Regrading Top 10 2014 College Football Recruiting Classes
We tend to focus on the future while examining college football's recruiting spectrum, but we can learn plenty from past classes. National signing day hauls that once dazzled or underwhelmed are ultimately judged by the impact they make on the program, which requires a few years to discover.
The top 2014 recruiting classes haven't yet revealed their true identities and will be the subject of studies down the line as young players step up (or don't). However, we're ready to provide our take on early returns from that cycle based on how things have developed during the past 12 months.
Here's a look at the top 10 classes of 2014, based on 247Sports' composite rankings and our assessment. We handed out grades—which are bound to change by the end of next season—based on immediate impact and potential.
10. USC
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Top of the Class
5-star athlete Adoree' Jackson: The local prospect picked the Trojans on signing day 2014, helping spur a late surge for Steve Sarkisian's first USC class. He immediately lived up to the "athlete" label, contributing at cornerback (49 tackles, 10 passes broken up), wide receiver (three touchdown catches) and kick returner (29.7 yards per average, two scores).
5-star wide receiver JuJu Smith: He was another Southern California product who waited until signing day to announce his intentions. Smith finished second on the team with 54 receptions for 724 yards and five touchdowns. His duties also extended to special teams, where he registered 11 kickoff returns.
4-star offensive guard Toa Lobendahn: The 6'3", 280-pound early enrollee displayed versatility along the offensive front. He entered the season lined up at left guard but shifted to left tackle when an injury required some shuffling by the USC staff. The team thinks highly of him, and Lobendahn is now entrenched as a Trojans starter.
Grade: A
This group may not prove to be as instrumental to USC's quest for sustained success as a star-studded 2015 class that nearly finished atop national rankings, but it provided immediate foundational players for Sarkisian. Jackson, Smith and promising starting offensive guard Damien Mama didn't commit to the Trojans until signing day, but they made the wait worth it.
9. Florida
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Top of the Class
4-star quarterback Treon Harris: The former Florida State commit was called upon when the curtain finally closed on a once-promising career for Jeff Driskel. Harris saw action in nine games, starting the final six. He completed just 50 percent of his passes but accounted for 12 total touchdowns and just four interceptions.
5-star cornerback Jalen Tabor: He started five games, leading Florida's freshmen with 31 tackles. His starting debut against Tennessee featured a forced fumble, five tackles and a sack. Tabor earned SEC All-Freshman honors.
4-star cornerback Quincy Wilson: He appeared in every contest and notched two starts at cornerback. Wilson tallied four tackles in three separate games, including a bowl matchup against East Carolina. His first career interception came against Florida State.
Grade: D
Notable season-ending injuries (4-star defenders J.C. Jackson and Thomas Holley) and the dismissal of elite Louisiana defensive tackle Gerald Willis helped derail this class during its first year. Additions on offense failed to effectively increase the attack, ultimately contributing toward a continued tailspin for Will Mushcamp en route to his firing.
How things turn out at quarterback will be a tipping point for this class, especially after Florida failed to land a passer in the 2015 cycle. Harris showed flashes off star quality as a true freshman, but there's a long way to go in his maturation process, and fellow 2014 signee Will Grier will push him for playing time this spring.
8. Georgia
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Top of the Class
5-star defensive end Lorenzo Carter: He was the Peach State's top-rated prospect and proved worthy of the hype during his first fall in Athens. Carter finished third on the team with 4.5 sacks, tallying 41 total tackles and 18 quarterback hurries. The 6'6", 237-pound defender has the making of an elite pass-rusher in the SEC.
5-star running back Nick Chubb: Todd Gurley was supposed to be a Heisman candidate in 2014, but it was a newcomer who stole the show on offense. Chubb averaged 7.1 yards per carry en route to 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding another 213 yards and two scores through the air. He punctuated the campaign with 266 yards and two touchdowns in a Belk Bowl victory.
5-star running back Sony Michel: He only appeared in eight contests but made the most of limited opportunities. Highlighted by a 155-yard, three-score game against Troy, Michel averaged 6.1 yards per carry. He compiled 516 offensive yards and six touchdowns.
