College Football Recruiting 2012: Recruiting Grades for the BCS Top 25

Yesterday, we saw the initial release of what maybe the most controversial poll in all of sports: The BCS Standings.

To give you a double whammy of the standings and a recruiting view on it, we're going to run down and grade each of the Top 25 teams' current recruiting output for their 2012 class. Some teams are ranked lower than their current class would indicate and vice versa.

Let's start grading!

25. Washington

The Huskies check in at No.25 in the BCS and sit with 17 commitments. They have two headliners in the class at QB, which is an interesting situation. Jeff Lindquist and Cyler Miles are 4-star QB prospects with dual threat skill sets. I also like big LB prospect Jeremy Castro.

Grade: B-

24. Texas

Wow, what can you say about Texas' recruiting class? It's tops in the country right now, as the 18-commitment class is stellar. Mack Brown's top prospect is RB Johnathan Gray, along with DT Malcolm Brown, QB Connor Brewer and WR Cayleb Jones among others.

Grade: A

23. Illinois

I'm not overly wowed by this current Illini class, and neither are many others. While the Zookers are having a solid season this year, Illinois is behind on the trail. They have just nine commitments, and their top prospect is 3-star DT Vontrell Williams.

Grade: D

22. Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech probably is not going to be a sexy school in recruiting any time soon—their systems are not high-octane enough to attract players. Yet they get the job done with who they get, and currently that is 11 commitments, with DE Francis Kallon as their top player.

Grade: C-

21. Penn State

Penn State is looking good on the trail this year with 16 commitments. Even though they just lost solid OT recruit J.J. Denman, they still have pledges from WR Eugene Lewis, DT Tommy Schutt, OLB Camren Williams and DB Armani Reeves.

Grade: B+

20. Auburn

Ah, yes, the champs check in at No. 20 and have been a solid surprise this year. On the recruiting front, they really haven't, as it's been the same ol' recruiting juggernaut at Auburn. The Tigers have 14 commitments right now, led by QB Zeke Pike and WR Ricardo Louis, along with TE Ricky Parks.

Grade: A-

19. Houston

The Cougars can score points with anyone and that is the main reason they find themselves inside the first BCS standings. They have 12 commitments and their top ranked player is RB Terrance Taylor.

Grade: C-

18. Michigan

Big Blue lost to Sparty this weekend, but still, this has been a way better season than expected for the Wolverines. Recruiting wise, the same could be said, as Michigan has 23 commitments and a pledge from 5-star OT Kyle Kalis.

Grade: A

17. Texas A&M

The Aggies are enjoying perhaps their best recruiting run in years. Mike Sherman has almost 20 pledges, with greats like QB Matt Davis and RB Trey Williams in the fold. Also, look out for Kenny Marshall, Jordan Richmond and Corey Thompson on defense.

Grade: A

16. Michigan State

The Spartans have a 14-commitment class headed to East Lansing next year. The top two players are speedy WR Aaron Burbridge and DE Se'Von Pittman. I expect a few more top tier players from the Midwest to declare for the Spartans over time.

Grade: B

15. West Virginia

I think that the Mountaineers have adjusted well to Dana Holgorsen's regime, and Geno Smith looks to have a firm grasp of the offense. On the trail, WVU is a bit higher than expected, as they have 18 pledges and OL Tyler Orlovsky as their top prospect.

Grade: B

14. South Carolina

I know Columbia is in a somber mood with the news of losing All-World RB Marcus Lattimore for the season. The Gamecocks have 19 commitments and are led by WR Shaq Roland and OT Brock Stadnik.

Grade: B+

13. Nebraska

Nebraska is not doing so hot right now on the trail. Bo Pelini has gotten just seven pledges, and the top prospects are OT Paul Thurston, WR Jordan Westerkamp, QB Tommy Armstrong and DE Greg McMullen.

Grade: D+

12. Virginia Tech

Same ol Hokies and Frank Beamer. Virginia Tech has 24 commits right now and they're almost done with filling their class up. I love CB Donaldven Manning, who has great short-area quickness and closing speed.

Grade: B-

11. Kansas State

For Bill Snyder and the Wildcats to be doing so well on the field, it's tough to understand why they pretty much have the worst class in the Big 12. K-State has 10 commitments and their top rated player is 3-star LB Will Davis.

Grade: D

10. Oregon

Oregon has been a disappointment this year on the recruiting trail. Yet, on the field, sans the opening day loss to LSU, the Ducks have been very good. Right now, they have 10 pledges with QB Jake Rodrigues being their top prospect.

Grade: C-

9. Arkansas

19 players have told Bobby Petrino they're all Hog, and Arkansas has been pretty good this year.The main player to get excited about is WR Jalen Cobb, who has good speed and quickness.

Grade: B-

8. Stanford

Stanford has a 14-commitment class as well. The Cardinal have a commitment from 6'4", 225 pound LB Noor Davis, who I feel will be a complete three-down defender on The Farm. DB Alex Carter is another player that I like.

Grade: B-

7. Clemson

We should have known something was up at Clemson when they signed 4 5-star recruits last year. Today, the Tigers are the Cinderella team of the season. On the recruiting trail, they have 17 commitments that are led by DL Carlos Watkins and DB Travis Blanks.

Grade: B+

6. Wisconsin

The Badgers are, outside of Oklahoma, the best team not in the SEC.

They have 11 commitments, and the player I like the most is OG Dan Voltz, but QB Bart Houston will be a starter at Camp Randall, and I also dig RB Vonte Jackson, OL Kyle Dodson, DB D.J. Singleton and new OT commit J.J. Denman, whom Wisconsin took from Penn State.

Grade: B

5. Boise State

The Broncos don't get the topitier talents, and really, TCU is a better and more attractive stop on the trail. Yet BSU recruits players that want to be there, are smart, instinctive and passionate. 13 commitments make up the Bronco class with CB Marcus Rios being the top player.

Grade: C

4. Oklahoma State

The Pokes have a 13-commitment class right now, and have been the victims of several devastating de-commitments. They do have WR/DB Kendall Sanders in the fold, along with QB Wes Lunt and TE Dominic Ramacher.

Grade: C

3. Oklahoma

The Sooners have 13 commitments right now. You have to like a class full of players like John McGee, Durron Neal, Ty Darlington, Alex Ross, Sterling Shepard, Trevor Knight and Charles Tapper.

Grade: B+

2. Alabama

The Tide is doing what The Tide does on the field and on the recruiting front: dominate. 19 pledges make up the class, with two headliners in LB Reggie Ragland and DS/ATH Eddie Williams. Alabama is on their way to another Top Five or higher class.

Grade: A

1. LSU

The Tigers have 20 commitments, they're coming off a great 2011 class and this class is pretty nice too. The top players are WR Avery Johnson, Patrick Peterson's brother and LB/DE Toshiro Davis.

Grade: B