College Football Recruiting 2011: The Top 10 Defensive Recruiting Classes

College football recruiting isn't just about bringing in the most talent, it's about bringing in the right talent. 

Sometimes a great player just doesn't fit a system. Other times the best of players struggle to do it alone without the proper talent around them.

So when coaches fill up their recruiting classes, it isn't so much about targeting every five-star prospect out there, it's about bringing in a group of talented players that mesh and compliment each other. 

In theory, it's a very simple concept. In reality it's one of the most difficult things to pull off in the game. 

We'll be looking at both sides of the ball this week and picking out a few programs that have really done a good job finding that balance on offense and defense. 

Here are the best put together 2011 defensive recruiting classes in the country. 

Check out the top offensive classes here. 

10. Auburn

Key Defensive Commitments: Justin Garrett (OLB), Jonathan Rose (CB), Angelo Blackson (DT)

Auburn's class is headlined on the offensive side of the ball with quarterback Kiehl Frazier, but the Tigers have a well-balanced group of four-star prospects on defense as well. 

Linebackers Justin Garrett and Chris Landrum, cornerback Jonathan Rose, defensive end Jabrian Niles, and defensive tackle Angelo Blackson are all rated in the top 25 at their positions. 

9. Florida State

Key Defensive Commitments: James WIlder (ATH), Karlos WIlliams (S), Giorgio Newberry (DE)

For FSU we make a bit of an exception when including James Wilder on the defensive side of the ball. He's rated as the top outside linebacker in the class and one of the nation's top five overall prospects.

But he'll have the chance to line up at running back first and would only play defense if that failed to work out. With five-star safety Karlos Williams and four-star defensive ends Giorgio Newberry and Terrance Smith you could argue FSU has enough to make the list anyway. 

8. Georgia

Key Defensive Commitments: Corey Moore (S), Nick Marshall (CB), Amarlo Herrera (MLB)

Georgia should be really strong in the secondary with some good names on the books for 2011. Four-star safety Corey Moore and four-star cornerback Nick Marshall are both ranked in the top 12 at their position.

There's also four-star safety Chris Sanders, who's a notch below Moore, four-star linebacker Amarlo Herrera, and four-star defensive end Sterling Bailey.

7. USC

Key Defensive Commitments: De'Anthony Thomas (CB), Jalen Grimble (DE), Antwaun Woods (DT)

The Trojans recruiting class started off really strong with commitments from five-star prospects De'Anthony Thomas and Jalen Grimble, but things have cooled off recently for USC.

Still, Thomas is the top-rated cornerback on Scout and one of the top overall prospects in the 2011 class and Grimble is a top five defensive end. 

6. Oklahoma

Key Defensive Commitments: Jordan Phillips (DT), Marquis Anderson (DT), Jordan Wade (DT)

Oklahoma's only five-star recruits are on the offensive side of the ball, but as far as depth you have to look toward the defense. 

The Sooners have three four-star defensive tackles ranked in the top 16 at their position as well as four-star defensive end Nathan Hughes and four-star safety Frank Shannon.

5. Notre Dame

Key Defensive Commitments: Aaron Lynch (DE), Jarrett Grace (OLB), Stephon Tuitt (DE)

Texas and Notre Dame to a lesser degree have arguably the most well-rounded classes in the country. Both teams are stacked on both sides of the ball.

For Notre Dame's defense, defensive ends Aaron Lynch and Stephon Tuitt, outside linebacker Jarrett Grace, and safeties Eilar Hardy and George Atkinson are all rated in the top 15 at their positions. 

4. Florida

Key Defensive Commitments: Jeoffrey Pagan (DE), Nick Waisome (CB), Valdez Showers (CB)

Florida has a real gem in five-star defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan and while he's regularly defended his allegiance to the Gators, fans should be worried about his recent visit to Clemson.

He's joined by a pair of top 10 ranked cornerbacks in Nick Waisome and Valdez Showers, as well as Ryan Shazier; a top 15 outside linebacker. 

3. Ohio State

Key Defensive Commitments: Steve Miller (DE), Michael Bennett (DT), Ken Hayes (DE)

Ohio State is right up there with Texas for the strongest defensive line of the 2011 class and has four potential future starters in five-star defensive end Steve Miller, four-star defensive tackles Michael Bennett and Chase Farris, and four-star defensive end Ken Hayes. 

There's also safeties Ron Tanner and Jeremy Cash, and cornerback DerJuan Gambrell; all of whom are top 25 prospects at their positions.

2. Alabama

Key Defensive Commitments: Ha'Sean Clinton Dix (S), Trey DePriest (MLB), Brent Calloway (OLB)

Alabama has the chance to have the best defensive recruiting class in the nation if a couple more pieces break its way; namely top overall recruit Jadeveon Clowney. 

The Crimson Tide already have five-star safety Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, five-star middle linebacker Trey DePriest, five-star outside linebacker Brent Calloway, as well as four-star talent at middle linebacker, cornerback, defensive end, and defensive tackle. 

1. Texas

Key Defensive Commitments: Desmond Jackson (DT), Steve Edmond (MLB), Leroy Scott (CB)

Yes, scarily enough we rate Texas out as the top offensive and defensive class in the country; that should give you an idea of the type of variety and depth the Longhorns are bringing aboard. 

Texas has two top 10 defensive tackles, a top 10 defensive end, three top 10 cornerbacks, and a top five safety. That doesn't even include some intriguing three-star talent.