Grade: A+
When you hit home runs on a trio of 5-star prospects, it sets the stage for a strong class. Carter has All-American potential on the defensive line, while Chubb and Michel give Georgia a dominant backfield duo.
These headliners are just the tip of the iceberg, as several Bulldogs newcomers looked promising last season. Look for tight end Jeb Blazevich (14.9 yards per catch, two touchdowns in 2014) to develop into another reliable offensive threat.
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7. Tennessee
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Top of the Class
4-star running back Jalen Hurd: Butch Jones claimed a key recruiting win when he kept the in-state standout home. Hurd led Tennessee with 899 rushing yards and added 221 receiving yards. He rumbled for 100 yards in four games and scored seven total touchdowns.
3-star offensive guard Jashon Robertson: He flipped to the Volunteers from Vanderbilt when James Franklin left for Penn State. Robertson seized a starting role on opening day and arguably emerged as the most consistent blocker on an up-and-down offensive line. His efforts landed him a Freshman All-American nod from ESPN.
4-star defensive end Derek Barnett: Barnett was a beast in 2014, bullying opponents on his way to consensus Freshman All-American honors. He led Tennessee with 20.5 tackles for loss and recorded 10 sacks while making 10 starts. His 72 total tackles placed him fifth on the team's stat sheet.
Grade: A-
Tennessee seemingly turned a corner in 2014, and this freshman class played a pivotal role. More was expected from a passing attack loaded with new talent at receiver, but things seemed to click there during latter stages of the season. If this group continues to progress, expect the Volunteers to vault into SEC East title contention.
6. Auburn
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Top of the Class
5-star D'haquille Williams: He was the top overall 2014 junior college and didn't waste time validating that ranking. Williams racked up a team-high 730 receiving yards and five touchdown catches in just 10 games. He led Auburn in targets with 7.2 per game and is among the top NFL wide receiver prospects after opting to return to campus for his senior season.
4-star offensive lineman Braden Smith: His play warranted Freshman All-SEC honors. Smith, viewed as one of the strongest linemen in the class, played in 11 games and brought a strong dynamic to the offense as a blocking tight end. The 6'6", 299-pound athlete presents major upside up front for Auburn.
4-star defensive end DaVonte Lambert: The Georgia Military Academy product was limited to 11 games due to a season-ending knee injury. However, he started nine straight games before that setback. Lambert tied for the team lead with 3.5 sacks and recorded 24 tackles.
Grade: B-
True freshmen didn't make a major impact across the lineup in 2014, as JUCO products Williams and Lambert led the charge in this class. Their FBS shelf life is limited, but you can expect young players like Smith and running back Roc Thomas to claim larger roles moving forward.
5. Texas A&M
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Top of the Class
5-star quarterback Kyle Allen: The country's top-ranked 2016 passer replaced Kenny Hill as the starter in 2014. He made steady progress, leading up to a career-best performance against West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl (294 passing yards and five total touchdowns). Allen completed 62 percent of throws for 16 scores in nine appearances.
5-star defensive end Myles Garrett: The dominant 6'5", 255-pound pass-rusher didn't waste any time making an impact in the SEC. He set a conference freshman record with 11 sacks, shattering the previous mark held by top 2014 NFL draft pick Jadeveon Clowney (eight). Garrett collected 53 tackles, including 14 for loss.
5-star wide receiver Speedy Noil: He warranted immediate attention in College Station, leading the team in all-purpose yardage. Noil thrived as a kick returner and caught 46 passes for 583 yards and five scores. Several of his receptions landed on the highlight reel.
Grade: A+
Texas A&M reloaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball. It's still early, but each member of this 5-star trio appears capable of developing into a first-round NFL draft selection. Garrett is already a man among boys, while Allen and Noil should grow well together in the downfield attack.
4. Florida State
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Top of the Class
5-star running back Dalvin Cook: The former Florida Gators pledge picked up a team-high 1,008 yards on the ground. He also contributed as a receiver, catching 22 passes for 203 yards. Cook's freshman campaign will partially be remembered for two fumbles against Oregon in the playoffs, but eight rushing touchdowns help the team survive serious regular-season tests.
