7 Schools That Are Seeing Their Rivals Dominate in 2013 Recruiting

You can be doing pretty well for yourself on the recruiting trail, be feeling pretty good about your approach and plan between now and February, but...

Across the city or state or region, your rival is having a banner year on the recruiting trail. You've basically given it all you got, but the thorn in your side is on pace for a great recruiting class and they're on fire.

Here are seven schools that are likely feeling this way:

7. Tennessee

The Vols have a solid class in the works led by Austin Sanders, Camion Patrick and Jason Carr. Yet, they're still looking at Florida and Vanderbilt having solid classes.

Vanderbilt already has nine commitments and James Franklin seems to have an "it" factor about him and is gunning for Derek Dooley.

Then, if you're Tennessee, doesn't it get annoying to see Florida land a top five class every year, likely including this one?

6. Miami

Al Golden just landed Kevin Olsen, who I think easily is the QB of the future for Miami football. It's a great coup for Golden and will help a ton.

Yet, Miami looks north and sees its rivals in Florida State and Florida having better years than them. Heck, even South Florida is doing better than them in the Vernon Hargreaves II sweepstakes.

Hurricane fans may not have much to brag about to their rival Seminole and Gator fans this recruiting cycle.

5. Auburn

Gene Chizik commands respect as a recruiter, because before last year Auburn hauled in two Top 5 caliber classes and depending on who you speak to, a No. 1 class in 2010.

This year, they're doing well with nine pledges led by Dee Liner and Carl Lawson, so there's nothing to be ashamed about on The Plains.

Yet, Alabama has a top five class working right now and likely will land a couple more elite prospects this year.

4. Florida State

Compared to Miami, Florida State is having a superior recruiting year. However, if the Seminoles look east to Gainesville, they'll see their hated rivals are faring even better than them.

Florida State has eight commits, led by E.J. Levenberry and Austin Golson. Yet, Florida has a top five class right now and the Gators are still big game hunting.

Jimbo Fisher has gotten the 'Noles back to where they once were under Bowden, but Florida is still humming too.

3. Ohio State

So you're Ohio State. At the end of the day, you as a staff look at your board and you feel great. You have Eli Woodard, Jalin Marshall, Joey Bosa, Cam Burrows and more committed to you.

Feel good right? You should.

Yet, your rival has a great class. In fact, your rival's class is viewed as the No. 1 class in the country, not yours. That has to irk the Buckeyes, seeing Michigan enjoy a banner year on the trail so far this year.

2. Oklahoma

Texas is a beast in recruiting. In fact, it irritates Oklahoma in another sense because the state of Texas is a place where OU has to go into to get recruits too.

Yet, as much success as the Sooners have in Texas and have had in Texas, the Longhorns have bested them in recruiting the past few years.

This year is no different, as Texas has an outstanding and elite class, while Oklahoma is a bit behind them. 

1. UCLA

I've gone on record in stating that I think Jim Mora Jr. and the staff he's assembled have what it takes to compete with USC for recruits in the long run.

You see it a little bit this year, but as we move forward it'll become a bit more apparent.

However, I don't think USC cares and it's evident by the way they're recruiting. The Trojans have an excellent class built on quality and UCLA has to be watching across town and gritting their teeth about it.

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects & writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS). A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a College Football and NFL Draft magazine.