College Football's 10 Burning Offseason Recruiting Questions
A long road lies between now and next national signing day. It's an unpredictable path that could ultimately determine the success of prospects and college programs for years to come.
Every recruiting cycle features unforeseen twists and turns, reshaping our expectations along the way. This latest pursuit of top talent presents plenty of compelling storylines as the clock steadily ticks toward crucial decisions.
Here's a look at 10 key questions we'll be monitoring in the months ahead.
How Will Urban Meyer Capitalize on His Third National Championship?
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Urban Meyer has captured the attention of yet another generation of recruits with his success at Ohio State. He is now 38-3 through three seasons in Columbus, suffering just one loss against a conference opponent during that span.
Naturally, the Buckeyes' recruiting efforts have been enhanced by big win totals. Ohio State has secured a top-10 class each year since Meyer arrived, finishing first in Big Ten rankings every signing day.
Now, for the first time at Ohio State, he's hitting the recruiting trail as a reigning national champion.
"The door's open. You move to the front of the line," Meyer said during a post-championship press conference. "There's just so much going on in our program right now on the positive side, and it's not theory, it's testimony."
That testimony quickly warranted consideration from some of the team's top targets.
Kareem Walker, the country's top-ranked running back, announced his commitment during the national title game. The 5-star playmaker headlines a 2016 class that also includes five 4-star pledges.
Despite highly publicized depth at the position, Ohio State remains a serious contender for several elite quarterback prospects. The list includes Dwayne Haskins, Xavier Gaines and Jarrett Guarantano.
Meyer is perennially one of the smoothest recruiters in college football, but he'll carry even more clout this cycle by flashing that shiny, new ring.
Will USC or UCLA Gain More Momentum in Crosstown Showdown?
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Both the Bruins and Trojans finished on fire last signing day, rising in national rankings. USC finished second overall, while UCLA landed at 12th.
Each program provided evidence of its reach beyond the West Coast, as the coaching staffs emphatically confirmed "national brand" status.
UCLA claimed last-minute commitments from 5-star Texas running back Soso Jamabo, coveted Connecticut tight end Chris Clark and Oklahoma offensive guard Josh Wariboko. Those late additions augmented a class that already included top-rated quarterback Josh Rosen and 5-star Southern California defensive end Keisean Lucier-South.
USC also flexed its recruiting muscles beyond the region, landing elite talents in Texas running back Ronald Jones, Georgia offensive lineman Chuma Edoga, and Utah linebackers Porter Gustin and Osa Masina. The Trojans' final push toward signing day also featured key local pickups from top-tier defenders Rasheem Green, John Houston and Iman Marshall.
“We signed a quality group of guys that addresses each position group," Steve Sarkisian told Garry Paskwietz of ESPN.com. "We had an emphasis on size and speed, and I think you really see the size part on defense. This is a class that’s going to win a lot of football games at USC and represent the university well.”
Sarkisian and Jim Mora should each be feeling rather confident in their respective recruiting tactics moving forward. The rival Pac-12 programs only have five combined commitments at this time, so there is still plenty up for grabs as both teams tussle for an edge in momentum.
Los Angeles defensive end Breland Brandt, a 5-star recruit, represents the foundation of UCLA's 2016 haul, while elite Michigan linebacker Daelin Hayes headlines this USC class.
Can Miami Sustain Its Hot Start?
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The numbers are pretty overwhelming for Hurricanes fans at this point.
Miami holds 18 commitments in its 2016 recruiting class; eight more than any other FBS program. The group features a nation-best nine 4-star prospects and is made up entirely of in-state athletes.
The Hurricanes currently sit atop national recruiting rankings despite finishing with a sub-.500 record last season.
Following an early flurry of fortune, many remain skeptical about Miami's ability to make it last. Head coach Al Golden (and his 16-16 record against ACC opponents) is the primary cause for concern.
Golden's "hot seat" is a national storyline entering the 2015 season, and we've seen what on-field struggles can do to a once-promising class.
New regimes inherited deteriorated recruiting situations this winter at Michigan and Florida, the result of ugly final stretches for head coaches moving toward the exit door.
A group that includes top talents like wide receiver Sam Bruce, linebacker Shaquille Quarterman and quarterback Jack Allison could look quite different if Golden fails to restore confidence in Coral Gables.
"It's great to stake claim to the state, particularly the Miami kids," 247Sports Director of Scouting Barton Simmons said. "It's definitely a huge number by any standard. My question is, are they getting the right guys? For the most part they are. But it's going to be a battle to keep all these guys in the fold."
