College Football Recruiting 2012: 5 Schools Most Likely to Pick Up Steam

Recruiting starts earlier and earlier every year, with many junior players opting to commit early. But usually, the focus of the new class comes after National Signing Day for the previous class.

With that, some schools storm out of the gate with early pledges such as Texas, Texas A&M and LSU this year, among others. Then there are other schools that get off to slow starts for one reason or the other.

I'm going to give you five schools that are currently in the middle of a slow start but will surely pick up steam going forward in 2012 recruiting.

5. Georgia

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 1: Coach Mark Richt of the University of Georgia directs play against the Michigan State Spartans at the 2009 Capital One Bowl at the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Georgia actually is off to a good start this year, scoring eight commit so far. Yet, only one of the Dawg pledges is rated 4-stars, as 6'5", 220-pound DE Leonard Floyd is the top ranked player in the class so far.

With the Bulldogs sitting in the middle of SEC country in the talent rich state of Georgia, I'm sure it's not too far fetched to say UGA is surely bound to pick up steam.

They have been bantered as the rumored favorite of 5-star RB Keith Marshall and 5-star OT John Theus.

4. Oregon

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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

The Ducks have a five-man recruiting class thus far, with just one 4-star player in TE Evan Bayliss. Their first commit didn't come until April, but May saw Oregon land four commits.

With an appearance in the BCS title game, the presumed favorite to repeat as Pac-12 champions in 2011, a fun offense to watch and of course the million uniforms, Oregon will pick up steam on the trail.

Kyle Murphy, a 5-star OT, has them in his top four, and even 5-star OLB Kwon Alexander has said he would like to visit Eugene. 

3. Oklahoma State

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AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys during play against the Texas Longhorns at Texas Memorial Stadium on October 25, 2008 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Pokes recently lost 4-star ATH Bralon Addison, as he de-committed and pledged to Big 12 rival Texas A&M. To pour salt on their wounds, just this past week, Dalton Santos, a 4-star LB prospect de-committed and is now considering other schools.

With just six commits thus far, the Cowboys need to pick up steam; and they will.

My belief is with the combination of time and the projected success of the Cowboys this year, Oklahoma State will land their fair share of talented recruits. 

2. Tennessee

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Derek Dooley of the Tennessee Volunteers watches on against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Im

It's shocking to see that the Volunteers only have two commitments so far for their 2012 class. While they don't have a plush backyard scoop up talent from in the state of Tennessee, the Vols do have a great pull in the South and a national reach.

The gist of their recruiting classes are made up of out of state prospects, and this year likely will be the same as the both of their only two commitments are out of state prospects.

Look for Derek Dooley to combine marked on field improvement in 2011 with his noted passionate filled recruiting efforts to land some very talented prospects in Knoxville.

1. Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Coach Bo Pelini soaks up the atmosphere before leading his Nebraska Cornhusker football team on the field against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Missouri 31-17.

The Cornhuskers are in the same boat as Tennessee. Just two commits. Not in a routinely talent rich state. Primed for a big year.

Last year, Nebraska had a top-25 class with some very top-level caliber prospects. Many times in recruiting, when a team starts to win during the season, prospects take notice and on-field success helps on the trail.

Nebraska is my pick to win the Big 10 this year and get to the Rose Bowl. That alone will definitely help pick up steam for Big Red and have them land their share of great prospects.