Power Ranking the Pac-10 Recruiting Classes: USC Ahead Of Stanford For Top Class

Stanford has long had the best recruiting class in the Pac-10, racing out to a quick start with a ton of 4-star commitments and bringing its class totals to over 20 prospects faster than most schools could get their totals to double digits. 

But the Pac-10's best recruiter has slowly snuck up on the Cardinal. 

USC holds three commitments from 5-star prospects, headlined by De'Anthony Thomas, one of the top overall recruits in the country.

Here's how things are shaking out on the Left Coast in December.

10. Arizona State

5-Star Recruits: 0
4-Star Recruits: 1
3-Star Recruits: 7

Recruiting Class Rank: 63rd

Arizona State brought in three new recruits in November and December, headlined by 4-star tight end Dillon van der Wal. 

Beyond him and 3-star outside linebacker Gionni Paul, none of the Sun Devils 10 commitments are ranked inside the top 50 at their respective positions. 

9. Oregon State

5-Star Recruits: 0
4-Star Recruits: 1
3-Star Recruits: 8

Recruiting Class Rank: 59th

Oregon State has 17 commitments at the moment, but only one of them has received a 4-star grade; with eight others ranking out as 3-star prospects. 

Headlined by defensive end Dylan Wynn, who's a top 25 defensive end, the Beavers also have a couple of intriguing offensive prospects in running back Storm Woods and receiver Tyrequek Zimmerman. 

8. Arizona

5-Star Recruits: 0
4-Star Recruits: 1
3-Star Recruits: 9

Recruiting Class Rank: 57th

With 17 commitments on the books Arizona is not lacking in quantity, but the Wildcats are in need of quality.

Only one recruit from the class is ranked inside the top 50 at his position, that being middle linebacker Rob Hankins, a top 10 prospect at his position and by far the most talented recruit Arizona has gotten its hands on this year. 

7. UCLA

5-Star Recruits: 1
4-Star Recruits: 0
3-Star Recruits: 7

Recruiting Class Rank: 55th

UCLA has an uncharacteristically poor recruiting class for 2011, currently ranking outside the top 50 with only nine commitments. 

While the Bruins are a little short on scholarships, they do have 5-star quarterback Brett Hundley and a top 10 center in Jacob Brendel. 

6. Washington State

5-Star Recruits: 0
4-Star Recruits: 2
3-Star Recruits: 6

Recruiting Class Rank: 48th

Washington State's 19 commitments are tied with Washington for the second-highest total behind Stanford in the Pac-10, but the focus of the class is on running back Bishop Sankey and outside linebacker Chester Sua.

Sankey is a really intriguing 4-star running back who has the potential to be a real gem in a couple of years and Sua is a very versatile athlete ranked in the top 20 at his position. 

5. California

5-Star Recruits: 0
4-Star Recruits: 4
3-Star Recruits: 6

Recruiting Class Rank: 38th

The Golden Bears' class is headlined by quarterback Kyle Boehm, who has arguably the strongest arm in the nation, and defensive tackle Mustafa Jalil, a top 10 prospect at his position with a ton of potential.

Both of them have the chance to be stars at the next level, as does running back Daniel Lasco and offensive guard Jordan Rigsbee; both of whom are top 25 prospects at their positions. 

4. 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. 

3. Washington

5-Star Recruits: 2
4-Star Recruits: 1
3-Star Recruits: 14

Recruiting Class Rank: 18th

Washington's class begins and ends with the big three of 5-star wide receiver Kasen Willimas, 5-star tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and 4-star running back Brendon Bigelow. 

Williams and Seferian-Jenkins are both ranked in the top three at their positions and Bigelow is a top 15 running back. Add in 14 3-star prospects and Washington is sitting pretty with a solid top 25 class. 

2. Stanford

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

Recruiting Class Rank: 10th

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 Cardinals are buying in bulk. And the quantity makes up for the slight lack of quality.

James Vaughters headlines the class, but Stanford also has Evan Crower, who is rated top 10 at his position, at quarterback, 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.

1. USC

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

Recruiting Class Rank: Ninth

USC doesn't have the most talent from the Pac-10 recruiting classes, but the Trojans do have the best. 5-star athlete De'Anthony Thomas is a top five overall prospect, and if he wasn't listed at 5'8" and 165 pounds, he'd be the No. 1 overall recruit. 

With 5-star JUCO defensive end Sheldon Richardson joining the mix after decommitting from Missouri, he and 5-star defensive end Jalen Grimble should form a devastating duo in the trenches to headline a class that could be seriously potent on the defensive side of the ball.