Every Undefeated College Football Team's Top Commit and Biggest Recruiting Need
In both the AP Top 25 and the Coaches Poll, 14 of the 25 ranked teams are still undefeated as the season creeps closer to the month of November.
While it may pose a potential problem later in choosing the final four for the College Football Playoff, the goose egg on the end of the records of these teams can be silent recruiting tools for future targets. You can bet that many athletes are looking at today's records and predicting equal success—if not more success—when it's their turn to put on a college uniform.
All 14 undefeated teams currently have decent recruiting classes for 2016. Here's a look at which undefeated team is doing what. The teams are listed in order of their AP Top 25 ranking.
Ohio State Buckeyes
1 of 14
2015 record: 7-0
Poll rankings: No. 1 (AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 19
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 1
Top commit: 5-star DE Nick Bosa
At 6'4" and 265 pounds, Nick Bosa is a phenomenal athlete—much like his older brother Joey, who already is shining at Ohio State. Nick, the nation's top-ranked strong-side linebacker in the 2016 class, should see quality minutes as a freshman because of his advanced characteristics on the football field.
Recruiting need: Safeties
Of Ohio State's 19 pledges, only two—4-star Wayne Davis and 3-star Kareem Felder—have committed to play in the secondary. The Buckeyes could use a safety or two to add to an already-solid defensive package. Ohio State can solve this problem by landing either 5-star Brandon Jones or 4-star Nigel Warrior come national signing day.
Baylor Bears
2 of 14
2015 record: 6-0
Poll rankings: No. 2 (AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 15
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 22
Top commit: 5-star OT Patrick Hudson
A player like Patrick Hudson can help Baylor immediately, particularly with four of the five starting offensive lineman finishing their eligibility this season. Hudson is an impressive athlete at 6'6" and 325 pounds, and his pad level and overall IQ makes him a candidate to play either guard or tackle effectively.
Recruiting need: Defensive linemen
With an offense as fast as Baylor's, defensive depth is a must-have. The Bears have players in the trenches, but having a handful of defensive tackles and defensive ends is never a bad thing. Baylor is hoping to land players like 4-star defensive end Brandon Bowen and 3-star defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike.
Utah Utes
3 of 14
2015 record: 6-0
Poll rankings: No. 3 (AP Top 25) and No. 7 (Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 24
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 35
Top commit: 3-star WR Alec Dana
Considered one of the nation's top junior college wide receivers, Alec Dana can be a valuable asset for Utah sooner than later. He already has college experience at Chaffey College, and at 6'3" and 190 pounds, he is a big receiver who can win battles against smaller defenders in the Pac-12.
Recruiting need: Linebackers
Nearly a third of Utah's roster consists of junior college players, which means the team will have some experience of playing college ball. What the team needs, however, are a few linebacker commits to help control the middle of the defense. It the Utes continue to play well, landing a guy like hybrid athlete Maxs Tupai or junior college linebacker A.J. Hotchkins is a possibility.
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TCU Horned Frogs
4 of 14
2015 record: 7-0
Poll rankings: No. 4 (AP Top 25) and No. 3 (Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 16
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 18
Top commit: 4-star DE Isaiah Chambers
Playing for a national championship is something Isaiah Chambers sees TCU doing in the very near future. Look for him to be an asset to the defensive line. The 6'4", 260-pound athlete is quick on his feet and menacing when he gets his hands on a quarterback or running back.
Recruiting need: Cornerbacks
TCU has a few players committed as athletes, but none are expected to play cornerback at the next level. With only KeShawn Somerville committed as a true corner, the Horned Frogs are hoping to land a couple of talented athletes that can fill that void. Eric Cuffee, Kristian Fulton and Trayvon Mullen are three cornerbacks to keep an eye on from now until February.
LSU Tigers
5 of 14
2015 record: 6-0
Poll rankings: No. 5 (AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 2
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 19
Top commit: 5-star CB Saivion Smith
LSU likes to call itself "DBU," and landing a player of Saivion Smith's caliber supports that argument. Smith is a physical defender with shutdown capabilities. His overall play and level of confidence fits in well with LSU's defensive philosophy.
Recruiting need: Offensive line
LSU likes to run the football, and to do that, it'll need quality offensive linemen. The Tigers have 4-star guard Donavaughn Campbell and 3-star tackle Jakori Savage committed, but adding a player like 5-star Greg Little, the nation's top-ranked tackle, may not only solidify the class but also give LSU the top spot in the recruiting team rankings.
Clemson Tigers
6 of 14
2015 record: 6-0
Poll rankings: No. 6 (AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 11
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 23
Top commit: 5-star RB Tavien Feaster
As the nation's top-ranked all-purpose back, Tavien Feaster can be a dangerous weapon for Clemson, whether he's running the football, catching passes out the backfield or lined up in the flat as a receiver. He has power and speed, but his explosiveness and change of direction may be his strongest assets.
Recruiting need: Secondary
There's still some time to make moves, but Clemson is in need of landing a few players at both the cornerback and safety positions. Currently, the Tigers are without a pledge at either spot. The 4-star combination of cornerback Trayvon Mullen and safety Nigel Warrior would be huge gets for Dabo Swinney and Co.
Michigan State Spartans
7 of 14
2015 record: 7-0
Poll rankings: No. 7 (AP Top 25) and No. 4 (Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 20
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 11
Top commit: 4-star DE Auston Robertson
At 6'5" and 260 pounds, Auston Robertson is a player the Michigan State coaching staff has high expectations for. Robertson is the nation's No. 6 weak-side defensive end, and he's a player who relies on his athleticism to deliver a great first step and offer excellent closing speed.