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Is Michigan Ready to Rebound with Jim Harbaugh at the Helm?
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Jim Harbaugh took over a historic college football juggernaut in late December, left with limited time to find the remedy for a broken recruiting class. He pieced together a respectable collection of talent, boosted by commitment flips from quarterback Zach Gentry (Texas), running back Karan Higdon (Iowa) and wide receiver Grant Perry (Northwestern).
Still, he suffered some stinging signing day misses and wrapped up the 2015 cycle on a relative quiet note.
"Did I just go right into it and pick up where I left off back when I coached at Stanford? No, I didn't," Harbaugh told Dan Murphy of 247Sports. "I picked up two days after an NFL season and had to familiarize [myself] with who the players are. I hadn't spent the whole fall evaluating tape."
The Wolverines fanbase will be substantially more invested in his success en route to next February.
Harbaugh has more than a full year to work his magic on a 2016 class filled with players who grew up watching him mentor Andrew Luck at Stanford and lead the San Francisco 49ers to three straight conference championship games.
Prospect intrigue is heavy, but concrete results have been difficult to identify so far.
Michigan holds two commitments in its 2016 class, though both pledged to the program during Brady Hoke's tenure. Improvements on the field would surely go a long way toward creating recruiting strides, but the pressure is on Harbaugh to begin assembling an impressive prospect haul heading into summer break.
How Will the Quarterback Market Develop?
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Elite quarterback prospects often end up entrenched as catalysts for entire recruiting classes. Though several marquee players at the position have already pledged to programs, past experiences prove things can change in a hurry.
Just take a look at last year.
Ricky Town was committed to USC. Blake Barnett was headed to Notre Dame. Bradon Wimbush had his sights set on Penn State.
Each of those Elite 11 finalists ultimately ended up signing elsewhere. Expect some similar surprises in this cycle.
The trio of composite 5-star passers—Shea Patterson, Malik Henry and Jacob Eason—have each announced commitments. In Eason's case, the top-rated quarterback must maintain a tight relationship with Georgia's coaching staff while living in Washington.
Ohio State has several quarterbacks in its cross-hairs, but will the Buckeyes be able to lure any of them to campus considering the presence of six scholarship players at the position? The situation could open the door for Big Ten opponents like Michigan, Maryland and Rutgers to take advantage with crucial commitments behind center.
Several premier programs—notably LSU, Florida and Texas—will likely take a hard look at landing two quarterbacks in this class.
With coveted talents like Jawon Pass, Dwayne Haskins and K.J. Costello still undecided, the dominoes have barely begun to fall.
Can Auburn Keep Reaping the Benefits of Defensive Staff Additions?
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Florida fans couldn't be too pleased to see former Gators head coach Will Mushchamp spur Auburn's recruiting efforts during the final stretch toward last signing day. Less than three months after his dismissal was announced, he helped the Tigers poach pivotal prospects away from the Sunshine State.
The group included dominant defenders Byron Cowart and Jeffery Holland, who each sat near the top of Florida's "wish list." He also played a role in winning last-minute showdowns with the Gators for offensive playmakers Javarius Davis, Ryan Davis and Mike Horton.
Muschamp was aided by former Florida defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson, who followed him to Auburn. The duo made an immediate impact in recruiting efforts and have many anticipating a defensive turnaround for the Tigers in 2015.
"When Coach Muschamp and T-Rob went back to Auburn, that was a big deal right there," Holland told Kevin Scarbinsky of AL.com.
Their mission to improve things on that side of the ball extends into the 2016 recruiting class. Auburn continues to emerge as an attractive destination for Florida defenders like IMG Academy safety Spencer Perry.
"I truly believe Muschamp is one of the few defensive masterminds in college football," Perry told Bleacher Report after receiving an Auburn offer in late February. "He's a genius on that side of the ball and understands how to put his players in position to dominate. It's the kind of defense you want to be a part of in the next few years."
"T-Rob can relate well with anybody, and he's the kind of coach who tells you things how they really are—not just what you want to hear," Perry added.
Auburn athletic department should be elated about early returns from high-profile coaching staff investments.
Will Loaded IMG Academy Class Look to Stick Together in College?
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IMG Academy has quickly emerged as one of the country's foremost football powerhouses. The boarding school, located in Bradenton, Florida, boasts arguably (or, perhaps, inarguably) America's most impressive 2016 class.
