Power Ranking The 2011 College Football Recruiting Classes Of The BCS Top 25

With the release of the first BCS rankings of the 2010 season we thought it prudent to give you a rundown of how the top teams in the nation stack up against each other recruiting for 2011. 

Recruiting certainly isn't everything, but it's a great start and forms the backbone of most of the nation's best teams year-in and year-out. 

Coaching and development can't be discounted, but it's top-ranked recruiting classes that lead to reloading rather than rebuilding; and that means staying at the top of the standings. 

Here are the 2011 recruiting class rankings for the BCS top 25 teams. 

25. Kansas State

Week 8 BCS Rank: 22nd

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 64th

Kansas State's class has six 3-star prospects, six 2-star prospects, and one unrated prospect. That's clearly not very good so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Wildcats are ranked outside the top 60 in recruiting.

Quarterback Daniel Sams, ranked No. 66 at his position, is the highest ranked recruit in the class, followed by defensive end Marquel Bryant, who's ranked 71st at his position.

24. Boise State

Week 8 BCS Rank: 3rd

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 59th

Boise State may be one of the best teams in the nation, but the Broncos have never been known to be strong recruiters. Their game is more on the developmental side, and the results really can't be argued.

The Broncos' best recruiting class in the last five years came in 2007, when they ranked 57th. Since then, they dropped to as low as 97th and for 2011 are currently clinging to a top-60 spot.

23. Arizona

Week 8 BCS Rank: 18th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 53rd

With the way Arizona is playing this season it wouldn't be surprising to see the Wildcats move up the rankings by the end of the season, but for now, they're ranked outside the top 50 in recruiting. 

Linebacker Rob Hankins is the only 4-star commitment on the books, with eight 3-star commitments and five 2-star commitments closing out Arizona's class. 

22. West Virginia

Week 8 BCS Rank: 20th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 48th

Like several other schools in the top 25, West Virginia certainly isn't matching that effort on the recruiting trail. Right now they're putting together the 4th ranked recruiting class in the Big East. That may not seem terrible, but the truth is the Big East is by far the worst recruiter of all the BCS conferences.

When the Mountaineers can't even compete for a top-three spot in circles like that, you should be a little worried about the direction of the team.

21. Wisconsin

Week 8 BCS Rank: 13th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 45th

Wisconsin has a decent all-around class headlined by linebacker Jake Keefer, one of the top outside linebackers in the country and the best prospect from the state of Wisconsin.

Add in talent like Michael Caputo at linebacker and Sam Arneson at tight end, and you know the Badgers will find a way to make this class work for them regardless of it's ranking.  

20. Missouri

Week 8 BCS Rank: 11th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 42nd

Back in March, you would have thought Missouri was on its way to having one of the top recruiting classes in the country with 5-star defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, 4-star defensive end Shane Ray, and 3-star quarterback Corbin Berkstresser. 

But things pretty much stalled from there, with only five commitments in the last six months, none of them better than 3-star prospects.

19. Virginia Tech

Week 8 BCS Rank: 25th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 40th

Virginia Tech is one of the surprising teams in the first BCS rankings and the Hokies struggles recruiting is nearly as surprising. 

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 instead.

18. Utah

Week 8 BCS Rank: 9th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 39th

Of the Utes 17 commitments, none are from prospects graded higher than three stars and the school hasn't brought in a single prospect since July. 

That basically amounts to little room for improvement, so the 12 three-star recruits lined up might be about as good as it's going to get for Utah.

17. Oregon

Week 8 BCS Rank: 2nd

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 37th

Oregon will fall short of matching its 2010 recruiting class, which was ranked 13th, but the Duck still have 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, the offense should keep rolling. 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.

16. TCU

Week 8 BCS Rank: 5th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 31st

TCU has one of the top commitments of any school outside of the major conferences. That would be wide receiver Cameron White, an underrated talent who can do a little bit of everything at the position.

Of the Horned Frogs recruits, he's the one to have the most faith in, though they do have double digits of three-star talent to pick from as well. There's still a chance TCU lands 5-star defensive end Greg Townsend as well. 

15. Iowa

Week 8 BCS Rank: 15th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 28th

Iowa's 2011 class is heavy on offensive talent, which is somewhat surprising considering the losses on defense the last couple of years. 

Of the Hawkeyes 15 commitments, 10 are on the offensive side of the ball, with Iowa's top seven prospects all playing on offense.

