 |
Avg. Star Rating of Top 20 Commits - 4.15
|
|
| Before Texas inked Malcolm
Brown in 2011, the Longhorns had not signed a 5-Star running back
since Scout's inception in 2002. Now Texas will have two in a row with
Brown and the nation's No. 2 running back Johnathan Gray (5'11/195). All
Gray does is run for touchdowns. He had eight in the State Championship
game as a junior, and scored a whopping 70 touchdowns as a senior. Texas
is no stranger to top recruiting classes, but this group is special even
by Longhorn standards. Defensive tackle Malcom
Brown (6'2/280) is rated No. 1 at his position in the nation.
Offensive guard Curtis
Riser (6'5/300) and Kennedy
Estelle (6'7/305) are offensive linemen that bring some steak to
Gray's sizzle. Receiver Cayleb
Jones (6'2/185) is yet another 5-Star who will keep defenses honest
by stretching the field vertically. With another commitment from
defensive end Bryce
Cottrell (6'3/220) on Monday. This was Texas' first No. 1 Class by
Scout. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 4.00
|
|
| Alabama is in position to pull off a second championship
in less than a month. While the BCS Championship is the one that counts,
Signing the No. 1 class in the country is nothing to take lightly,
especially when it's the Crimson Tide. Alabama's No. 1 class in 2008
finished with two BCS Championships and a host of NFL talent. This
year's class is headlined by safety Landon Collins (6'0/203) of Geismar,
La. who made national headlines when he chose Alabama over LSU on
national television. Collins is a force in run support and equally
effective closing on passes in the deep third. It's not all about the
defense for Alabama in 2012. Wide receiver Cyrus
Jones (5'10/185) brings an element of speed and elusiveness that
Alabama didn't have on its 2011 championship team. Alabama did well
within its state borders as well, specifically with a commitment from
the nation's No. 1 middle linebacker Reggie
Ragland (6'4/245). Alabama has already added commitments from two
more 4-Star defensive linemen in Dalvin
Tomlinson (6'3/270) and Korren
Kirven (6'4/280) putting the Crimson Tide mere percentage points
behind Texas for the No. 1 Class. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.95
|
|
| It finally looked like this would be the year the rest
of the Big 10 would catch or pass Ohio State on the recruiting trail. An
NCAA investigation led to the dismissal of popular coach Jim Tressel and
a mediocre season on the field. But then the Buckeyes went and hired Urban
Meyer coinciding with Penn
State being removed as a contender for top players. Meyer
immediately solidified 5-Star running back Brionte
Dunn (6'1/220), secured a commitment from long time Penn State lean
Noah Spence (6'3/240), flipped Penn State commitment Tommy
Schutt (6'3/290), Michigan
State commitment Se'Von
Pittman (6'4/260), and Notre Dame commitment Taylor
Decker (6'8/288). Ohio State wasn't recruiting badly, but they were
on pace for a Top 20 class. With Meyer at the helm, the Buckeyes have an
outside shot at the No. 1 class, unthinkable as recently as Halloween.
The Buckeyes have kept the momentum going this week with a commitment
from another Scout
300 prospect in cornerback Armani
Reeves (5'10/185) out of Massachusetts. 4-Star offensive tackle Kyle
Dodson (6'6/310) announced for Ohio State on Signing Day as the
Buckeyes and Wolverines swapped places several times on Signing Day. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.80
|
|
| Head Coach Brady Hoke and the
rest of his staff are showing what it means to energize a tradition rich
program like Michigan. Hoke's connections to the state of Ohio paid off
early with six Scout
300 members from Ohio including 5-Star offensive tackle Kyle Kalis
(6'5/305) and maniacal linebacker Joe
Bolden (6'3/230). Michigan got off to a fast start with 20 of its 24
commitments coming before kickoff in 2011. Michigan got back on the
board on Monday with a commitment from defensive tackle Willie
Henry (6'3/273), another prospect out of Ohio. Michigan missed on
running back Dee Hart in 2011, but they got a clone of his in 4-Star
back Dennis
Norfleet (5'7/175) who had previously been committed to Cincinnati
for months. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for 20 Commits - 3.80
|
|
| That gnashing of teeth heard from the South are the
Florida Gators being less than thrilled being left in the lurch by Meyer
so suddenly...again... leading to a 2011 recruiting class that finished
outside of the Top 20. But like Michigan, with a full year at a program
like Florida, Will Muschamp has his Gators headed in the right direction
in recruiting. Former Gator Aaron Hernandez will be playing tight end
for New England in the Super Bowl, and Florida is doing its best to find
someone like him bringing in the nation's top two tight end prospects in
Kent
Taylor (6'5/230) and Colin
Thompson (6'5/255). Offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (6'6/265) was
the talk of the Army All-American Bowl and saw his ranking skyrocket
into the the Top 11 nationally. Cornerback Brian
Poole (5'11/185) is a shutdown defender who has a chance for
immediate playing time in Gainesville. Defensive end Dante
Fowler (6'3/240) added fuel to an already explosive rivalry when the
