The One Recruit Each Top 25 Class Wishes It Had Signed for 2016

On Wednesday, coaches across America welcomed their 2016 recruiting classes as prospects put pen to paper on national letters of intent. Invariably, coaches touted their classes as “filing all of their needs,” being “the guys we really wanted” and “guys who will bring this program forward.” Was it true? Kind of.

Recruiting is a difficult, competitive process, and no program gets every guy it targets. Top prospects make decisions that surprise coaches, fans and sometimes even their families. And for even the best classes, there’s always that one guy who got away. Here’s a look at one recruit every Top 25 recruiting class missed out on, using the 247Sports ranking of the nation’s best recruiting classes.

25. Arkansas

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Donavaughn Campbell would have been a great fit on Arkansas' offensive line.

Bret Bielema is moving Arkansas forward, with two consecutive winning seasons, both capped by a bowl win over a Big 12 team. To catch the SEC’s elite, the Razorbacks need more talent on their roster, and 2016 was a solid step forward in that regard with the nation’s No. 25 recruiting class.

However, Bielema didn’t get everyone he wanted. Arkansas employs a powerful run game, and the Hogs need big hogs up front to block. The Razorbacks targeted Ponchatoula, Louisiana, guard Donavaughn Campbell, who has impressive size at 6’4”, 347 pounds. However, LSU was also interested, and when the Tigers want an in-state prospect, they’re tough to beat.

The nation’s No. 6 offensive guard prospect ultimately chose the Tigers over Arkansas and a host of other offers including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Florida State. Arkansas will run the ball, but it will regret missing out on Campbell.

24. Nebraska

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It proved to be too tough for Nebraska to pull Eli Johnson out of Oxford, Mississippi.

Mike Riley had a very disappointing debut as Nebraska’s head coach, finishing 6-7 even after a Foster Farms Bowl win over UCLA. Riley and Nebraska need to upgrade the talent on the Cornhuskers’ roster, and landing the nation’s No. 24 recruiting class was a highly positive step.

Nebraska always reaches beyond its state’s borders for talent, and 2016 was no different. The Cornhuskers and Riley targeted Eli Johnson, rated as the nation’s No. 4 center. It was an ambitious offer, given Johnson lives in Oxford, just minutes from the Ole Miss campus.

Ultimately, the pull of home was too strong for Johnson to resist, and he signed with the Rebels. Maybe if the Huskers are lucky, they’ll see him in an SEC-Big Ten bowl matchup someday, but he won’t be pulling for Nebraska's red and white.

23. TCU

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Chris Miller was a difference-making safety in Texas.

Over the last two seasons, TCU’s national stock has risen dramatically. The Horned Frogs just missed the College Football Playoff in 2014 and challenged strongly for the Big 12 title this season, capping the year with one of the best comebacks in college history to beat Oregon in the Alamo Bowl.

If Gary Patterson and Co. want to become a truly elite team, however, they’ll need to improve defensively. That means signing talented recruits on that side of the ball. TCU targeted Frisco, Texas, safety Chris Miller, whom 247Sports rated as the nation’s No. 42 safety prospect. Miller had a host of offers, including TCU and Oklahoma, but ultimately he decided to sign with Baylor.

Instead of improving the Frogs secondary, he’ll work to shut down their high-powered offense for the next four seasons.

22. Michigan State

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Miles Sanders will be a great fit in Penn State's backfield.

Mark Dantonio has elevated Michigan State into the conversation of national elite teams, and 2016 was a huge year for the Spartans. They outlasted Iowa to win the Big Ten title and make the College Football Playoff, and while a 38-0 drubbing at eventual national champion Alabama’s hands was disappointing, making the playoff was very important.

To stay in the nation’s upper echelon, the Spartans need to continue with a balanced offense, which has been successful for them under Dantonio. Getting Pittsburgh tailback Miles Sanders would have been crucial to those efforts. Sanders is rated by 247Sports as the nation’s top tailback and the No. 20 overall prospect.

He had a host of offers, including Michigan State, but he ultimately chose to stay in-state by signing with Penn State and James Franklin. The 5’11”, 199-pound back will ply his trade in the Big Ten East against the Spartans, which is certainly disappointing.

21. Miami

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Levonta Taylor will be a key piece for Florida State's defense for the next few years.

