College Football Recruiting 2013: 11 Classes That Will Have a Major Impact

Bringing in a recruiting class is one thing, but bringing in a class that will leave its mark on the program is a different story. Some classes are full of great players that come in, play and leave without making much of a mark on the league. Other classes bring program pillars and flagship players.

The latter is the type of class that each program strives to sign each February. Looking at this 2013 class, not every highly ranked class will pan out and live up to it billing.

Yet, I do have a good feeling about several classes and the impact that they'll make on their respective programs.

This read will look at 11 recruiting classes that are shaping up to have major impacts on the college football scene in coming seasons.  

11. Washington

Coach Steve Sarkisian made a shrewd move last year when he brought on talented recruiter Tosh Lupoi to his staff. Sark struck again this year when he convinced Marques Tuiasosopo to come home from UCLA. 

This year, U-Dub has a top 25 class-in-the-making and it could be the foundation for a team that challenges for a Rose Bowl in a few seasons. WR's Darrell Daniels and Damorea Stringfellow have immdediate impact potential and DT Elijah Qualls is a future starter.

I also like Joe Mathis as a future swing DL starter and Trevor Walker as an enforcer in the box.

10. Indiana

Kevin Wilson thought he had his "program changer" when he was closing in on acquiring quarterback Gunner Kiel, but Kiel eventually signed with Notre Dame. This class, in 2013, however, may help Wilson tun the corner in Bloomington.

Two players stick out in the Hoosiers' 19-man class: ATH Rashard Fant and S Antonio Allen. Fant could be the next Antwaan Randle El for Indiana while Allen has the potential to be a defensive captain early in his career.

This is a solid class for Wilson and it will make a major impact on Hoosier football. 

9. Penn State

The Nittany Lions received good news over the weekend when they heard that coach Bill O'Brien was staying put. The coach can now turn his focus to developing a solid class, with two players that I believe will be captains in Happy Valley.

QB Christian Hackenberg is the jewel of the group, along with TE Adam Breneman. These are not only O'Brien's best two commits, but also players that appear to have leadership characteristics.

They'll make sure this is an impact class for PSU. 

8. Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's class may not include any 5-star prospects, but the group is a top 25 class and will upgrade the talent level for James Franklin.

This class, along with last year's class and Franklin's talented coaching staff will see the Commodores become even more competitive and contend for higher echelon bowl games. 

In a few years, when we notice consider why Vanderbilt is an improved program from years past, we may look to this class as one of the main reasons.

7. North Carolina

This is a program that has a chance to really ascend to the upper ranks of college football. UNC is bringing in a great recruiting class that Larry Fedora feels should help make a major impact with.

DT Greg Webb is one of the best point of attack players in the country, QB Mitch Trubisky is a tad underrated and CB Brian Walker will start in the secondary soon enough.

I see several other players in this class that will certainly help the Tar Heels win more games.

6. Florida

Florida's class is only this low on the list because there's already so much talent at UF that the impact this class makes won't be felt as much as it should, at least not immediately.

However, it starts with CB Vernon Hargreaves III, who's special. RB Kelvin Taylor is already a legend and S Keanu Neal will be a great defender even if he becomes an OLB.

WR Ahmad Fulwood provide the Gators with a big target at 6'4 and DT Caleb Brantley and LB Daniel McMillan will be productive too. This is an excellent class that will help Florida continue to challenge for SEC titles for the next few years at least. 

5. USC

USC's class has had some commitments back out of late, but the class still has some players who'll make major impacts. First, S Su'a Cravens could start as a true freshman and help turn around an ailing defense.

Quarterback Max Browne will push Max Wittek and Cody Kessler to replace Matt Barkley. RB Ty Isaac, along with Justin Davis will both try to get some carries in 2013 and DT Kenny Bigelow may just be too good to redshirt.

Also, watch out for CB Chris Hawkins and CB Jalen Ramsey, if he sticks with his commitment, as getting better CB play sans Nickell Robey is crucial for USC. FS Leon McQuay III could also be in line to play a major role early, too. 

4. Michigan

This is Brady Hoke's second consecutive class that should be a foundational group for future Big Blue bullying teams. Hoke has his QB of the future in this class in Shane Morris, which  is a huge deal by itself.

With recruits like OG Patrick Kugler, TE Jake Butt, DB Dymonte Thomas, DE Taco Charlton, CB Jourdan Lewis and OT Logan Tuley-Tillman among a slew of others, if this class doesn't make an impact in Ann Arbor then something's wrong. 

3. Ohio State

You can't mention the Wolverines without the Buckeyes and they have a potential major impact class in store too. Urban Meyer used this year to really find guys that are "his" and who fit what he wants to do moving forward.

ATH Jalin Marshall and RB Ezekiel Elliot are prime examples, as they could play the Percy-Harvin role for Meyer's offensive scheme. I also like QB J.T. Barrett and landing three stalwarts in the secondary like Cam Burrows, Gareon Conley and Eli Apple will definitely leave a good mark.

DT Joey Bosa, LB Mike Mitchell and LB Trey Johnson will all be to flight starters one day soon. This class is fantastic and Meyer is building a contending future squad with it. 

2. Ole Miss

Ole Miss is bringing in a rare top 25 class to Oxford and it will make a great impact. This class of 20 commitments will help increase the talent level and add depth to important positions of need.

Yet, it's the aspirations of this class and who Ole Miss could get that will make this class memorable. Realizing they could very well end up with DE Robert Nkemdiche, WR Laquon Treadwell and S Antonio Conner has to have the Rebels giddy.

All three guys could start immediately in 2013.

Ole Miss already has two solid QB prospects committed in Devin Kincade and Ryan Buchanan, JC baller Quadarias Mireles can play almost anywhere and finding a home for Jeremy Liggins could pay big dividends.

1. Texas A&M

The Aggies have 35 commitments, but this class is as much about quality as quantity. It starts with the WR position as Johnny Football Manziel could have upwards of four great new targets to throw to in 2013.

Ricky Seals-Jones and Derrick Griffin both stand nearly 6'6, 230 pounds. Tony Stevens is not far behind at 6'4" and even though LaQuvionte Gonzalez is just 5'10, his speed and yards-after-catch skills are incredible.

On defense, DT Justin Manning, Isaiah Golden, LB Jordan Mastrogiovanni, CB Noel Ellis, S Kameron Miles and LB Reggie Chevis will make up a great unit. They won't hit on all 35 guys, but there's a good chance the Aggies may be able to squeeze nearly 20 starting-caliber players out of this class.

Talk about an impact.

Edwin Weathersby is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He 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 and writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (formerly 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.