Re-Grading Top 10 2015 College Football Recruiting Classes
National signing day brings the promise of a brighter future, but only a select group in each recruiting class actually make a significant difference on the field right away.
We're taking a second look at 2015 class and highlighting which programs recruited the most high-level immediate-impact prospects.
The SEC dominated the initial rankings, placing 10 teams in the top 22. With that extraordinary volume, the conference was bound to have several programs appear on the re-grade.
As with any recruiting class, a handful of signees haven't seen the field or are no longer on the roster. For that reason, we're not ranking based on average production. Rather, the emphasis is on players who have contributed in a notable fashion or are headed that way.
Each Power 5 conference is represented in the rankings. Auburn and Ohio State narrowly missed the cut.
Note: All prospect information and rankings via Scout.
10. Penn State
1 of 10
Original Rank: 13
Saquon Barkley is the obvious headliner of Penn State's group. He's collected 3,135 yards from scrimmage and 30 total touchdowns in two seasons as the starting running back.
A couple of other signees, Manny Bowen and John Reid, were key defensive contributors in the 2016 Big Ten championship campaign. Ryan Bates also started at left guard and tackle.
Shareef Miller, Robert Windsor, Kevin Givens and Ryan Buchholz were rotational pieces on the D-line, while Steven Gonzalez did the same on offense. Plus, Andre Robinson chipped in six total touchdowns.
Paris Palmer, Brandon Polk, Irvin Charles and Tommy Stevens will be top reserves next season and are potential future starters.
9. Florida
2 of 10
Original Rank: 29
Jim McElwain only had two months to assemble a recruiting class, which, combined with a two-year 11-13 record, is why Florida only signed three prospects ranked in Scout's top 250.
The Gators hit with all three—starting offensive lineman Martez Ivey, key defender CeCe Jefferson and leading rusher Jordan Scarlett—but the remainder of the group brought some gems.
Antonio Callaway has twice led Florida in receiving, while Tyler Jordan and Fred Johnson were important players on the offensive line last season. Jabari Zuniga finished with the second-most tackles for loss in 2016, and Kylan Johnson had the seventh-most total stops.
Keivonnis Davis started a handful of games on defense, and Jordan Cronkrite occupied a notable backup role before transferring.
The Gators have just about peaked with this class, but based on what has happened so far, they deserve the spot.
8. LSU
3 of 10
Original Rank: 12
While Florida has enjoyed relatively similar success, the unit that chose LSU has produced a couple of national standouts.
Highlighting the list is Derrius Guice, who posted 1,716 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Arden Key, temporary absence notwithstanding, has gathered 17 sacks in two years.
Donte Jackson and Kevin Toliver II were important pieces of the nation's 10th-ranked defense, and they should be the starting cornerbacks moving forward, too. Maea Teuhema and Toby Weathersby are poised to be first-stringers on the offensive line.
Josh Growden stepped into the lineup last season, averaging 41.4 yards per punt. Foster Moreau should join the starting ranks in 2017, while Xavier Lewis and Adrian Magee will be backups.
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7. Tennessee
4 of 10
Original Rank: 5
Most of Tennessee's highest-rated prospects haven't lived up to their billing, but 3- and 4-star contributors have boosted the class.
Alvin Kamara, a JUCO transfer, is the exception. The versatile running back tallied a pair of 1,000-plus-yard all-purpose seasons with 24 total touchdowns before heading to the NFL.
He and John Kelly ran behind Jack Jones, Drew Richmond, Chance Hall and Venzell Boulware. At least two of them will start in 2017. Jauan Jennings was the No. 2 receiver last year, and Quinten Dormady is a top contender to replace Josh Dobbs.
Kahlil McKenzie, Shy Tuttle and Kyle Phillips have been rotational pieces on the defensive line, but they'll each be starters in 2017 or 2018. Darrin Kirkland and Micah Abernathy already are. Darrell Taylor and Quarte Sapp will be second-stringers this season.
Riley Lovingood served as the long snapper last year, even earning an SEC Special Teams Player of the Week nod.
Once players like McKenzie, Tuttle, Richmond and Preston Williams earn full-time spots, Tennessee's class could rise even higher.
6. Notre Dame
5 of 10
Original Rank: 6
Although the cycle hasn't yet produced a bona fide superstar, Notre Dame gained a strong number of contributors.
Equanimeous St. Brown led the Irish in every major receiving category last year, and Josh Adams was the top rusher. Dexter Williams will serve as Adams' primary backup in 2017. C.J. Sanders is the starting slot receiver and also a dynamic returner.
Te'von Coney had the team's fourth-most tackles, Jerry Tillery started on the defensive line and Asmar Bilal and Nick Coleman rotated in at linebacker and cornerback, respectively. Justin Yoon has made 28-of-34 field goals in two years.
