College Football Recruiting 2011: Recruiting Grades for the Final BCS Top 25

As we impatiently wait for the bowl games to arrive, it's as good a time as any to add a little recruiting spin to the final BCS rankings. 

While recruiting and success don't necessarily go hand in hand, there's no denying that top-rated recruiting classes are a massive bonus. 

Some teams need it, others survive without it. 

Here are the 2011 recruiting grades for the final BCS Top 25 teams. 

25. UCF

5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 0
3-Star Commitments: 4

Recruiting Class Rank: 69th

Of UCF's 16 commitments, only four have received a 3-star grade, with 2-star JUCO linebacker Ray Cottman the school's only addition since August.

Defensive tackle Demetris Anderson, ranked 58th at his position, is the only recruit from UCF's class that ranks in the Top 60 at his position. 

Grade: D-

24. Hawaii

5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 0
3-Star Commitments: 1

Recruiting Class Rank: 102nd

Hawaii has only two recruits committed right now: 3-star cornerback Ellis Henderson and 2-star defensive end Blake Muir. It goes without saying the Warriors have one of the lowest ranked classes in the nation. 

Grade: F

23. Florida State

5-Star Commitments: 3
4-Star Commitments: 5
3-Star Commitments: 10

Recruiting Class Rank: 5th

Florida State had a huge month in November, stealing away 5-star defensive end Aaron Lynch and 4-star offensive tackle Jordan Prestwood from Notre Dame.

With commitments from 5-star athlete James Wilder, a Top 10 overall prospect, as well as 5-star safety Karlos Williams, FSU has one of the most talented classes in the nation and still has a chance at top-rated in-state talents like 5-star linebacker Tony Steward.

Grade: A

22. West Virginia

5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 0
3-Star Commitments: 11

Recruiting Class Rank: 60th

West Virginia's recruiting has really dipped in the last few years. Currently the Mountaineers are hanging onto a Top 60 class with 11 3-star recruits and 15 total commitments. They have Top 50 talent at tight end, safety and middle linebacker but not much else. 

Grade: D

21. Mississippi State

5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 5
3-star commitments: 10

Recruiting Class Rank: 21st

Mississippi State did most of its recruiting damage in June and July, but the signing of 4-star receiver Nickolas Brassell was a huge recent addition. 

For the Bulldogs, the class is also highlighted by safety Darion Arrington and linebacker C.J. Johnson, both Top 10 prospects at their respective positions. With a handful of 4-star prospects and 10 3-star prospects, Mississippi State is on course for a nice Top 25 class.

Grade: B-

20. South Carolina

5-star commitments: 1
4-star commitments: 3
3-star commitments: 16

Recruiting Class Rank: 17th

South Carolina got a trio of huge commitments in late October and early November with 4-star running back Shon Carson, 4-star receiver Damiere Byrd and 5-star offensive tackle Brandon Shell all joining up in a 10-day span.

Those three alone should make South Carolina fans smile, as each brings a ton of potential to the table. Add the fact that the Gamecocks are the favorites to land the No. 1 overall recruit, Jadeveon Clowney, and you could be seeing this team much higher up the rankings after National Signing Day.  

Grade: B

19. Utah

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 0

3-Star Commitments: 15

Recruiting Class Rank: 35th

Utah and TCU are the only two schools from the Mountain West Conference that are currently ranked in the Top 50; both programs are just outside of the top 30. 

Utah has 18 commitments at the moment, 15 of which are rated as 3-star talents. Three-star running back Robert Johnson is the school's only commitment since July though, and based on the numbers it doesn't appear they'll be doing much more work. 

Grade: C

18. Nebraska

5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 7
3-Star Commitments: 7

Recruiting Class Rank: 12th

With Aaron Green on board, the Cornhuskers' 2011 recruiting class suddenly has the look of a whole new beast; that should give a good idea just how good of a running back he is. 

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 Jamal Turner, and the Cornhuskers have some solid offensive pieces

Grade: B+

17. Texas A&M

5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 3
3-star commitments: 11

Recruiting Class Rank: 30th

Texas A&M has a couple of 4-star safeties to highlight their class in Devonta Burns and Howard Mathews. They're joined by offensive tackle Shayvoin Hatten as the only 4-star prospects in the Aggies' class. 

With 14 commitments, Texas A&M's class is thin but has a diverse amount of talent that has the potential to be quite good. It all depends how the 3-star prospects end up doing, but there are intriguing players like running back William Randolph who have the potential to outshine their recruiting grades. 

Grade: C+

16. Alabama

5-Star Commitments: 3
4-Star Commitments: 8
3-Star Commitments: 8

Recruiting Class Rank: 2nd

Alabama hasn't had a major commitment since 4-star JUCO defensive tackle Jesse Williams joined the fold in early September, but the Crimson Tide already have a ton of talent on board. 

Particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where Alabama has 5-star safety Ha'Sean Clinton Dix and 5-star linebackers Brent Calloway and Trey DePriest.

Add in Top 10 recevier Marvin Shinn, the No. 2 ranked center Ryan Kelly and five other 4-star prospects, and Alabama is just a notch behind Texas. All the Tide need now is a commitment from No. 1 overall recruit Jadeveon Clowney, and they'll be good to go. 

Grade: A+

15. Nevada

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 0

3-Star Commitments: 0

Recruiting Class Rank: 112th

Nevada is probably still celebrating its upset win over Boise State, but when it comes to 2011 recruiting, there's nothing to be excited about if you're a Nevada fan. The Wolf Pack has only two commitments, both receiving 2-star grades, and are close to having the worst class in the country. 

