2011 Recruiting Grades for College Football's Top 25 Classes of 2010

The only thing better than bringing in a top recruiting class is doing it consistently year-in and year-out. That's what most of the top programs do and in a game where players are only around for three to five years, reloading the roster with fresh guns is essential. 

So lets take a look at how last year's top 25 recruiting schools are doing in 2011? 

Who's matching the success from 2010 and who's falling short? There have been quite a few risers and fallers over the last few months and it'll directly effect the production on the field. 

Check out the 2011 recruiting report cards for the teams ranked in the top 25 in recruiting for 2010. 

25. Ohio State

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: Second

Five-Star Commitments: 2
Four-Star Commitments: 10
Three-Star Commitments: 5

Ohio State is one of the few teams in the nation that is close enough to the Longhorns to challenge them for the 2011 recruiting crown. They've got a solid mix of offensive and defensive talents, which is evidenced by their top two recruits, quarterback Braxton Miller and defensive end Steve Miller.

Miller is an especially good addition, as he is a top-10 prospect and the No. 1 quarterback in the nation. He'll slide in nicely behind Terrelle Pryor and take the reins to the offense no later than 2012.

Grade: A

24. South Carolina

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 48th

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 0
Three-Star Commitments: 8

South Carolina is far from matching their top 25 recruiting class from 2010 and even though they're a finalist for Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 prospect in the nation, he can't fix this situation alone. In fact, the lack of talent on the books might be the deterrent that's costs it the sweepstakes. 

Of the Gamecocks' 13 commitments, eight have received a 3-star grade and while there are promising recruits like outside linebacker Edward Muldrow and defensive tackle Deon Green, overall there isn't much to be excited about when looking at Steve Spurrier's boys in 2011. 

Grade: D-

23. Virginia Tech

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 36th

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 3
Three-Star Commitments: 6

For as good as the Hokies have been on the field, they haven't proven to be a strong recruiting team over the last few years. Sure, they got Ryan Williams and Tyrod Taylor in 2008, but their 20th-ranked class that year was the best they've had since.

For 2011, they've struggled to bring in the talent and lost out on quite a few big-name prospects who opted for other schools instead. The most notable of the bunch was four-star quarterback Marquise Williams, who chose North Carolina.

Grade: C-

22. Nebraska

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 18th

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 6
Three-Star Commitments: 5

Nebraska has a solid bunch of offensive linemen 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 Bubba Starling and fellow four-star quarterback Jamal Turner, and the Cornhuskers have some solid offensive pieces. The problem is Starling might end up playing Major League Baseball and bypassing his collegiate eligibility; that means Turner is arguably the more valuable of the two.

Grade: B

21. Missouri

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 34rd

Five-Star Commitments: 1
Four-Star Commitments: 1
Three-Star Commitments: 8

Missouri hasn't been bringing in as much talent as they normally do, but they're still putting together a decent class and have room to build more with only 11 commitments on the books. If it wasn't for 5-star JUCO transfer defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, they'd be in trouble. 

Richardson and 4-star defensive end Shane Ray are the only two high-profile recruits Missouri has been able to secure commitments from and until the big dogs in the Big 12 finish up their classes the pickings will come slowly for now. 

Grade: C

20. Michigan

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 27th

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 3
Three-Star Commitments: 7

The Wolverines had only five commitments prior to June with Brennen Beyer the only 4-star talent of the bunch. Since then, they've added four more names to the docket, but in this case it really comes down to the last two players to commit. 

Offensive tackle Jake Fisher and linebacker Kellen Jones. 

Both of these 4-star prospects committed in the last two weeks of July and are arguably the top two names in Michigan's recruiting class. Jones is an especially good grab that this program sorely needed in what was turning out to be a very poor recruiting class. 

Grade: C+

19. Clemson

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 14th

5-Star Commitments: 2 
4-Star Commitments: 2 
3-Star Commitments: 9 

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.