14. South Carolina

Week 8 BCS Rank: 21st

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 27th

South Carolina is in a unique situation for a school that's currently sitting at the bottom of it's conference standings when it comes to 2011 recruiting. That's because the Gamecocks are the top choice of No. 1 overall recruit, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

But as of now the class consists of 20 commitments, with newly committed 4-star running back Shon Carson headlining the pack. 

13. Nebraska

Week 8 BCS Rank: 16th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 24th

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 Bubba Starling and fellow 4-star quarterback Jamal Turner, and the Cornhuskers have some solid offensive pieces. Now all Nebraska has to do is get it's hands on 5-star running back Aaron Green.

12. Arkansas

Week 8 BCS Rank: 23rd

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 23rd

Arkansas missed out on its native son, quarterback Kiehl Frazier, who instead opted for Auburn, but the Razorbacks are still putting together a solid class without him.

With five-star offensive tackle Brey Cook headlining the class and four-star prospects like offensive tackle Mitch Smothers and wide receiver Keante Minor, the Razorbacks are strong on offense, but weak on defense. 

11. Michigan State

Week 8 BCS Rank: 7th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 21st

Michigan State could be in line for a jump in its recruiting rankings as prospects flip their allegiance based on the Spartans' recent success.

Even if MSU doesn't get a single other commitment though, it still has 5-star linebacker Lawrence Thomas, one of the top overall prospects in the country and a future star on defense.

10. Mississippi State

Week 8 BCS Rank: 24th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 17th

Mississippi State did most of it's recruiting damage in June and July, the two months when the majority of it's commitments came from, but new blood is still pumping in. 

For the Bulldogs, the class is highlighted by safety Darion Arrington, linebacker C.J. Johnson and most recently wide receiver Nickolas Brassell; all of whom are top 10 prospects at their respective positions. . 

9. Oklahoma State

Week 8 BCS Rank: 14th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 13th

Oklahoma State has had only one commitment since July, but the Cowboys still have one of the top classes in the country.

It begins with star running back Hershel Sims, one of the top overall prospects in the country, but he's not alone out their either. Oklahoma State has five 4-star prospects and 11 3-star prospects. 

8. Auburn

Week 8 BCS Rank: 4th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 12th

Auburn doesn't have the numbers that some of the other top 2011 recruiters, but what they do have is one of the best playmakers in the country in quarterback Kiehl Frazier.

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 five at his position, and tight end C.J. Uzomah, as well as some solid defensive pieces and Auburn is in very good shape. 

7. Florida State

Week 8 BCS Rank: 17th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 10th

FSU is still in the running for some of Florida's best talent, including 5-star linebacker Tony Steward, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the Seminoles ranked in the top five by National Signing Day. 

With 5-star athlete James Wilder, 5-star safety Karlos Williams, 4-star offensive tackle Bobby Hart, 4-star receiver Rashad Greene, and 4-star defensive end Terrance Smith on board, FSU has five of the top 100 commitments to this point.

6. Stanford

Week 8 BCS Rank: 12th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 7th

Stanford has 22 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. Stanford also has quarterback Evan Crower, 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.

5. LSU

Week 8 BCS Rank: 6th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 6th

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

Landry might go down as the best receiver from the 2011 class and Hilliard and Randle are in the same mold. They're gamers who will shine at the next level regardless of the flaws some scouts are pointing out.

WIth La'El Collins and defensive tackle Anthony Johnson headlining the group, the Tigers have the makings of a very well-rounded and extremely high-potential class.

4. Oklahoma

Week 8 BCS Rank: 1st

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 5th

Oklahoma has two of the top offensive players in the country in running back Brandon Williams and wide receiver Trey Metoyer, both of whom have the chance to be the top prospect at their position when their careers are over. 

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

3. Ohio State

Week 8 BCS Rank: 10th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 3rd

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.

2. Alabama

Week 8 BCS Rank: 8th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 2nd

The Tide bolstered an already strong class with the addition of 4-star JUCO prospect Jesse Williams and are aligning themselves to continue their defensive excellence. 

He joins linebackers Trey DePriest and Brent Calloway along with safety Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix as the Tide's 5-star defensive prospects. 

The No. 1 rated recruit in the country, Jadeveon Clowney, and the No. 2 running back, Isaiah Crowell, both have Alabama in their top two; with those additions the Crimson Tide would really have something on their hands.

1. Texas

Week 8 BCS Rank: 19th

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 1st

Just look at these names: Malcolm Brown (RB), 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.

That's just a scary amount of talent and it makes it easy to see why many experts believe this might be Mack Brown's best recruiting class yet.

Now all the Longhorns have to do is is fill out the two remaining openings with their top remaining targets and there really isn't anything this team could want for.