College Football Recruiting 2011: The Top Recruiting Classes from the Mid-Majors

It's no surprise that the six BCS conferences—the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-10, ACC and Big East—dominate recruiting year-in and year-out. 

But we'll step away from the big dogs for a moment and focus on the rest of the college football world. 

There are a few quality 2011 recruiting classes from some of the mid-majors that deserve some recognition. 

Honorable Mention: Boise State

Recruiting Class Rank: 59th

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 0

3-Star Commitments: 8

Boise State has 13 commitments on the books for 2011, eight of whom are ranked as 3-star prospects.

Putting aside kicker Matt Goudis, five of the remaining 3-star commitments come on the defensive side of the ball, with middle linebacker Blake Renaud highlighting the group. 

Renaud is a top-25 prospect at his position and the only recruit from Boise State's class ranked within the top 40 at their respective positions. 

5. SMU

Recruiting Class Rank: 55th

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 1

3-Star Commitments: 5

SMU has the second-rated recruiting class from C-USA.

While there are 19 commitments ready to take the field for the Mustangs, one in particular stands out. 

That would be outside linebacker Devon Moreland. He's the only 4-star prospect in the class, and ranks in the top 20 at both linebacker and defensive end. 

Moreland has the chance to be something special, and is by far the highest-rated prospect from SMU's class. 

4. Houston

Recruiting Class Rank: 49th

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 0

3-Star Commitments: 11

It's a close call between SMU and Houston for the top class in C-USA, with the Mustangs having the only 4-star prospect and the Cougars having the depth. 

Houston has 17 commitments, with 11 of them receiving a 3-star grade; more than double the number of 3-star prospects from SMU's class. 

With the majority of the commitments coming on the offensive side of the ball, Houston should continue to give us much of the same going forward. 

3. BYU

Recruiting Class Rank: 47th

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 0

3-Star Commitments: 10

The top three recruiting classes of all mid-major programs come from the MWC, where BYU, Utah and TCU all have 50 classes at the moment. 

BYU has 14 commitments, 10 of whom are rated as 3-star prospects. 

Other than fullback Manoa Pikula, none of the Cougars' recruits are ranked in the top 25 at their positions. 

2. Utah

Recruiting Class Rank: 40th

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 0

3-Star Commitments: 12

Utah and TCU are the only two mid-majors with recruiting classes ranking inside the top 40, with the Utes right on the hinge closing out the group.

Utah as 17 commitments, with 12 receiving a 3-star grade. 

Of those 12, seven come on the offensive side of the ball, while five come on defense. Offensive guard Isaac Asiata is the headliner of the class, ranking in the top 15 at his position. 

1. TCU

Recruiting Class Rank: 31

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 1

3-Star Commitments: 11

TCU has the clear favorite for the top recruiting class of all mid-major programs.

The Horned Frogs rank just outside of the top 30 classes with 17 commitments. 

While Utah also has 17 prospects on the books and an extra 3-star recruit on TCU, the Utes don't have any 4-star prospects. 

TCU has 4-star receiver Cameron White, ranked in the top 40 at his position and the only commitment from a mid-major to make B/R's top 100 commitment list in September.