5 Powerhouse Programs off to a Slow Start on 2017 Recruiting Trail

The college football recruiting trail can prove to be a fickle matter for programs across America. Each cycle presents new challenges for coaching staffs, and the successes of past national signing days don't ensure a repeat performance the following February.

Now approaching the eight-month mark on our countdown toward signing day 2017, it certainly isn't time to push any panic button. Still, the impending arrival of summer presents a pivotal span for teams to mount momentum as classes continue to take shape.

There will be increased impetus on several squads that enter each season with high expectations but haven't yet managed to develop a groove on the 2017 recruiting trail. Here's a peek at five programs firmly focused on gaining ground in the months to come following predominantly uninspiring starts this cycle.

Ole Miss

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Ole Miss is coming off a 2016 recruiting class that could someday fondly be remembered as one its finest ever. The Rebels surged to No. 6 in national composite rankings, spurred by headliners such as Elite 11 MVP quarterback Shea Patterson, 5-star defensive lineman Benito Jones and top-ranked offensive tackle Greg Little.

So far the 2017 cycle is a different story. 

In the aftermath of former 5-star signee Laremy Tunsil's draft-night fiasco, speculation continues to intensify regarding potential NCAA repercussions that could ultimately impact the program's ability to recruit at full capacity. There's also no Patterson—a tremendous peer recruiter and class leader last year— this time around, and it's difficult to imagine a top-tier 2017 passer would opt to immediately follow such a highly regarded recruit to Oxford.

The Rebels currently claim just four pledges, a total that tops only Vanderbilt and Missouri among SEC members. This group features one prospect considered a top-200 player in 2017 composite rankings (in-state receiver D.D. Bowie) after Ole Miss signed eight athletes of that caliber last winter.

Head coach Hugh Freeze has sights set on several recruits who could help get things back on track. Former Alabama running back commit Cam Akers is Mississippi's premier playmaker, while in-state linebacker Willie Gay and Tennessee offensive tackle Trey Smith are also top priorities. 

Oregon

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Former blue-chip Oregon QB commit Ryan Kelley will instead play college football at Arizona State.

Just one season removed from a journey to the College Football Playoff National Championship highlighted by its celebrated Heisman Trophy winner, Oregon is struggling to put together the necessary pieces for future title runs.

The Ducks own only two commitments from 2017 recruits, sputtering to No. 78 overall in composite class rankings. Perhaps most alarming, Oregon has failed to secure a single in-state pledge while Pac-12 opponents USC and Washington have each reached in to pluck top-five Oregon athletes.

A program known for its explosive offensive attack holds just one prospect on that side of the ball (No. 58 running back prospect CJ Verdell). Head coach Mark Helfrich was also presented with a significant setback earlier this month when 4-star quarterback Ryan Kelley backed off his verbal pledge and joined Arizona State's class. 

Oregon isn't considered a deep state for elite-level talent so it's imperative for the program to capitalize on cream-of-the-crop recruits each cycle. Top remaining in-state talent includes cornerback Elijah Molden and offensive tackle Alex Forsyth, while California prospects are always key for the Ducks.

Florida

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Florida head coach Jim McElwain arrived in Gainesville just in time to help the Gators finish with a flurry as signing day 2015 approached. His staff then assembled the nation's No. 13 class this past February, providing another indication that the arrow is pointing up for a program that made its surprise return to the SEC title game last season. 

McElwain began tailoring a solid 2017 foundation early in the process, picking up pledges from 4-star prospects Daquon Green (receiver) and Jake Allen (quarterback) before their junior seasons. Things have stalled since last summer, as Florida has secured just a pair of 3-star commitments during the past 10 months. 

This development places the Gators at No. 11 in SEC class standings and a distant third when measured up against Sunshine State rivals Miami and Florida State. This comes as a slight surprise considering Florida won 10 games during McElwain's debut campaign despite issues at quarterback. 

Given the Gators' proximity to fertile recruiting territory and the presence of a strong peer recruiter like Allen, expect Florida to enjoy a recruiting surge sooner rather than later. Receiver Trevon Grimes, a 5-star prospect who plays alongside Allen at in-state St. Thomas Aquinas High School, is a key priority, along with athletes such as Tampa, Florida, defensive end Zachary Carter and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, cornerback Marco Wilson.

UCLA

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The Bruins signed a top-three Pac-12 class and top-20 overall class in each of the past four recruiting cycles. UCLA head coach Jim Mora Jr. and his staff have some catching up to do in order to extend that streak.

The team's 2017 class is presently listed No. 52 nationally (No. 8 in conference) with just three committed prospects. UCLA suffered multiple decommitments this spring, most notably losing verbal pledges from Texas offensive lineman Will Farrar and Georgia defensive back Jaquan Henderson.

In-state standouts Jaelan Phillips and Hunter Echols give the Bruins an outstanding pair of edge-rushers, but there is a lot of work to be done when it comes to enhancing depth at skill positions on both sides of the ball.

UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen lived up his No. 1 quarterback recruit rating as a true freshman last fall and looks the part of a potential top overall NFL draft pick. Mora should make his lauded offensive leader's career trajectory a top priority and can help enhance that outlook by acquiring elite supplemental offensive pieces such as local 5-star receiver Joseph Lewis and coveted Connecticut pass-catcher Tarik Black.

Key Bruins defensive targets include top-ranked cornerback Darnay Holmes and Utah defensive lineman Jay Tufele. UCLA will also search for potential Rosen replacements, with options ranging from former Texas A&M commit Tate Martell to rising Southern California prospect Jack Sears.

Auburn

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Auburn lost its grip on highly regarded dual-threat QB Lowell Narcisse.

Auburn entered last summer on a roll recruiting elite 2017 talent, landing standouts such as offensive tackle Calvin Ashley, quarterback Lowell Narcisse and running back Alaric Williams before August. Nearly a year later, the Tigers haven't come close to duplicating that momentum.

This 2017 Aubrun class, limited to five athletes, rates No. 10 among SEC squads. The Tigers recently ended a near-nine-month stretch that didn't feature a single commitment from a high school junior.

An underwhelming 2016 campaign (7-6) certainly didn't do the staff any favors on the recruiting trail. Nor did a decommitment by Narcisse, who has since pledged to rival LSU.

Ashley and Williams remain legitimate building blocks, and an early May commitment from 4-star linebacker Tadarian Moultry halted a lengthy pledge drought for Auburn. Head coach Gus Malzahn now aims to sustain the positive recruiting vibes from two May commitments, and those efforts will center in part on in-state studs such as linebacker Markail Benton and offensive lineman Austin Troxell.

Beyond Alabama borders, Auburn's most important targets include IMG Academy teammates Jhamon Ausbon (4-star receiver) and Elite 11 quarterback finalist Kellen Mond, who is currently committed to Baylor.

Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow Tyler via Twitter @TDsTake.