1) Notre Dame (17
commitments)
Head Coach Charlie
Weis and his Irish have never had a problem landing offensive recruits, and
this season is no different. Quarterback Dayne
Crist (Sherman Oaks, Calif.), wide receiver John
Goodman (Fort Wayne, In.), tight end Kyle
Rudolph (Cincinnati, Ohio), and offensive guard Lane
Clelland (Owings Mill, Md.) are all headed to South Bend.
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Dayne Crist
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The difference is on defense, where Notre Dame is finally getting commitments
from the top prospects they covet like defensive linemen Ethan
Johnson (Portland, Or.), Brandon
Newman (Louisville, Ky.), Omar
Hunter (Buford, Ga.), Sean
Cynwar (Woodstock, Ill.) and Hafis
Williams (Elizabeth, N.J.), linebackers Darius
Fleming (Chicago, Ill.) and Anthony
McDonald (Sherman Oaks, Calif.), and defensive backs Robert
Blanton (Matthews, N.C.) and Jamoris
Slaughter (Tucker, Ga.).
A telling stat is that Notre Dame has commitments from six players in the
Scout.com National 100 and 14 in the Scout.com National 300, the most of any
team. With this group the Fighting Irish just got a lot more athletic for their
new defensive coordinator Corwin Brown, who also happens to be an ace recruiter.
Can Notre Dame hold the top spot? They have a shot but they have to close like
they started – strong!
2) Texas (20)
What a shocker, the University of Texas finds itself with 20 commitments before
July 4th and in the top five recruiting rankings. Obviously this comes as no
surprise as the Longhorns dominate spring recruiting like no one else. Out of
the gate Mack Brown and company had 15 commitments by the end of February.
Amazing!
Leading the way are running back Jeremy
Hills (Houston, Texas), wide receivers Dan
Buckner (Allen, Texas) and Desean
Hales (Spring, Texas), offensive linemen Mark
Buchanan (Austin, Texas), David
Snow (Gilmer, Texas), and Luke
Poehlmann (Brenham, Texas), defensive tackles Jarvis
Humphrey (Cedar Hill, Texas) and Kheeston
Randall (Beaumont, Texas), linebacker Dravannti
Johnson (Nederland, Texas), safety Nolan
Brewster (Denver, Co.) and cornerbacks Aaron
Williams (Austin, Texas) and D.J.
Monroe (Angelton, Texas).
Despite another great haul, will they be able to hold off the Sooners for the
top class in the Big 12? It’s gonna be a close race between these two rivals.
3) UCLA (21)
This is a balanced recruiting class with a little bit of everything offensively
in quarterback Nick
Crissman (Huntington Beach, Calif.), running backs Aundre
Dean (Katy, Texas), Milton
Knox (Van Nuys, Calif.), fullback Derrick
Coleman (Fullerton, Calif.), and wide receivers Kemonte
Bateman (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Antwon
Moutra (Culver City, Calif.).
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Kemonte Bateman
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Like Notre Dame, UCLA really did a great job on the other side of the ball
with defensive ends Damien
Holmes (Colton, Calif.) and Datone
Jones (Compton, Calif.), linebackers Uona
Kaveinga (Lawndale, Calif.), Patrick
Larimore (Newhall, Calif.), and Donovan
Carter (Van Nuys, Calif.), safeties Rahim
Moore (Los Angeles, Calif.) and E.J.
Woods (Encino, Calif.) and cornerbacks Anthony
Dye (Corona, Calif.) and Aaron
Hester (Compton, Calif.).
20 of the Bruins 21 commitments are from the state of California.
4) Oklahoma (15)
Sure the Longhorns have another stellar recruiting class but look at what the
Sooners have done especially in the Lone Star State. Head Coach Bob Stoops and
his staff have gone to Texas to land running backs Justin
Johnson (Gilmer, Texas) and Jermie
Calhoun (Van, Texas), offensive lineman Stephen
Good (Paris, Texas), and defensive end R.J.
Washington (Keller, Texas). Those are all five-star recruits and the top two
running backs from Texas and the top offensive and defensive lineman.
Also from Texas are standout recruits in tight end James
Hanna (Lewisville, Texas), offensive tackle Britt
Mitchell (Roscoe, Texas), center Ben
Habern (Argyle, Texas), defensive linemen Casey
Walker (Garland, Texas) and David
King (Houston, Texas), linebacker Herman
Mitchell (Houston, Texas) and safety Joseph
Ibiloye (Garland, Texas). Also headed to Norman are five-star quarterback Landry
Jones (Artesia, N.M.) and four-star standouts Daniel
Franklin (Mount Airy, Ga.) and DeJuan
Miller (Metuchen, N.J.).
Unlike UCLA, OU has gone outside the state for this class. So far the Sooners
have only landed one prospect from Oklahoma and that’s kicker Tress
Way (Tulsa, Ok.).
5) Georgia (17)
When was the last time an SEC team had four commitments from juniors a year
before they were supposed to sign their letters of intent? Well, Georgia did,
and that shows the sign of the times with all these early verbal
commitments.