Miami has been mired in ACC mediocrity for most of the past decade, never making the ACC title game. The Hurricanes finally realized that Al Golden wasn’t going to be the man to break them out of that slump, firing him following a program-worst 58-0 home loss to Clemson. Getting Mark Richt following his firing from Georgia was a coup.

Richt put together a strong recruiting class, behind only Florida State and Clemson in the ACC. But it certainly could have been better. The Hurricanes were one of a number of programs to offer Levonta Taylor—a cornerback from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He's rated as the nation's No. 1 cornerback.

Taylor never visited Miami, instead signing with Florida State. He’ll be a thorn in the Miami offense’s side for the next four years, for certain.

20. Oklahoma

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Kyzir White is the third player in his family to land at West Virginia.

Oklahoma had a tremendous 2015 season. The Sooners bounced back from a disappointing 8-5 record in 2014, winning the Big 12 and making the College Football Playoff before losing to Clemson. Bob Stoops’ staff put together a very solid recruiting class ranked No. 20 nationally, but the Sooners didn’t reel in all of the prospects they wanted.

Safety Kyzir White of Lackawanna (Pa.) Community College was the latest in the White family legacy, following in the footsteps of former West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White—an NFL first-round draft pick. The Sooners offered Kyzir, and one of the nation’s top junior-college recruits would certainly have improved the OU secondary.

Ultimately, however, Kyzir decided continuing his family’s path with the Mountaineers was the right call, and he signed with West Virginia. It’s certainly a loss for the OU defense.

19. Penn State

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Maurice Ffrench was one that got away from Penn State.

James Franklin has yet to really break through at Penn State. Following three excellent seasons at Vanderbilt, Franklin jumped to the Nittany Lions, but he's just 14-12 in two seasons. Penn State is finally making its way out of the NCAA sanctions connected to former assistant Jerry Sandusky, and Franklin landed a top-20 class this season.

The Lions didn’t get everyone they wanted, however. Penn State targeted New Brunswick, New Jersey, athlete Maurice Ffrench—a talented athlete and receiver with speed. Ultimately, however, Ffrench decided to stay with his commitment to Pitt, despite Penn State’s late offer. The Lions will see Ffrench this fall when Pitt and Penn State resume their rivalry.

18. Texas A&M

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Patrick Hudson is one of the nation's best offensive line prospects.

2015 was a tumultuous year for Texas A&M. The Aggies began the season with a quarterback battle between Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray and ended it with both quarterbacks transferring. Coach Kevin Sumlin parted ways with offensive coordinator Jake Spavital, hiring Noel Mazzone away from UCLA to provide a fresh perspective.

The Aggies will always need offensive linemen to protect their high-powered offense, and Silsbee, Texas, offensive lineman Patrick Hudson was a priority. He stands 6’5”, 325 pounds and rated as the nation's No. 2 offensive guard prospect and the seventh-best player in Texas.

Hudson was choosing between Texas, Baylor and Texas A&M and ultimately threw his lot in with the Bears. At least he didn’t wind up in the SEC, right, Aggie fans?

17. Baylor

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Alexis Johnson could have been a real difference-maker for Baylor's offensive line.

Art Briles has built Baylor into a regular national contender. The Bears just missed the College Football Playoff in 2014 and were in the conversation until November this season, finishing 10-3. Baylor has an excellent offense but still has strides to make on defense.

Defensive tackle Alexis Johnson would have been an instant-impact player. The Fort Scott (Kansas) Community College product stands 6’4”, 297 pounds and is one of the nation’s top junior college recruits.

After committing to Tennessee, Johnson actually visited the Bears. But he decided to stick with his commitment and signed with the Volunteers. Baylor lost Andrew Billings early to the NFL, so Johnson could have been an excellent fit on the defensive line.

16. Stanford

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Devwah Whaley is one of the nation's best power-back prospects.

2015 was a special year for Stanford and Christian McCaffrey. The Cardinal won their third Pac-12 title in four seasons and smacked down Iowa in the Rose Bowl. The sophomore tailback played a huge role. He was the national leader in all-purpose yards and finished as runner-up to Alabama’s Derrick Henry for the Heisman Trophy.

