Power Ranking 10 Best Recruiting Head Coaches After 2014 National Signing Day
With national signing day and the 2014 recruiting class in the books, Alabama's Nick Saban, Ohio State's Urban Meyer and LSU's Les Miles have solidified their spots in the rankings by landing the top three classes in the country.
A number of new coaches also broke into the top 10 by attracting classes that could help to build their programs for years to come.
Click on for a power ranking of the best recruiting head coaches in college football.
Note: All team and recruit rankings based on the 247Sports Composite ratings, unless otherwise noted.
Honorable Mentions
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Steve Sarkisian, USC: 2014 Class Rank: 11
USC head coach Steve Sarkisian cleaned up on the recruiting trail despite just having a few months to work with after taking over in Los Angeles.
Sark pulled in the No. 11 class in the nation, highlighted by 5-star cornerback Adoree' Jackson and 5-star safety John "Juju" Smith—both signing-day additions.
Thanks to an enormous signing day, the Trojans will welcome the best class in the Pac-12.
Dabo Swinney, Clemson: 2014 Class Rank: 18
Clemson boasts some great additions for 2014 that will address several needs going forward.
The Tigers added several talented receivers, as well as the nation's No. 1 dual-threat quarterback, Deshaun Watson. Dabo Swinney already has a good start on 2015 too. Clemson recently accepted a verbal commitment from No. 2 overall prospect, offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt.
Mark Stoops, Kentucky: 2014 Class Rank: 22
Mark Stoops made waves last year when he came in and immediately brought a strong recruiting class to Kentucky that featured several immediate contributors.
This year's class was even better, highlighted by touted quarterback Drew Barker and a head-to-head win over Alabama with the addition of defensive tackle Matt Elam. It isn't easy to draw top recruits to a "basketball school" like UK, but Stoops is making it happen.
Brian Kelly, Notre Dame: 2014 Class Rank: 10
Brian Kelly has done very well recruiting at Notre Dame, notching the No. 5 class in 2013 and the No. 10 group in 2014.
The only reason he isn't higher is because recruiting to one of the most storied programs in college football isn't incredibly impressive. Nonetheless, Kelly is one of the nation's best recruiters.
Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss: 2014 Class Rank: 16
Ole Miss was the talk of 2013 national signing day, as Hugh Freeze's group landed four 5-stars and the No. 8 class, including No. 1 overall prospect Robert Nkemdiche.
This year's class wasn't as impressive, but the Rebels still finished with a very strong class that will help with their rebirth in the SEC.
10. Butch Jones, Tennessee
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When he was hired at Tennessee, Butch Jones seemed like just the coach to bring the Volunteers back to contention in the SEC.
The Vols were decent on the field in 2013 and even notched a monumental upset of South Carolina.
However, Jones has shown the most promise on the recruiting trail.
He pulled an incredible class for 2014, comprised of 33 total commits and 16 4-stars. He brought in nine of the top 11 players in the state of Tennessee.
9. Will Muschamp, Florida
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Florida is always present at near the top of the national recruiting rankings and Will Muschamp has kept that constant—even through a dreadful 2013 season on the field.
UF finished No. 9 in the nation, a class highlighted by 5-star corner Jalen Tabor and 4-star quarterback Will Grier. This class did have two major negatives: the flipping of Ermon Lane and Dalvin Cook to Florida State.
Even with those losses, the job done by Muschamp to sign one of the nation's best classes after one of the program's worst season is remarkable.
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8. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma
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The type of sustained success Bob Stoops has achieved at Oklahoma doesn't come without recruiting.
For Stoops, that's where it all begins.
He has kept the Sooners atop the Big 12 and in national title contention for years, attracting numerous highly touted recruits in the process.
His 2014 class came in at No. 14 nationally and was highlighted by OU's next star running back, 5-star Joe Mixon.
7. Gus Malzahn, Auburn
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Gus Malzahn's first full class at Auburn was a great one.
His first season as the Tigers head coach was incredibly impressive as well, as he won the SEC championship and earned a berth in the national title game.
He followed that up by bringing in two 5-stars: running back Roc Thomas and linebacker Tre' Williams.
Malzahn also brought in several top junior college recruits, including receiver D'haquille Williams and safety Derrick Moncrief, who could contribute immediately.
6. Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M
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How quickly Kevin Sumlin has led Texas A&M to success in the SEC has been nothing short of amazing.
Of course, the play of Johnny Manziel was a major part of that, but Sumlin has been building for the future on the recruiting trail.
A&M boasted the No. 9 class last year, highlighted by 5-star receiver Ricky Seals-Jones and 31 total commitments.
This year's group was even better, coming in at No. 5 nationally. The Aggies landed three of the nation's top 10 recruits: defensive end Myles Garrett, receiver Speedy Noil and quarterback Kyle Allen.
5. Mark Richt, Georgia
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Georgia is always present near the top of the national recruiting rankings, and this year was no different.
Mark Richt's group landed in the top 10 once again and featured three 5-star prospects: defensive end Lorenzo Carter and running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb.
This year, they signed their apparent quarterback of the future, 4-star Jacob Park, who is enrolled early.
Going forward, UGA is bound to have even more success on the recruiting trail. Richt hired defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who is regarded as one of the nation's best recruiting assistants.
4. Jimbo Fisher, Florida State
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There is no mystery as to why Florida State won the national championship: It started on the recruiting trail.
Jimbo Fisher recorded top-10 classes in 2010, 2011 and 2012, including the No. 3 class in the nation and five 5-stars in 2012.
The Seminoles finished 10th in 2013 and fourth in 2014. This year's class was highlighted by 5-star running back Dalvin Cook and 5-star receiver Ermon Lane.
FSU should be poised to reload with its deep 29-man class.
3. Les Miles, LSU
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LSU always recruits well, and Les Miles pulled in one of his best classes ever for 2014.
The Tigers brought in the No. 1 overall recruit, running back Leonard Fournette, as well as three other 5-stars and 12 4-stars.
Miles has a tough task of keeping the rest of the SEC (and the nation) out of his talent-rich state. All things considered, he has done an outstanding job.
LSU also has a great start on the 2015 class, including No. 1 overall recruit Kevin Toliver II and 5-star offensive tackle Maea Teuhema.
2. Urban Meyer, Ohio State
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Urban Meyer was one of the nation's most formidable recruiters while he was at Florida, and he has brought that SEC recruiting prowess to Ohio State.
This year's class was very deep, headlined by 5-star linebacker Raekwon McMillan and 15 4-star prospects.
Meyer has managed to go into SEC country and pull out some of its best prospects, while also cleaning up in the Buckeyes' home turf.
1. Nick Saban, Alabama
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After pulling in the No. 1 class in the nation for a fourth straight year (see: 2011, 2012 and 2013), there is no question that Nick Saban is the best recruiter in college football.
On paper, this might be his best class.
With six 5-stars and 15 4-stars, no other class was close this year. 'Bama brought in three of the top 10 recruits in the nation: offensive tackle Cameron Robinson, cornerback Tony Brown and defensive end Da'Shawn Hand.
It looks like Saban won't slow down anytime soon. The Crimson Tide already boast seven commitments and the No. 2 class for 2015.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
