College Football Programs Already Building Impressive 2015 Recruiting Classes
Anyone who thinks that college coaches will take some time off from recruiting after National Signing Day is sadly mistaken. Recruiting doesn't stop, in fact, it starts earlier and earlier every year.
Although the 2014 recruiting cycle has yet to end, many programs have already started on the 2015 group. Yes, you heard right, classes are already being built for the next recruiting cycle. Although it's early, several schools already have impressive 2015ย recruiting classes.
An SEC program already has two 5-star commitments, while a Big Ten school has begun the process of signing yet another impressive group of prospects. Plus, a Big 12 team already has eight commitments.
All recruiting totals are based on 247Sports.ย
Clemson
1 of 9
Total commitments: Six
Clemsonย head coach Dabo Swinney is a fantastic recruiter, so it's not a surprise that he's already started on 2015 recruiting.
Clemson has six commitments, with three being 4-star recruits.ย Shadell Bell, a 4-star receiver, leads the way. Athleteย Van Smithย is aย versatile 4-star prospect from Charlotte, while 4-star safetyย Tanner Museย is already 6'3" and 207 pounds.
Look for the Tigers to finish high in the recruiting rankings again next year.ย
Michigan
2 of 9
Total commitments: Five
Althoughย Michiganย lost the commitment of 2015 5-star athleteย George Campbell, the Wolverines are still doing well in 2015 recruiting.
At this point, the headliner is 5-star running backย Damien Harris, who hails from Kentucky. Head coach Brady Hoke also has two commitments from 4-star defensive backs, as Ohio nativesย Tyree Kinnelย andย Shaun Crawfordย have already pledged to play in Ann Arbor.ย
Jon Runyan Jr.ย is a 3-star offensive lineman who will provide great depth, while the leg of 2-star kickerย Andrew Davidย should help Big Blue win some games.ย
Tennessee
3 of 9
Total commitments: Six
The 2014 recruiting trail has been more than kind toย Tennessee, as head coach Butch Jones is on the verge of signing one of the best classes in school history.
Well, it doesn't seem like Jones is going to be a one-year wonder on the trail.
He's already earned six commitments for the 2015 class, including one from 4-star receiverย Preston Williams.ย Cecil Cherryย is a 4-star inside linebacker from Florida who will help in Knoxville, while 4-star defensive endย Andrew Butcherย should also make some noise.
LSU
4 of 9
Total commitments: Five
LSUย has a class of five commitments that includes one 5-star prospect and two 4-star recruits.ย
At 6'2" and 185 pounds, 5-star cornerbackย Kevin Toliver IIย should be one of the nation's top recruits for 2015. Not far behind Toliver will be elite 4-star running backย Nick Brossette, a Baton Rouge native.ย
Toliver will not be the only elite cornerback the Tigers sign in 2015, as 4-star defensive backย Xavier Lewisย is already set to cover receivers at LSU. Watch out for 3-star tight endย Hanner Shipley, who is already 6'5" and 260 pounds.
Arkansas
5 of 9
Total commitments: Five
A surprise team on this list isย Arkansas, as the Razorbacks are not exactly known for their ability to recruit at a high level.
However, things are changing under head coach Bret Bielema, evidenced by him already securing five commitments for 2015, with four being 4-star recruits. Ohio native and 4-star defensive tackleย Hjalte Froholdtย leads the group, but 4-star quarterbackย Ty Storeyย could be the most important player in the class.
Defensive endย Jamario Bellย is a 4-star prospect who is already 6'6", while 4-star guardย Zach Rogersย will be among the best players at his position in his region next season.ย
Florida State
6 of 9
Total commitments: Six
Winning a national championship is the ultimate recruiting booster, andย Florida Stateย will surely experience one over the next several recruiting cycles.
The Seminoles already have six commitments for 2015, including a pledge from 5-star safetyย Derwin James. Cornerbackย Tyrek Cole, safetyย Calvin Brewtonย and offensive linemanย Kendrick Nortonย make up the 4-star recruits of this class.
All current six commitments in FSU's class are from the state of Florida.ย
Texas A&M
7 of 9
Total commitments: Five
Texas A&Mย is now one of the best recruiting programs in the country. The Aggies have a great 2014 class in the works, but that has not stopped them from starting on the 2015 class.
Head coach Kevin Sumlin has five pledges from 2015 prospects. The headliner of the class is 5-star defensive tackleย Daylon Mack, while 4-star running backsย Jay Bradfordย andย Rodney Andersonย are also studs.
Tight endย Jordan Davisย is a solid 4-star prospect, plus 4-star safetyย Justin Dunningย should help make up for the loss of 4-star safety and 2014 recruitย Dylan Sumner-Gardnerย to Boise State.
Texas
8 of 9
Total commitments: Eight
The main culprit of why recruiting starts basically in a prospect's junior year nowadays isย Texas.
Former head coach Mack Brown revolutionized the process by extending early offers to juniors, which forced other schools to follow suit.
Although Brown is no longer the leader of the Longhorns, that formula still seems to be working. Texas already has eight commitments for the 2015 class, which should give new head coach Charlie Strong a firm foundation.
The class features four offensive linemen, including 5-star offensive tackleย Maea Teuhemaย and 4-star guardย Patrick Vahe. Running backย Jordan Stevensonย is a 4-star recruit who should be among the top players in Texas this fall.ย
Alabama
9 of 9
Total commitments: Five
Alabamaย has a class of five commitments that includes two 5-star prospects. The headliner of the group is going to be 5-star quarterbackย Ricky Town, who is from California.
Mekhi Brown, a defensive end from Georgia, is also a 5-star talent. 'Bama also boasts commitments from 4-star prospects such as running backย Desherrius Flowers, guardย Dallas Warmackย and safetyย Deionte Thompson.
It's looking like Alabama will sign yet another exceptional recruiting class in 2015.
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