Stanford has shown, in today’s pass-first age, you can win with a powerful running game. They wanted a guy like Devwah Whaley to continue that tradition. Whaley stands 6’0”, 209 pounds and is rated as the No. 3 tailback prospect in America. David Shaw’s staff offered Whaley, a powerful back, but it appears they never really got on his radar.

Whaley, a Beaumont, Texas, native, opted to stay closer to home by signing with another powerful run offense in Arkansas. He’ll be a great fit there, but the Cardinal would have loved to have had him in their system for certain.

15. Notre Dame

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Isaiah Chambers would have been a great fit on Notre Dame's defensive line.

Notre Dame had a very solid 2015 season. The Fighting Irish won 10 games, and while the year ended with a Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State, there’s no shame in losing to the Buckeyes, Clemson or Stanford, with the latter two games coming down to the final moments.

The Irish have one of the nation’s most tradition-rich programs and campuses, and Notre Dame practically sells itself. So it’s no surprise the Irish finished with one of the nation’s Top 15 recruiting classes. They didn’t pull in everyone they offered, though.

Notre Dame extended an offer to Houston defensive end Isaiah Chambers, rated as the nation’s No. 7 strong-side defensive end by 247Sports. But ND didn’t really get on Chambers’ radar, as he took five official visits, but none to Notre Dame. He signed with TCU and should make a big impact in the Big 12.

14. Tennessee

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Tyler Clark is an excellent defensive tackle prospect.

Butch Jones clearly has Tennessee headed in the right direction. The Volunteers put together their second consecutive winning season and once again ended it by thrashing a Big Ten team in a Florida bowl game, whipping Northwestern in the Outback Bowl. Jones is recruiting well and reeling in talented class after talented class.

2016 was no different, as the Vols finished with one of the nation’s best classes. Could it have been better? You bet. Tyler Clark is the nation's No. 25 defensive tackle prospect and a load to handle at 6’3”, 290 pounds. He committed to Georgia this summer, but he ultimately reconsidered his recruitment following Mark Richt’s firing.

Clark visited Tennessee, but he decided to honor his commitment and stay with Georgia. He’ll be a force going against the Vols’ offensive line for the next four seasons.

13. Florida

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Shavar Manuel surprised people by flipping from Florida to Florida State on national signing day.

Jim McElwain’s first season in Gainesville has to be considered a success. McElwain took a roster that underachieved under Will Muschamp and guided it to an SEC East title, winning 10 games. He and his staff signed a very solid recruiting class that will help the Gators contend for even bigger achievements.

But one missing piece of the class will really hurt. Defensive tackle Shavar Manuel was a Florida commitment—and a good one— considered the nation's No. 9 DT prospect. But he took his final visit to Florida State and flipped to the Seminoles on national signing day. Ouch. That one will definitely leave a mark.

12. UCLA

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DeKaylin Metcalf could be a great pickup for Ole MIss.

Jim Mora Jr. has brought UCLA back to respectability. While the Bruins slipped a bit in 2015, they put together 10-win seasons in 2013 and 2014 and are poised for big things with rising star Josh Rosen at quarterback.

Rosen needs receivers to throw to, and Mora’s staff cast a national net to find them. One of their targets was wideout DeKaylin Metcalf, rated as the nation's No. 18 wide receiver by 247Sports. This was always going to be a tough get: Metcalf lives in Oxford, Mississippi, not far from Ole Miss’ campus. He was a Rebels commitment and never swayed from that pledge, signing with Hugh Freeze’s staff.

11. Texas

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Tren'Davian Dickson would have been a great fit for Texas' offense.

The heat is on for Charlie Strong at Texas. Through two years, Strong is 11-14 at the Longhorns’ helm, which is unacceptable for a program with Texas’ tradition and resources. He needs to win and win quickly, or the fanbase will get even more restless than it is now.

The 2016 recruiting class will help. Texas closed with a fury, using an excellent group of late commitments to finish with the nation’s No. 11 class. However, the Longhorns could still use more playmakers.

Receiver Tren’Davian Dickson would have fit in nicely with the UT offense. Dickson set the national record for touchdown receptions in a season in 2014, and he is the No. 14 wide receiver recruit, per 247Sports. Texas offered him, but Dickson committed early to Baylor and stuck with it, enrolling early with the Bears to get a jump on learning Art Briles’ offense.

10. Clemson

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Rashan Gary established himself as the nation's top recruit, and Clemson just missed landing him.

