National Signing Day 2011: Power Ranking the Top 10 Instant Impact Classes
There are two ways to look at the quality of a recruiting class.
One can look at the upside of the class. Can the recruits in the class blossom into big time college players when called upon? Do the recruits have skill sets that—when developed—add value at all spots on the field?
You can also look at the immediate impact that can be made by the players in the class. Some recruits coming out of high school or post-grad prep or junior college can jump right in and make their presence known.
Here are the Top 10 Instant Impact 2011 Recruiting Classes.
10. Virginia
1 of 10
The Cavaliers have compiled an impressive class despite a less-than-impressive year on the field.
The newly-acquired talent will surely help turn things around, and 4-star cornerbacks Demetrious Nicholson and Brandon Phelps are surefire players to lead the way.
9. Oregon
2 of 10
The defending national runners up have restocked well and done so with athletic talent.
No. 2 athlete Devon Blackmon, 4-star wide receiver Tacoi Sumler and seventh-ranked inside linebacker Anthony Wallace are potential candidates to step on the field and make an impact for the Ducks next fall.
8. Clemson
3 of 10
The Tigers' impressive crop of 5 and 4-star wide receivers will surely make a splash next fall.
Five-star Charone Peake and 4-star wide outs Martavis Bryant and Sammy Watkins have the skill sets to make an immediate impact for Clemson.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Georgia
4 of 10
Mark Richt's "Dream Team" recruiting class has come together quite a bit over the last few weeks, and the most recent commits will be the ones to make a quick impact.
Top-ranked tight end Jay Rome, 4-star wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell and 4-star athlete Damian Swann will likely see immediate playing time for the Bulldogs.
6. Notre Dame
5 of 10
The Irish typically tend to put together solid classes, and this year's crop of recruits is no different.
Notre Dame will likely see immediate impacts from defensive ends Aaron Lynch, Ishaq Williams and Stephon Tuitt, among others.
5. Auburn
6 of 10
The rich get richer...
Auburn followed up its National Championship by hitting the recruiting trail hard to acquire commitments from a host of immediate impact recruits.
None, however, are more ready to make their presence known than Christian Westerman, the No. 2 offensive tackle, who Auburn took from Texas.
4. LSU
7 of 10
The Tigers have kept pace well with Alabama and will surely see an immediate impact from two players, in particular, featured in their 2011 recruiting class.
Top-ranked defensive tackle Anthony Johnson and No. 3 offensive tackle La'El Collins are both 5-star recruits and will undoubtedly make an impact next fall.
3. Alabama
8 of 10
As usualy, Alabama has brought it during the 2011 recruiting season.
Still hoping to hear good news from a host of recruits, the Tide have a handful of players ready to make an impact next fall.
No. 2 safety Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, fourth-ranked defensive end Xzavier Dickson and 4-star outside linebacker Trey DePriest will likely step right in for Alabama.
2. Texas
9 of 10
The Longhorns were recently knocked off the top spot in the 2011 class rankings, but that doesn't change the fact that this year's crop of recruits is talented and ready to make an impact.
Malcolm Brown is perhaps the top running back in the nation, and Quandre Diggs is the top-ranked cornerback in the country. The Longhorns also have No. 4 defensive tackle Desmond Jackson, 12th-ranked athlete Josh Turner and No. 4 inside linebacker Steve Edmond.
1. Florida State
10 of 10
The Seminoles' 2011 recruiting class is considered the top class in the nation by most recruiting media outlets.
Florida State has talent across the board and the type of players likely to make an impact immediately.
Top-ranked safety Karlos Williams, No. 2 tight end Nick O'Leary and fourth-ranked offensive tackle Bobby Hart have the skillsets and body types to give the Seminoles depth on both sides of the ball next fall.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
