Alabama vs Auburn: Comparing Each Team's 2012 Recruiting Class

Auburn and Alabama may be hated rivals but they are two of the most successful programs in all of college football. A lot of that has to do with the tradition of the schools and the coaching staff they each have.

But both of these teams have excellent recruiting classes year in and year out. 

Great recruiting is extremely important for college sports and really prevents down years for top programs. If you recruit well, you're able to replace talented players instead of rebuilding talented teams once everyone graduates. 

For the 2012 class, Alabama has the top player between these two teams in middle linebacker Reggie Ragland. He is a monster at 6'4", 245 pounds and oozes with athleticism. He is very physical and has the speed to make plays from sideline to sideline. He is the top middle linebacker in 2012, according to Scout.com.

Auburn's top player is probably tight end Ricky Parks, who is the No. 3 tight end according to Scout.com. He still has to work on his blocking, but he is very physical and has the speed to not only go across the middle but make big plays down the field.

I believe the depth on Auburn's class is a slightly deeper with players like Zeke Pike, Josh Hosley, T.J. Yeldon and Cassanova McKinzy. Alabama, though, does have one of the top recruits in the country and has great recruits as well like Dillon Lee, Geno Smith, Tyler Hayes and Eddie Williams.

It's really hard to pick which recruiting class is better. They're both loaded with talent and will be the future for both of these teams as they continue to represent some of college football's elite programs.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]