College Football Recruiting 2012: Florida vs. FSU, Whose Class Is Better?

The Seminoles and Gators have always been very good programs, and the key to their constant success has been the fact they sit in one of the three hotbeds: Florida.

This 2012 cycle has has seen both schools be ranked in the top five of various recruiting class rankings, including mine, and each program has a chance to finish with the top class.

But right now, whose class is better?

Florida 2012 Recruiting Class Capsule

Florida's current recruiting class has 17 commitments and it is a stellar compilation. Will Muschamp has proven that he can recruit well and keep the tradition of luring top-tier talent to Gainesville.

With commits like D.J. Humphries, Brian Poole and Jessamen Dunker already, this class is lining up to be special for the lead Gator.

He has two great RBs in Matt Jones and Mike Davis, the No. 3 TE in the country in Colin Thompson, a speedy OLB in Lorenzo Phillips and a solid DB in Rhaheim Ledbetter among others.

Florida State 2012 Recruiting Class Capsule

Florida State 16 commitments, and according to ESPNU, 10 of them are among the best 150 overall players in the country. Yikes.

QB Jameis Winston is the No. 1 signal-caller in the country and could also be a first-round pick in the MLB draft next spring.

Then there's Mario Edwards. ESPNU has the DE commit as nation's best player.

Both Winston and Edwards are rock stars in this class, along with talent like P.J. Williams, Dalvon Stuckey, Justin Shanks, Chris Casher, Dante Fowler, Mario Pender and Marvin Bracy.

Florida Class Co-Headliner: Brian Poole, CB

With Muschamp being a defensive-minded coach, you have to imagine that he will lay his hat on defense at Florida. Marcus Roberson is already starting at one CB spot as a true freshman and there's talent around him.

Brian Poole is next. At 5'11", 185 pounds, Poole is a corner whom I feel can play the boundary and the field. He has excellent athleticism, mirror ability and transition quickness.

Poole can carry WRs around the field and will come up to support the run when needed. He's a 5-star recruit and may be the most complete CB prospect in America.

Florida State Co-Headliner: Jameis Winston, QB

When you land the nation's best QB prospect, that makes your recruiting class alone. Sure, many have Gunner Kiel as the best, but Jameis Winston's ceiling is a bit higher.

Winston is a 6'4", 190-pounder that chose the Seminoles over Alabama and LSU. He's a dual-threat type, but that doesn't mean he's a running QB.

On tape, Winston shows excellent field vision, makes sound decisions, has a cannon for an arm while also displaying very good touch on fitting throws. He's a great athlete who could also be a first-round pick in the MLB draft next year.

Florida Co-Headliner: D.J. Humphries, OT

Now, I know I have Andrus Peat is the best OT prospect on my board, but I will say that Humphries isn't far behind.

He's easily the most athletically gifted trench player in the nation, as the 6'6", 270-pounder moves freely and easily like a defensive back. Humphries shows outstanding foot quickness, agility, balance and mirror ability and plays with good knee bend.

He has a chance to become an NFL LT and could be a better long-term prospect than Peat.

Florida State Co-Headliner: Mario Edwards, DE

Edwards is a potential game-changer. He's a 6'4", 265-pound monster that moves like a running back and could even grow into a DT.

He plays with great athletic ability, snap quickness and can bend well for a big man. Edwards flashes point of attack strength, shedding ability and great range vs. the run.

There shouldn't be much he can't do at FSU, as I fully expect Edwards to join the ranks of Peter Boulware, Kamerion Wimbley, Brandon Jenkins, Everette Brown, Andre Wadsworth and Jamaal Reynolds.

Other Notable Gator Commitments

OT prospect Jessamen Dunker is a 6'6", 315-pounder that has an extremely high ceiling. He's a former basketball player with excellent athletic ability and bright future.

RBs Matt Jones and Mike Davis are talented rock-toters as Jones is a 6'3", 210-pound big back with solid speed and power. Davis is a shifty type that always runs like he has something to prove.

Colin Thompson is a big and physical TE that will factor as an in-line type, yet he also has great hands. Marcus and Rhaheim Ledbetter are two stud safety prospects and Lorenzo Phillips should have great range as an OLB.

Other Notable Seminole Commitments

Well, geez—for starters, RB Mario Pender averaged nearly 14 yards a carry as a junior. WR Marvin Bracy is the fastest player in the country and could run in the Olympics one day in track.

Justin Shanks is one of the best DTs in the country at 6'4", 320 pounds, and when he feels like it, Delvon Stcukey isn't far behind. Alphonso Taylor is a 6'6", 340-pound OT with excellent size and a lot of potential.

DE Chris Casher is an athletic freak that also is very instinctive and heady, and if they can keep him from Florida, Dante Fowler could play DE or OLB. P.J. Williams should develop into a starter at FS one day.

Whose Class Is Better?

This is a tough, tough call.

But I'm going with Florida State's, for now. The 'Noles could argue they have the No. 1 class right now, over Texas. There's just so much depth, value, quality and talent in this class.

However, do not be shocked at all to see Florida overtake them come signing day. The Gators are still big-game hunting and a wealth of 5-star and 4-star players are seriously considering them.

For now it's FSU, but this race is not anywhere close to being over.