National Signing Day 2011: Power Ranking the Big East Recruiting Classes

With the dust settling from National Signing Day, the Big East football members will look over the new infusion of talent from across the country, hoping said players can help in a push for a Big East title in 2011.

The leader of the conference is the rebuilding Louisville Cardinals, under head coach Charlie Strong, who boast a large infusion of Florida recruits in the class of 2011, with 12 of 19 being from the Sunshine State.

Greg Schiano and Rutgers had the second-best class in the league with a strong homegrown crop of talent, as most of the 2011 class comes from within the state of New Jersey, a developing hotbed for college football players in the Northeast.

In Morgantown, the departing Noel Devine will be replaced by another speed back in Andrew Buie from Jacksonville, Fla., as the Mountaineers pull yet another Florida-laden class of recruits, counting in at 22 on National Signing Day.

While in the Queen City, the Bearcats and Butch Jones have the fourth-best class in the Big East, as Cincinnati will look to its 24 new players to make an impact as the program tries to chase down another Big East Championship in 2011.

With that being said, let’s take a look at how the aforementioned teams and the rest of the Big East shakes down after a busy Tuesday.

Conference Outlook

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountineers hands the ball off to Noel Devine #7 during the Champs Sports Bowl against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Orlando, Florid

Total Recruits for the League: 175 Players

5-Star Recruits: None

4-Star Recruits: Three

3-Star Recruits: 86

National Conference Rank: Eighth of 12

No. 8: Connecticut Huskies

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: Defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cowboys Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Total Commitments: 16

National Rank: Outside the Top 50

5-Star Recruits: None

4-Star Recruits: Four

3-Star Recruits: 15

Star Recruit of the Class: Outside Linebacker, Jefferson Ashiru - Georgia

No. 7: Syracuse Orange

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Doug Marrone of the Syracuse Orange looks on as quarterback Ryan Nassib #12 comes off the field during the game against the Washington Huskies on September 11, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ott

Total Commitments: 28

National Rank: Outside the Top 50

5-Star Recruits: None

4-Star Recruits: Four

3-Star Recruits: 15

Star Recruit of the Class: Tight End, Louie Addazio - Florida

No. 6: South Florida Bulls

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Skip Holtz of the USF Bulls celebrates after a 31-26 victory over the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium on December 31, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Total Commitments: 21

National Rank: Outside the Top 50

5-Star Recruits: None

4-Star Recruits: Four

3-Star Recruits: 15

Star Recruit of the Class: Wide Receiver, Andre Davis - Florida

No. 5: Pittsburgh Panthers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 11: The new University of Pittsburgh head football coach Todd Graham speaks to the media during a press conference at the University of Pittsburgh Panthers South Side training facility on January 11, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylv

Total Commitments: 20

National Rank: Outside the Top 50

5-Star Recruits: None

4-Star Recruits: Four

3-Star Recruits: 15

Star Recruit of the Class: Tight End, Sam Collura - Maryland

No. 4: Cincinnati Bearcats

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 30: Butch Jones the Head Coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats gives instructions to his team during the Big East Conference game agains the Syracuse Orange at Nippert Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons

Total Commitments: 24

National Rank: No. 45

5-Star Recruits: None

4-Star Recruits: One

3-Star Recruits: 20

Star Recruit of the Class: Running Back, Jameel Poteat - Pennsylvania

No. 3: West Virginia Mountaineers

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountineers warms up during the Champs Sports Bowl against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Ge

Total Commitments: 22

National Rank: No. 43

5-Star Recruits: None

4-Star Recruits: Three

3-Star Recruits: 15

Star Recruit of the Class: Athlete, Terrell Chestnut - Pennsylvania

No. 2: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

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PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Greg Schiano of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights looks on against the Connecticut Huskies at Rutgers Stadium on October 8, 2010 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Total Commitments: 24

National Rank: No. 32

5-Star Recruits: None

4-Star Recruits: Four

3-Star Recruits: 15

Star Recruit of the Class: Running Back, Savon Huggins – New Jersey

No. 1: Louisville Cardinals

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LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 15: Charlie Strong the Haed Coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to his team during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on October 15, 2010 in Louisville, K

Total Commitments: 20

National Rank: No. 25

5-Star Recruits: None

4-Star Recruits: Five

3-Star Recruits: 14

Star Recruit of the Class: Safety, Gerod Holliman - Florida