The Top 25 College Football Recruiting Classes: August Edition

It's been a busy month on the college football recruiting trail and, as a result, there's been quite a bit of shifting in the rankings as some teams have been climbing and others have been left in the dust. Be sure to check out Bryan Kelly's July rankings  for an alternative perspective as well as the Mid-June rankings to give you a better idea of where things stand and how they came to be.

The nation is still chasing after the Longhorns for the No. 1 spot, but the gap is closing and several programs have already made their mark on the recruiting landscape. Plenty of talent has been added in the last few weeks and we may yet see some unexpected twists and turns.

Check out the latest 2011 recruiting rankings, and as always, when teams are in a virtual tie the advantage goes to the program with the best individual prospect.

No. 16-25

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback E.J. Manuel #3 of the Florida State Seminoles calls out a play in the huddle against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl on January 1, 2010 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Ja

16. FSU
17. Texas Tech
18. Pittsburgh
19. Mississippi State
20. Ole Miss
21. Arkansas
22. Washington 
23. Oregon 
24. Missouri 
25. Michigan

No. 15: North Carolina

5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 4
3-Star Commitments: 9
Best Individual Prospect: Kiaro Holts, OT

The Tar Heels are known for their defense, but in 2011 they're bringing a strong offensive class to the table, headlined by 5-star left tackle Kiaro Holts. Holts is one of the top-rated offensive lineman in the country and should develop into a staple of North Carolina's offensive line.

He's joined by a top 10 ranked offensive guard in Landon Turner, another solid offensive tackle in Jamar Lewter, and two very talented and promising quarterbacks in Marquise Williams and Everett Golson.

Those are the names to pay the most attention to when considering North Carolina's recruiting class, but don't discount the potential of a long list of 3-star talent.

No. 14: Nebraska

5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 6
3-Star Commitments: 4
Best Individual Prospect: Bubba Starling, QB 

Nebraska might not have the bulk of North Carolina's class, but while the Tar Heels seem to be rounding out their 2011 class, the Cornhuskers are just getting started.

And when it comes to top talent, some experts rate 4-star quarterback Bubba Starling as higher than North Carolina's Kiaro Holts; myself being among them.

Nebraska has a solid bunch of offensive lineman lined up with Ryne Reeves at center, Tyler Moore at tackle and Ryan Klachko at guard; all three of them are rated in the top 10 at their respective positions.

Add in Starling and fellow 4-star quarterback Jamal Turner and the Cornhuskers have some solid offensive pieces.

No. 13: Florida

No. 12: Auburn

5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 5
3-Star Commitments: 8
Best Individual Prospect: Kiehl Frazier, QB

Auburn doesn't have the numbers that some of the schools behind them have, but what they do have is one of the best playmakers in the country in quarterback Kiehl Frazier.

He's one of the most underrated players in the country. I myself have probably undervalued him a bit as well in the latest rankings. Frazier is a born winner and if the Tigers fail to gain a single further commitment they'll still be winners with him on board.

Add in center Reese Dismukes, rated top 5 at his position, and tight end C.J. Uzomah, who has the potential to be the best tight end of the 2011 class, and Frazier looks like he has some good building blocks.

On the defensive side of the ball, Auburn has two big boys for their defensive line with tackle Angelo Blackson and end Jabrian Niles; both rated top 25 at their respective positions.

No. 11: Oklahoma State

No. 10: Stanford

5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 9
3-Star Commitments: 11
Best Individual Prospect: James Vaughters, LB

Stanford has 20 commitments to this point, which is one of the highest totals in the country. They may not have any 5-star talent on the books, but the Cardinal are buying in bulk and the quantity makes up for the slight lack of quality.

James Vaughters headlines the class and is one of the top middle linebacker in the country; with a solid senior year he'll emerge as a 5-star talent. 

Stanford also has Evan Crower at quarterback, rated top 10 at his position, tight end Charlie Hopkins, offensive tackle Brendon Austin, receiver Ty Montgomery and running backs Amir Carlisle, Remound Wright, and Kelsey Young; all 4-star talents.

For a team that relies on their offense, the Cardinal should be delivering more of the same in 2011.

No. 9: Clemson

5-Star Commitments: 2
4-Star Commitments: 2
3-Star Commitments: 9
Best Individual Prospect: Mike Bellamy, RB

Clemson doesn't have a whole lot of top-end talent, but the pieces they do have are all some of the best out there. The Tigers have one of the best playmakers in the country in Mike Bellamy as well as 5-star rated receiver Charone Peake.

Bellamy is one of the fastest, most electric prospects in the country and Peake complements his skill set perfectly with a deadly set of hands. 

With Eric Maclin, ranked as the No. 3 tight end on Rivals and running back Marlin Lane, another top back, the Tigers have four of the best offensive weapons in the country and players who complement each others skill sets to a tee.

Sometimes it's not just about how highly rated a class is, but whether it meshes. And this one meshes.

No. 8: Notre Dame

5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 7
3-Star Commitments: 7
Best Individual Prospect: Ben Koyack, TE 

Notre Dame has been busy the last few days, with four commitments over the last week, including 4-star running back Justice Hayes, rated as the No. 3 APB on Rivals, as well as 4-star defensive end Aaron Lynch, rated top 10 at his position.