Clemson had an excellent class of 2016. The Tigers closed strong on national signing day and finished with the nation’s No. 10 class. But it could have been even better. Clemson was a finalist, along with Michigan, for the nation’s top overall recruit, defensive tackle Rashan Gary.

Dabo Swinney believes his program always has a fighting chance if it can get a recruit on campus, and it did so with Gary, getting the crucial final visit before signing day. Gary would have made an incredible defensive tackle tandem with Dexter Lawrence, the nation's No. 2 recruit, but ultimately decided he was more at home at Michigan, per USA Today's Jim Halley. 

"I picked Michigan because, you know, that’s a place where I felt comfortable," Gary said. "That’s a place where my family felt comfortable. That’s a place where I felt the academic support is great and the degree holds a lot of weight. … It’s going to help me for a lifetime goal, and that’s to make sure I provide for my family."

Losing Gary hurt, although the Tigers still have a strong defensive line for 2016, with Lawrence and Christian Wilkins, among others. Swinney doesn’t lose many recruiting battles, but this is one he and his staff will remember with some regret.

9. Auburn

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Sam Bruce would have been an excellent fit in Auburn's fast-paced system.

2015 was a tough year for Auburn. The Tigers were preseason favorites to win the SEC and make the College Football Playoff, and quarterback Jeremy Johnson was a Heisman Trophy candidate. Of course, the season didn’t exactly turn out that way. Johnson was a bust, and Auburn struggled just to make a bowl game, finishing 7-6.

Gus Malzahn’s staff still recruited well, putting together a top-10 class that should help. Auburn still needs more offensive weapons to run his fast-paced offense, though. Sam Bruce would have been an excellent fit in that system.

Bruce stands 5’8”, 180 pounds with excellent speed. He is a game-breaking talent rated as the nation’s No. 11 wide receiver prospect. Auburn offered him, but the Tigers didn’t make Bruce’s final four, as he visited Ohio State, South Carolina and Miami, signing with the Hurricanes. Staying in South Florida was good news for Mark Richt, but not for Malzahn.

8. Southern California

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Janarius Robinson decided to stay in the Panhandle and play for Florida State.

It was a good year for Clay Helton. Helton replaced the fired Steve Sarkisian as Southern California’s interim head coach and elevated to the role full time after leading the Trojans to the Pac-12 South title.

That success showed on the recruiting trail, too, as USC put together a top-10 national recruiting class. The Trojans are a national name, and they recruit nationally. Sometimes, it’s more successful than other times.

The Trojans offered and targeted Panama City, Florida’s Janarius Robinson, who rated as the nation’s No. 7 weak-side defensive end by 247Sports. Robinson stands 6’4 ¾”, 236 pounds and has excellent rush abilities. He would have fit in well on the Trojans line. He visited the USC camp last summer but didn’t take an official visit and enrolled early at Florida State instead.

7. Georgia

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It always hurts to lose an in-state prospect, as Georgia did with Landon Rice.

2015 was a year of change for Georgia. Following a third consecutive season without an SEC East title, the Bulldogs parted ways with longtime coach Mark Richt, replacing him with Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. It didn’t affect the class of 2016, as Georgia pulled in another excellent class to help Smart push the Dawgs back to the top of the SEC.

Georgia is the state’s flagship university, and the Bulldogs hate to lose in-state prospects. So it had to hurt to lose Landon Rice. The nation’s No. 8 tight end prospect is a Calhoun, Georgia, native. He had an offer from the Bulldogs, as well as Alabama, Michigan, Georgia Tech and Florida. But he chose SEC rival Auburn and enrolled at AU in early January.

6. Ole Miss

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Jeffery Simmons was an impact signee for Mississippi State.

It was a good year for Hugh Freeze and Ole Miss. The Rebels won 10 games and made the Sugar Bowl, where they belted Oklahoma State. Following several significant early NFL draft departures, a good recruiting class was crucial, and Freeze got it.

The Rebels pulled in the nation’s No. 6 class, loaded with talent in-state and out. But they did lose their share of battles, including a key one with rival Mississippi State. Jeffery Simmons is the nation’s No. 3 strong-side defensive end prospect and a native of Macon, Mississippi.