long time Florida State commitment inked with the Gators on Signing Day. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for 19 Commits - 3.65
|
|
| A frequent comment I hear from fans of all programs
after losing a recruiting battle to Stanford it "I can't really
blame a kid for picking Stanford." Stanford has always had a
world-class education, and now that they seem to be a perennial Top 20
program, they are winning more and more of the recruiting battles
prompting the initial response. Stanford has been recruiting on a high
level the last four years including three straight Top 25 finishes, and
the Class of 2012 could be its best yet after reeling in 5-Star
offensive guard Joshua Garnett (6'5/290). Stanford has a punishing style
of play, and Garnett is joined by 4-Star linemen Graham
Shuler (6'5/272) and Nick
Davidson (6'6/280). Running behind this fearsome group is a name
that will sound familiar, Barry
Sanders. Yes, he's the son of that Barry Sanders, but he is a
legit prospect who would be heavily recruited even if he were just
another Smith. Stanford added a commitment from big Andrus
Peat (6'7/305) and are in the process of signing the top offensive
line class in the country. Stanford was expected to make a run at the
Top 10 on Signing Day if long time leans ended up inking with the
Cardinal, and in the end 5-Star offensive tackle Kyle
Murphy (6'7/285) and 4-Star defensive tackle Aziz
Shittu (6'3/275) joined Peat on Signing Day. Stanford's offensive
line class is the best in the country, and one of the best on paper...
ever. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.60
|
|
| Scout's first full year of ranking recruiting classes
was the Class of 2003. Since that time, LSU has finished outside of the
Top 10 in recruiting just once: in 2005 when the Tigers had just 13
signees. LSU enjoys one of the best homefield advantages in college
football, and not just under the lights in Death Valley. While the state
of Louisiana lacks the upper level star power of the Class of 2011, it
is still deep in talented prospects and LSU has commitments from a
whopping 10 members of the Scout
300, seven of which are from within the state. Maybe the most
talented prospect on LSU's commitment list is Jeremy
Hill (6'1/225), a running back from the Class of 2011 who didn't
sign with anyone but enrolled at LSU in January. Tight end John Thomas
(6'5/245) could see time early as a middle of the field pass catching
threat. Fitting that LSU got a commitment this week from 6'4/260 pound Jeremy
Liggins in that he is most compared to former Tiger Rohan Davey if
not Kentucky's Jared Lorenzen because of his size. LSU poached the state
of Texas for a big commitment from 4-Star linebacker Corey
Thompson off of Texas A&M's commitment list late Monday night.
The Tigers poached the state of Alabama for No. 3 outside linebacker
prospect Kwon
Alexander who is coming off of an injury, but he has a world of
talent. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.50
|
|
| Welcome back to the big time Miami. While Miami isn't
likely to finish at No. 6 in the nation come Signing Day with a class
that's already well past 25 commitments, the Hurricanes should crack the
Top 15 and have an outside shot at a Top 10 class. That's a far cry from
the 35th ranking they finished with last year. Running back Duke Johnson
(5'9/188) is an elite talent from Miami and is the type of player the
Hurricanes must keep home to regain past glory. Six of Miami's seven Scout
300 commitments are from South Florida and is one of the few areas
in the country that can alone support a Top 10 team. The Hurricanes
added another South Florida prep star in 5-Star cornerback Tracy
Howard (6'0/175) on Signing Day. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.50
|
|
| Oklahoma's top commitment for the Class of 2012 is the
same as it was for the Class of 2011. Trey Metoyer is one of only two
Scout 5-Star prospects in the last three years who failed to qualify. He
spent the last year at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. Of the
new players to watch on the commitment list, keep an eye on Derrick
Woods (5'11/180) of Inglewood, Calif. Woods is a dynamic athlete who
can play receiver or defensive back on the next level. Running back Alex
Ross (6'1/205) of Jenks, Okla. is a punishing running back who can
get the tough yards when Oklahoma needs them. The Sooners continue to
poach commitments from other teams lists grabbing safety Zack
Sanchez (6'0/165) from Baylor on Monday. The Sooners pulled a
Signing Day coup when they inked junior college transfer Courtney
Gardner (6'3/215), a 4-Star wide receiver, after Gardner had been
committed to Arkansas. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for 19 Commits - 3.95
|
|
| Florida State wrote the book in the '90s and early '00s
on closing strong on Signing Day, and 13th is likely as low as we'll see
the Seminole class for 2012. Florida State has more players in the Scout
100 than any other team, but their total number of commitments is close
to sanctioned USC. Expect the Seminoles to add to their already
impressive list and vault into the top 10 by Signing Day. Defensive
lineman Mario Edwards (6'4/290) has the build of a defensive tackle and
the agility of a linebacker. Florida State's defensive line class is
