The Worst 2011 College Football Recruiting Classes From The BCS Conferences
College football recruiting rankings are an interesting thing.
They can change at a moment's notice and can make or break the offseason for any particular fan base.
The teams in the six BCS conferences are held to a higher standard, as they should be, when it comes to recruiting. The teams with the most resources should pull in the best players. It just makes sense.
But that's not the case for a handful of teams from college football's power conferences this recruiting season. While many perennial powers have put together spectacular 2011 recruiting classes, others have fallen behind.
Based on the idea that all BCS teams need to show their might in the recruiting game to stay relevant in their respective league or conference, here are the worst college football recruiting classes from the BCS conferences:
ACC: Virginia Tech
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The Hokies went 11-3 last season and landed the ACC's BCS Bowl bid. The success on the field hasn't continued on into the recruiting game, though, as Virginia Tech has been outdone by nearly every school in the conference.
Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina and even rival Virginia have put together spectacular classes while Virginia Tech has only one 4-star recruit and no 5-star prospects.
The Hokies could improve their 2011 recruiting class quickly with the potential additions of 4-star linebacker Stephone Anthony and highly regarded athletes Darius Jennings, Dominique Terrell and Brian Riggins. But the likelihood of the Hokies landing all four remains slim to none.
ACC: Miami
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The Hurricanes lost out on a pair of local recruits when safety Gerod Holliman and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater opted for Louisville.
Gone are the days of Miami landing any recruit it wanted to.
The Hurricanes' class isn't terrible. In fact, Miami has a handful of highly regarded 4-star recruits and could hear good news on National Signing Day from a few more players, including top-ranked tight end Nick O'Leary.
But the Hurricanes have hardly made the splash they're used to making and, quite frankly, needed to make.
Big 12: Iowa State
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DeVondrick Nealy, the 37th-ranked running back in the country, is Iowa State's top-ranked recruit, but he doesn't provide the type of big-name, big-talent punch the Cyclones need to become relevant again in the Big 12.
The Cyclones have added a decent amount of offensive firepower in the 2011 recruiting class, but the same can be said for every school across the Big 12.
A total of 21 commits and not one a 4-star prospect just won't cut it heading into the 2011 season for Iowa State.
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Big 12: Colorado
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The Buffaloes have had much trouble competing with Texas, Oklahoma and the other Big 12 powers on the field, and now the same theme applies to the recruiting game.
After going just 5-7 last year, Colorado needed a big improvement and that could have been had in the 2011 recruiting class. Little has been done to help the cause.
Colorado lacks a 4-star commit and just one top recruit—18th-ranked defensive end Ian Seau—considers the Buffaloes finalists heading into National Signing Day.
Big East: West Virginia
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Much like Virginia Tech, the Mountaineers have fallen flat in an area they've typically done well in.
West Virginia has 18 commits at this point but don't have but one 4-star recruit and no verbals from any top-ranked players.
Things could improve for the Mountaineers by the time the recruiting season is complete as Dominique Terrell, Zachary Witchett and Bill Belton all call West Virginia a finalist.
But Mountaineers fans shouldn't hold their breath.
Big Ten: Penn State
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The Nittany Lions have only two 4-star offensive linemen on the books for next season and lack the big name needed to take another step forward in the Big Ten.
The loss of Ishaq Williams only exemplifies the down year for Penn State, which will now hope to rely on its offensive recruits to push the 2011 class forward.
Big Ten: Michigan
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Much of it can be blamed on the firing of Rich Rodriguez at a crucial time in the recruitment process, but the Wolverines haven't done enough this year.
Michigan lacks a 5-star recruit and have just four 4-star players committed for 2011. The program's top recruit, Dee Hart, left the Big House for Alabama amidst the coaching carousel.
There is still time for the Wolverines to bounce back a bit as they await word from Tim Jernigan and Curtis Grant, among others, but that time is running out.
Pac-10: UCLA
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The Bruins have taken a few steps forward and could make a vast improvement with the commitment of top-ranked linebacker Tony Steward, but at this point, UCLA hasn't done enough to stay up to par against Stanford, Oregon, USC and Cal in the Pac-10.
Perennially one of the top recruiting schools in the country, UCLA just hasn't done it this year while the rest of the power teams in the Pac-10 have put together solid classes.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
