2016 College Football Recruiting Classes Coming on Strong to Finish the Year

Many college football programs still have a bowl game separating them from the conclusion of 2015 campaigns. However, it's already crunch time for coaching staffs seeking to improve rosters for next season and beyond.

We're now approximately six weeks shy of national signing day (Feb. 3), and several standout prospects have already graduated high school early in preparation to spend spring semester on campus. Future team fortunes can be shaped during this month-and-a-half span, presenting promise and pressure for coaches seeking key commitments. 

While some squads aren't exactly flourishing down the final stretch of this cycle, others managed to hit their stride late this fall and head into winter with momentum. Here's a look at seven programs putting together impressive collections of talent, boosted by recent additions.

Auburn

Credit: 247Sports

4-star Georgia DT Antwuan Jackson chose Auburn over Ohio State.

Composite Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 8 overall (No. 4 in SEC)

Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's departure was less than ideal for Auburn's recruiting efforts. The new South Carolina head coach also plucked Tigers assistants Travaris Robinson and Bobby Bentley for his Gamecocks regime, placing increased responsibility on remaining members of Gus Malzahn's staff.

Moving toward a Dec. 30 Birmingham Bowl matchup against Memphis, Auburn continues to emerge relatively unscathed after the coaching departures. Just last week, the Tigers finalized plans with a pair of prized junior-college prospects and solidified relationships with two top-tier high school defenders.

Auburn signed defensive end Paul James and quarterback John Franklin on Dec. 16, when mid-year transfer JUCO recruits made things official.

James secured 14 sacks this season at Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Mississippi), according to Wesley Sinor of AL.com, and is rated No. 1 among JUCO weak-side defensive ends in composite rankings. Franklin, a former member of the Florida State roster, leaves East Mississippi Community College with a clear intent.

"I'm hoping to win the starting job before we go into fall camp. That's my goal," he told Sinor. "Coach (Malzahn) told me he needed somebody, and he got Cam (Newton); then he needed somebody and got Nick Marshall. Now he needs somebody, so he came and got me."

The Tigers received some relief Dec. 16 when 5-star defensive end Marlon Davidson reaffirmed his commitment after considering alternative options. He will enroll early alongside 4-star Georgia defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson, who committed to Auburn on Dec. 17.

These pivotal pickups occur weeks after Auburn added former South Carolina wide receiver commit Kyle Davis and dynamic North Carolina defensive end Nick Coe to its class.

Clemson

Credit: 247Sports

5-star DT Dexter Lawrence will enroll early at Clemson.

Composite Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 19 overall (No. 3 in ACC)

You'll be hard-pressed to find a college football program riding more momentum than Clemson right now. The month of December has featured a Heisman Trophy finalist (Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson), a No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and two top-tier quarterback commits in the 2017 class (Hunter Johnson and Chase Brice).

When we shift focus to 2016 recruiting efforts, it's another pretty picture for Clemson fans. 

The Tigers landed one of America's most coveted uncommitted recruits Dec. 14 when 5-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence declared intentions to play at Clemson. The 6'5", 330-pound North Carolina lineman also considered UNC, Florida, NC State, Alabama, Ohio State and USC. 

Lawrence, rated No. 3 overall in composite rankings, recorded 91 tackles—21 for loss—in 2015, according to MaxPreps. He also tallied 13 sacks as a senior.

Even better, Clemson welcomes him to campus as a student in January.

"I can't wait for spring practice to get here," Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney told Gerry Hamilton of ESPN.com. "This guy is an unbelievable talent. He's our kind of guy. He's a great fit for our culture here. ... This is Christmas coming early today. Just excited about adding Dexter Lawrence to our recruiting class and the Clemson family."

Clemson currently holds just 13 commitments in a class slightly limited in scholarship numbers, but it's an outstanding group in terms of value-over-volume. The collection now includes two 5-star players—Lawrence and running back Tavien Feaster—and six 4-star recruits. 

The Tigers also made the cut for Rahshaun Smith's new top three. Swinney, who previously held the 4-star linebacker's pledge, will battle Auburn and LSU for a commitment expected Jan. 2 at the Under Armour All-America Game.