Grade: B+

18. Ole Miss

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 20th

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 4
Three-Star Commitments: 12

Ole Miss has transformed themselves from a school that had one 3-star commitment on June 7, to a top 20 recruiting class in the last two months. 

The Rebels have been tearing it up on the recruiting scene since the start of June with 13 new commitments coming since June 8. 

Things really got going on July 4, when Miami Southridge teammates Gerrod Holliman and Andrew Johnson, both 4-star defensive backs, committed to Ole Miss on the same day. Since then, 4-star receiver Donte Moncrief and 4-star cornerback Senquez Golson headline the eight commitments that followed. 

Grade: B-

17. Texas A&M

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 38th

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 2
Three-Star Commitments: 7

After their top 20 recruiting class in 2010 you had to expect a little more from the Aggies in 2011, but so far their class isn't shaping up to be as good as last year's. 

4-star safety Devonta Burns and 4-star offensive tackle Shayvion Hatten are good additions, but the rest of the class is lacking in terms of high-profile talent.

There's light at the end of the tunnel though, with linebacker Donnie Baggs, offensive tackle Nathan Gutekunst, and cornerback Josh Stewart, all 3-star prospects, ranking in the top 35 at their position. 

Grade: C-

16. Miami

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 33rd

Five-Star Commitments: 1
Four-Star Commitments: 1
Three-Star Commitments: 4

Miami doesn't have much on the books right now, but unlike a lot of the schools this far back in the recruiting race, the Hurricanes have the potential to shoot way up the rankings in the coming months partially due to their only five-star recruit, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Bridgewater is doing his best to recruit more talent to the program, and along with coach Randy Shannon, they have a lot of five-star talent teeming with interest in the program. So consider this a "soft" grade with the chance to improve dramatically.

Grade: C

15. Georgia

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: Seventh

Five-Star Commitments: 1
Four-Star Commitments: 8
Three-Star Commitments: 5

Georgia has put together a very strong class to this point, and it begins and ends with the right arm of five-star quarterback Christian LeMay. LeMay is a ready-now prospect with about as much potential as any passer in the nation and some amazing leadership qualities.

He's going to lead the the Bulldogs one day, and it doesn't hurt that he has eight four-star prospects and counting to line up behind him for the 2011 season.

Grade: B+

14. Notre Dame

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: Eighth

5-Star Commitments: 1 
4-Star Commitments: 7 
3-Star Commitments: 7 

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.

Grade: B+

13. Oregon

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 25rd

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 4
Three-Star Commitments: 4

It looks like Oregon will fall short of matching its 2010 recruiting class, which was ranked 13th, but the Ducks are still on pace for a top-25 class and have some solid pieces on the offensive side of the ball to be excited about. With quarterback Jerrard Randall and wide receiver Tacoi Sumler on the books, things look very good for this program.

On the defense, the class is headlined by four-star safety Tyson Coleman, ranked in the top 10 at his position and the type of player that can be a huge difference-maker at the next level.

Grade: B-

12. Penn State

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 60th

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 2
Three-Star Commitments: 2

Up until July 1, Penn State had only one recruit on the books for 2011. That would be two-star tight end Kyle Carter. Since then the Nittany Lions have bolstered their ranks with four-star defensive end Shawn Oakman, four-star offensive tackle Angelo Mangiro, and three-star defensive end Jordan Kerner.

That may be a drastic improvement over their situation through June, but it still is a massive drop-off from Penn State's top-10-ranked recruiting class in 2010.

Grade: F

11. California

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 35th

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 4
Three-Star Commitments: 3

Cal only has seven prospects committed for 2011 but they're getting good quality rather than quantity when putting together this class. The Golden Bears just got a commitment form 4-star running back Daniel Lasco, a top 20 prospect at his position.

He joins three other 4-star prospects, quarterback Kyle Boehm, offensive tackle Jordan Rigsbee, and defensive tackle Mustafa Jalil; all three of whom are ranked in the top 12 at their positions. 

