The Top 10 College Football Recruiting Schools of All Time
In recent times, coaches, players, boosters, fans and writers have thrown around the term "powerhouse" and "football factory." These terms mean that a school is a successful program with stockpiled talent.
A school stockpiles talent via recruiting great prospects and convincing them to sign with their program.
Today, we're going to narrow the list down to the top recruiting schools of all time.
10. Oklahoma
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Oklahoma reminds me of a quiet assassin. OU sticks to its program's beliefs, executes and gets its targets. The Sooners take a strategy of locking up top local talent, then venturing off through the midlands.
What's so surprising about Oklahoma's recruiting is their success in the state of Texas, home of their arch rivals. The Sooners have created various inroads into the Lone Star state and plucked some top recruits such as Rhett Bomar and Adrian Peterson and even Trey Metoyer and Brandon Williams in this year's class.
Bob Stoops has proven in this decade that he is a top notch recruiter and Sooner history has five Heismans, 70 All-Americans and players such as Billy Sims, Billy Vessels and Steve Owens to look to for a rich legacy.
9. Nebraska
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Nebraska football used to define the term "powerhouse." We all know the great college offensive lines they've had throughout the years and the dominant option running game. Three Heismans, 52 All-Americans and five national titles all equal to a great recruiting effort.
Past top players include Tommy Frazier, Eric Crouch, Johnny Rodgers, Ndamukong Suh, Lawrence Phillips, Grant Wistrom, Chris Dishman, Mike Minter and Mike Rozier.
8. Michigan
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A legendary school dating back to the early 1900s, Michigan has pulled its fair share of prep stars for decades. Younger fans look to the great players that the maize and blue have had in recent times, but Michigan has been plucking high profile recruits since the start of its storied program.
Three Heismans, a staggering 77 All-Americans, The Big House, legendary coaches and a catchy fight song have all helped Michigan reach "powerhouse" status.
Past top players include Tom Brady, Charles Woodson, Tom Harmon, Desmond Howard, Willy Teninga, Braylon Edwards, Dan Dworsky, Stuart Wilkins...I have to stop folks, let's just say the Wolverines have been loaded year after year.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Texas
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Texas has a very plush program and a distinct advantage over many other college football programs: they can never leave the state of Texas and still haul top-five recruiting classes year after year. Being the top dog program in a state where football is a way of life, the Longhorns take the seventh spot on our list.
Interestingly enough, one of the all-time great Longhorns is not even from Texas, as 1998 Heisman winner Ricky Williams is from California, so it's evident that when Texas goes into another state, the Longhorns usually get their man.
Past top players include Earl Campbell, Vince Young, Roy Williams, David Thomas, Rodrique Wright, Michael Huff, Major Applewhite, Chris Simms, Leonard Davis and Quentin Jammer.
6. Alabama
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The Crimson Tide has seen a resurgence and burst to their program as of late and thanks to one dominant figure: Nick Saban. Saban is regarded as perhaps the very best college football coach today. He's a keen evaluator who prides himself on developing talent.
With that said, one can't even speak anything Alabama without mentioning Paul "Bear" Bryant. Bryant's stature and legacy with Alabama scoffs at any complaints Nick Saban would have in regards to scrutiny and pressure. Bryant built the Crimson Tide program by luring great high school football stars to Tuscaloosa and coaching 'em up very well.
Although Mark Ingram has the schools lone Heisman from his 2009 victory, 44 All-Americans, 13 National Championships and being a factor season after season in the most competitive conference in college football, hands down, all is a direct result from great recruiting.
5. Ohio State
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The Buckeyes have been a staple in college football and rival any top program in the country. Jim Tressel has done a great job on the recruiting trail in his time at the helm, while other coaches such as Earle Bruce, John Cooper and the legendary Woody Hayes have all recruited and signed a wealth of talent.
Seven Heismans speaks for itself. Then you look deeper and see the 78 All-Americans, the rabid fanbase, the dotting of the "i" and the Horseshoe, and you see why the Buckeyes lure prep stars.
Past top players include Archie Griffin, Orlando Pace, Eddie George, Les Horvath, Ted Ginn Jr., Nate Clements, Andy Katzenmoyer, Howard Cassady, AJ Hawk, Troy Smith and Vic Janowicz.
4. Notre Dame
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Notre Dame. Those two words were all a college coach needed to say to a recruit to get them to come in past years. While recent hard times have hit the program, let's not forget the allure that was the Fighting Irish.
Layered with legend after legend, Notre Dame has had brought in a who's who among college football stars. Seven Heismans, 11 national titles, traditions, history, mystique and myths equal a football factory.
3. Miami
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There never has been a college football program who defines rags to riches as much as Miami. Once a laughingstock program with no tradition nor victories, The U very quickly transformed itself into a dominant force.
Miami, Florida is a football hotbed. Recruits play football nearly year round in Florida and many players see it as a way to a better life for them and their families. The University of Miami sits right smack dab in the middle of this scene and plucks top recruit after top recruit.
Miami rose to grace in the 80's and 90's, then saw a slight dropoff for a few years. Then in from the late 90's to early 2000's, UM dominated recruiting and college football. NFL scouts say Miami is the best of both worlds on their visits: great scenery and even greater players.
2. USC
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In Los Angeles, where football is a big deal but obviously just another component of the city, USC has established itself as a pillar of college football.
Rich in tradition, history, Heismans, All-Americans and media attention, USC has signed some of the very best recruiting classes in history.
After what some fans refer to as "the dark days" of the late 90's, Pete Carroll came in, revamped the program and brought USC back to the national forefront. Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Shaun Cody, LenDale White, John David Booty, Mark Sanchez, Mike Williams and Carson Palmer are just a small number of superstar recruits that have been Trojans.
1. Florida State
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I grew up in an era where if you where a top-tier high school football player, you went to Florida State. Period. In the 90's, FSU dominated recruiting and practically didn't recruit; they drafted players. If a player received an offer from FSU, he almost always went there.
While FSU is just now starting to get back on its feet under Jimbo Fisher, Bobby Bowden closed more often than Mariano Rivera during his heyday.
Bowden convinced superstar after superstar after superstar to be Seminoles, and they dominated college football and went on to the NFL. Florida State takes spot No. 1 on our list.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
