5 Powerhouse Programs off to a Slow Start on 2016 Recruiting Trail
It's still too early to push the panic button, but momentum continues to evade several premier college football programs on the 2016 recruiting trail.
As spring seeps into summer, it's a pivotal stretch for coaching staffs to seal the deal with rising high school seniors in an effort to establish strong class foundations for next national signing day. We explored the current recruiting landscape and identified five teams looking to fuel the fire in coming months with much-needed commitments.
Auburn
1 of 5
By the Numbers: Six commitments (one 4-star)
247Sports' Composite Class Ranking: 32nd overall; 10th in SEC
Aside from 4-star in-state cornerback John Broussard, Auburn has stalled in its quest for top-rated talent since last season. The Tigers landed two of the six prospects as underclassmen—South Carolina athlete Stephen Davis Jr. and Georgia tight end Landon Rice—so only four players have joined and stayed in this class since last summer.
Auburn underwent significant coaching changes during the winter, headlined by the hiring of former Florida head coach Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator. Those moves appeared to pay off last signing day, when coveted Sunshine State defenders Jeffery Holland and Byron Cowart committed to the Tigers.
We've heard several Tigers targets express excitement about Muschamp and new defensive secondary coach Travaris Robinson. Expect those sentiments to result in another successful signing day despite a less-than-stellar start.
"They always move the ball offensively, so it was important for them to bring in some coaches to make things happen on defense," top uncommitted Florida cornerback Trayvon Mullen told Bleacher Report. "They're going to do big things at Auburn because that's exactly what the team needed. I feel like they can win a national championship in these next couple years."
The Tigers could receive a significant boost as early as next week. Auburn is considered a strong favorite for 4-star quarterback Ervin Barrett, who announces his collegiate intentions June 3.
Texas
2 of 5
By the Numbers: Five commitments (three 4-stars)
247Sports' Composite Class Ranking: 37th overall; fourth in Big 12
It may not seem like it, but Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong is already assembling his third recruiting class in Austin. His staff enjoyed some nice moments leading up to last signing day, settling in at No. 10 in final 2015 composite class rankings.
Texas legacy Collin Johnson, a 4-star wide receiver from California, committed last spring as a sophomore. He was joined by 4-star Texas quarterback Shane Buechele a few months ago, forming a promising potential duo in a passing attack that has sputtered.
Buechele is one of just two 2016 prospects to pledge to the Longhorns since January, along with 3-star offensive lineman Tope Imade. Texas whiffed on a pair of prized targets last week when top-rated in-state defensive tackles Ed Oliver and Jordan Elliott pledged to Houston.
Texas will undoubtedly continue to pursue the duo through next season in an attempt to reverse decisions that took some by surprise. It's imperative for the Longhorns to grow more formidable on both sides of the trenches.
Former Oklahoma offensive tackle Jean Delance is worth watching as things progress.
"I'm really going for him because we need that dominant lineman for our class," Buechele told B/R's Damon Sayles. "He's a beast in the trenches, and the dude can play, no doubt. I want him protecting me."
Strong has landed just two linemen with composite ratings higher than three stars since his arrival. That needs to change in order for Texas to make serious strides on the national landscape.
Missouri
3 of 5
By the Numbers: Two commitments
247Sports' Composite Class Ranking: 87th overall; 14th in SEC
Missouri is the only team to appear in the SEC Championship Game during each of the past two seasons. Still, a 23-5 stretch during that span hasn't been enough to create a strong start on the 2016 recruiting trail.
The Tigers' longest-standing commitment only dates back to April 19. Louisiana athlete Caron Baham joined in-state offensive lineman Trystan Castillo in the class earlier this month.
Neither pledge is considered a top-60 prospect at their respective position in composite rankings. Missouri landed a class catalyst fairly early in the 2015 recruiting cycle in quarterback Drew Lock and capped things off on signing day with a pledge from 5-star defensive lineman Terry Beckner.
The Tigers must secure some cornerstone members for this class who are capable of both bolstering the group themselves and emerging as key recruiters who can chase down other top talents. Missouri landed a top-25 class last signing day but currently sits last among SEC squads in recruiting rankings.
Head coach Gary Pinkel has been at the helm since 2001, is the program's all-time wins leader and oversaw Missouri's jump into a new conference. Given his track record, the Tigers are likely to surge in class rankings sooner rather than later.
Until that happens, it's a frustrating cycle.
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Wisconsin
4 of 5
By the Numbers: Four commitments (one 4-star)
247Sports' Composite Class Ranking: 60th overall; 10th in Big Ten
The premier prospect in head coach Paul Chryst's 2016 recruiting class—running back Antonio Williams—is a holdover from the previous Badgers regime. The 4-star North Carolina rusher remains steady in his commitment to Wisconsin, though Alabama, Auburn and Georgia are among programs posing a threat to that stability.
Wisconsin suffered a commitment drought that lasted more than three months following the arrival of Chryst. The Badgers collected three pledges earlier this spring, though none rate among the top 40 players at their respective position in composite rankings.
Quarterback Kare' Lyles, a Badgers legacy, became the first commitment for a new coaching staff in March. Wisconsin was his only FBS offer, and he felt strongly enough about Chryst to quickly make a decision.
"He's the kind of guy you can trust and someone who motivates you to work hard," Lyles told Bleacher Report.
Chryst previously served on the Badgers staff when Russell Wilson took snaps at quarterback. His familiarity with the team's recruiting terrain should help, but things are moving slowly for Wisconsin at the moment.
Top in-state recruit Ben Bredeson, a 5-star offensive lineman, and 4-star Missouri running back A.J. Taylor are targets who could help push the program toward a strong national signing day.
South Carolina
5 of 5
By the Numbers: Four commitments (one 4-star)
247Sports' Composite Class Ranking: 47th overall; 12th in SEC
You have to wonder whether the uncertainty swirling around head coach Steve Spurrier's longevity is resulting in second-guessing for recruits. Athletes looking to chart out college careers that could last through the 2020 season may not feel comfortable hitching their wagon to a coaching staff that may not be around much longer.
“Give me two or three more (years),” Spurrier told The State (via The Big Spur) last December. “I used to say four or five, now I’m down to two or three."
It seemed to be an honest message from a legendary coach and Heisman Trophy winner who has earned the right to step away from college football whenever he wants. However, it obviously impacts the program's ability to sell long-term consistency to high school players.
Spurrier backed off his "two or three more" comments last winter, but retirement speculation won't subside for the 70-year-old Gamecocks leader. It's essentially bulletin board material for rival coaches looking to win head-to-head recruiting battles.
South Carolina holds just two commitments since December, when 4-star Pennsylvania quarterback Brandon McIlwain became the team's lone 4-star pledge. The Gamecocks signed top-20 classes during each of the past five cycles, but that streak seems to be in serious jeopardy based on early 2016 recruiting results.
Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.
Recruit and class ratings courtesy of 247Sports.
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