As usual, the Bulldogs have some super talent headed to Athens. Among the
headliners are Scout.com National 100 prospects in wide receiver A.J.
Greene (Summerville, S.C.), defensive tackle DeAngelo
Tyson (Statesboro, Ga.) and running back Richard
Samuel (Cartersville, Ga.).
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A.J. Green
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Other headliners are wide receiver Tavarres
King (Mount Airy, Ga.), tight end Dwayne
Allen (Fayetteville, N.C.), center Ben
Jones (Centreville, Ala.), defensive ends Cornelius
Washington (Waynesboro, Ga.), Toby
Jackson (Griffin, Ga.) and Jeremy
Longo (Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.) and cornerbacks Brandon
Boykin (Fayetteville, Ga.) and Makiri
Pugh (Charlotte, N.C.).
Once again Georgia is going to bring in a top 10 recruiting class, as they
recruit as consistently well as any team in the country.
6) Texas A&M (19)
We are just entering the month of July and A&M as had a roller coaster of a
recruiting season thus far, securing commitments but also losing some as well.
Still, the Aggies have put one of the top classes together with such players
like quarterback Tommy
Dorman (Haltom City, Texas), wide receiver Derrick
Hall (Beaumont, Texas), offensive linemen Leroy
Chevalier (Houston, Texas) and Brian
Thomas (Pearland, Texas), defensive tackle Roderick
Davis (Houston, Texas), linebacker Kyle Mangum (Brenham, Texas), safety Keon
Furtch (Paris, Texas) and cornerbacks Jordan
Fields (Paris, Texas) and Lamar
Harris (Gilmer,Texas).
7) Florida State (12)
Just call Florida State the comeback team of this season in terms of recruiting,
and they could still land in the top five by National Signing Day if they
continue on this path. Bobby Bowden making sweeping staff changes was exactly
what the doctor ordered in terms of recruiting and they hope they see as much
success on the field this fall as well.
Their latest commitment was from five-star quarterback E.J.
Manuel (Virginia Beach, Va.), and he should help the Seminoles land some
more big recruits before it’s all said and done. Also headed to Tallahassee
are running back Jermaine
Thomas (Jacksonville, Fla.), wide receivers A.J.
Alexander (Altoona, Pa.) and Avis
Commack (Jacksonville, Fla.), defensive tackle Moses
McCray (Tampa, Fla.), linebackers Nigel
Bradham (Crawfordville, Fla.), Nigel
Carr (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Vincent
Williams (Davenport, Fla.) and safety C.J.
Holton (Crawfordville, Fla.).
8) Ohio State (9)
The Buckeyes only have nine commitments and what a nine they are. Heading to
Columbus are three five star offensive line prospects including Mike
Adams (Dublin, Ohio), J.B.
Shugarts (Klein, Texas) and Michael
Brewster (Orlando, Fla.). The Buckeyes are doing well in other areas
including running back Devoe
Torrence (Canton, Ohio), wide receiver DeVier
Posey (Cincinnati, Ohio), tight end Jacob
Stoneburner (Dublin, Ohio), and linebacker Andrew
Sweat (Washington, Pa.).
Before it’s all said and done Ohio State will make a serious run at No. 1 in
the recruiting rankings.
9) USC (8)
Even the Trojans are adapting to recruiting despite dominating this decade. The
have eight early verbal commitments (early for USC) for such
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Matt Kalil
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playmakers as Curtis
McNeal (Los Angeles, Calif.), wide receivers D.J.
Shoemate (Anaheim, Calif.) and Chris
Polk (Redlands, Calif.), defensive end Wes
Horton (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) and linebacker Maurice
Simmons (Compton, Calif.). They also have three unreal tackles headed to
Southern Cal in Matt
Kalil (Anaheim, Calif.), Matt
Meyer (Stockston, Calif.), and Tyron
Smith (Moreno Valley, Calif.). Kalil, Meyer,
and Shoemate are all five-star prospects.
10) Nebraska (13)
The Cornhuskers are also making some serious noise in the Big 12 with an
outstanding group led by quarterback Blaine
Gabbert (Ballwin, Mo.), running back Collins
Okafor (Omaha, Ne.), offensive linemen Bryce
Givens (Denver, Co.), Dan
Hoch (Harlan, Ia.), Trevor
Robinson (Elkhorn, Neb.), and Baker
Steinkuhler (Omaha, Ne.) and linebacker Sean
Fisher (Omaha, Ne.).
Bill
Callahan got a great signal caller and some big men upfront.
11) Michigan (8)
The Wolverines are always near the top of the recruiting rankings, and this
season is no different. Their recruiting class of 2008 is led by five-star
cornerback Boubacar
Cissoko (Detroit, Mi.). He is one of the top prospects in the nation
regardless of position. Also headed to Ann Arbor are tight end Brandon
Moore (Trotwood, Ohio), offensive linemen Dan O’Neill (Grand Haven, Mi.),
Elliot Mealer (Wauseon, Ohio), Kurt
Wermers (Crown Point, In.), defensive tackle Mike Martin (Redfod, Mi.), and
linebacker Marcus
Witherspoon (Absecon, N.J.).
