College Football Recruiting 2012: Predicting the Top 25 Classes on Signing Day
Making predictions can be a tough thing, depending on how serious you are about it. Sometimes it can be fun, if having fun is your aim.
For this read, we're going to do both: have fun and try to make an educated guess on who the top 25 college football recruiting class will be next February. This will be tough, since many top prospects remain uncommitted at the moment and they will shape the recruiting class rankings next year.
But here we go.
25. Nebraska
1 of 25
Big Red is off to a slow start on the trail this year, as they only have two commitments right now.
But you have to imagine that Nebraska will begin to land some more pledges as the year wears on, and after their great showing in the Big Ten in 2011, many top recruits will look their way.
Nebraska makes the top 25 next February.
24. Washington
2 of 25
This is a special year in the Pacific Northwest and the Dawgs sit right in the middle of the plush talent crop.
Zach Banner, Josh Garnett, Cedric Dozier and Jeff Lindquist are some of the top players to come out of the region in years. One has to imagine, aside from snatching Lindquist, Washington will take in some of the top talent while also getting some other top players from around the country.
23. South Carolina
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The Gamecocks hauled in some serious talent last year, and it was in part thanks to making it to the SEC championship game.
This year figures to be the same, as South Carolina is poised to make another run to Atlanta. Their top target is Shaq Roland, a 5-star WR, and he has the Gamecocks among his leaders.
Columbia will be rocking in recruiting next February.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Tennessee
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Derek Dooley's reputation on the recruiting trail is an excellent one. He goes all out to get his targets and does everything he can within the rules of the game.
That's why I figure in year two of his recruiting plan, the Vols will see some results. Aided by a gorgeous stadium, passionate fans and great facilities, Tennessee will start to throw its weight around in recruiting very soon.
21. California
5 of 25
Cal has quietly been better and more prominent in recruiting than many people think. From beating out USC for DeSean Jackson to snatching up Keenan Allen across country in 2010, Cal is solid.
They just released an amazing recruiting video that nearly sold me to go to Berkley and I already have a Master's degree.
Look for Cal and Jeff Tedford to find themselves in the top 25 next year, again, and probably higher than this ranking.
20. Ohio State
6 of 25
The Buckeyes started out well in 2012 recruiting, but after the Terrelle Pryor-Jim Tressel controversy, their armour has shown chinks.
Five-star RB Brionte Dunn has all-but-surely re-opened himself, no matter how much he says he remains committed. Jameis Winston has eliminated OSU due to Tressel being gone.
Yet, Ohio State still will clean up around the Midwest for the region's top prospects and thus will haul in a top-25 class.
19. Clemson
7 of 25
Clemson shocked the recruiting world last year with bringing in four 5-star recruits. That's remarkable considering the subpar season Dabo Swinney''s squad had on the field.
My money has it the Tigers find themselves with another great recruiting class in 2012, as they are in consideration of several top prospects, including 5-star DT Eddie Goldman.
Look for the Tigers to work some magic again.
18. Arkansas
8 of 25
Arkansas may not be as sexy a name in recruiting as Alabama and Auburn, but the Hogs pull in their share of talent. They really do a good job recruiting the South and bringing in athletic players to mold.
They're armed with seven pledges right now, led by 4-star WR Jalen Cobb. I think it's only a matter of time before we start to see Arkansas land a couple of other top-tier talents.
Which will put them in the top 25 next year.
17. Stanford
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Stanford landed a pretty solid class last year, as they became a sexy school thanks to Jim Harbaugh. I think this year, it will be due to their off-field success.
Already landing LB Noor Davis, Stanford also sits well with 5-star OT Kyle Murphy. With the Cardinal having on-field success along with their fabulous academics, recruits will eye The Farm more heavily.
16. Oklahoma State
10 of 25
I have the Pokes finishing in the top 25 in recruiting, in large part thanks to their expected big season on the field.
Oklahoma State is expected to light up the scoreboards in 2011 and contend for the Big 12 and a BCS bowl. They have seven commits now, led by athletic DB/ATH Kendall Sanders.
Look for the Cowboys to really start to pick up steam around the Great Plains during the season.
15. North Carolina
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The Tar Heels do a very good job identifying, evaluating and landing players that they like. They have hauled in top talent recently like Donte Paige-Moss, Hakeem Nicks and Marvin Austin.
No reason to believe they won't do it again this year. Still known as a hoops school, Butch Davis has UNC as a must-see visit for recruits, especially in the Atlantic region.
They'll be somewhere inside the top 25 next February.
14. Oregon
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Oregon has really come on as of late in recruiting this year; they have seven pledges, and six have come since May.
The top player is dual-threat QB Jake Rodrigues, as he is a prime fit for Chip Kelly's spread-option, fast-break offense. With their facilities, uniforms, exciting brand of play and expected success on the field, Oregon will have a solid class in 2012.
13. Notre Dame
13 of 25
The Irish hauled in a great class in 2011, especially on defense. I think they will find a way to get it done again in 2012.
Brian Kelly has now had a full year and cycle to see what it's like recruiting as the head coach of Notre Dame, and results will pay off even more so than they did in 2011.
Look for the Irish, likely sans Gunner Kiel, to have another top-25 class in 2012. Led by Ronald Darby and Tee Shepard.
12. Georgia
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Mark Richt answered the whispers of his Georgia program having a leaky fence in 2011, as he secured most of the "Dream Team" on NSD.
This year, the good merit will continue as there is just too much talent in the Peach State not to have a great class. Richt already has 10 commitments, including beastly 6'4", 310-pound DT Jonathan Taylor, who has All-SEC potential.
More big-time pledges are sure to follow.
11. Auburn
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Auburn is off to a great start to their 2012 recruiting effort. Nine of their 10 commits are rated 4-stars or higher.
The class is led by 5-star QB Zeke Pike, along with elite TE Ricky Parks and big-play WRs Ricardo Louis and Jaquay Williams.
Look for Gene Chizik to score more elite-level players and lure them to The Plains before the 2012 recruiting cycle is finished and done with. Auburn has great chance to make a big jump into the top five again.
10. Oklahoma
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The Sooners have a solid class in the fold already with nine commitments slated to sign with OU next February. They have four 4-star prospects out of the nine, 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, OL Ty Darlington 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. 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.
8. USC
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USC is not going to sign a really big class this year, and likely for the next four 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. At 6'8", 275 pounds, Armstead is a mammoth DE that also could develop into an elite
7. LSU
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LSU quietly has put together a stellar, 15-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. At 6'1", 225 pounds, Granier is a productive, instinctive and physical LB that should fit well as a MIKE LB.
6. 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 21 commitments, and seven 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, and while Davis is listed as a QB, some speculate he'll be a WR in college.
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. Florida
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Will Muschamp is off to an outstanding start to his first full year recruiting for Florida. Six out of his 11 commitments so far for 2012 are rated 4-stars or higher with 5-star OT Jessamen Dunker and 5-star CB Brian Poole leading the way.
At 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. Poole is a 5'11", 185-pound corner that is sticky in coverage and physical.
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.
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. At 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. DE/LB Chris Casher is another elite player and so is Dante Fowler at DE.
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
24 of 25
Easy to predict the Tide to be in the top 25 next year. They could stop recruiting now and still be in the top 25 next February.
They have two 5-star commitments, followed by another five 4-star rated players to make up a 14 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
25 of 25
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 get 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")
