College Football Recruiting 2011: The Most Disappointing Recruiting Classes

There are some schools who can get away with bad recruiting and others who simply can't.

Boise State never brings in top-rated classes, and yet the Broncos always seem to make it work. The same goes for the likes of Iowa and Wisconsin to a lesser degree. 

But for the Alabamas and Floridas, the USCs and the Ohio States, it's a different story. Down years in recruiting are unacceptable and met with plenty of criticism from the media and fan base. 

We'll take this time to examine the most disappointing 2011 recruiting classes. These aren't the worst classes or even necessarily bad classes, but in each case more was expected. 

8. Tennessee

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KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Orange-clad Tennessee Volunteers fans sing along with 'Rocky Top' during a game against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won 31-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty

2011 Commitments: 17

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 25th

The Vols' struggles recruiting are somewhat understandable considering the state of the program and the rebuilding effort that's under way.

But in the SEC, having the 10th worst recruiting class is a tough place to be, especially when you've brought in Top 20 classes three of the last four years.  

7. Miami

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MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 9: Head coach Randy Shannon of the Miami Hurricanes watches second half action against the Florida State Seminoles on October 9, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Hurricanes 45-17. (Photo by Joel Au

2011 Commitments: 7

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 45th

Miami doesn't have a whole lot of scholarships available and has been trying to be selective with who it offers to, but with only seven commitments and barely a Top 50 ranking, you have to be disappointed with what you're seeing.  

With the Hurricanes you aren't expecting the type of classes that Florida and FSU bring in, but a Top 25 class is a must if you want to compete with the Seminoles for the ACC title. 

6. USC

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 30: Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans lines up against the Oregon Ducks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 30, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

2011 Commitments: 14

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 19th

USC is in a unique situation due to the severe sanctions placed on the school, but for a team that always seems to recruit with the best of them no matter what the situation, you'd still expect more.

The Trojans have only two 5-star commitments, and one of them, De'Anthony Thomas, is still at risk to jump ship. Without him, the class looks a lot less appealing. 

5. Auburn

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 06: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers plays against the Chattanooga Mocs November 6, 2010 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

2011 Commitments: 13

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 20th

Auburn still has a Top 20 recruiting class so we aren't talking about a total letdown, but when you're arguably the top team in the nation and you brought in one of the best recruiting classes a year ago, 20th isn't where you want to be. 

The Tigers also don't have a single 5-star recruit committed for 2011. 

4. Michigan

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ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 06: Junior Hemingway #21 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a two point conversion in triple overtime while playing the Illinios Fighting Illini with Vincent Smith #2 and Martell Webb #80 at Michigan Stadium on November 6, 201

2011 Commitments: 12

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 29th

The Wolverines are on their way to their worst recruiting class of the 21st century. Michigan has ranked in the Top 15 for the last eight years, but based on the way things are going so far that streak is coming to an end. 

With no 5-star recruits and only four 4-star recruits, unless Michigan brings a good amount of extra talent in, it won't finish the year ranked in the Top 25. 

3. Oregon

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 06: Mascot 'Puddles' of the Oregon Ducks does some push ups after the Ducks scoured in the fourth quarter of the game between the Washington Huskies and the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Du

2011 Commitments: 11

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 38th

Oregon had the 13th-ranked recruiting class last year after a strong finish to the season and a Pac-10 championship. The Ducks picked up where they left off on the football field, but they haven't done the same off it. 

Right now Oregon's recruiting class is barely in the Top 40, with no blue-chip recruits despite the fact that the Ducks are undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation. 

2. UCLA

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PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 06: Richard Brehaut #12 of the UCLA Bruins in the pocket against the Oregon State Beavers at the Rose Bowl on November 6, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

2011 Commitments: 8

2011 Recruiting Class Rank: 53rd

UCLA has had a Top 10 recruiting class each of the last three years, and the Bruins have generally shown that regardless of the product on the field, they can bring in some of California's top talent. 

With USC facing sanctions, UCLA was supposed to be the biggest beneficiary—but so far the Bruins have only been able to bring in one 4-star recruit and eight total prospects, ranking outside of the Top 50 at the moment. 

1. Penn State

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Joe Paterno of the Penn State Nittany Lions against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2011 Commitments: 4

2011 Recruiting Class Rank:  68th

By now, anyone who follows recruiting is aware of Penn State's recruiting blunder this season. The Nittany Lions have one of the worst recruiting classes of any school from a major conference. 

Just a year ago this team had the top class in the Big Ten and a Top 10 class overall. But my how quickly things change. As doubts about the program and the status of Joe Paterno persist, more and more recruits continue to look elsewhere.