Notre Dame, Michigan, and the Top Teams Whose Recruiting Doesn't Equal Success

Some schools bring in top recruiting classes year-in and year-out and most of them see a reflection of that in the standings.

But others don't. These schools consistently rank among the best in the nation when it comes to recruiting grades, but at the end of the year, they generally are no where to be seen in the standings. 

Yesterday we discussed the opposite side of the spectrum with a breakdown of the top 10 teams that succeed despite recruiting.

Today, we take a look at the teams that struggle to succeed despite top recruiting classes. 

We'll breakdown the findings from 2005-2009, excluding the 2010 classes that have yet to hit the field.

UCLA

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Rick Neuheisel of the UCLA Bruins follows the action from the sideline against USC Trojans during the first quarter of the NCAA college football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 28, 2009 in Los A

Average Recruiting Class Rank: 2005-2009: 19

Postseason AP Top 25 Appearances 2005-2009: One

Record Since 2005: 34-29

UCLA has had a quick fall to the bottom of the Pac-10 conference standings after an impressive 10-2 season in 2005. 

The Bruins ranked 16th in the postseason polls that year, but haven't returned since while averaging six wins over the next four seasons. 

All that despite four top 25 recruiting classes, including the No. 10 class in 2008 and the No. 5 class in 2009. 

 

Florida State

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TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 27: Center Ryan McMahon #60 of the Florida State Seminoles sets for play against the Duke Blue Devils at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 27, 2007 in Tallahassee, Florida. FSU won 25-6. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *

Average Recruiting Class Rank: 2005-2009: 14.8

Postseason AP Top 25 Appearances 2005-2009: Two

Record Since 2005: 38-27

Florida State has been one of the best recruiters in the country, averaging top 15 recruiting classes from 2005 to 2009.

And while we aren't including this in the sample space, the Seminoles had the 9th ranked class in 2010 and are on their way to another top 10 class in 2011. 

But with 9-4 in 2008 standing as FSU's best record since 2005 and no postseason appearances in the top 20, what do they really have to show for all their recruiting success?

 

Tennessee

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jonathan Crompton #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers calls a play during the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hokies beat the Volunteers 37

Average Recruiting Class Rank: 2005-2009: 14.4

Postseason AP Top 25 Appearances 2005-2009: Two

Record Since 2005: 36-27

Tennessee had three top 10 recruiting classes from 2005 to 2009, including the No. 1 class in the country in 2005. And while the school had a couple good season over that stretch, overall things have been average. 

Yes, the Volunteers finished 9-4 in 2006 and 10-4 in 2007, but they also finished below .500 in 2005 and 2008 and there's nothing impressive about a 36-27 record over the last five years.

Considering Tennessee is 12-13 over the last two seasons and goes into 2010 trying to pick up the mess leftover from Lane Kiffin, the Vols are very far from being a success. 

 

South Carolina

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COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 14: South Carolina Gamecocks players huddle during the game against the Florida Gators at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Average Recruiting Class Rank: 2005-2009: 21.4

Postseason AP Top 25 Appearances 2005-2009: None

Record Since 2005: 35-28

Granted, South Carolina has the SEC to deal with so an average record of about 7-6 isn't terrible, but it doesn't add up to their recruiting classes either. 

In college football's most competitive conference, the battles on field aren't too much more intense than the battles on the recruitment scene. 

But while the Gamecocks have brought in three top 25 recruiting classes from 2005 to 2009, including the No. 7 class in 2007, the best record they've put together has been 8-5. 

Texas A&M

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Mike Sherman (C) of the Texas A&M Aggies leads his team against the Colorado Buffaloes during NCAA college football action at Folsom Field on November 7, 2009 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado defeated Texas A&M 35-34.

Average Recruiting Class Rank: 2005-2009: 18.2

Postseason AP Top 25 Appearances 2005-2009: None

Record Since 2005: 31-31

Texas A&M has failed to bring in a top 25 recruiting class only once from 2005-2009, that would be in 2007 when the Aggies class ranked 26th. 

But for as consistent as they've bee recruiting, they've been just as consistent when it comes to losing. 

A&M has had three losing seasons since 2005 and only the school's 9-4 2006 campaign stands as a respectable mark. 

 

Notre Dame

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SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 21: Members of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish wait to walk out of the tunnel before lining up to enter the field for a game against the Univeristy of Connecticut Huskies at Notre Dame Stadium on November 21, 2009 in South Bend, In

Average Recruiting Class Rank: 2005-2009: 13.6

Postseason AP Top 25 Appearances 2005-2009: Two

Record Since 2005: 35-27

Notre Dame was one of the best teams in the country in 2005 and 2006, with a 19-6 record over that span and two top 25 postseason rankings.

But the team experienced a free-fall the following season, going 3-9 in 2007 and failing to win more than seven games since. 

The Irish have averaged better recruiting classes than any team on the list short of Michigan, with top five classes in 2006 and 2008. A turnaround is expected under Brian Kelly, but to this point the high-profile recruits haven't been getting it done. 

 

Michigan

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ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 21: Kevin Leach #52 of the Michigan Wolverines jogs through the tunnel before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 21, 2009 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ohio State won the game 21-10. (Photo by Grego

Average Recruiting Class Rank: 2005-2009: 8.2

Postseason AP Top 25 Appearances 2005-2009: Two

Record Since 2005: 35-27

Michigan is lucky it had that 11-2 season in 2006 or things would look a whole lot worse than they do.

For a school that has had no worse than the 14th ranked recruiting class from 2005-2009 and has four times ranked inside the top 10, the Wolverines just haven't been able to make it work on the field. 

Back-to-back losing seasons the last two years and dwindling faith in coach Rich Rodriguez has the Michigan hopeful doubting if this team can be successful without a complete overhaul.