Michigan

Credit: 247Sports

Top-ranked New Jersey RB Kareem Walker joins Michigan's class after a previous pledge to Ohio State.

Composite Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 2 overall (No. 2 in Big Ten)

Last December, the Michigan Wolverines were struggling to keep grips on prospects in the aftermath of Brady Hoke's firing and the former head coach's dismal final season in Ann Arbor. A year later, Michigan is now firmly in the mix for a No. 1 overall recruiting class.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has led his alma mater to nine wins for the first time since 2011, continues to close on a whirlwind recruiting trail. Though he didn't net his first 2016 commitment until almost four months into the job, Harbaugh has collected more 4-star commitments (13) this cycle than any program in college football.

He added two more last week when New Jersey running back Kareem Walker and Florida linebacker Devin Bush Jr. climbed aboard the bandwagon.

Walker, rated No. 1 among running backs in composite rankings, previously spent 10 months committed to Ohio State. He chose Michigan after also evaluating options at Alabama, Arizona State and Florida State.

Bush, No. 11 among inside linebackers and the son of former Florida State defensive back Devin Bush Sr., became the third Flanagan High School (Hollywood, Florida) senior in Michigan's class. Like Walker, Bush seriously considered a career with the Seminoles.

Texas defensive tackle Jordan Elliott and Colorado defensive end Carlo Kemp, both 4-star prospects, picked the Wolverines from lengthy offer lists last month.

“Why would you not want to play for Harbaugh? You’re learning from the best with that entire staff," Michigan quarterback commit Brandon Peters told Bleacher Report in late November.

Ole Miss

Composite Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 3 overall (No. 1 in SEC)

The Ole Miss Rebels became one of just three programs, along with Ohio State and Clemson, to claim multiple 5-star commitments in the 2016 cycle when top-ranked offensive tackle Greg Little pledged. He announced plans to play in Oxford on Dec. 16 via Bleacher Report video (which you can view above).

The former Texas A&M commit anchored an Allen High School (Texas) offensive line that helped claim state titles in his first two seasons as a starter. Little, who stands 6'5½", 305 pounds, is considered the No. 1 overall offensive prospect in 2016 composite rankings.

"It was pretty hard toward the end. You have to evaluate every school that you bring to the table," he told B/R's Damon Sayles. "At the end of the day, you go with what your heart tells you to do."

Ole Miss now carries commitments from two of America's top five overall recruits, as Little joins 5-star quarterback Shea Patterson. The Elite 11 MVP received a visit from Alabama head coach Nick Saban in early December but opted to stick with the Rebels soon afterward, announcing his decision on Twitter.

Patterson, a U.S. Army All-American Player of the Year finalist, expects to make a major impact in Oxford.

"Before every chapter in my football career, I've always set goals for myself," Patterson told Bleacher Report. "In middle school, I wanted to win a city league championship. Did that. In high school, I wanted to win a couple state championships. Did that [at Calvary Baptist]. We had the opportunity to compete for a national [high school] championship [at IMG]. Now I want to bring home the SEC championship at Ole Miss, I want to win a Heisman and I want to win a national championship. Those are my ultimate goals."

Little was a top target for Patterson, who also mentioned Texas defensive back Deontay Anderson and Louisiana running back Devin White as playmakers he'd like to bring aboard before signing day.

Houston

Credit: 247Sports

4-star WR Tyrie Cleveland is the latest local standout to become a Cougars commit.

Composite Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 26 overall (No. 1 in AAC)

Aside from independent Notre Dame, no non-Power Five program rates higher in composite class rankings than the Cougars. Houston sits ahead of fellow Lone Star State universities Texas and Texas Tech—both Big 12 Conference members.

Head coach Tom Herman, who inked a new contract in November through 2020, gained another important piece Dec. 10 when local talent Tyrie Cleveland committed. The 4-star wide receiver deserves consideration as best prospect at his position after proving himself in a highly competitive setting this summer at The Opening.

