8 College Football Coaches in Dire Need of a Strong 2016 Recruiting Class
The 2015 classes are in the books, and it's time for coaches to put their attention spans on recruiting the premier names of the 2016 class.
While there are programs who consistently do well in recruiting (Alabama, we're looking at you), there are programs in need of a strong recruiting class before next February. A bad 2016 class won't necessarily put a coach on the chopping block, but it doesn't help a coach's cause if high-star recruits aren't landed.
Wins and losses are determined on the field, and coaches play with who they have. But there isn't a coach around who wouldn't want a class loaded with 4-star and 5-star athletes. Here are eight head coaches, listed in alphabetical order, who are hoping to see that star-studded class for 2016.
David Beaty, Kansas
1 of 8
2014 record: 3-9
2015 recruiting team ranking: 72
The David Beaty era is in Lawrence, Kansas, and what better way to show the Jayhawks are for real than for the first-year coach to pull a big-time recruit or two? Kansas has landed only two 4-star commits since 2009—and one of them, running back Traevohn Wrench, is currently playing junior college ball.
Beaty is excited about the future of Kansas football. He has a vision of the program no longer being at the bottom of the Big 12 standings. Currently, the Jayhawks have two 3-star 2016 commits in offensive tackle Antione Frazier and running back Aubrey White.
Biggest uncommitted 2016 offer: 4-star wide receiver Devin Duvernay was offered on May 22, 2014.
Randy Edsall, Maryland
2 of 8
2014 record: 7-6
2015 recruiting team ranking: 48
Maryland had an average 2014 on the field, and its 2015 class included two 4-star players. The Terrapins' 2016 has gotten off to a nice start, but Randy Edsall and his coaching staff are hoping for more elite athletes to build for the future.
The Terrapins have one 4-star pledge so far in outside linebacker Keandre Jones. The program does a good job recruiting the Maryland-Virginia-Washington, D.C., area, and all three of its 2016 pledges are from Maryland.
Biggest uncommitted 2016 offer: 4-star wide receiver Devin Duvernay was offered on Feb. 13, 2015.
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
3 of 8
2014 record: 5-7
2015 recruiting team ranking: 38
The buzz around Michigan is high, and Jim Harbaugh has the campus ready for the season opener. But if there's anything we need to know about Michigan fans, it's that they refuse to tolerate losing. Harbaugh needs 2015 to go well, and he needs the 2016 class to have a few recognizable names.
Michigan's 2015 class only had 14 players, but six of them were 4-star players. The Wolverines have two 2016 commits from the Brady Hoke era in 4-star offensive tackle Erik Swenson and 3-star inside linebacker Dele Harding. Harbaugh was officially introduced as head coach on Dec. 30, and he's still looking for his first 2016 pledge.
Biggest uncommitted 2016 offer: 5-star defensive tackle Rashan Gary was offered on Aug. 1, 2013.
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Tom Herman, Houston
4 of 8
2014 record: 8-5
2015 recruiting team ranking: 90
Tom Herman takes over head coaching duties at Houston, and he walks through the doors each day with the ability to boast about his national championship. The former offensive coordinator at Ohio State is looking to turn Houston's program into a national contender—on the field and in recruiting.
The Cougars are without a commitment for the 2016 class, but there's still time for Herman to turn things around. A strong recruiting class really could set the tone for what Herman's trying to do. He has a huge talent base to choose from in the state of Texas alone.
Biggest uncommitted 2016 offer: 5-star safety Brandon Jones was offered on May 2, 2014.
Derek Mason, Vanderbilt
5 of 8
2014 record: 3-9
2015 recruiting team ranking: 47
Recruiting in the SEC has a reputation of supposedly being easy. It's not—and you can ask Derek Mason about it. Although the program was still a top-50 program nationally, Vanderbilt ranked last in the SEC in recruiting. The Commodores had 18 commits in their 2015 class, including two 4-star pledges.
Vanderbilt is without a 2016 commit so far, but Mason and his staff are on the trail, looking to turn a slow start into a dominant finish. Mason also is hoping to win a couple of recruiting battles against SEC teams.
Biggest uncommitted 2016 offer: 4-star offensive tackle Michael Menet was offered on Sept. 24, 2014.
Jim McElwain, Florida
6 of 8
2014 record: 7-5
2015 recruiting team ranking: 21
Florida had a top-25 class with the help of 5-star signing-day commitments in offensive tackle Martez Ivey and defensive end CeCe Jefferson. First-year coach Jim McElwain won battles and lost battles against Auburn when it came to last-minute recruiting of Florida's 2015 athletes. Landing big-time 2016 athletes—particularly those from the Sunshine State—will be key for McElwain.
McElwain has three 3-star 2016 pledges so far in outside linebacker Vosean Joseph, defensive end Eric Mitchell and wide receiver Rick Wells. McElwain has a great opportunity to re-establish himself as a premier recruiter in the SEC. He was the offensive coordinator at Alabama from 2008-11.
Biggest uncommitted 2016 offer: 5-star defensive end Shavar Manuel.
Chad Morris, SMU
7 of 8
2014 record: 1-11
2015 recruiting team ranking: 80
When you are in the epicenter of a talent hotbed, you're expected to recruit well. SMU is in the heart of Dallas, but former coach June Jones didn't take advantage of getting the talent in the area. New coach Chad Morris is on a mission to turn things around with the program and keep the best players in the Dallas area close to home for college.
The Mustangs finished the 2015 class strong, and they have one 2016 commit so far in 3-star wide receiver Joshua Shelmire. Morris and his staff have been on a tear contacting coaches in the state of Texas, and they're expecting to win a couple of recruiting battles against Power Five schools.
Biggest uncommitted 2016 offer: 4-star safety Deontay Anderson was offered on Dec. 10, 2014.
Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh
8 of 8
2014 record: 6-7
2015 recruiting team ranking: 62
Pittsburgh needs a shot in the arm, and Pat Narduzzi is next up in the Panthers' coaching carousel. The former defensive coordinator at Michigan State comes to Pittsburgh looking to not only steady the program but grab some elite-level prospects from what is expected to be a deep 2016 class.
Currently, Pittsburgh is without a commitment, but the recruiting period is still young. Narduzzi and his staff are out meeting with high school coaches for the good of their program's growth. The Panthers have had seven 4-star players in the last three classes, and they're hoping to overcome a slow start with the 2016s.
Biggest uncommitted 2016 offer: 5-star defensive tackle Rashan Gary was offered on May 15, 2014.
Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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