College Football Recruiting 2011: 10 Teams That Need To Finish the Year Strong
Each year, there are winners and losers when it comes to the recruiting game. Some teams, like Texas, have it easy. Players just want to go there at all costs, and it shows in this year's top-ranked recruiting class.
Other teams have a tougher time putting together their award-winning casts.
Whether teams have their core to build around or are still waiting for that top target's verbal, January is the biggest month in recruiting, and many teams need to put together a solid month to finish the year strong.
Here are the 10 teams that need to finish the year strong:
USC
1 of 10
The Trojans started out strong on this year's recruiting circuit but have fallen lately.
Commitments of standout wide receivers George Farmer and Victor Blackwell round out an impressive class that features plenty of athleticism and explosiveness.
Still, the Trojans were shutout at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl with three of their targeted recruits heading to rival Pac-12 schools. USC will hope to get that taste of defeat out of its mouth on National Signing Day.
Clemson
2 of 10
The Tigers already have a Top 10 recruiting class. Still, they can do more. In fact, they can do a lot more.
On Jan. 21, two of the top three players in the nation will make their official visits to Clemson and while the Tigers aren't necessarily the favorites, according to reports, they have a chance at making a large splash on the recruiting scene.
The chance to add Jadeveon Clowney and Ray Drew certainly leave something to be desired for at Clemson this month.
Alabama
3 of 10
Their rivals just won the National Championship. The Tide need to keep pace.
With the third-ranked recruiting class at this point in the recruiting process, Alabama is certainly off to a good start. Still, there is much work left to do.
A handful of top-ranked players consider the Tide among their finalists. Landing one of the top undeclared players would likely bump Alabama forward into the top spot among recruiting classes.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Auburn
4 of 10
Now that they've won the National Championship, Tigers fans have only one thing on their minds—repeat.
With on-field duties finally complete, Auburn has a chance to secure its billing as perhaps one of the top teams heading into next season when top ranked running back Isaiah Crowell makes his official visit.
The Tigers improved a bit on the defensive side of the ball with last weekend's commitments of Brent Calloway and Kris Frost. Getting Crowell would sure up the offense for years to come.
Ole Miss
5 of 10
The Rebels dropped a bit in the recruiting class rankings with the decommitals of Gerod Holliman and Andrew Johnson, who both went to Louisville.
In order to keep pace with the impressive recruiting classes of conference rivals Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Georgia, Ole Miss needs to make one more splash heading into National Signing Day.
Florida
6 of 10
Head coach Will Muschamp has done a terrific job keeping the peace after the abrupt departure of Urban Meyer.
In what was sure to be a decommitment frenzy, the Gators pushed forward and assured their verbal commits all was well in Gainesville.
Florida can make one final splash with the acquisition of Tony Steward, the top ranked inside linebacker, who will reportedly make a mid-week visit this month.
Notre Dame
7 of 10
The Fighting Irish tend to put together solid classes. At Notre Dame, recruiting helps itself where tradition is deep, to say the least.
Still, there is much work to do this month if the Irish want to take that final leap back into the big time following a solid season and bowl victory.
Among the final targets for Notre Dame is 19th ranked tight end Troy Niklas, who will make his official visit just days before singing day.
Virginia Tech
8 of 10
Given Virginia's impressive recruiting class, the Hokies need to finish strong. Throw in the fact that ACC rivals Florida State, Clemson and North Carolina have all put together some of the best classes in the nation and the Hokies may be in trouble.
Virginia Tech will host top-ranked outside linebacker Stephone Anthony Jan. 22.
Tennessee
9 of 10
Derek Dooley has quietly put together a Top 25 recruiting class but still trails SEC rivals Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Florida in the game.
After a solid season, the Vols need to make a final splash heading into next year to turn heads in the nation's best conference.
They'll have a chance to add a handful of target recruits on signing day, including fourth ranked running back Mike Baellamy, among others.
South Carolina
10 of 10
The same can be said for the Gamecocks that was said for Tennessee.
Plainly put, the SEC is a tough place to make a living. And South Carolina is on the outside looking in at this point in the recruiting game.
That can all change with one commitment, though. And that one commit would be Jadeveon Clowney. The top ranked player in the country is a South Carolina native and calls the Gamecocks one of his favorites.
Adding Clowney to a solid class would certainly bump South Carolina up a few spots in the recruiting rankings and set its defense up for years to come.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