Recruiting need: Cornerbacks
The Spartans have a healthy balance of commits for their 2016 class, but landing another cornerback to play alongside 3-star pledge Austin Andrews would be big. Michigan State is hoping to flip 4-star Lavert Hill, who is currently committed to Penn State. Hill visited East Lansing last month.
Florida State Seminoles
8 of 14
2015 record: 6-0
Poll rankings: No. 9 (AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 18
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 3
Top commit: 5-star CB Levonta Taylor
To have the nation's top-ranked cornerback in Levonta Taylor says a lot about the Seminoles. Taylor is a playmaker in the secondary who can be an all-conference player early in his career. Look for Taylor to be a leader among his peers, as he plays every down as if it were his last.
Recruiting need: Wide receivers
Florida State has a 4-star quarterback committed in Malik Henry, but he will need playmakers to throw to. Currently, the Seminoles are without a true receiver pledge. Florida State is hoping to close strong on two in-state talents in 4-stars Nate Craig-Myers and Keith Gavin.
Iowa Hawkeyes
9 of 14
2015 record: 7-0
Poll rankings: No. 12 (AP Top 25) and No. 13 (Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 23
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 41
Top commit: 3-star RB Toks Akinribade
At first glance, Toks Akinribade passes the eyeball test. He's 6'1", 205 pounds and has nice breakaway speed. He's an elusive back who also has the tools to be a solid north-south runner. He fits the description of how some define Big Ten running backs.
Recruiting need: Offensive tackles
Iowa's impressive run through its schedule may be responsible for landing some surprise gets throughout the recruiting process for the 2016 class. The Hawkeyes are hoping to get a couple of stud offensive tackles to add to its class. Arguably the top target is 4-star Matt Farniok, the top-ranked player in South Dakota.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
10 of 14
2015 record: 6-0
Poll rankings: No. 14 (AP Top 25) and No. 12 (Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 15
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 53
Top commit: 3-star DE Jonathan Marshall
Watching Jonathan Marshall on film is intriguing because he almost appears to play the game in slow motion. That's a good thing for the Cowboys, as Marshall makes everything look easy. At 6'3" and 250 pounds, he's a player who will compete for early playing time because of his aggressiveness and closing speed.
Recruiting need: Defensive tackle
Marshall and junior college pledge Tramal Ivy are expected to handle the exterior of the defensive line, but Oklahoma State is still in need of guys who can handle the interior. A few defensive tackles are still available, and the Cowboys are focusing on guys like 4-star Chris Daniels, 4-star Marcel Southall and 3-star Ross Blacklock.
Memphis Tigers
11 of 14
2015 record: 6-0
Poll rankings: No. 18 (AP Top 25) and No. 17 (Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 11
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 80
Top commit: 3-star QB Keon Howard
The Memphis faithful is enjoying what quarterback Paxton Lynch is doing with the offense. Keon Howard can be a similar type of game manager. Howard is a pass-first quarterback who can make plays using his running ability. A polished Howard could mean trouble for all in the American Athletic Conference.
Recruiting need: Offensive linemen
For Lynch, Howard or any other Memphis quarterback to shine, quality offensive linemen are needed. With a big win over Ole Miss last week, Memphis is hoping to win an uphill battle and land a couple of Mississippi athletes in 4-star Scott Lashley and 3-star Javious Bardney.
Toledo Rockets
12 of 14
2015 record: 6-0
Poll rankings: No. 19 (AP Top 25) and No. 20 (Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 20
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 69
Top commit: 3-star ATH Tyrece Speaight
Toledo scored a big recruiting win over Cincinnati, Ball State and a few other schools in landing Tyrece Speaight, an athlete who can effectively play wide receiver, cornerback and special teams at the next level. A former Kent State pledge, Speaight is a guy the Rockets hope they can hold on to for February's signing day.
Recruiting need: Quarterback
Toledo has several players committed as the "athlete" position. Locking down a reliable quarterback is a priority, as Phillip Ely is currently finishing his senior year. Landing a big-name quarterback will be tough for the Rockets, but they do have 2-star Billy Kisner committed. Kisner can play quarterback or wide receiver.
Houston Cougars
13 of 14
2015 record: 6-0
Poll rankings: No. 21 (AP Top 25) and No. 22 (Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 17
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 40
Top commit: 5-star DT Ed Oliver
Considered by some as the most coveted Houston commit since the days of Andre Ware and David Klingler, Ed Oliver is a player who could further change the mindset of Houston football. The nation's No. 5 defensive tackle plays the game with an extremely high motor and an outstanding first step. Don't be surprised if Oliver's a first-day starter.
Recruiting need: Linebackers
The defense of the future looks strong with Oliver and [xxx], but the Cougars will need linebackers to help shut down the run. Keeping three greater Houston-area linebackers close to home—4-stars Dontavious Jackson and Jeffrey McCulloch and 3-star Jordan Carmouche—is a difficult-but-doable task, but look for Tom Herman and his staff to go all in on the trio from now until February.
Temple Owls
14 of 14
2015 record: 6-0
Poll rankings: No. 22 (AP Top 25) and No. 24 (Coaches Poll)
Number of commits: 12
247Sports Recruiting Team Ranking: 78
Top commit: DB Keyvon Bruton
Temple scored a big recruiting victory in landing Norfolk, Virginia, 3-star safety Keyvon Bruton, who had offers from Virginia Tech, Duke, Purdue and others. Burton witnessed Temple beating Penn State in September and announced the verbal commitment at that time.
Recruiting need: Linebackers
Temple's 4-3 package will need a new weak-side linebacker next season, as Tyler Matakevich is a senior. Maryland 3-star Keith Simms is a target for the Owls, as is Florida 3-star Gee Stanley. Unranked athlete Evan Horn has a Temple offer and can play either outside linebacker or safety.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
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