the pack. 

4. Rutgers

Rutgers has shown an ability to keep top New Jersey prospects at home throughout the years. Think about the likes of Kenny Britt, Anthony Davis, Savon Huggins and, just last year, Darius Hamilton and Leonte Carroo.

However, the Scarlet Knights just saw elite quarterback prospect (and New Jersey native) Kevin Olsen commit to Miami, leaving Kyle Flood with only two commitments for his 2013 class.

That's not going to cut it in Piscataway, so Flood and his new staff need to pick it up.

3. TCU

The Horned Frogs have been expanding their recruiting profile over the past several seasons. They are now officially a Big 12 school, and that means they must be viewed as a real player on the recruiting front. 

With that said, they're lagging behind, as Gary Patterson only holds two commitments for his 2013 class.

I know TCU really likes to evaluate prospects and only offer those whom they feel fit its profile. But with Texas and Texas A&M doing so well in recruiting this year, it's really put a damper on the Horned Frogs.

2. Stanford

Stanford finished with a top-10 class last year, and that was without Jim Harbaugh. David Shaw showed he can recruit very well as the leader on The Farm.

This year, Stanford is struggling early as it only holds three pledges right now.

Shaw surely will go get more players, but with USC dominating the Pac-12 recruiting rankings, Stanford is only further behind in the conference. 

1. Oregon

Oregon rose up late last year, making up for a slow start to the 2012 recruiting cycle. 

They must be on the same program for 2013, because right now, the Ducks have just two commitments.

Although one of those is from 5-star RB Thomas Tyner, more are certainly needed. Again, as I stated with Stanford, USC is doing so well that Oregon will need a great class to match wits with the Trojans.

Right now, however, they need to catch up to rest of the pack.