chock full of talent including 5-Stars Edwards and Chris
Casher (6'4/240) . It's not all about defense though as Florida
State has commitments from Scout's No. 2 quarterback Jameis
Winston (6'4/205) and 5-Star running back Mario
Pender (6'0/210). Florida State solidified its argument as having
the best defensive line class in the nation with a signature from 5-Star
defensive tackle Eddie
Goldman (6'4/315). A Signing Day announcement by Scout's No. 1
cornerback Ronald
Darby (5'11/175) helped take the sting out of losing Fowler to
Florida. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.40
|
|
| If it weren't for Urban Meyer stealing the new coach
headlines, more people would be talking about the job Jim Mora is doing
at UCLA. Left for dead on the recruiting trail under former coach Rick
Neuheisel, Mora seized the opportunity of a conference in turmoil
with nearly half the schools undergoing coaching changes and USC
being crippled by scholarship limitations. The first big coup was 5-Star
defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy (6'5/295) who had announced for Cal
earlier in January on national television. Scout's No. 3 quarterback Devin
Fuller (6'0/185) from New Jersey is a dynamic athlete that also
represents one of the bigger recruiting surprises of the year. Mora also
got a commitment from former Washington/Oregon
commitment Jeremy
Castro (6'3/245), and got the state's best players to give UCLA a
bonafied look after one top recruit had described the previous staff's
recruitment strategy as "desperate and disorganized." Receiver
Jordan
Payton's 4th public commitment pushed the Bruins into the Top 10 on
Signing Day. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.35
|
|
| It doesn't raise any eyebrows any more to see South
Carolina highly ranked in recruiting. The Gamecocks have been a steady
Top 15 presence three out of the last four years. Keeping some of the
state's best players home has been key, and this year is no different
with 5-Star wide receiver Shaq Roland (6'1/180) out of Lexington. Roland
plays bigger than his listed 6'1/180 and will have a chance to be on the
field quickly as Alshon Jeffrey moves on to the NFL. A very different
receiver, Roland will trade Jeffrey's brute force for quickness and
precision. Running back Mike
Davis (5'10/200) out of Georgia is a former Florida commitment that
can be the hammer in the middle of a defense while Roland hovers on the
perimeter. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for 18 Commits - 3.68
|
|
| Georgia is in a similar position as Auburn in that they
have a terrific group of players committed, there's just not as many of
them as the team ahead of them. For the second year in a row, Georgia
has landed the nation's top running back. In 2011 it was Isaiah
Crowell who led the Bulldogs in rushing and was named SEC Freshman
of the year, and this year its lightning fast back Keith Marshall out of
North Carolina. Marshall and Crowell will be joined by running back Todd
Gurley, a bruising 6'1 and 210 pounds. It's not all about the
running backs though as offensive tackle John
Theus (6'6/295) and defensive lineman Jordan
Jenkins (6'3/250), both rated 5-Stars by Scout. The Bulldogs
continued their good work this week getting a commitment from 4-Star
cornerback Sheldon
Dawson (5'10/185) out of Tennessee and keeping 5-Star linebacker Josh
Harvey-Clemons (6'4/207) out of Valdosta, Ga. home on Signing Day. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for 19 Commits - 3.63
Headliner: No. 5 OT Avery
Young - Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
|
|
| Auburn finished with its highest ranked class ever on
Scout in 2011 (2), and the Tigers are having another very good year on
the recruiting trail. While short on commitments to this point, Auburn's
3.6 star per player would put the Tigers back in the Top 10. With
several undecided prospects still looking at Auburn, the Tigers are
likely to make a run at the Top 10 on Signing Day. Auburn's Class of
2012 is long on big bodies on offense including Scout
300 tackles Patrick
Miller (6'7/270) and Shane
Callahan (6'6/285) as well as tight end Ricky
Parks (6'4/230). Much was made about Auburn struggles on the
offensive side of the ball without Cam
Newton, and the national media seemed to gloss over the fact that
the Tigers lost four starters on the offensive line. With four total
linemen committed already, Auburn is rebuilding in the trenches. Auburn
survived a late push for 4-Star wide receiver Jaquay
Williams by Georgia and inked his teammate Will
Adams. Williams and Adams come from the same high school as receiver
Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech). In Johnson's class, teammate Andrew
Gardner was considered by many to be a throw in to Johnson, but he ended
up being a plus starter for Georgia Tech. Auburn is hoping Williams and
Adams can repeat history. Auburn got big news on Signing Day with a
signature from 5-Star offensive tackle Avery
Young and resecured a commitment from 4-Star receiver Ricardo
Louis |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for 20 Commits - 3.55
|
|
| For the second year in a row Oregon landed the top
ranked prospect in the West and players who were once committed to USC.
