Most Underrated 2014 College Football Recruiting Classes
Although national signing day was earlier this month, many schools are still feeling like a million bucks about their recruiting classes. However, there are several programs who have a legit reason to gripe about their final recruiting ranking.
Everyone pays attention to the top of the rankings and how many 5-star recruits a class has, but that doesn't always tell the story. One Pac-12 school has several future studs, while a Big Ten program's class deserves to be ranked higher than it is.
Plus, there's an ACC team featuring two of the best players in the country.
Wisconsin
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Wisconsinย has one of the better incoming classes in the Big Ten. Head coach Gary Andersen signed 26 prospects, with three being 4-star recruits.
Jaden Gault, a 4-star recruit, has a chance to emerge as one of the best overall players from the national 2014 class. Athleteย Dareian Watkinsย has excellent versatility, as the 4-star prospect can play nearly anywhere.
Wisconsin's quarterback depth chart will be infused with athleticism by 4-star passerย D.J. Gillins. Meanwhile, 3-star recruits such as guardย George Panos, defensive endย Conor Sheehy, running backย Taiwan Deal, receiverย Krenwick Sanders, defensive endย Billy Hirschfeldย and guardย Michael Deiterย are all underrated.ย
Virginia
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Head coach Mike London may be running out of time atย Virginia, but his 2014 class of 17 players may help him stick around. It starts with 5-star safetyย Quin Blandingย and 5-star defensive tackleย Andrew Brown, who are both expected to play right away.
The Cavaliers also boast a pledge from 4-star athleteย Jamil Kamara, who can play receiver or safety.ย Steven Mossย is a talented 4-star guard, who is among the nation's best at his position, while 3-star quarterbackย Corwin Cutlerย is a future starter.
Also keep an eye on 3-star pass-rusherย Cory Jones.ย
California
3 of 7
Californiaย only won one game in 2013, so recruiting was tough. However, head coach Sonny Dykes signed a better class than many realize. Cal's class consists of 21 commitments.
Erik Brownย is a 4-star receiver who will fit well in the Bears' spread offense, while 3-star outside linebackerย Devante Downsย is a solid player. It's 3-star running backย Tre Watsonย and 3-star linebackerย Chandler Leniuย who areย the two underrated studs in this group, though. Both have 4-star talent.
Dykes also has a gritty 3-star quarterback by the name ofย Luke Rubenzerย coming toย Berkeley, as well as 3-star JUCO cornerbackย Darius White, whoย is 6'1" and should help right away.ย
Maryland
4 of 7
Marylandย head coach Randy Edsall clearly isn't afraid to play freshmen, so look for several players from his 17-man class to make an immediate impact.
The headliner is 5-star offensive tackleย Damian Prince, whose athleticism and ability to get his hat on linebackers make him a good fit for the Terrapins offense. The offensive line will also finally welcome 4-star blockerย Derwin Gray, who can work at guard or tackle, with 3-star JUCO offensive tackle Larry Mazyckย also coming to campus.
The athleticism and strength of 4-star defensive endย Jesse Aniebonamย will be put to use early this fall. Plus, 3-star dual-threat quarterbackย Will Ulmerย has a chance to develop into a good one.ย
Daniel Ezeagwuย is an intriguing 3-star cornerback who is 6'2" and 200 pounds, while 3-star safetyย Josh Woodsย is 6'3".
Northwestern
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With only 15 commitments,ย Northwesternย has a class that is sure to get overlooked in many rankings. However, it consists of several future difference-makers for the Wildcats.
Quarterbackย Clayton Thorsonย is a 4-star prospect who has impressive skills, while 4-star cornerback Parrker Westphalย has the makings of a classic All-Big Ten player at his position.
Garrett Dickersonย will be the subject of an argument between the offensive and defensive coaches, as the 4-star recruit can play tight end or defensive end, with outside linebacker not being out of the question.
Justin Jacksonย is a 4-star running back who has deceptive strength for a scat-back. Plus, 6'6", 265-pound 3-star tight endย Blake Hanceย is an interesting prospect.ย
Arizona
6 of 7
Arizonaย signed a class of 29 commitments, with four being 4-star recruits.
However, one of those 4-star recruits is severely underrated.
Running backย Nick Wilsonย is an outstanding prospect who didn't hear his name mentioned much in top running back discussions.
Cornerbackย Cameron Densonย and linebackersย Marquis Wareย andย Jamardre Cobbย are high-end 4-star prospects, while quarterbackย Brandon Dawkinsย and offensive tackleย Jordan Polandย are raw 3-star players with potential.
Another underrated recruit to watch is solid 3-star defensive tackleย Marcus Griffin.ย
Michigan
7 of 7
Many schools would kill to have the nation's No. 20 recruiting class, but that's not up to standard atย Michigan.
However, Big Blue has a group of recruits that deserves to be ranked higher.
The spotlight shines brightest on 5-star athleteย Jabrill Peppers, but there's a ton of depth in this class.
Chase Winovichย is a 4-star linebacker who has good pass-rush ability, while only consideringย Juwann Bushell-Beattyย a 3-star offensive tackle is insane.
Michael Fernsย is a 4-star linebacker who should emerge as a defensive leader in Ann Arbor, 4-star defensive tackleย Bryan Moneย should play early andย Drake Harrisย andย Freddy Canteenย are talented 4-star receivers.
Clint Brewster of Wolverine 247 said of Bushell-Beatty in February of 2014:
"NFL sized offensive tackle with great range and physicality in the run game, Bushell-Beatty has raw talent with a high level of potential.
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