National Signing Day 2011: Recruiting Grades for 2011's Top 25 Schools

First of all, it's ridiculous to to put together a 2011 Preseason top 25 in February, right? Secondly, to combine that 2011 preseason top 25 with recruiting grades? Sheer lunacy!

Or not. 

While combining National Signing Day with a next season top 25 projection may be premature in the minds of some, we figure there's no better time than the present! 

Here's how 2011's projected top 25 did on National Signing Day.

1. Oklahoma

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Head coach Bob Stoops is hugged by Eric Mensik #69 and Brian Lepak #51 late in the fourth quarter before the Sooners 48-20 victory against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix St

According to rivals.com, Oklahoma will have the No. 13 recruiting class in the country. Of the Sooners' 17 signings, two were five stars, and seven were four stars according to the site. 

Oklahoma apparently didn't need a ton, but it got a ton of bang for its buck.

Grade: A-

2. Alabama

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide Head Coach Nick Saban stands on the sideline during the Capitol One Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty I

So, maybe the Tide is ranked a tad high. But I recall Alabama winning it all in 2009 with experience on defense, a great running game, and an adequate quarterback. In 2011, 'Bama has that exact formula working for it again. 

At the time this story is published two of the top prospects in America are still strongly considering Tuscaloosa as their home for the next three to four years. That, in addition to what is already considered a top five class. 

Grade: A- (If Kouandjio and/or Clowney decide to join the Tide this easily becomes an A+)

3. LSU

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Head coach Les Miles of the Louisiana State University Tigers reacts to a field goal during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo b

Joining LSU's already stacked team in 2011 will be 23 highly touted prospects, three of which were considered five star recruits by rivals.com. 

One of those five star recruits is Jarvis Landry, the No. 18 overall prospect in the country. The speedy wide receiver will step in right away and another dimension to LSU's at-times stagnant offense. 

Grade: A 

4. Oregon

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks looks on against the Auburn Tigers in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/G

Obviously, the 2010 season didn't end exactly how the Ducks and coach Chip Kelly wanted it to. But National Signing Day couldn't have gone much better. 

Currently, Oregon's 2011 class is ranked No. 11 in the country. That ranking should change with the last minute switch of No. 5 overall prospect and former USC commit D'Anthony Thomas to the Ducks.

Oregon: A+

5. Ohio State

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 25: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressell instructs his quarterback Terrell Pryor #2 during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 25, 2008 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Imag

Along with eight returning starters, Ohio State will welcome one of the biggest prizes of signing day, No. 2 overall recruit Curtis Grant. Rivals.com ranks Ohio State's 2011 class at No. 10.

Grade: A

6. Stanford

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after he threw a 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Virginai Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miam

Despite losing its rock star head coach, Stanford is still in pretty good shape for 2011. The Cardinal will welcome back Heisman finalist Andrew Luck back into the fold. 

Stanford signed 19 players on National Signing Day. Among the newcomers are seven four-star recruits according to rivals.com. It's a pretty nice haul for a program like Stanford.

Grade: B-

7. Boise State

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos warms up before playing against the Utah Utes in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State Won 26-3. (Photo by Et

Boise State will still be a top-10 team next season, much to the chagrin of the growing segment of Bronco haters. 

On signing day, however, Boise State did what it has done for years now. It signed a bunch of two- and three-star players that everyone else overlooked. 

The Broncos will welcome 21 new players in 2011. Not a single one of them were on a top 100 recruiting list. 

Grade: D

8. Florida State

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Florida State Seminoles sideline reacts after their 26-17 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo b

Florida State should be able to build on what Jimbo Fisher started in 2010. Eight starters return on each side of the ball. 

In addition to those 16 starters returning, Florida State welcomes in a top-three recruiting class with two five-star and 13 four-star recruits according to rivals.com.

Grade: A+

9. Michigan State

Hunter Martin/Getty Images

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans leads his team onto the field before a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 27, 2010 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Spartans w

Michigan State played a weak conference schedule in 2010 and won 12 games. It was soundly defeated by Alabama in the Capital One Bowl. But Mark Dantonio does return 13 starters from a team that was one win away from the Rose Bowl. 

Unfortunately for Dantonio, this year's recruiting class is nothing to write home about. The Spartans picked up one top 100 recruit and had only two four-stars in rivals.com's No. 31 class.

Grade: C-

10. Texas A&M

Darren Carroll/Getty Images

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Mike Sherman, head coach of Texas A&M, joins players in a post-game singing of the Aggie War Hymn following Texas A&M's 24-17 win over the University of Texas at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Au

Texas A&M made a strong push to get back to respectability in 2010. With 18 returning starters, the Aggies should continue to build on that in 2011. 

While the Aggies filled needs on National Signing Day, they didn't sign one top 150 recruit according to rivals.com. Texas A&M ranks No. 27 in the overall rankings at rivals.com.

Grade: C

11. Oklahoma State

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 05: Head coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys walks the sidelines during the college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defea

Oklahoma State did lose its highly sought after offensive coordinator to West Virginia. But the Cowboys welcome back a ton of offensive talent, including wide receiver Justin Blackmon. 

A top-10 ranking is probably a bit ambitious, but this team is certainly still quite talented. 

The Cowboys' 2011 recruiting class, however, is not in the elite category. The Cowboys signed 27 recruits and rivals.com ranks them No. 28. Oklahoma State signed only two four-star recruits. The rest were two and three stars. 