A wild card is Shaun Crawford, who would've been a starter before a torn right ACL ended his 2015 season. Then, a torn left Achilles stopped his sophomore campaign after just two games. Crawford's talent is apparent, so he's still a plus.
Plus, future first-stringers include Brandon Wimbush, Alize Jones and Tristen Hoge. Notre Dame went 4-8 last season, but this class offers legitimate hope for 2017 and beyond.
5. Alabama
6 of 10
Original Rank: 2
Alabama doesn't have participation volume like Tennessee, but the early contributors are also team leaders.
Calvin Ridley has 161 catches with 14 touchdowns in two years, while Minkah Fitzpatrick earned first-team AP All-America honors, and Da'Ron Payne was a run-stuffing force in 2016. Plus, Ronnie Harrison notched the second-most tackles.
Damien Harris eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark last year, occasionally following blocks by Lester Cotton or Hale Hentges. He and Anfernee Jennings may be starters next year. Dallas Warmack, Brandon Kennedy and Deionte Thompson will be top reserves.
Even with transfers by Kendall Sheffield, Blake Barnett and Shawn Burgess-Becker, the Tide packed high quality into this group.
4. Florida State
7 of 10
Original Rank: 11
Derwin James' injury was unfortunate, but we're not knocking Florida State for that. With 91 tackles and 4.5 for loss as a freshman in 2015, it's clear the type of talent he is.
The 'Noles sport a respectable balance of stars, role players and future starters. Tarvarus McFadden overcame a rough start and tied for the national lead with eight interceptions. Josh Sweat notched seven sacks last year.
Deondre Francois had 3,546 yards of total offense during his first season under center, connecting with Auden Tate and Nyqwan Murray a combined 52 times for 850 yards and 11 touchdowns. Additionally, A.J. Westbrook started at safety, and Marcus Lewis was a regular before a hip injury derailed his year.
Jacques Patrick is the front-runner to replace Dalvin Cook, while a few others like Cole Minshew and Calvin Brewton should be backups.
3. Texas
8 of 10
Original Rank: 7
Say what you want about Charlie Strong's on-field results, but he flat-out crushed the 2015 class.
Anthony Wheeler, Breckyn Hager and Malik Jefferson were the Longhorns' top three tacklers last year. Kris Boyd ranked sixth, and P.J. Locke III finished with six pass breakups. Holton Hill, DeShon Elliott and Davante Davis all held rotational spots in the secondary.
Running back Chris Warren has 836 yards and seven touchdowns, and John Burt led Texas in receiving as a freshman. But the biggest story is success up front. The Longhorns reeled in second-team AP All-American tackle Connor Williams, as well as two starters in Brandon Hodges and Patrick Vahe and a backup with Tristan Nickelson.
Strong left the roster far more talented than he found it.
2. Clemson
9 of 10
Original Rank: 15
Clemson's success rate for its top 11 prospects is almost 100 percent. Impressively, 10 of them have already made an impact.
Christian Wilkins is the star, totaling 81 stops with 17.5 tackles for loss and 10 pass breakups in two seasons. He's the headliner, but the Tigers boast a collection of high-quality players.
Mitch Hyatt is a two-year starter at left tackle. In 2016, Van Smith finished with the third-most tackles, Clelin Ferrell tallied six sacks, Deon Cain caught nine touchdowns and Ray-Ray McCloud grabbed 49 passes. While Austin Bryant has been a rotational player for two seasons, Mark Fields was a regular last year.
Only Garrett Williams hasn't been a notable piece, but he's the favorite to start at tight end in 2017. Kelly Bryant might be the quarterback, depending on how quickly Hunter Johnson is ready.
Additionally, per Pro Football Focus, Van and Chad Smith led the Tigers with nine special-teams tackles apiece last year.
Jake Fruhmorgen's transfer is the lone major downside of a 2015 class that was an integral part of the championship team.
1. USC
10 of 10
Original Rank: 1
USC surged to a Rose Bowl victory on the right arm of Sam Darnold and a slew of fellow 2015 signees.
Darnold threw for 3,086 yards and 31 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. Ronald Jones II has amassed 2,069 rushing yards and 20 scores in his two years. Deontay Burnett grabbed 56 passes for 622 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Cameron Smith, Porter Gustin and Rasheem Green were top-five tacklers in 2016, while Iman Marshall and Marvell Tell III combined for 93 more. This is the core of the defense.
Next season, Chuma Edoga is expected to start, and the Trojans will lean on Aca'Cedric Ware, Tyler Petite, Jacob Daniel, John Houston and Ykili Ross for depth. Isaiah Langley, Roy Hemsley and Clayton Johnson should also work into that conversation.
The Trojans are already built on the 2015 class.
All recruiting information via Scout. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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