College Football Recruiting: Ranking the 2011 Pac-10 Recruiting Classes
With everything but bowl season over and done with, it's time for all of us college football fans to start looking forward to the next big part of college football: recruiting.
While numerous verbal commitments have already been made, the world awaits National Signing Day with bated breath.
With February fast approaching, let's take a look at where the Pac-10 schools lie as far as recruiting.
10. Washington State Cougars
1 of 10
Top Commit: Bishop Sankey, RB
No. of Commits: 22
Analysis
For a school that barely manages to win one game a year, the Washington State Cougars have done a pretty good job of recruiting this year.
They have pulled in an impressive 22 recruits who span almost every position on the field. None of them are ESPN 150 players, and they lack high-range offensive talent (aside from Bishop Sankey), but it's still a step in the right direction for the lowest peg on the Pac-10 totem pole.
9. Arizona State Sun Devils
2 of 10
Top Recruit: Gionni Paul, OLB
No. of Recruits: 12
Analysis
With only 12 current recruits, the Arizona State recruiting class is small, but they have a lot of high-level talent.
They grabbed a group of promising receiving targets in guys like Gary Chambers and Dillon van der Wal, as well as some quality defensive players in the front seven.
8. UCLA Bruins
3 of 10
Top Recruit: Brett Hundley, QB
No. of Recruits: 8
Analysis
UCLA may have a lot of people considering committing, but they only have eight real commits right now, which isn't so good for a program that could really use some talent upgrades.
The good new is, though, their top recruit is Brett Hundley, the No. 5 quarterback recruit in the country this year. He will look to step into the lineup right away as a true freshman.
They also managed to snag a few good offensive line recruits, which should really help with Hundley's development.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Arizona Wildcats
4 of 10
Top Recruit: Rob Hankins, ILB
No. of Recruits: 18
Analysis
The Arizona Wildcats did a great job of splitting up their recruiting between offense and defense, but they really didn't manage to hit key positions like defensive tackle.
They are still working on a good number of players, but their class just seems a little shorthanded.
6. Oregon State Beavers
5 of 10
Top Recruit: Brandin Cooks
No. of Recruits: 25
Analysis
The Beavers got it all with this class. They may not have snagged elite talent at this point, but many of their recruits have tremendous upsides, like their top guy, Brandin Cooks.
In addition to playing football in high school, Cooks was also a great track athlete.
Oregon State should be happy with what they've done so far, and it can only get better as they close out the recruiting season.
5. Stanford Cardinal
6 of 10
Top Recruit: James Vaughters, ILB
No. of Recruits: 21 (1 ESPN 150)
Analysis
The Cardinal may not have snagged a huge number of ESPN 150 recruits like the four schools above them, but they did one of the best jobs at filling necessary positions, starting with the defense.
James Vaughters will look to come in and start Day One in the absence of FB/ILB Owen Marecic, and athlete Jordan Richards could make an immediate impact as a defensive back.
The Cardinal could have used another wide receiver or two, but their class is overall a well-rounded one.
4. Washington Huskies
7 of 10
Top Recruit: Kasen Williams, WR
No. of Recruits: 19 (3 ESPN 150)
Analysis
If there is one thing that Steve Sarkisian does very well, it's recruiting.
Despite the lack of success of the Huskies, Sarkisian has managed to pull in a top wide receiver, top offensive tackles and top athletes in addition to several promising players who will have the chance to make immediate impacts.
The one player who should have the spotlight on him is quarterback Joseph Gray. While he is still a small kid, the Huskies will need a player to step up and fill in for Jake Locker, and Gray has the potential to be that guy.
3. California Golden Bears
8 of 10
Top Recruit: Todd Barr, DT
No. of Recruits: 15 (4 ESPN 150)
Analysis
When I first looked at the current recruiting stats of Cal, I was honestly baffled. For a team that hasn't been playing well, doesn't have a solid fanbase and isn't the most publicized team in the nation, they have recruited phenomenally well, pulling in ESPN 150 recruits at the defensive tackle, safety, wide receiver and outside linebacker positions.
Cal also managed to pick up a solid commit at quarterback, which they will really need in the absence of Kevin Riley.
2. Oregon Ducks
9 of 10
Top Recruit: Tacoi Sumler, WR
No. of Recruits: 19 (4 ESPN 150)
Analysis
I'm just confused how Oregon has managed not to pick up more ESPN 150 guys. Sure, they grabbed great guys, including the No. 7 inside linebacker and quarterback, but the number just seems a little small. I would watch out for some last-minute commits to Oregon.
They managed to grab a guy at every position they need, except for perhaps safety. Well done, Chip Kelly.
1. USC Trojans
10 of 10
Top Recruit: George Farmer, WR
No. of Recruits: 22 (5 ESPN 150)
Analysis
So much for the NCAA sanctions affecting recruiting.
USC has done a phenomenal job pulling in players who'll play on both sides of the ball.
My question is, why go for two wide receivers as your top recruits? Oh yeah, because George Farmer runs a 4.38 40 and Victor Blackwell has the upside and athleticism to match.
USC covered every base. They should continue to be a force in the Pac-10 as well as in non-conference play for a long time to come if they keep up this kind of recruiting.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