Ole Miss was considered a favorite for his signature, but Simmons signed with the Bulldogs, giving MSU a key recruiting win it badly needed. The Rebels have a talented roster, but Simmons’ decision stings.

5. Michigan

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Frank Martin was one of the rare recruits Michigan didn't land this season.

Jim Harbaugh received plenty of hype leading up to his first season as Michigan’s head coach. He lived up to it and then some. The Wolverines went from 5-7 to 10-3, whipping Florida in the Citrus Bowl and raising expectations for 2016.

Harbaugh’s first full recruiting class did that, too. The Wolverines pulled in a top-five national class, headlined by the nation’s top recruit in defensive tackle Rashan Gary. Harbaugh and Michigan didn’t lose many recruiting battles, but they didn’t pull in everyone they wanted.

One case was Santa Ana, California, offensive tackle Frank Martin II. Martin is rated as the nation’s No. 20 offensive tackle prospect and had offers from across the nation, including Michigan. But the lure of home was too strong for Martin to resist.

He visited Arizona State, Texas A&M and Utah after committing to the Trojans, but he signed with USC. It was a rare loss on the recruiting trail for Harbaugh this season.

4. Ohio State

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George Hill is the rare in-state prospect to turn down Ohio State.

Urban Meyer is building a force to be reckoned with at Ohio State. One year after winning a national championship, only a last-play field goal against Michigan State kept the Buckeyes out of the College Football Playoff. A Fiesta Bowl rout of Notre Dame capped a 12-1 season, and even with a raft of NFL draft departures, don’t expect the Buckeyes to fade anytime soon.

Ohio State and Meyer’s staff put together another excellent recruiting class. One of the only misses came on an in-state prospect. Hubbard, Ohio, all-purpose back George Hill was rated as the No. 8 athlete in America by 247Sports, and he had the Buckeyes in his final group. But he ultimately opted to go out of state, picking Pitt over Ohio State and Michigan State.

3. LSU

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Ben Davis stayed home by picking Alabama over LSU, among others.

LSU and Les Miles had a wild 2015 season. The Tigers began the season 7-0 and rose as high as No. 2 in the College Football Playoff poll, but a three-game losing streak torpedoed their playoff hopes and nearly cost Miles his job.

Miles kept his job and put together an excellent recruiting class filled with talent designed to help the Tigers compete for a national title. However, another loss taken to Alabama had to hurt. LSU was one of five finalists for Gordo, Alabama’s Ben Davis, rated as the nation’s top inside linebacker and No. 10 overall prospect.

In the end, the Alabama legacy decided to go with his heart, making a short trip down the road to Tuscaloosa and following in his father’s footsteps. LSU’s defense is solid, but it would have been even better with Davis in the middle.

2. Florida State

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Trayvon Mullen picked Clemson over ACC rival Florida State and LSU.

Florida State showed on national signing day that it won’t leave the national spotlight anytime soon. Jimbo Fisher and staff closed with a fervor, signing a number of highly touted recruits. But the Seminoles didn’t get everyone they wanted.

They did miss on a key in-state cornerback. Pompano Beach cornerback Trayvon Mullen announced on signing day, and the nation’s No. 6 corner was picking between FSU, LSU and Clemson. Mullen announced for Clemson, meaning he’ll cover Florida State’s receivers in games rather than in practice for the next few years.

It’s a rare defeat for Fisher’s staff. Mullen has excellent change-of-direction, ball skills, speed and reactions, but getting early playing time in Clemson’s secondary was apparently too much for the Seminoles to overcome.

1. Alabama

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A.J. Brown will be a difference-making receiver for Ole MIss.

It’s good to be Nick Saban. 2015 was a great year for Alabama. The Crimson Tide won their fourth national title under Saban’s watch, outlasting Clemson 45-40. That success paid off again on the recruiting trail, as the Tide pulled in the nation’s top recruiting class, per 247Sports.

But even Alabama lost its share of recruiting battles. A.J. Brown of Starkville, Mississippi, rated as the nation’s No. 5 receiver prospect and had Alabama in his final three with Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

He chose Ole Miss, which hurts the Tide. The Rebels own a two-game win streak over Alabama, and they’ll attempt to stretch that to three next fall in Oxford with Brown catching passes from Chad Kelly.

All recruiting rankings and information courtesy 247Sports unless otherwise noted.