5 Bold Predictions on How College Football Playoff Will Impact Recruiting
The much-anticipated first edition of the College Football Playoff is finally a reality, and its impact is bound to spread to the recruiting trail between now and national signing day.
Alabama and Florida State—two perennial recruiting powers—made the playoff, and the schools occupy the top two spots in 247Sports' team rankings.
Meanwhile, Oregon and Ohio State are hoping to break through and end the streak of the last five national titles coming from either the state of Alabama or Florida.
What are some potential ripple effects of the upcoming College Football Playoff on the recruiting trail?
5. Baylor/TCU Snub Will Hurt Big 12 Teams
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With Ohio State trumping Baylor and TCU for the No. 4 spot in the playoff, the Big 12 was left out in the cold despite the Horned Frogs being ranked No. 3 heading into the season’s final weekend.
The Big 12 as a whole was already struggling in the 2015 cycle, with only three of its teams currently having a Top 25 class.
The Horned Frogs (No. 31 class) and the Bears (No. 43 class) each would have benefited from a chance to play for a national title.
While both programs have proven to be consistent winners, the missed opportunity in the playoff will cost them a chance to make a significant impact on the recruiting trail in the 2015 cycle.
4. Meyer Poised for Another Run at No. 1
2 of 5Urban Meyer isn’t foreign to the concept of dominating on the recruiting trail.
He built a recruiting juggernaut during his tenure at Florida, and he’s on his way to duplicating that feat in Columbus.
The Buckeyes have gone 36-3 since Meyer took over, and he and his staff have put together a strong 2015 class that currently sits as the nation’s fourth-best class.
Ohio State is still in the mix for talented prospects such as 5-star running back Damien Harris, 4-star defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and 4-star offensive lineman Isaiah Prince.
With the Buckeyes in the mix to compete for a national title, Meyer is poised to make another run for the nation’s top class.
3. FSU/Alabama Will Combine to Land at Least 12 Players Rated as 5-Stars
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The Seminoles and the Tide have each built formidable 2015 classes already, but each roster is likely to benefit from another run at a national title.
The two powers have a combined eight commitments out of the 37 players who have attained the coveted 5-star rating.
Considering that both schools are heavily in the running for a handful of the 14 remaining uncommitted 5-star prospects in the 2015 cycle, that number is sure to swell.
When the dust settles on national signing day, expect the two teams to net at least 12 such players—or roughly one-third of the nation’s top prospects.
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2. Oregon Will Finally Land a Top 10 Class
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Despite Oregon’s rise to national prominence in recent years, their success hasn’t necessarily equated into perennial Top 10 recruiting classes.
In fact, the highest finish the Ducks have had in the last decade was at No. 11 in 2011.
The Ducks' current class ranks No. 18 nationally with 17 commitments.
However, several big fish, including 5-star defensive tackle Rasheem Green and 4-star linebacker John Houston, are among the high-profile recruits who are heavily considering the Ducks.
If Oregon is able to make a run toward its first national title, expect the Ducks to crack the Top 10 of the recruiting rankings.
1. FSU Will Usurp No. 1 Class Ranking from Alabama If It Repeats
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It’s almost fitting that one of Nick Saban’s proteges would rise up to become his biggest competitor for recruiting supremacy.
Jimbo Fisher has gone 58-10 since taking over for Bobby Bowden in 2009. He’s also gotten it done on the recruiting trail, signing Top 10 classes in each of the last five years.
With 247Sports' Ryan Bartow reporting the recent commitment of 5-star defensive end Josh Sweat, Florida State pulled to within 10 points of Alabama in the 247Sports team rankings—and the 'Noles are far from being done.
Should FSU go on to win its second consecutive national title, the floodgates are bound to open with top talent itching to line up in Tallahassee next season, as illustrated by Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports (subscription required).
Even though Alabama is a safe bet to finish up strong in February, FSU has a chance to gain enough momentum to finally end the Tide’s streak of top-rated recruiting classes.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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