Grade: F

14. Oklahoma State

5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 6
3-Star Commitments: 12

Recruiting Class Rank: 13th

Oklahoma State's class begins with star running back Hershel Sims, a highlight just waiting to happen. He's a player who thrives in big games and saves his best for clutch moments. He'll be a thorn in the side of the entire Big 12 for years.

The Cowboys also have J.W. Walsh at quarterback, rated in the Top 10 at his position, one of the best offensive guards in the country in Travis Cross and high-upside receiver Desmond Roland. On defense, 4-star talents at safety, defensive end, defensive tackle and cornerback make for a balanced overall class.

Grade: B+

13. Virginia Tech

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 4

3-Star Commitments: 7

Recruiting Class Rank: 33rd

Virginia Tech, like Miami, is having an unusually unproductive year recruiting. The Hokies only have four 4-star prospects and currently rank outside the Top 30 classes for 2011. VT's class is also defense dominated, with nine of its 12 commitments coming on that end. 

If it wasn't for the recent addition of 4-star receiver Lafonte Thourogood, the Hokies could be in danger of slipping even further down the rankings. 

Grade: C

12. Missouri

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 1

3-star commitments: 12

Recruiting Class Rank: 40th

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. Richardson decommitted in November and quickly pledged to USC. While Missouri has brought in five new recruits in the last couple of months, none of them are rated higher than 3-star prospects.

Grade: C

11 LSU

5-Star Commitments: 2
4-Star Commitments: 5
3-Star Commitments: 8

Recruiting Class Rank: 8th

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.

WIth La'El Collins, who's at worst the second-best offensive tackle in the class, and defensive tackle Anthony Johnson rated Top Five at his position, the Tigers have the makings of a very well-rounded and extremely high-potential class.

Grade: A-

10. Boise State

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 0

3-Star Commitments: 9

Recruiting Class Rank: 58th

Boise State has the top-rated recruiting class in the Western Athletic Conference, but considering the Broncos are the only WAC team ranked in the Top 80, that isn't something to be too proud about. 

Still, with 14 commitments, nine of which are 3-star prospects, Boise State should find a way to coach up its plays much the same way it's been doing for years. 

Grade: D

9. Michigan State

5-Star Commitments: 1

4-Star Commitments: 3

3-Star Commitments: 12

Recruiting Class Rank: 26th

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.

Grade: C+

8. Arkansas

5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 6
3-Star Commitments: 13

Recruiting Class Rank: 11th

On Oct. 23-24, 4-star tight end Chris Barnett, 4-star safety Kelvin Fisher and 4-star Quinta Funderburk all committed to Arkansas.

With 5-star offensive tackle Brey Cook headlining the class and 4-star prospects like offensive tackle Mitch Smothers and wide receiver Keante Minor already on board as well, things are looking up.

Grade: B+

7. Oklahoma

5-Star Commitments: 2
4-Star Commitments: 7
3-Star Commitments: 9

Recruiting Class Rank: 4th

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 in the 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.

Grade: A

6. Ohio State

5-Star Commitments: 2

4-Star Commitments: 10

3-Star Commitments: 6

Recruiting Class Rank: 3rd

Braxton Miller is one of the top overall prospects in the country and is 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.

He's joined by a stacked class of talent that includes defensive end Steve Miller, ranked Top Five 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.

Grade: A+

5. Wisconsin

5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 1
3-Star Commitments: 15

Recruiting Class Rank: 31st

Wisconsin has a decent all-around class headlined by linebacker Jake Keefer, one of the top outside linebackers in the class 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. 

Grade: C

4. Stanford

5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 8
3-Star Commitments: 13

Recruiting Class Rank: 10

Stanford has 21 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, but Stanford also has a Top 10 quarterback in Evan Crower, tight end Charlie Hopkins, offensive tackle Brendon Austin, receiver Ty Montgomery and running backs Amir Carlisle, Remound Wright and Kelsey Young. All are highly rated 4-star talents.

Grade: A-

3. TCU

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 1

3-Star Commitments: 13

Recruiting Class Rank: 35th

TCU just missed out on a berth to the National Championship Game, but the Rose Bowl isn't a bad consolation prize. Neither is a better than average recruiting class that is quietly climbing up the rankings as more and more prospects recognize just how good the program is right now. 

The Horned Frogs are still in the mix for some of the nation's top talent, but even without any further additions, a Top 35 class isn't too bad for a school that had the 114th ranked class just three years ago. 

Grade: C

2. Oregon

5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 5
3-Star Commitments: 6

Recruiting Class Rank: 24th

Oregon's recruiting class, as you might have guessed, is offense-heavy, but with 5-star linebacker Anthony Wallace the headliner of the group, the balance is better than in recent years. 

The combination of 4-star quarterback Jerrard Randall and 4-star receiver Tacoi Sumler is especially intriguing as both of these players have the potential to be future stars. 

Grade: B-

1. Auburn

5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 7
3-star commitments: 6

Recruiting Class Rank: 20th

Auburn doesn't have the numbers, but what they do have is one of the best playmakers in the country in quarterback Kiehl Frazier.

He's one of the most underrated players in the country. I myself have probably undervalued him a bit as well in the latest rankings. Frazier is a born winner, and if the Tigers fail to gain a single additional commitment, they'll still be winners with him on board.

Add center Reese Dismukes, rated Top Five at his position, and tight end C.J. Uzomah, who has the potential to be the best tight end of the 2011 class, and Frazier looks like he has some good building blocks.

Grade: B