College Football Teams Loading Up on Most Offensive Skill Talent
Signings over the next two weeks could change things, but right now six teams stand out for having recruited the best skill talent in the 2016 class.
"Recruiting the best skill talent," as defined by this list, means having five or more commitments from quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers or tight ends whose grade exceeds .9000 on 247Sports' composite ratings.
Players who rank below the .9000 threshold could, of course, emerge and become superstars, but that's not what this list is trying to identify. It's using the composite because those rankings, while obviously imperfect, are the best source we have to rely on.
Here are the teams who the consensus says attracted the best skill talent.
Who do you think will join them after signing day?
Clemson
1 of 6
Key Commitments (Overall Rank)
- RB Tavien Feaster (30)
- WR Cornell Powell (145)
- WR Diondre Overton (191)
- WR Tavares Chase (213)
- QB Zerrick Cooper (247)
The Clemson Tigers return more skill talent than any team in recent memory, so none of these five will be asked to make a big impact early. But each will get to tutor under future NFL starters such as Mike Williams and Artavis Scott at receiver, Wayne Gallman at running back and—most importantly—Deshaun Watson at quarterback.
This deep class of skill players will help Clemson stay competitive once that group of upperclassmen departs. Tavien Feaster is the best of the bunch and will likely force his way into the lineup as a change-of-pace back behind Gallman.
Georgia
2 of 6
Key Commitments (Overall Rank)
- QB Jacob Eason (5)
- TE Isaac Nauta (12)
- WR Charlie Woerner (132)
- RB Elijah Holyfield (167)
- WR Riley Ridley (232)
- WR Javon Wims (11*)
*JUCO rank
New head coach Kirby Smart's first recruiting class with the Georgia Bulldogs is oozing talented playmakers. Quarterback Jacob Eason is a Matt Stafford-type prospect and Isaac Nauta is one of the best tight end recruits ever. Add running back Elijah Holyfield, son of Evander, and three talented receivers, and they've got themselves one heck of a start.
Things might get better by signing day, also. Five-star receiver Demetris Robertson, the No. 1 receiver in the class, has Georgia among his final selections. 247Sports' Crystal Ball calls the Notre Dame Fighting Irish the favorite, but Georgia is not far behind.
"[Georgia] is in-state, my family is around," Robertson said in January, per Kipp Adams of 247Sports. "A big thing for my mom—she wants to come see my games because she has not ever really seen them before. She tells me she wants to come see my games."
If family ties pull Robertson to Athens, this class goes from great to special. Either way, there will be skill talent between the hedges.
LSU
3 of 6
Key Commitments (Overall Rank)
- WR Stephen Sullivan (122)
- WR Drake Davis (123)
- RB Devin White (134)
- WR Dee Anderson (186)
- TE Jamal Pettigrew (243)
The LSU Tigers welcome five top-250 skill players to Baton Rouge, including three top-40 wide receivers, the No. 5 running back and the No. 9 tight end. Wide receiver Stephen Sullivan and running back Devin White enrolled early and will compete for spots in the rotation, although none of these guys are likely to play big roles as true freshmen.
That, however, has more to do with LSU's loaded depth chart than the players themselves. At every position but quarterback, LSU's offense is stacked. If only Feleipe Franks hadn't flipped to Florida…
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Michigan State
4 of 6
Key Commitments (Overall Rank)
- WR Donnie Corley (107)
- WR Justin Layne (196)
- WR Trishton Jackson (223)
- WR Cameron Chambers (236)
- QB Messiah deWeaver (257)
Knowing how much they lost at receiver, the Michigan State Spartans went out and signed four good ones. The typical MSU recruiting class struggles to find four players in the top 250; this year, it has four wideouts in that range.
Donnie Corley and Cameron Chambers, both U.S. Army All-Americans, enrolled early and stand a good chance at playing next season, as do Justin Layne and Trishton Jackson. Quarterback Messiah deWeaver will sit behind Tyler O'Conner and Damion Terry, but he and redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke are the future of the position.
Ohio State
5 of 6
Key Commitments (Overall Rank)
- RB Demario McCall (44)
- WR Austin Mack (76)
- QB Dwayne Haskins (87)
- WR Binjimen Victor (99)
- TE Jake Hausmann (120)
- RB Antonio Williams (170)
- TE Luke Farrell (190)
No head coach in college football recruits skill talent better than the Ohio State Buckeyes' Urban Meyer. Even Nick Saban, whose Alabama Crimson Tide classes are the stuff of legend, does better with linemen and defenders but can't promise what Meyer can for quarterbacks, running backs and pass-catchers.
The most recent addition to Meyer's collection is quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who committed over the summer to his hometown Maryland Terrapins but couldn't resist the potential to replace OSU incumbent J.T. Barrett. With Demario McCall behind him, Austin Mack split out wide and Jake Hausmann at tight end, this class has remarkable depth and positional balance.
USC
6 of 6
Key Commitments (Overall Rank)
- WR Tyler Vaughns (34)
- WR Michael Pittman (69)
- WR Trevon Sidney (140)
- WR Josh Imatorbhebhe (150)
- TE Cary Angeline (280)
Ah, the benefits of recruiting Southern California. Of their 13 current commitments, the USC Trojans have landed four top-30 wide receivers. Tyler Vaughns ranks No. 3 at the position, Michael Pittman (who enrolled early) ranks No. 8, Trevon Sidney ranks No. 26 and Josh Imatorbhebhe ranks No. 29.
With all of last year's notable receivers returning, headlined by JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Trojans can afford to develop this new crop of pass-catchers slowly. However, based on recent history at the position, at least a couple of these guys will play immediately.
Note: All recruiting info refers to 247Sports' composite ratings.
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