College Football Recruiting 2012: Major Schools That Will Have Subpar Classes

In recruiting, there some teams that are just consistent powers on the trail. They go around plucking player after player to bring into their program, and see themselves amongst the elite classes year in and year out. It becomes the norm for these programs and rightfully so.

But every so often these teams see a down year on the trail. Whether it be uncertainty on the coaching staff, crowding on the depth chart or for some of the schools on this list, rumored oncoming sanctions.

Anyway you slice it, a subpar class happens to every program once in awhile. Here are several programs that could see a dip this year.

5. Boise State

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LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Boise State Broncos head coach Chris Petersen watches from the sidelines against the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

It makes it hard enough the Broncos are in Boise, Idaho. No disrespect to the good folks of Boise and the surrounding region, but it's not the ideal place to go to if you're a 17-year-old star high school football player.

Chris Petersen and his staff recruit players that want to be there and are overlooked, thus they play with a chip on their shoulders.

But now, Boise State has just learned the NCAA is investigating them for an upwards of 22 alleged violations. Sanctions could be coming and this will hurt the recruiting ability of Petersen and his staff.

4. Virginia Tech

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BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Frank Beamer (L) of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates with defensive coordinator Bud Foster (R) after the Hokies defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 28-21 at Lane Stadium on November 4, 2010 in Blacksburg, V

Frank Beamer and his staff do a great job of evaluating players and finding tough, full motor recruits. That's the make-up of the Hokie program and you see Beamer and staff go after those type of players.

VaTech is not a prime destination for many of the hot shot recruits, yet the Hokies contend for ACC titles year in and year out, thanks to a great blend of recruiting, coaching and player development.

But this year, it may be time for Bud Foster to go out and spread his wings. He is Bearmer's trusted defensive coordinator and has interviewed for various head jobs these past few years. The uncertainty of Foster's future, be it for the good, could have some recruits shy away from Blacksburg.

3. Kansas

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Turner Gill of the Kansas Jayhawks coaches from the sidelines during the game against the Missouri Tigers on November 27, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

When Turner Gill got the KU job, he insisted, in a rather over-the-top manner, the importance of recruiting and how he and his staff would attack the trail. Well, his first year was not the results he wanted.

Gill secured 27 pledges, but none were five or 4-star type players, and 20 were 3-stars and seven were 2-stars or lower. So that tells me KU wasn't a serious contender on the trail for star players.

Although the Jayhawks finished with a top 50 class, I don't think a 3-9 record is going to put them on the radar for many of the elite players in the 2012 crop.

2. UCLA

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PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Head Coach Rick Neuheisel of the UCLA Bruins watches the game against the Washington State Cougars during the game at the Rose Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA defeated Washington State 42-28. (Photo by Je

I have UCLA as one of the top 20 jobs in the country, and I honestly think the program could be one of the elite in college football. Maybe I'm wrong.

Yet, it seems something is missing from Westwood. The Bruin faithful thought it would return with the hiring of Rick Neuheisel, and for a year on the trail in 2010, it did. But last year's recruiting class was just awful. 

UCLA signed eight players, and outside of Brett Hundley, the class was a national and conference after thought. With rumors of Neuheisel being on the hot seat in 2011, and USC being USC, I foresee another down year for UCLA in 2012 recruiting. 

1. Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 30: Head Coach Jim Tressel listens to a member of the media during a press conference before the start of Spring practices at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center at The Ohio State University on March 30, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by

Buckeye fans, I know you're off to a great start in your 2012 class and I'm really liking it so far. Kyle Kalis, Brionte Dunn and Warren Ball are going to be great in Columbus, trust me.

But the Jim Tressel story has brought out some crazy rumors and uncertainty. There could even be a chance Tressel is forced to resign after the 2011 season. All of this surely will have an impact on Ohio State's recruiting efforts going forward.

There could be some serious USC-like sanctions handed down on the Columbus Kids potentially. This could cause a dip on the trail for Tressel and Co. this year moving forward.