The Top 25 2011 College Football Recruiting Classes Heading Into the New Year

As was the case a month ago, Florida State has been the talk of the town where the 2011 college football recruiting season is concerned. 

The Seminoles continue to bring in some of the nation's top talent and at this point it's difficult to argue that any class short of Texas' is better than Florida State's. 

There's been some other shifts as well, but the Seminoles' climb to the top of the rankings has been as significant as any this year. 

Here are the power rankings for the top 25 2011 college football recruiting classes heading into the new year.

No. 16-25

16. Georgia 
17. Auburn
18. Virginia 
19. Florida
20. Mississippi State
21. Oregon
22. Tennessee
23. Texas Tech
24. Cal
25. Michigan

15. South Carolina

5-Star Commitments: 1

4-Star Commitments: 3

3-Star Commitments: 19

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. 

14. Oklahoma State

5-Star Commitments: 1

4-Star Commitments: 6

3-Star Commitments: 13

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 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, Oklahoma State balances out their class with 4-star safety Lyndell Johnson, 4-star defensive end Jimmy Bean and 4-star cornerback Mikeatavius Jones, all of whom are rated top 25 at their position. There's also 4-star JUCO defensive tackle John Jenkins, a mammoth at 340 pounds. 

13. Notre Dame

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 9

3-Star Commitments: 10

The losses of Aaron Lynch, Justice Hayes and Jordan Prestwood were big blows to Notre Dame's recruiting efforts, but the school still boasts a strong and well-balanced overall class. 

Getting former North Carolina commitment Everett Golson to come aboard was huge. The 4-star quarterback is one of the top dual-threat passers in the nation and instantly upgrades the offensive side of the Irish's 2011 class. 

Add 4-star talent at offensive guard, offensive tackle, tight end, running back, wide receiver, defensive end, outside linebacker and safety, and you quickly see why Notre Dame still has a stacked class despite the recent losses.

12. North Carolina

5-Star Commitments: 2

4-Star Commitments: 4

3-Star Commitments: 12

North Carolina had a huge commitment earlier this month when 5-star linebacker Travis Hughes decided to join the Tar Heels, becoming the second 5-star prospect from UNC's 2011 class. 

He's joined by 5-star offensive tackle Kiaro Holts and a solid group of offensive talent that should pay dividends early for the Tar Heels. 

Expect 4-star quarterback Marquise Williams to be in the mix for the starting gig next season now that Everett Golson has decommitted and joined up with Notre Dame. 

11. Nebraska

5-Star Commitments: 1

4-Star Commitments: 7

3-Star Commitments: 7

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 running back he is. 

Nebraska has a solid bunch of offensive linemen 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 fellow 4-star quarterback Jamal Turner, and the Cornhuskers have some solid offensive pieces.

10. Stanford

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 8

3-Star Commitments: 13

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 and is one of the top middle linebackers in the country. With a solid senior year, he'll emerge as a 5-star talent. 

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.

9. Arkansas

5-Star Commitments: 1

4-Star Commitments: 6

3-Star Commitments: 17

Arkansas missed out on its native son, quarterback Kiehl Frazier, who instead opted for Auburn, but the Razorbacks had a huge weekend at the end of October.

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.

8. LSU

5-Star Commitments: 2

4-Star Commitments: 5

3-Star Commitments: 10

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.

Landry might be a little small and not as fast as some of the other receivers in the country, but he might go down as the best in the bunch. The guy gets it done regardless of the situation and definitely puts together the most impressive highlight reel.

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.

7. Clemson

5-Star Commitments: 3

4-Star Commitments: 4

3-Star Commitments: 13

Clemson has the most explosive offensive recruiting class in the country with 5-star running back Mike Bellamy, 5-star receivers Charone Peake and Sammy Watkins, 4-star running back Marline Lane and 4-star tight end Eric MacLain. 

All of them are serious playmakers with a ton of speed and athleticism. Getting this group onto the field should quickly turn the Tigers into the top offensive team in the ACC and one of the most dangerous offenses in the country. 

As we've said before, sometimes it's not just how much talent a class has, but how well it gels. And Clemson is gelling. 

6. USC

5-Star Commitments: 3

4-Star Commitments: 5

3-Star Commitments: 9

USC doesn't have the most talent from the Pac-10 recruiting classes, but the Trojans do have the best. Five-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. 

He'll line up at cornerback most likely, but he's also one of the best running backs in the nation; Thomas has spoken of playing both ways.

Five-star JUCO defensive end Sheldon Richardson would have been a huge addition had he not spurned the Trojans, but they still have 5-star end Jalen Grimble and, of course, 5-star receiver George Farmer finally made it official this month.  

5. Oklahoma

5-Star Commitments: 2

4-Star Commitments: 7

3-Star Commitments: 9

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 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.

4. Ohio State

5-Star Commitments: 2

4-Star Commitments: 11

3-Star Commitments: 6

Ohio State should be in good shape at the quarterback position for years to come, thanks to Braxton Miller committing to follow in Terrelle Pryor's footsteps.

Miller is one of the top overall prospects in the country, and 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, outside linebacker Ryan Shazier, ranked top 10 at his position.

3. Alabama

5-Star Commitments: 3

4-Star Commitments: 9

3-Star Commitments: 8

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 top-10 receiver Marvin Shinn, 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.

2. Florida State

5-Star Commitments: 4

4-Star Commitments: 7

3-Star Commitments: 11

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.

Then the Seminoles followed that up with commitments from 5-star JUCO defensive end Cornellius Carradine as well as 4-star cornerback Nick Waisome and 4-star offensive guard Jacob Fahrenkrug.

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. 

1. Texas

5-Star Commitments: 7

4-Star Commitments: 9

3-Star Commitments: 7

By now, most college football fans who follow recruiting are well aware of the situation in Austin. The Longhorns' 2011 class is simply stacked with talent on both sides of the ball.

Their seven 5-star commitments are as many as Alabama, Ohio State and Oklahoma together. 

With top-rated running back Malcolm Brown and top-10 talent at offensive guard, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, cornerback and safety, there's no doubt Texas stands alone at the top of the rankings. 

Now, whether everyone sticks around after the Longhorns' disappointing 2010 season is a different story.