Power Ranking the Instant Impact of the Top 10 2011 Football Recruiting Classes

There are two ways to look at a recruiting class—the long term and the short term. 

Obviously the ultimate goal is to recruit well-balanced and talented classes every year and simply churn out talent, but in reality there are always holes to fill and that plays a major role when schools look at prospects. 

A program in desperate need of a new running back will invest more time at that position as Texas did with Malcolm Brown. 

Brown should have the chance to start as a true freshman and that makes Texas' top ranked 2011 recruiting class all the more appealing.

But it raises the question, which other top-ranked recruiting classes will have the most early impact? 

10. Florida

Recruiting Class Rank: 9th

Top Instant Impact Recruits: NA

Florida might have one of the best recruiting classes in the country.

But when you recruit as well as the Gators do year-in and year-out it's tough for true freshman to find their way onto the field. 

5-star quarterback Jeff Driskel and 5-star defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan will have to wait their turns for at least a couple years with the talent already on the roster. 

Cornerbacks Nick Waisome and Valdez Showers, as well as outside linebacker Ryan Shazier are in even worse positions for playing time. 

9. Georgia

Recruiting Class Rank: 8th

Top Instant Impact Recruits: Corey Moore (S), Nick Marshall (CB)

Georgia's top recruit, quarterback Christian LeMay, will be stuck behind a couple of current freshman quarterbacks. It would be more surprising to see him start early than to decommit. 

The best options to find the field in 2011 are safety Corey Moore and cornerback Nick Marshall.

With the team struggling, there could be some major changes in the offseason,  which could mean open competition all across the roster. 

8. Stanford

Recruiting Class Rank: 7th

Top Instant Impact Recruits: James Vaughters (MLB), Antony Sarao (MLB)

Stanford has a trio of 4-star running backs ranked in the top 25 at their position, but that's not where the Cardinal's instant impact will be coming from. 

That honor belongs to the defensive side of the ball and a pair of linebackers in James Vaughters and Anthony Sarao. 

While Stanford has three underclassmen running backs, four of it's top eight linebackers are upperclassmen and their performance hasn't been good. 

7. Ohio State

Recruiting Class Rank: 3rd

Top Instant Impact Recruits: Braxton Miller (QB)*, Steve Miller (DE)

You'll notice Braxton Miller's name appears with an asterisk—his impact is entirely dependent on Terrelle Pryor. 

If Pryor sticks around for his senior season, Miller won't see the field at all in 2011. But if Pryor could leave if he soars up the NFL draft boards in the offseason.

That would give Miller the chance to have as big an impact as anyone in the country, granted he's able to beat out Joe Bauseman, Kenny Guiton and Justin Siems—a definite possibility.

6. Oklahoma

Recruiting Class Rank: 5th

Top Instant Impact Recruits: Trey Metoyer (WR), Brandon Williams (RB)

Oklahoma has a couple of really talented offensive recruits in 5-star wide receiver Trey Metoyer and running back Brandon Williams. 

Neither should be considered starting options as true freshman considering the depth the Sooners have at both positions, but with with DeMarco Murray, Cameron Kenney, and possibly Ryan Broyles gone in 2011, there will be space for freshman. 

Williams and Metoyer are ready-now prospects that will get on the field and earn significant playing time.  It wouldn't be shocking to see both of them in featured roles by 2012. 

5. Alabama

Recruiting Class Rank: 2nd

Top Instant Impact Recruits: Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix (S), Marvin Shinn (WR)

Alabama is in a similar situation to that of Florida due to the quality of their recruiting classes over the last few years, but there are a couple of recruits that should crack the lineup from the get-go. 

Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, the top-rated safety in the country, will find himself behind the likes of Mark Barron and Robert Lester on the depth chart, but he'll have the chance to be a key special team contributor as well as a role in nickel and dime packages. 

Of Alabama's class, the biggest instant impact could come from Marvin Shinn though. With Julio Jones expected to bolt for the NFL, the Crimson Tide will have a void at receiver and Shinn might just be the answer. 

4. FSU

Recruiting Class Rank: 10th

Top Instant Impact Recruits: James Wilder (ATH), Karlos Williams (S)

The Seminoles have a lot of talent at offensive tackle and defensive end, the other two positions where FSU's top recruits play, but the program's two best players should get on the field in a hurry.

James Wilder will be lining up at running back and fits the mold coach Jimbo Fisher is looking for. Fisher desperately wants a big, bruising back and Wilder should see a good amount of snaps right out the gates.

Williams situation is a little tougher to gage with no seniors lined up at safety this season, but he's got the talent to get into the mix on special teams right away and he should see some time in nickel and dime packages as well. 

3. Notre Dame

Recruiting Class Rank: 4th

Top Instant Impact Recruits: Matt Hegarty (OT), Jordan Prestwood (OT), Aaron Lynch (DE)

Notre Dame will have to wait on getting 5-star tight end Ben Koyack, it's best recruit, onto the field with all their depth at the position, but quite a few players have the chance to get in early and often. 

There will be a few changes along the offensive line in 2011 and that means Matt Hegarty and Jordan Prestwood should have the chance to get involved in the rotation. 

With running backs Armando Allen and Robert Hughes on their way out after this season running back Justice Hayes could see some significant snaps, as could defensive end Aaron Lynch on the other side of the ball. 

2. LSU

Recruiting Class Rank: 6th

Top Instant Impact Recruits: La'El Collins (OT), Anthony Johnson (DT), Jarvis Landry (WR)

LSU has a couple other top-rated recruits, but those players, namely running back Kenny Hilliard and outside linebacker Trevon Randle, will be stuck on the bench for a year or two. 

But when you have a top three offensive tackle in La'El Collins and a top three defensive tackle in Anthony Johnson, then you two hulking prospects who will find someway to get on the field and make an impact. 

Don't forget wideout Jarvis Landry either, he's a straight gamer with aspirations of starting as a freshman and if any receiver can do it from the 2011 class, he'd be our bet. 

1. Texas

Recruiting Class Rank: 1st

Top Instant Impact Recruits: Malcom Brown (RB), Christian Westerman (OG), Garrett Greenlea (OT)

Texas' top-ranked recruiting class ranks out as the best instant impact class of the top 10 mainly because of running back Malcolm Brown. 

Brown is the top running back of the 2011 class and a top five overall prospect. If you had to pick one freshman to have an impact in 2011, he's your guy. 

Brown will instantly become the best back on the Longhorns roster from the moment he steps on campus and you can bet Texas will feed him the ball early and often.