In 2011 Oregon got a last minute switch from über athlete DeAnthony
Thomas on Signing Day, and in 2012, Arik Armstead (6'7/280) had
decommitted from USC months ago, but chose Oregon on Sunday. Armstead is
Scout's No. 1 offensive tackle prospect and No. 2 overall nationally. I
don't say this lightly in that he may be the best offensive tackle
prospect I've scouted in 10 years. Unfortunately, he's got his heart set
on playing defense. He's a good defensive lineman, but he can be an all
time great on the offensive line. Oregon has always done a good job of
scouting nationally, but now they're going head to head with major
programs in their own back yards and winning getting 4-Star prospects
from Texas, Colorado, Ohio, Arizona, Hawaii and California in addition to
Oregon. The Ducks have made a late charge towards the Top 10 with two
receiver commitments from Texas including Scout 300 member Bralon
Addison (5'10/180). |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.35
|
|
| While Texas A&M will be joining the SEC this year,
no one expects the Aggies to abandon the nation's most fertile
recruiting state. Of the Aggies' 20 commitments, 16 reside from the
state of Texas including lightning in a bottle running back Trey
Williams (5'8/180). Williams is a small back, but he has an extra gear
that keeps defensive coordinators up at night. He made a strong push for
the No. 1 running back spot before settling in at No. 3. Quarterback Matt
Davis shook off some rust after missing his junior season. He is a
pass/run threat that can team with Williams to form one of the more
fearsome running attacks in the SEC. The Aggies are getting serious
about the defense that they'll need to play in the SEC with commitments
from safety Edward
Pope (6'3/175) and defensive end Polo
Manukainiu (6'6/255) on Sunday. Adding the nation's No. 8 receiver
in Thomas
Johnson was a nice Signing Day coup for the Aggies. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.40
|
|
| Clemson is following up its ACC Championship season with
another big year on the recruiting trail. After finishing outside of the
Top 25 in 2009 and barely cracking the Top 25 in 2010, Clemson is poised
for back to back classes ranked 11th or higher. Obviously Sammy
Watkins was the headliner last season, but the big impact could come
on the defensive side of the ball in the form of defensive linemen
Carlos Watkins (6'4/280) and Martin
Aiken (6'3/250) and defensive back Travis
Blanks (6'1/194). Despite a historically bad showing during the bowl
game against West Virginia, top recruits inevitably see an opportunity
to play early for an ACC Champion. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.35
|
|
| Florida State and Ohio State have generated most of the
headlines on the defensive line, but Mississippi State is bringing in a
class that rivals any in the nation led by 5-Star defensive tackle Quay
Evans (6'2/320). Junior college transfer Denico
Autry (6'5/250) is also rated 5-Stars by Scout, and both players
will be on campus for Spring practice giving them a leg up on next
year's action. Evans and Autry are NFL caliber talents that should see
the field right away. Defensive tackle Nick
James (6-5/330) and cornerback Will
Redmond (6'0/180) are also Scout
300 prospects who will help State reload on defense. Linebackers Beniquez
Brown (6'2/202) and Richie
Brown (6'2/222) had to like the idea of playing behind that
defensive line, because they made Signing Day decisions for the
Bulldogs. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for 16 Commits - 3.69
|
|
| Head Coach Brian Kelly's first class last year was
dominated by contributors on the defensive side of the ball, and the
Class of 2012 is bringing in the skill players that get fans excited
including the nation's No. 1 quarterback prospect Gunner Kiel (6'4/200).
