1 Dream Scenario for Every Top-10 CFB Recruiting Class

Unless their favorite school is a proven championship contender, college football fans are never more optimistic than when they're talking about recruiting.

Coming off a winless season? Hey, this coach just landed the program's best class in a decade. Stuck in mediocrity? Don't worry. Every one of those 3-stars is actually an absolute diamond. Not quite elite? It's all good; this is the recruiting cycle that changes it.

Let's join the positive-thinking train.

About halfway through the calendar year, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Ohio State all boast top-10 classes for 2020. That much should come as a surprise to zero college football fans.

The remainder of the list―which reflects 247Sports' composite rankings―is packed with brand-name schools, including several with first- or second-year coaches.

Dream scenario: Steal a 5-star

Optimism surrounded Willie Taggart's first year in Tallahassee, but his second season arrives with a whole bunch of questions.

At least on the recruiting trail, though, one prized commitment can reshape the team's perception. While the 'Noles have eight 4-stars in the 2020 fold, they're still waiting on that marquee player.

Florida State is working to land 5-star linebacker Sav'ell Smalls, who is considered the No. 4 prospect in the nation. The cross-country connection gets a boost from wide receiver Tre'Shaun Harrison, a former teammate of Smalls and a current sophomore at FSU.

Reeling in Smalls would reaffirm the Seminoles' place as a destination for top recruits and give Taggart a cornerstone piece.

Dream scenario: Add talent, talent, talent

As a program, North Carolina isn't in a position to worry about missing on a local 5-star or another highly regarded player. The Tar Heels simply need whatever talent they can get.

Good thing Mack Brown is an outstanding salesman anyway.

The Tar Heels own a quartet of verbal pledges from 4-stars, including dual-threat quarterback Malik Hornsby. But they're also a primary contender in the race for 5-star defensive end Desmond Evans, who's the top-rated prospect in the state.

Other nearby 4-star players to monitor are Ze'Vian Capers (112th), Myles Murphy (117th), Jacolbe Cowan (152nd), Kedrick Bingley-Jones (167th) and Ja'Qurious Conley (259th).

For a program with a combined 5-18 record over the last two seasons, UNC couldn't ask for a better position in recruiting.

Dream scenario: Dominate available in-state players

Willie Taggart and Florida State are trying to recover from a 5-7 campaign, and Miami is transitioning from the old-school Mark Richt to a high-energy defensive-minded coach in Manny Diaz.

Dan Mullen has a terrific chance to keep a little separation between Florida and their in-state rivals.

Of the five uncommitted top-100 talents, the Gators are contending for Marcus Rosemy and considered a top choice for Chantz Williams and Xzavier Henderson. With pledges from Gervon Dexter and Leonard Manuel on the books, UF could land five of Florida's top 15 players.

That hasn't happened since 2010 when Urban Meyer and his staff compiled the nation's No. 1 class.

Dream scenario: Hoard top-rated offensive weapons

Consider this one about halfway accomplished.

Midway through June, the Buckeyes already own three commitments from coveted receivers. Julian Fleming is ranked atop the position and No. 5 nationally, while Gee Scott Jr. and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are both top-20 receivers and top-100 prospects.

Ohio State is pursuing 5-star running backs Kendall Milton and Bijan Robinson, as well as 4-star runner Blake Corum. All of them recently took official visits to Columbus. Other notable 4-star targets are running back Jaylan Knighton and slot receiver Mookie Cooper.

New head coach Ryan Day has a terrific chance to stockpile talent and build the foundation of his offense.

Dream scenario: Stockpile top-200 prospects

While the 15-man class features plenty of quality, that volume is helping Miami cling to a top-six class. Recruiting rankings don't mean everything, but the 'Canes only have three top-200 players.

On paper, that's passable for the ACC Coastal. It's not enough to compete nationally.

Current targets who fit the mold include Keshawn Lawrence (63rd), wide receiver Mookie Cooper (64th), running back Jaylan Knighton (108th), wide receiver Michael Redding III (131st) and South Carolina commit Issiah Walker (149th), among a few others.

