National Signing Day 2011: Which Schools Have Reversed Fortunes From Last Year?
Wow, what a difference a year makes.
We all would like to travel back in time, some to do things differently and some to not do certain things at all. In recruiting the same can be said, as some teams are having a great class this year that didn't last year and vice versa.
Let's check out some programs whose fortunes are reversing from last year.
UCLA
1 of 9
Last year the Bruins were riding high and saying that since Pete Carroll left USC, the city of Los Angeles was there's for the taking.
They were boasting about a consensus top 10 type recruiting class that included players such as Anthony Barr, Cassius Marsh and Owamagbe Odighizuwa. Head coach Rick Neuheisel hauled some serious talent for the Bruins and felt momentum would carry into this year's recruiting cycle.
The 2010 class held 23 commits as to now the Bruins' 2011 class only has eight. Not only is UCLA nowhere to be found in national top 25 class rankings, they're at the bottom of the Pac-12 conference class rankings.
Oregon
2 of 9
Last year, Oregon finished with top 15-20 type recruiting class, which is usually the normal recruiting range in Eugene.This year Chip Kelly has used the buzz of Ducks, his fast break offense and the endless uniform combinations to propel Oregon to the top 10 in most rankings.
The headliner of the class is the versatile Colt Lyerla who could play linebacker, defensive end, or tight end for the Ducks. Devon Blackmon should be a treat to watch play receiver in Eugene and Anthony Wallace should be a good fit at linebacker.
So it is true what they say, a No.1 ranking for most of the season and BCS championship game appearance does help your program out in recruiting. Who would have known?
Clemson
3 of 9
Clemson is enjoying a very similar role reversal to Oregon this year. They were in the bottom part of the top 25 rankings a season ago, yet this year they have a top 10 type class.
What makes Clemson's reversal more impressive than Oregon's is Clemson did not have the season Oregon had on the field, yet they still sit in the top 10 tier class rankings.
This speaks volumes to the prowess of Dabo Swinney's staff and they are still lurking for players such as Tony Steward and Jadeveon Clowney. Tahj Boyd could take over at quarterback from Kyle Parker in 2011 and Swinney has been building momentum in the offseason since the Tigers' bowl game.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Miami
4 of 9
Times have been tough in Coral Gables as Randy Shannon is out and Al Golden is in from Temple.
To go back even further, in 2008, Miami had the top recruiting class in the country by some accounts and a consensus top five class. Fast forward to 2010 and The U hauled in a top 15-20 class. Now, The Canes find themselves out of the top 25 and could be poised to have a less than stellar class if things don't fall right.
They've lost out on key Florida high school recruits such as Marcus Roberson, Gerrod Holliman and Teddy Bridgewater. However, they are in the hunt for players like Marqise Lee, Antuwan Woods and Ray Drew, among others, showing Al Golden and Brennan Carroll have hit the trail hard and aggressively.
Michigan
5 of 9
Last year Michigan was gaining some momentum going into the 2010 season with a top 20-25 class, and all looked well for the future. They had two solid quarterbacks on the roster with experience in Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier from the 2009 class, and Rich Rodriguez was starting to infuse the program with his type of players.
Rodriguez was fired earlier this year and talented running back Dee Hart bolted for Alabama. They also lost out on Kris Frost and Wayne Lyons, who both really liked the idea of playing in Ann Arbor for Rich Rod.
Brady Hoke will get the program back on track in time, but this year's recruiting class likely won't finish in the top 25. Wolverine fans, be patient.
Ohio State
6 of 9
Year in and year out it seems Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes clean up in recruiting around the Midwest and pluck players nationally too.
Last year was a head scratcher as the Buckeyes finished with a top 25 class, yet it wasn't the normal top 5-10 class that Ohio State usually has in recruiting. Clearly, we all slip up from time to time as being consistent is a skill itself, and this year Tressel and Co. have gotten back their old ways.
Ohio State will certainly finish in the top 10 at the very least and has players such as Braxton Miller, Ryan Shazier and Michael Bennet in the fold. They're also heavy in the running for 5-star linebacker Curtis Grant.
Penn State
7 of 9
I remember years back when Penn State was in a fierce recruiting battle with Virginia Tech for Kevin Jones, who was the nation's No.1 recruit at the time. Penn State lost out on Jones, who went to Blacksburg and became a first round draft pick by the Detroit Lions.
Last year Penn State enjoyed a bit of a surge on the recruiting trail finishing with a pretty solid class in the bottom part of the top 25-30 type rankings. They signed players such as Rob Bolden, Paul Jones, Khairi Fortt and Silas Redd.
Now, a year later, Bolden wants out of PSU and this incoming class has some great talent at the forefront, but lacks overall depth and quality. Anthony Zettel, Shawn Oakman, Bill Belton and Deion Barnes are great players, yet the class lacks more star power after them.
Indiana
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No, I'm not talking about the basketball team. While I know the Hoosier's football tradition isn't rivaling Michigan's or Ohio State's, a note must be made on the two 4-star players they are slated to sign.
Raymon Taylor is a 5'10", 170 pound athlete who could see time at receiver, cornerback or running back. Taylor could return punts and kicks as well. He's versatile and athletic and that will bode well for him at Indiana.
Zack Shaw is a solid linebacker prospect who stands 6'3" and weighs nearly 220 pounds. He could be poised to become a future starter at the Mike spot for the Hoosiers and track running backs with his solid playing speed, toughness and instincts.
TCU
9 of 9
TCU has quietly become one of the most stable programs in college football. Many felt that after Dennis Franchione and LaDanian Tomlinson left, the program would fall to the wayside.
Gary Patterson had something to say about that national opinion and has built TCU into a great program in Fort Worth. The Horned Frogs haven't been a recruiting powerhouse per se, but this year they have a chance to finish with a top 25 recruiting class.
While they lost out on Beverly Hills defensive end Greg Townsend Jr., TCU still has players such as John Lewis, Brandon Carter, LeDarius Brown, running back Ethan Grant and Curtis Carter. Both Grant and Curtis Carter have been timed at 4.4 in the 40 and fit the tough and smart TCU player mold.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