Expect the Irish to continue to rack in the talent and don't be surprised if they end up as a top 5 rated class when it's all said and done.

They're one of the finalists for Kasen Williams, the No. 1 receiver in the country, and have a shot to bring in a few other 5-star talents as well.

Considering Notre Dame already has Ben Koyack, a top three tight end, as well as three offensive lineman rated in the top 10 at their positions, this is shaping up to be a very strong class down in South Bend.

No. 7: Georgia

5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 7
3-Star Commitments: 6
Best Individual Prospect: Christian LeMay, QB

Christian LeMay, who's currently a soft verbal to Georgia, can literally make or break the Bulldogs recruiting class. He's rumored to be leaning toward switching his allegiance to Clemson, which would set them up for a really stellar offensive class.

Assuming he stays put though, LeMay has the chance to be the next great quarterback for Georgia. He's a gamer and one of the best leaders you'll find at the high school level anywhere. LeMay doesn't get frazzled, plays better under pressure, and isn't afraid to go for the big play.

In a tight race with Notre Dame, he's the difference. Both schools have very good, well-rounded classes, but when it's close it comes down to the top dog. And LeMay is the top dog in this debate.

No. 6: USC

5-Star Commitments: 2
4-Star Commitments: 5
3-Star Commitments: 2
Best Individual Prospect: De'Anthony Thomas, RB/CB

Sanctions or no sanctions, USC is still recruiting well. Their 2011 class is headlined by De'Anthony Thomas, who would likely be the top prospect in the country if he wasn't listed a 5'9" and 165 lbs.

Thomas lines up at running back and cornerback and aspires to continue doing this at the college level on his way to a Heisman. He's joined by two of the best quarterbacks in the class in Cody Kessler and Max Wittek, as well as an electric 4-star receiver by the name of Victor Blackwell. 

With two defensive lineman rated top 10 at their position in Jalen Grimble and Antwaun Woods at defensive end and tackle respectively, the Trojans might not have too many names committed, but they certainly have some serious talent.

If they land 5-star receiver George Farmer as expected this should turn out to be a top five to 10 class.

No. 5: Oklahoma

5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 10
3-Star Commitments: 8
Best Individual Prospect: Brandon Williams, RB

Oklahoma might not have any 5-star prospects on the books, but in running back Brandon Williams and wide receiver Trey Metoyer they have two 4-star recruits who definitely deserve a higher rating.

Both are ranked in the latest B/R Top 50 and have extremely high ceilings. With quarterback Kendal Thompson, ranked top 15 at his position, tight end Max Stevenson and running back Danzel Williams the offensive weapons should be strong for the Sooners.

On the defensive side of the ball, Oklahoma has three 4-star defensive tackles, and top 25 talent at defensive end, safety, and linebacker.

No. 4: Alabama

5-Star Commitments: 3
4-Star Commitments: 7
3-Star Commitments: 6
Best Individual Prospect: Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, S

Alabama fans will not like to see themselves at No. 4, but that's probably a good thing if you're complaining about being snubbed for the top three. The Tide bolstered an already strong class with another 5-star addition last week with linebacker Trey DePriest.

He joins linebacker Brent Calloway and safety Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix as the headliners for the Crimson Tide's 2011 recruitment campaign.

It's a very close call between Alabama, Ohio State and LSU, but for the moment the Tide come in third out of the group.

That could change in a heartbeat though. The No. 1 rated recruit in the country, Jadeveon Clowney, and the No. 2 running back Isaiah Crowell are both considered Alabama leans and will likely commit to the Crimson Tide.

No. 3: LSU

5-Star Commitments: 2
4-Star Commitments: 4
3-Star Commitments: 6
Best Individual Prospect: La'El Collins, OT 

LSU really should have five 5-star talents because receiver Jarvis Landry, running back Kenny Hilliard, and outside linebacker Trevon Randle are straight disrespected by not receiving another star.

Landry might be a little small and not as fast as some of the other receivers in the country, but he might go down as the best in the bunch. They guy just gets in done regardless of the situation and definitely puts together the most impressive highlight reel.

Hilliard and Randle are of the same mold. They're gamers and will shine at the next level regardless of the flaws some scouts are pointing out.

WIth La'El Collins, who's at worst the second best offensive tackle in class, and defensive tackle Anthony Johnson, rated top five at his position, the Tigers have the makings of a very well-rounded and extremely high-potential class.

No. 2: Ohio State

5-Star Commitments: 2
4-Star Commitments: 10
3-Star Commitments: 5
Best Individual Prospect: Braxton Miller, QB

Ohio State should be in good shape at the quarterback position for years to come thanks to Braxton Miller committing to follow in Terrelle Pryer's footsteps.

Miller is one of the top overall prospects in the country and hands down the top quarterback of the 2011 class. He's a dangerous dual-threat passer who can dismantle a defense in any number of ways. It all comes down to how the defense wants to lose.

He's joined by a stacked class of talent that includes defensive end Steve Miller, ranked top 5 at his position, the No. 1 center in the country in Brian Bobek, two of the best defensive tackles in the country in Michael Bennett and Chase Farris, as well as their newest addition safety Ron Tanner, ranked top 10 at his position.

That's just naming the headliners too. The rest of the class is pretty darn good as well.

No. 1: Texas