12) Miami (10)
Like arch-rival Florida State, the Hurricanes are back this recruiting
season. The “U” is doing well in their backyard, landing quarterback Jacory
Harris (Miami, Fla.), wide receiver Thearon
Collier (Miami, Fla.), offensive tackle Brandon
Washington (Miami, Fla.), defensive tackles Micanor
Regis (Pahokee, Fla.) and Jeremy
Lewis (West Palm Beach, Fla.), linebacker Jordan
Futch (Hollywood, Fla.), cornerback Patrick
Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla.) and safety Joseph
Wylie (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.). The only non-South Florida commitment to the
‘Canes is quarterback Taylor Cook (Altair, Texas).
13) Ole Miss (19)
It should be to no one’s surprise to find Ole Miss near the top of the
recruiting rankings. Head Coach Ed Orgeron has transformed the Rebels into a top recruiting
power in the South with lots of hard work. If the Rebels start winning look out. Headed to Oxford
are quarterback Chris
Wilkes (Orlando, Fla.), running back Ken
Davis (Tupelo, Miss.), linebacker Gavin
Hardin (Jackson, Tenn.), and safety Darius
Barksdale (Batesville, Miss.).
14) Clemson (10)
It seems as though the Tigers have recruited just a little bit better each
season over the past few years. Their big cat this year is defensive end
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A.J. Harmon
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Daquan
Bowers (Bamberg, S.C.). He is a five-star prospect and one of the nation’s
very best players. Other standouts headed to Clemson are quarterback Kyle
Parker (Jacksonville, Fla.), running back Andre
Ellington (Moncks Corner, S.C.), wide receiver Marquan
Jones (Blythewood, S.C.), offensive tackle A.J.
Harmon (Louisville, Ga.), and cornerback Xavier
Brewer (Jacksonville, Fla.).
15) Pittsburgh (7)
The Panthers have a chance to land a great class this season, and they are off to
a good start. Running back Chris
Burns (New Wilmington, Pa.) is one of the top playmakers in the nation.
Tight end Nic
DiLillo (Madison, Ohio) had previously been committed to Clemson and now
he’s a Panther. Pittsburgh has landed a trio of good defensive backs in Manny
Williams (Clairton, Pa.), Antwuan
Reed (Johnstown, Pa.) and Chris Hayden-Martin
(Greenburg, Pa.). The gem of
the Panther class so far is lineman Lucas
Nix (Clairton, Pa.).
16) Wisconsin (15)
The Badgers have done well across the board, getting commitments just about
everywhere. Leading the way are running back Erik
Smith (Bolingbrook, Ill.), wide receiver Wes
Kemp (St. Louis, Mo.), tight end Tyler
Westphal (Menasha, Wi.), offensive linemen Peter
Konz (Neenah, Wi.), Joe
Schaefer (St. Paul, Minn.), Kevin Zeitler (Milwaukee, Wi.), linebacker Michael
Taylor (Green Bay, Wi.) and safety Brandon
Marti (Miami, Fla.).
17) Arizona (9)
The Wildcats and Mike Stoops are turning into one of the top recruiting powers
on the West Coast. This Arizona class is led by quarterback Matt
Scott (Corona, Calif.), running back Keola Antolin (Las Vegas, Nev.), wide
receiver Gerell
Robinson (Chandler, Az.), cornerback Robert
Golden (Fresno, Calif.) and safety Sean
Westgate (Oak Park, Calif.).
18) Alabama (10)
Big things are expected in Tuscaloosa under new Head Coach Nick
Saban both on and off the field. Saban and his staff are off to a good start
in their first full year to recruit. Running Back Ivan
Matchett (Mobile, Al.), defensive linemen Courtney
Upshaw (Eufala, Al.), Michael
Williams (Reform, Al.), Brandon
Lewis (Pleasant Grove, Al.) and Undra
Billingsley (Birmingham, Al.) and Wesley Neighbors (Huntsville, Al.) are
their top rated commitments thus far.
Expect the Crimson Tide to close very
strong.
19) Cal (8)
The Bears only have eight verbal commitments but there is quality there in
quarterback Beau
Sweeney (Fresno, Calif.), tight ends Spencer Ladner (Kansas City, Mo.) and Anthony
Miller (San Jose, Calif.), offensive tackle Tyler
Rigsbee (Chico, Calif.) and linebacker J.P.
Hurrell (San Mateo, Calif.). Also headed to Cal. are JUCO standouts Charles
Johnson (linebacker) and Verran
Tucker (wide receiver).
20) N.C. State (8)
The Wolfpack are starting to make some noise in the recruiting battles of late.
Landing quarterback Mike
Glennon (Chantilly, Va.) and Brandon
Barnes (Bunn, N.C.) are huge for N.C. State. Dwayne
Maddox (Shelby, N.C.) is headed to Raleigh and he’s one of the top middle
linebacker prospects in the nation. Linebacker William
Beasley (Milton, Calif.) and Tobias
Palmer (Pittsboro, N.C.) are two other very good players committed to the
‘Pack.
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