Grade: C

10. FSU

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 15th

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 4
Three-Star Commitments: 10

FSU narrowly misses out on a top-15 recruiting class at the moment, but they're still in the running for some of Florida's best talent and could easily finish the year with a top-10 class. So far they have some of the best athletes in the country committed, and fans should be excited for it.

With four-star safety Karlos Williams, four-star offensive tackle Bobby Hart, four-star receiver Rashad Greene, and four-star defensive end Terrance Smith on board, FSU has four of the top 100 commitments to this point.

Grade: B

9. Tennessee

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 30th

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 1
Three-Star Commitments: 12

Tennessee started slow on the recruiting front, but they've picked up the pace over the last month or so. The Vols secured nine of their 16 commitments after July 2, but of all the names they've brought into the fold, only offensive tackle Kyler Kerbyson has received at least a 4-star grade. 

Considering Tennessee put together a top 10 class last year, they're lining themselves up for arguably the biggest letdown of any school in the top 25 from 2010 short of Penn State.

Grade: C

8. UCLA

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 56th

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 0
Three-Star Commitments: 7

What's up with the Bruins? That's the question most people who follow college football recruiting must be asking themselves right about now. This is a team that consistently puts together top 15 recruiting classes, but they're outside of the top 50 right now. 

Considering they tend to see a dip in the success of the program following every off-year recruiting, things could be getting a little ugly at the Rose Bowl. 

Grade: F

7. Oklahoma

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: Fifth

Five-Star Commitments: 2
Four-Star Commitments: 7
Three-Star Commitments: 9

For a while the Sooners didn't have any recruits for 2011 that had received five-star grades, but that recently changed when running back Brandon Williams and wide receiver Trey Metoyer were finally elevated from their ranks among the four-star talent.

Add in four-star talent at quarterback, running back, tight end, defensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, and safety, and things are looking very good for Oklahoma.

Grade: A

6. LSU

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: Third

Five-Star Commitments: 2
Four-Star Commitments: 5
Three-Star Commitments: 8

LSU really should have five five-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 it done regardless of the situation and definitely puts together the most impressive highlight reel.

Grade: A

5. Alabama

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: Fourth

Five-Star Commitments: 3
Four-Star Commitments: 7
Three-Star Commitments: 7

Alabama has put together one of the best recruiting classes in the country to this point, headlined by five-star recruits Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix at safety, Brent Calloway at outside linebacker, and most recently Trey DePriest at middle linebacker.

The Tide also have a solid cast of offensive weapons, including playmaking receiver Marvin "Marvelous" Shinn. Fans will quickly grow to love this kid.

Grade: A

4. Auburn

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: Ninth

Five-Star Commitments: 0
Four-Star Commitments: 7
Three-Star Commitments: 7

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 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.

Grade: B+

3. Texas

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: First

Five-Star Commitments: 6
Four-Star Commitments: 9
Three-Star Commitments: 7

Texas' 2011 recruiting class is really just amazing.

Just look at these names: Christian Westerman (OT), Desmond Jackson (DT), Sheroid Evans (S), Garrett Greenlea (OT), Leroy Scott (CB), Steve Edmond (LB), Josh Turner (CB), Sedrick Flowers (OG), Quincy Russell (DT), Quandre Diggs (CB), and Cedric Reed (DE).

What do all these players have in common? They're all ranked in the top eight at their respective positions.

Grade: A+

2. Florida

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 12th

Five-Star Commitments: 1
Four-Star Commitments: 6
Three-Star Commitments: 5

Florida's been picking up steam lately, bringing in eight new recruits over the last couple months to triple the size of their class through May. That was enough to bring them from a program behind the game to a fringe top-10 class.

With five-star quarterback Jeff Driskel headlining the group and very promising defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan just a notch behind him, the Gators might not be having their usual recruiting year, but they're still up there with the top tier.

Grade: B+

1. USC

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 17th

5-Star Commitments: 2 
4-Star Commitments: 5 
3-Star Commitments: 2 

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.

Grade: B