College Football Recruiting 2012: The Top 10 Recruiting Classes in June
Ranking recruiting classes is always a tough thing to do in this early middle stage of recruiting. Many players are usually still left on the board, so there always are a ton of commitments still left to be made that impact and shape the rankings landscape.
However, it's still fun to try to do it and it also gives us a chance to see who's off to a good start. So for this piece, we're going to rank the top 10 recruiting classes at this point in June.
The raging uproar and debate shall begin.
10. Oklahoma
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The Sooners have a solid class in the fold already with eight commitments slated to sign with OU next February. They have three 4-star prospects out of the eight, and the top player in the class so far is 4-star WR Durron Neal.
Neal, who pledged to OU only within the past day or so, is joined by fellow 4-star recruits RB Alex Ross and WR Sterling Shepard.
Six players are on the offensive side of the ball, including the top three of the class overall, and the two defensive players are 5'11" CB De'Vante Harris and 6'1" 190-pound OLB Eric Striker.
9. LSU
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LSU quietly has put together a stellar, 14-man recruiting so far as we sit in June, with three recruits being rated at 4-stars.
The headliner so far is 4-star WR Avery Johnson, the younger brother of Patrick Peterson. Johnson is a 6'2", 185-pounder with great deep speed, a long frame and excellent all around athleticism. With a bit more coaching and instilled focus, Johnson should be an All-SEC caliber WR.
The sleeper is MLB Trey Granier. 6'1", 225 pounds, Granier is a productive, instinctive and physical LB that should fit well as a MIKE LB.
8. Miami
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Al Golden has been very, very aggressive in his recruiting approach since he arrived in Coral Gables. Golden has attacked the trail with passion and enthusiasm, earning him 14 commitments already with five players being 4-stars.
The headliner is RB Duke Johnson, a 5'9", 180-pound speedster out of the backfield with solid vision, nimble feet and a great burst to and through holes.
Also watch out for Angelo Louis-Jean, an athletic WR/CB that stands 6'0", 185 pounds. The Miami staff will be fighting among themselves for Louis-Jean as he can play both DB and WR equally and effectively.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. USC
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USC is not going to sign a really big class this year, and likely for the next for years. I think this will be an interesting study, as this is going to really challenge the evaluation skills of Lane Kiffin and his staff.
Should they miss on a player, it will force substantial consequences on the roster. However, it seems the Trojans get that and are going after quality evidenced by five of the nine commitments being 4-stars or higher.
The headliner is Arik Armstead, whom Scout.com lists as the No.1 overall prospect in the country. 6'8", 275 pounds, Armstead is a mammoth DE that also could develop into an elite LT.
6. Florida
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Will Muschamp is off to an outstanding start to his first full year recruiting for Florida. Five out of his 10 commitments so far for 2012 are rated 4-stars or higher with 5-star OT Jessamen Dunker leading the way.
6'6", 315 pounds, Dunker is a future LT that combines size, balance, excellent feet, knee bend and incredible athleticism. He's still a bit raw, but college coaching should help him reach his amazing potential.
While he is still rated 4-stars, don't sleep on 6'3", 210-pound RB Matt Jones. Jones reminds me a bit of Eddie George on tape, and could even play LB.
5. Michigan
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Entering the month of June, Michigan has a 17-commit recruiting class for 2012. While the Wolverines have no 5-star pledges, they do have nine 4-star commits including two fantastic LB prospects.
Royce Jenkins-Stone and James Ross are two of the top 10 LB prospects in the country and will be All-Big Ten caliber defenders in Ann Arbor.
Kaleb Ringer is not far behind them, and Terry Richardson is a very good CB. Big Blue's latest commit is 4-star OT Erik Magnuson, a 6'6", 275-pound big ugly from California.
4. Texas A&M
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Mike Sherman is not playing around on the trail this year. He's making that clear with having 20 commitments, and six of those recruits being 4-star players.
The headliner is 5-star RB Trey Williams, a 5'8" (ish) 180-pound jitterbug that has a quick, darting running style and stands a bit thicker than you think. Look for Williams to excel as a luxury back in College Station.
The Aggies may have scored two potential starting WRs in this class in 4-star ATH Bralon Addison and 4-star QB Matt Davis. Addison could also play RB or DB, while Davis is listed as a QB, some speculate he'll be a WR in college.
3. Florida State
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Jimbo Fisher has hauled in consecutive top 10 classes for FSU in his two years leading the charge in recruiting last season being his first as head coach.
Fisher's biggest commitment is clearly 5-star DE Mario Edwards. 6'4", 270 pounds, Edwards is as big as a DT and as athletic as a LB. He's a complete prep player and should become an All-ACC selection in Tallahassee.
Florida State also has a bit of a sleeper in 4-star OT Alphonse Taylor, a 6'6", 340-pounder that can play both OT and OG.
2. Alabama
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In my super-early recruiting class rankings weeks ago, I had 'Bama on top, but now I have another on top. Yet still, the Crimson Tide are enjoying another great run in recruiting.
They have two 5-star commitments, followed by another five 4-star rated players to make up an 13 commit recruiting class so far in June.
The headliner is 5-star LB Reggie Ragland. A huge, 6'4", 245-pounder that blows ball carriers up at the point of attack, Ragland is an above average athlete, strong and instinctive. He will be the next great ILB in Tuscaloosa.
1. Texas
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Out their 17 players committed, Texas has a shocking 14 of them rated at 4-stars, with three of those 14 being 5-star players. Safe to say that so far, the recruiting trail in college football is Longhorn territory.
The top player is 5-star RB Johnathan Gray, as this could mark the second year in a row that Texas signs the top RB prospect in the country, as they signed Malcolm Brown in 2011. Gray is a 5'11", 195-pound rock toter that has a near complete skill set.
Connor Brewer doesn't all the pub that Gunner Kiel, Zeke Pike and Jameis Winston get, but the 4-star QB in a sheer winner, has solid accuracy, toughness and commands his offense very, very well.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