Kiel's merry-go-round recruitment saw him committed to Indiana
and LSU before enrolling at Notre Dame in January. While Kiel got the
headlines, 5-Star cornerback Tee
Shepard (6'0/180) is the best overall prospect in this class. Offensive tackle Ronnie
Stanley (6'6/285) out of Nevada is another national recruit who
could have a big future in South Bend. 5-Star wide receiver and long
time Irish commit Deontay
Greenberry pulled maybe the biggest Signing Day surprise when he
inked with Houston. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for 15 Commits - 3.80
|
|
| Think what these guys could do with a full class. Teams
aren't supposed to go national and recruit Scout 300 players when
they're facing three years of scholarship reductions, but that's exactly
what USC has done, getting Signing Day announcements from athlete Nelson
Agholor (6'1/175) and defensive end Leonard
Williams (6'5/275) out of Florida. The big story at USC though is on
the offensive line. Jordan
Simmons (6'5/340), Max
Tuerk (6'3/290), and Zach
Banner (6'8/300) are Scout 300 offensive linemen. Simmons and Tuerk
are game-ready and Banner may have the most upside of all. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.20
|
|
| Arkansas has joined the ranks of the SEC power programs
under Bobby Petrino with a BCS bowl appearance in 2010 and Top 5 finish
in 2011. It's a spectacular year for running backs in the state of
Texas, and if it weren't for Johnathan Gray and Trey Williams, more
people might be talking about Jonathan Williams. It's no surprise that
Head Coach Bobby Petrino is landing talent at the wide receiver position
with 4-Star Keon
Hatcher (6'1/195). Arkansas added some help on defense Tuesday in the
form of linebacker Otha
Peters (6'2/210) who had previously been committed to Tennessee, and
continued the defensive trend through Signing Day getting announcements
and signatures from defensive ends Jamichael
Winston (6'6/230) and Darius
Philon (6'2/265). |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.20
|
|
| Washington has not only salvaged a recruiting class, the
Huskies are turning in a terrific effort, mostly at the expense of Cal.
Washington hired Cal's ace recruiter Tosh Luopi, and Lupoi brought Cal's
best commitment Shaquille
Thompson with him. Washington also got an announcement this week from
former USC commitment receiver Jaydon
Mickens. The Huskies continued their good Signing Day work with a
commitment from defensive end Pio
Vatuvei out of California, but lost 4-Star wide receiver Jordan
Payton on Signing Day who had announced on national television the day
before for Washington. It couldn't have come as too big of a surprise
for Washington fans that Payton might change his mind so quickly, just
three weeks ago, he had announced on national television for Cal, and
before that he was a USC commitment. Crazy does not begin to describe
the Pac-12 this year. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.20
|
|
| After seeing what the Cowboys have done on offense the
past few seasons, it should be no surprise that each of their four
highest rated commits are all on the offensive side of the ball. Two
4-Star offensive linemen anchor the class in Greg
Brantley (6'6/305) and Michael
Wilson (6'6/250). Oklahoma State tapped into a deep year in the
state of Missouri for receiver Brandon
Sheperd (6'2/185). The Cowboys are intent on getting bigger and
better on defense bringing in seven defensive lineman. Former Arkansas
signee Calvin
Barnett (6'3/295) is expected to see the field right away at
defensive tackle after transferring from Navarro Community College.
4-Star linebacker Seth
Jacobs (6'2/215) was a late Signing Day addition. Jacobs is from
California and his decision came late in the afternoon. The Cowboys held
off a late charge by UCLA to keep the long time Oklahoma state lean. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.35
|
|
| Texas Tech isn't content to wait and rebuild, the Red
Raiders are bringing in nine junior college players for 2012 including
4-Stars Will
Smith and Javon
Bell at linebacker and receiver respectively. Head Coach Tommy
Tuberville's reputation as a run first coach could take a hit with three
4-Star receivers coming with Dominique
Wheeler and Reginald
Davis of the prep ranks joining junior college transfer Bell. The
Red Raiders also have a commitment from offensive lineman Michael
Starts who has a chance to come in and play early. |
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.15
|
|
| West Virginia crept back into the Top 25 on Signing Day
and it looks like they are preparing for the Big 12's wide open attacks.
The Mountaineers have commitments from give wide receivers led by
linebacker like Deontay
McManus (6'1/210) and seven defensive backs. However, West
Virginia's top commitment Sam
Lebbie (6'2/235) is a linebacker. West Virginia does a good job
going into Florida to mine talent and the Mountaineers picked up two new
players on Signing Day from the Sunshine State in linebacker Eric
Kinsey (6'3/240) and Travares
Copeland (6'0/180) |