Cleveland collected 14 touchdown receptions as a senior, according to Angel Verdejo of the Houston Chronicle, averaging 23 yards per catch. He chose Houston over Oklahoma, Arizona State, TCU, Florida, Ole Miss and several other schools.

"I always dreamed of playing at a big-time school, but with UH it is about playing where you feel comfortable and believing in the coaching staff," Cleveland told Corey Roepken of the Chronicle.

He joined the class just weeks after former TCU 4-star receiver pledge Courtney Lark switched allegiances to the Cougars. Houston also signed three junior-college prospects on Dec. 16, headlined by 4-star Iowa Western Community College offensive tackle Na'Ty Rodgers, who formerly enrolled at South Carolina.

Herman's stellar recruiting haul remains headlined by defensive lineman Ed Oliver, but a well-balanced bunch continues to develop around the 5-star tackle. 

Notre Dame

Composite Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 11 overall (Independent)

Notre Dame is in solid position to sign its first top-10 recruiting class since 2013, spurred by December commitments Michigan linebacker Daelin Hayes and Florida defensive back Devin Studstill. These defensive additions set the stage for a final push featuring more targets at both spots (primarily Pittsburgh cornerback Damar Hamlin and California linebacker Caleb Kelly).

Hayes, a 6'4", 249-pound playmaker from Ann Arbor, initially pledged to USC. However, he reopened his recruitment after Steve Sarkisian's dismissal, weighing offers from Ohio State and Michigan State before announcing plans to play in South Bend via Bleacher Report video (watch that decision in the video above).

Studstill, a 6'1", 180-pound safety from Palm Beach Gardens, also holds scholarship offers from Miami, North Carolina, West Virginia and Texas. He may have greater importance to this Fighting Irish class than a 3-star composite rating suggests.

“When you talk to sources at Notre Dame, I think he’s the top defensive player on their board arguably,” 247Sports director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong told Tyler James of the South Bend Tribune. “They think they’re getting an elite guy. He can cover. He certainly can hit. He’s a playmaker in the secondary.”

Notre Dame will also aim to make inroads on offense during this final push toward signing day. Versatile running back Damian Alloway and wide receiver Javon McKinley, both 4-star California products, are among notable targets.

Florida

Credit: 247Sports

Former LSU commit Feleipe Franks gives the Gators a promising young passer.

Composite Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 9 overall (No. 5 in SEC)

Like Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, Jim McElwain has done an outstanding job separating his program from where it was this time last year. Fresh off an appearance in the SEC Championship Game, it's clear the Gators have entered a fresh chapter under new leadership.

McElwain, preparing his team for a Citrus Bowl matchup with Michigan, finally found his blue-chip quarterback prospect days after Thanksgiving. Feleipe Franks, a 4-star Elite 11 finalist, joined the class Nov. 29 following several visits to Gainesville.

The 6'5", 220-pound passer previously spent 17 months committed to LSU. Franks, rated No. 3 nationally among pro-style quaterbacks in 2016 composite rankings, provides a pivotal piece of the puzzle for a program that failed to add a scholarship player at the position last signing day.

Jake Allen, a 4-star junior at Sunshine State powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas High School, pledged to the Gators in July, but McElwain needed a more immediate option. Fellow Florida quarterback commit Kyle Trask, a 3-star in the 2016 cycle, is a largely unknown commodity with limited high school reps and few offers.

Franks landed on the national radar as an underclassman, committing to LSU shortly after his sophomore year. He threw for 5,015 yards, 63 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions during the past two seasons, per MaxPreps.

News of suspended starting Florida quarterback Will Grier's impending transfer is likely to encourage the Gators to pursue another passer. Though Georgia pledge Jacob Eason is now off the table, 4-star Maryland commit Dwayne Haskins is an intriguing possibility.

Florida also added commitments from 4-star Georgia defensive end Jordan Smith and former Michigan linebacker commit David Reese in mid-December. The Gators' haul on junior-college signing day (Dec. 16) included speedy wide receiver Dre Massey and top-ranked JUCO running back Mark Thompson.

Tyler Donohue is a Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter @TDsTake.