Also, Miami recently lost a commitment from Donell Harris, a 5-star defensive end who intends to reclassify. If he returns to the fold, the 'Canes will have a marquee recruit on both sides of the football. Running back Don Chaney is a 5-star rated 28th overall.

Dream scenario: Avoid any decommitments

Compared to the other brand-name schools, Notre Dame is relatively thin on highly ranked prospects still on the board. As a result, ensuring none of the current pledges leave the fold is essential.

Most specifically, 5-star receiver Jordan Johnson. He committed to the Irish during an official visit in April.

Johnson headlines a top-heavy class that includes a slew of top-150 talents in Chris Tyree (34th), Tosh Baker (60th), Michael Mayer (77th), Jordan Botelho (114th) and Rylie Mills (133rd) and the most recent addition, Michael Carmody (134th).

If Notre Dame can protect the class and snag a few coveted players, 2020 should be a satisfying cycle for Brian Kelly and his staff.

Dream scenario: Enjoy a 5-star flurry

Outside linebacker Mekhail Sherman and offensive tackle Broderick Jones are both 5-star talents, but Georgia might only be getting started with top-rated prospects in 2020.

The Bulldogs are a finalist for Zachary Evans and have continued to survive cuts for Justin Flowe and Arik Gilbert. They've received Crystal Ball predictions for Kelee Ringo and Darnell Washington, so the interest level is, at worst, very clear.

As if that's not enough, UGA is also listed as a "warm" interest for both Jordan Burch and Kendall Milton.

Landing any two or three of those players would constitute a major recruiting victory. Anything beyond that would be sheer dominance.

Dream scenario: Bolster the line of scrimmage with Plan A targets

The flashy side of recruiting is skill-position talent. But LSU's chief priority must be improving the offensive and defensive lines, which head coach Ed Orgeron acknowledged after the 29-0 loss to Alabama last November, per Brooks Kubena of The Advocate.

"We've got to recruit better defensive linemen," Orgeron said. "I got to get defensive linemen like them. I've got to recruit better offensive linemen. Same old thing: You've got to beat Alabama on the line of scrimmage."

LSU holds verbal pledges from 3-star blocker Marlon Martinez and 3-star rushers CamRon Jackson, Jordan Berry and Ali Gaye, which gives the Tigers a foundation to pursue top-rated players.

Five-star Ohio State commit Paris Johnson Jr. highlights the list of offensive linemen, which includes 4-stars Marcus Dumervil and Arkansas pledge Ty'kieast Crawford. Four-star defenders Jaquelin Roy and Jacobian Guillory lead the other side of the ball.

Dream scenario: Land a pair of 5-star tight ends

Alabama rarely has a glaring weakness on its roster, but Nick Saban and Co. must address a real void at tight end. Following the departures of Irv Smith Jr. and Hale Hentges, the Tide return eight catches and 115 yards of career production at the position. Incoming 4-star Jahleel Billingsley is a valuable piece, yet Bama needs more.

Perhaps this will be fixed in this most Saban-esque style imaginable.

Ranked 11th and 12th nationally, Darnell Washington and Arik Gilbert have both visited Tuscaloosa this offseason. Gilbert recently traveled there for his official visit.

Even if Alabama merely secures a verbal pledge from one player, Saban will have addressed a legitimate need on offense.

Dream scenario: Finalize the best class ever

Aim high, right?

Since the beginning of April, the reigning national champions have added six commitments from top-50 prospects. That includes defensive linemen Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy, who are ranked second and seventh overall, respectively, in the 2020 cycle.

Clemson is also a top contender for Jordan Burch, the nation's No. 1 overall talent. If he commits, the program would make a serious charge for the highest average player ranking in recruiting history.

Although Ohio State's 2017 class owns the record at 94.59, Clemson's current haul stands at 94.56.

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from NCAA.com, cfbstats.com or B/R research. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.