Conference Realignment: How Changes Will Affect the Pac-16 Teams in Recruiting

In case you haven't heard the breaking news by now, here it is. USC got hammered by the NCAA and will have around twenty scholarships taken away. USC will also receive a two year postseason ban. 

Lane Kiffin, I don't know what to say. I feel bad you're in a very rough spot recruiting now. Most would have a big hit in recruits from a lack of scholarships to offer. Now what do you say to a recruit when your trying to convince them to come to USC.

As of now six out of seven of USC's recruits committed for the 2011 class are from California. The one not from California is from Nevada. 

Lane I hope you can keep a few of these kids. Yet you're going to have to go to them now and say we are going to do everything we can to win games. Unfortunately it won't do us any good in your first two years because we are ineligible from the BCS bowls and even the Humanitarian Bowl.

Best of luck USC you are going to need it over these next two years. So how does this and realignment affect the other 15 teams. Here's an in-depth look at each team's recruiting after everything goes into place.

Arizona: I really feel bad for Arizona in realignment because its going to hurt. Right now Arizona has four commits for 2011. Jabral Johnson a three star prospect OLB is Arizona's top commit so far. The question is how will recruiting be affected by the Big 12 South's teams coming over? OU, A&M and UT wont go and take any recruits from Arizona, but recruits knowing they have to play them might. TTU and OSU will probably try to go over and steal some of Arizona's players though to add on to the normal three star prospects they get in Texas and Oklahoma. Arizona's Grade- D

Arizona State- With Erickson soon to be gone in my opinion, new competition and 1 recruit for 2011. Expansion seems to put Arizona State as the new Washington State. Grade- F

California- California has always been second to USC in recruiting. Now with USC's decline in scholarships, California could make a run for some higher rated recruits but I don't think they'll land many unless they can win consistently. Recruiting should look normal for California given the circumstances. Grade, C.

Colorado: Get rid of Dan Hawkins then we can talk. Colorado always gets recruits around Denver and even when they get top guys they don't turn out well (Darrell Scott). Hawkins is holding Colorado back as of now. A few scholarships were also taken from Colorado. Recruiting will remain bad with the move. Grade, D.

Oklahoma: Bob Stoops had his first success recruiting in California in 2010 by picking up some top tier guys—Tony Jefferson, Brennan Clay and Roy Finch. The Move for OU will turn out great for Stoops and his staff. OU has always been able to get top guys in Oklahoma and Texas. Now you add in the fact that Stoops is going to go right after the guys who usually commit USC. Stoops is in recruiting heaven and can't wait for the move to the Pac-16. Grade, A+.

Oklahoma State: Gundy and his staff have done a good job lately in grabbing some steals from Texas and OU—most recently the commitment of Hershel Sims out of Abilene for 2011. The move to the Pac-16 shouldn't massively change recruiting for the Pokes except maybe some guys from Arizona. Grade, B-.

Oregon: I like Chip Kelly, I really do, but Oregon is very confusing. They have a great run last year to the Rose Bowl and the Pac-10 title. The thing that sticks out to me with the Oregon program right now though is discipline. Starting QB Jeremiah Masoli has gotten the iron boot and isn't part of the program. Star RB LaMichael James is suspended game one and numerous other offenses have hurt the program. For 2011 Oregon only has two mid level recruits, that's not what to expect out of the reigning Pac-10 Champions. With OU and UT battling Oregon for recruits now it looks like this could hurt Oregon more than help them. Grade, B.

Oregon State: Mike Riley has thrived on picking up two and three star guys and turning them into great players. Riley has always gotten guys across the Pacific coast and that shouldn't change at all. Oregon State seems to get better every year and so has their recruiting. Grade, B+.

Stanford: I envy Jim Harbaugh truly. Who could've said five years ago that Stanford is legitimate and has a Top 15 recruiting class? Harbaugh has guys coming from California, New Jersey, Texas and Oregon. He has put a great deal of effort into recruiting and expansion won't hurt his efforts. Grade, A-.

Texas: Mack Brown and Muschamp will strive in recruiting again. USC will help them get a few top guys. However, Muschamp is about to be stripped of 95% of his recruiting due to a new NCAA rule towards head coaches in waiting. That shouldn't do much to Texas though. 2011 they already have a full class basically in twenty commits. Grade, A+.

Texas A&M: A&M is always second to UT and OU. I hate saying that because Aggie fans don't like that one bit, but it's true. Sherman has done a good job getting guys that the powers miss out on. A&M seems to be on the rise and a move west shouldn't affect them much since the number of guys in Texas is so great. A&M should continue what they've done for years. Grade, B. 

Texas Tech: This is tricky. Tubberville is known to be a good recruiter and most likely will try and stake some claim on the west coast due to the move. Will he do it? I believe he will. Tech's recruiting should be good but not great. Grade, B. 

UCLA: Neuheisel better hurry if he's gonna try and take over LA in these next two years. This is his best chance to steal as many guys as possible from USC. As of now UCLA has no commits for 2011 which isn't a good sign but I think USC's sanctions could help them. Grade, B+.

Washington: Sarkisian is a very good coach who did a great job in his first year with a mediocre program in Washington. Sarkisian has ties to LA and he will go right for those top guys starting today. Washington is on the rise—take note of that. The USC sanctions are a huge help for Washington and I really like the way the team is moving in all directions. Grade, A. 

Washington State School of the Blind: Lets face it I can't name a player on the team, their head coach, where the university is and if the football team exists. All I know is that they lost every game last year and I would play Div-3 ball before I played for Washington State. Grade, F-.

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