College Football Recruiting 2012: The Top 5 Schools Off to a Fast Start
The 2011 recruiting classes are barely finalized, but some schools have already secured pledges for their 2012 recruiting classes. With recruiting starting earlier and earlier every year, getting an early start is becoming more and more imperative to be successful on the trail as the cycle wears on.
While some schools like to take their time and fully evaluate potential recruits, other schools like to offer early. There have been some commitments already made, but only a few schools actually have classes taking shape this early.
As usual, these schools are always near the top of the overall recruiting rankings and are all recruiting juggernauts.
Here are the top five schools already off to a fast start in 2012 recruiting.
5. Ohio State
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Jim Tressel already has five pledges for his 2012 Buckeye class, including four players that already on many big-name top 100 watch lists. The Buckeyes finished with a top-five to top-10 class in 2011 and will look to use that momentum to carry them into this year.
Warren Ball and Brionte Dunn are two running backs that stand in the 6'2", 210-plus pound range with legit speed and elusiveness. Both backs run hard, physically and well to their size. Then there is linebacker Josh Perry, a 6'4", 230-pound second-level defender that has the size to man the SAM spot and is a force against the run, which will serve well in the physical Big Ten conference.
Kyle Kalis is a 6'5", 305-pound offensive line prospect that can play guard and tackle. Kalis is a classic Big Ten lineman in that he's tough and gritty, with good size and strength at the point.
4. Florida
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Will Muschamp and his recruiting coordinator Aubrey Hill have the Gators off to a solid start in the 2012 efforts with five commitments. Muschamp begins his first full year on the trail as a Gator, but is no stranger to recruiting in the SEC.
Notable players already devoutly pledged to play in Gainesville, including running back Matt Jones, a 6'2", 210-pound running back with Eddie George/Steven Jackson/Eric Dickerson like qualities. Jones is a big back with good forward lean to his style as he finishes carries.
Donte Phillips is a 6'6", 270-pound defensive tackle/end that has great size and athleticism to develop into a solid starter.
Lattroy Pittman is a solid receiver that will do his damage in the intermediate game and use his 6'1", 190-pound frame to catch everything thrown his way. Mike Davis is also a solid running back prospect with 4.5 speed on 5'11", 195-pound frame.
3. Alabama
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Depending on who you ask, either a Florida State fan or an Alabama fan, the Crimson Tide finished with the top recruiting class in the country in 2011. Nick Saban has turned the boys of Tuscaloosa into a recruiting juggernaut since he left the Dolphins.
The Crimson Tide already have nine players in the fold, including Reggie Ragland, a 6'4", 245-pound linebacker that is so athletic he plays receiver for his high school team. Dakota Ball is a strong and athletic 6'2", 290-pound defensive tackle, and Alabama has gotten Kenyan Drake out of Georgia since they missed out on Isaiah Crowell.
Eddie Williams is a 6'4", 200-pound ATH that could play receiver, safety or linebacker and Justin Thomas will try first at QB, but the 5'11", 175-pound athlete may be too dynamic with the football not become a receiver and change-of-pace back.
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2. USC
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Even though the Trojans are fighting sanctions, you have to commend Lane Kiffin and Ed Orgeron for how well they have recruited in the first two classes since returning back to Los Angeles. The Trojans lured a top-five class in 2011 and are off to a very solid start in 2012.
Even though they just have four players in the fold, three of their four pledges should be elite-level recruits, which says a lot. Arik Armstead is among the top recruits regardless of position in the country and the 6'8", 280-pounder will look to become a dominant strong side defensive end for the Trojans.
Jordan Payton is a 6'2", 190-pound receiver that has done nothing but score over 33 times in the past two seasons against elite competition in the Metro-Los Angeles high school area.
Darreus Rogers is a 6'2", 195-pound WR/ATH that may be the best deep threat in California this year and has also lit up Los Angeles City Section competition. Throw in Jayden Mickens, who may be this year's DeAnthony Thomas, and you easily see that the Trojans are at it again already in 2012.
1. Texas
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Who else did you expect to be No. 1 on this list? Texas has revolutionized the way recruiting goes and they have forced other programs to either keep up or fall behind. Mack Brown already has gotten an astonishing 13 players to say yes to Texas and will look to use the spring period to round up more future Longhorns.
The biggest get is easily Cayleb Jones, who may be the top recruit in Texas, at least in the top three, and one of the top receivers in the country. At 6'3", 200 pounds, Jones has long arms, ball skills, hands and route-running ability that all make him special. Thomas Johnson is a 6'0", 185-pound receiver that is not a slouch by any means.
They'll haul in passes from Connor Brewer one day in Austin, as the 6'3", 190-pound QB is among tops in the country. Peter Jinkens is one of the top linebackers in Texas and stands 6'1", 210 pounds with good play speed and athletic ability.
Texas usually finished up their recruiting in the summer, but by the rate they're at now, Mack Brown and his staff may be free to play pranks around the office by April Fools' Day.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