It's a group that includes 5-star prospects at quarterback (Malik Henry), cornerback (Saivion Smith) and defensive end (Shavar Manuel). The collection of standout juniors boasts seven of the top 22 Florida prospects in 247Sports' composite rankings.
This sets the stage for several possible "package deals" in recruiting.
We've already seen Henry pair up with teammate and top-rated tight end Isaac Nauta in Florida State's class, while Manuel is widely expected to join them at some point. Smith, who committed to LSU in late February, spent his most recent visit to Baton Rouge with fellow IMG defensive back Khalil Ladler.
The class also includes fast-rising safety Spencer Perry, Ohio State offensive lineman commit Tyler Gerald and Clemson wide receiver pledge Tavares Chase.
IMG may have lost a high-profile head coach in Chris Weinke, who left to accept an assistant NFL coach position with St. Louis, but the program certainly still has plenty of luster.
Was Strong Signing Day a Glimpse of Good Things to Come for Gators?
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A late surge salvaged a once-grim situation for the 2015 Gators class, as Florida rose 45 spots in national recruiting rankings during the final five days. The team's jump from 66th to 21st was largely fueled by a pair of 5-star pledges on signing day.
Defensive end CeCe Jefferson and offensive tackle Martez Ivey each chose the Gators over alternative SEC options, providing a big boost for Jim McElwain's signing day debut in Gainesville.
"It don’t get much better than that," Jefferson told Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel. "I feel like I’m the No. 1 defensive end and I know he’s the No. 1 offensive tackle. So us going head-to-head in practice, once game time comes it’s going to feel easy."
McElwain also secured late commitments from key offensive acquisitions D'Anfernee McGriff, Antonio Callaway and Jordan Scarlett. Each member of that trio represented an in-state recruiting victory.
"The momentum that we gained has been fantastic," McElwain told reporters during his signing day press conference. "I think that we answered some things from all kinds of corners of the state and that’s a good thing."
Now expectations are in place for continued traction among 2016 recruiting targets. Still, many prospects may adopt a wait-and-see approach to watch how McElwain fares in his first season at the helm.
Will Texas Teams Continue Their Rise in Recruiting Rankings?
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The recruiting success of Texas and Texas A&M has been well documented, but a pair of fellow Lone Star State programs seem poised to take things to another level during this cycle.
Baylor and TCU—both coming off outstanding seasons that nearly netted playoff berths—are each featured among the top dozen teams in composite 2016 class rankings. The Horned Frogs sit at No. 6, while the Bears are 12th on that list.
TCU holds five 4-star commitments, including the compelling potential quarterback-wide receiver duo of Brennen Wooten and Courtney Lark. The Horned Frogs have stayed in-state for all eight pledges.
Baylor has also concentrated its efforts on homegrown talent, with five Texas products on board. The Bears suffered a blow when record-setting receiver Tren'Davian Dickson (39 touchdown receptions last fall) decommitted, but a solid foundation remains in place with 5-star offensive tackle Patrick Hudson serving as the centerpiece.
Art Briles and Gary Patterson will surely deal with poaching efforts from more established in-state squads, but another quality campaign on both campuses should go a long way toward protecting their early gains. It seems the top high school football talent in Texas may spread further than ever before.
Will Alabama Finally Surrender Its National Recruiting Crown?
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Alabama may be a couple years removed from its most recent national title, but Nick Saban hasn't slowed down one bit on the recruiting trail.
His Crimson Tide have now secured five consecutive top-rated classes in composite rankings. The streak extends all the way back to when this current crop of prospects was in sixth grade.
Could this be the cycle that finally sees someone surpass Saban on signing day?
USC charged hard in 2015 and should be in the mix again now that severe scholarship sanctions are no longer a hindrance. Ohio State and Florida State are contenders to capitalize on recent success and have already established outstanding core components in their respective classes.
SEC rivals Ole Miss and LSU are also off to strong starts, boasting top-five recruiting hauls.
We anticipate another star-studded class in Tuscaloosa but Alabama is operating at an uncharacteristic pace to this point. The team holds just four commitments, though that group features 5-star cornerback Shyheim Carter and top-rated "athlete" Demetris Robertson.
Saban's ability to fight off other programs atop the recruiting spectrum will ultimately depend on his ability to again reel off a series of top-tier pledges that push the team beyond reach. That battle starts in Alabama, where 5-star defenders Lyndell Wilson, Marlon Davidson and Ben Davis, a Tide Legacy, remain uncommitted.
Toppling the Tide will be no easy task.
Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report national recruiting analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.
Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.
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