4-star wide receiver Travis Rudolph: He did an excellent job of supplementing the Seminoles' veteran pass targets. Rudolph finished fourth on the team with 38 receptions for 555 yards and four scores. He pulled in at least five passes in four of the final nine games.
5-star wide receiver Ermon Lane: He didn't make as much of an impact as Rudolph in 2014 but recorded multi-catch games in four of his last five freshman contests. He averaged 20.5 yards per reception and figures to take on a much larger role in the receiver rotation next fall.
Grade: B
Florida State didn't receive as much immediate help on defense from this class, putting pressure on the group to rise up on that side of the ball in its second collegiate campaign. Cook, Rudolph and Lane will be counted on to help ease the transition to a new starting quarterback in Tallahassee.
3. Ohio State
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Top of the Class
5-star linebacker Raekwon McMillan: Urban Meyer reached into Georgia for this elite defensive talent. After arriving on campus early, he came through with 54 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception. He looks like the future leader of a fearsome Buckeyes defense.
4-star athlete Curtis Samuel: He tallied 724 all-purpose yards, appearing in all but one contest. Samuel served as a kick returner and finished third on the team in rushing, averaging 6.6 yards per carry en route to 383 yards and six scores.
4-star offensive tackle Jamarco Jones: Fortunately for Ohio State, his services weren't required on a full-time basis in 2014. The 6'4", 306-pound blocker gained valuable experience on the two-deep and supplied support in a reserve role. Look for him to fight for a multiyear starting role in Columbus.
Grade: B
Of all the grades on this list, this one feels like it deserves an "incomplete" the most. Ohio State didn't have much need for many true freshmen during its title run, displaying remarkable depth at multiple positions. This grade could shoot up or down, depending on how the 2014 signees handle expanded roles when their opportunities arrive.
2. LSU
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Top of the Class
5-star running back Leonard Fournette: Few rushers have leaped onto the college football landscape facing higher expectations than the top overall 2014 recruit. Fournette struck the "Heisman pose" after a short touchdown in September, and the trophy may be within his reach if he stays healthy. His freshman season featured a team-best 1,786 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns.
4-star quarterback Brandon Harris: We still have a lot to learn about the 6'3", 188-pound passer after limited action in 2014. Harris completed 56 percent of his passes, throwing six touchdowns and a pair of picks. LSU rated last among SEC squads in passing yards, so it's imperative that Harris continues to progress.
5-star safety Jamal Adams: He was considered a top-tier defensive back during his recruitment and performed like one as a freshman. Adams finished sixth on the team with 66 tackles and added a sack. Strides in pass coverage as sophomore could place him among the SEC's finest secondary defenders.
Grade: C+
Fournette was the force we all expected, but shortcomings in the passing game cause you to question the projection of key members in this class. Top receiver signees Malachi Dupre and Trey Quinn combined for just 31 total receptions and five touchdowns. That lack of production can be directly correlated to struggles at quarterback, where Harris failed to seize full-time starting duties.
1. Alabama
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Top of the Class
5-star offensive tackle Cam Robinson: He solidified the Crimson Tide's top-ranked 2014 recruiting class by choosing Alabama over home-state LSU. The 6'6", 323-pound lineman spent his freshman season locked in at left tackle for first-year offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. Robinson started every game, anchoring a line that allowed just 16 sacks.
3-star punter JK Scott: A punter? Yep, a punter who became a Ray Guy Award finalist and Sporting News All-American. Scott set the stage for Alabama's defense, averaging 48 yards per attempt. He pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line 31 times, an asset that shouldn't be overlooked.
4-star defensive end D.J. Pettway: After a JUCO stint, Pettway returned to the program in 2014. He signed with the Tide over several SEC options. He served a key role in the pass-rush rotation, securing 23 tackles, two sacks and three pass breakups.
Grade: B
This is another roster with logjams of talent across the lineup. Look for this class to make its mark in the coming years, particularly on a defensive that welcomed four 5-stars to campus last year. As usual, Saban is set up well for future title contention. The grade is a "B" because we're surprised none of those defensive standouts secured full-time roles during the course of their freshman campaigns.
Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.
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