Grade: C

12. Auburn

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Head coach Gene Chizik of the Auburn Tigers reacts after a late fourth-quarter run by Michael Dyer #5 that was ruled he was not down by contact against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at Univ

Auburn might have won it all in 2010, but losing three key players to the NFL draft a year early will hurt the defending national champions. Auburn will struggle with youth and a loaded SEC west in 2010, but the future is beyond bright on the Plains. 

Auburn captured at least one mythical recruiting championship on National Signing Day and finished no lower than seventh in two other polls. 

Grade: A+ (with or without Kouandjio)

13. South Carolina

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 13: South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier greets his players after winning a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. The Gamecocks beat the Gators 3

Steve Spurrier finally staked his claim on the SEC east as South Carolina's head coach last season. It was his first SEC east title since 2000 with Florida. With seven starters returning on offense and six on the defense in 2011, Spurrier could very well have his first SEC east repeat since 1999-2000. 

Helping Spurrier get that done will be the nation's No. 20 signing class according to rivals.com.

Getting the state's big prize, Jadeaveon Clowney would obviously make a difference in that ranking, but Clowney will not announce his decision until Valentine's Day. 

Grade: B- (For now)

14. TCU

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Gary Patterson of the TCU Horned Frogs stands on the sidelines against the Wisconsin Badgers during the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

TCU is usually thought of in the same non-BCS conversation as Boise State, but it certainly doesn't compare in recruiting. TCU's class is way better than Boise State's ended up being. 

Still, only one national top 100 player, but rivals.com's No. 26 ranked program snagged 23 three-star recruits and two 4-stars. 

Grade: B

15. Wisconsin

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Bret Bielema and defensive back Aaron Henry #7 of the Wisconsin Badgers walks off the field after losing 21-19 to the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by

Wisconsin lost a lot of the talent that took it to the Rose Bowl in 2010, but a top-15 preseason ranking is virtually assured. You can't say that for the Badgers recruiting ranking, however.

Rivals.com ranks Wisconsin at No. 38 for the 2011 class. There are two top 250 prospects among the signees, but everyone else is a three-star or below. 

Grade: D

16. Arkansas

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Head coach Bobby Petrino of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks down in the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Ph

Arkansas had rivals.com's No. 24 ranking. The Razorbacks had three players in the rivals.com top 200 prospects.

Grade: B-

17. Notre Dame

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Brian Kelly and quarterback Tommy Rees #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish embrace after the game against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. No

Defense was a priority and Brian Kelly did not disappoint. Notre Dame secured four top 100 recruits and two top-25 recruits. Its 2011 class ranked No. 10.

Grade: A+

18. Nebraska

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Coach Bo Pelini of the Nebraska Cornhuskers chats with a game official during their game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colorado 45-17 (Photo by Er

Three top 100 prospects and two top 200 prospects helped to get Nebraska into the Rivals top 15. The 'Huskers signed 11 four-star recruits. 

Grade: B+

19. Mississippi State

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 16: Coach Dan Mullen of the Mississippi State Bulldogs directs play against the Florida Gators October 16, 2010 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Mississippi State was somewhat of a surprise on National Signing Day given Dan Mullen's recent success in Starkville. The Bulldogs pulled off a ton of three-star recruits, but only one, the lone four-star, was ranked in the Rivals top 250. The class was ranked No. 42.

Grade: C

20. Texas

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Mack Brown of the Texas Longhorns during a game against the UCLA Bruins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

It's Texas. Enough said. The 'Horns ended up with a consensus top-five recruiting class. 

Grade: A+

21. USC

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the USC Trojans watches warmups for the game with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Imag

Somehow, despite losing 15 scholarships, Lane Kiffin was able to sign 30 players on National Signing Day. The class spent a few hours at No. 1, but has leveled off around fifth. It's another stellar class with 14 four-star recruits and 13 three-stars for Lane Kiffin.

Grade: A+

22. Florida

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 14: Former defensive coordinator for the University of Texas, Will Muschamp speaks to the media after being introduced as the head coach of the University of Florida on December 14, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. Muschamp is re

Florida missed out on some bigtime prospects, but the Gators moved up at least four spots on National Signing Day to end up at No. 14. There were no five-star recruits, but there were three top 40 prospects and five from the top 60. 

Grade: A

23. Arizona State

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Dennis Erickson of the Arizona State Sun Devils watches from the sidelines during the college football game against the UCLA Bruins at Sun Devil Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Pete

Arizona State only signed 14 players. The Sun Devils did not crack the top 50 at Rivals. While Dennis Erickson believes those players met some team needs, this will be the only F given out among the top 25 teams. 

Grade: F

24. Georgia

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Mark Richt of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Mark Richt just put some more pressure on himself. Georgia had an unbelievable signing day. Richt used the words "Dream Team" in regards to his consensus top-seven recruiting class. Two five-stars, 11 four-stars and 11 three-stars signed with Georgia, according to Rivals. 

Grade: A+

25. Virginia Tech

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Head coach Frank Beamer of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks on against the Stanford Cardinal during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/

Virginia Tech signed 21 players. Four of those players were four-star recruits according to Rivals. The Hokies signed zero players in the top 150. The class ranked No. 33 according to Rivals. 

Grade: C