 |
Avg. Star Rating of Top 20 Commits - 4.20
Headliner: #1 DE Ronald Powell - Rancho Verde, Calif.
|
|
|
Want to know the power for the Florida
Gator recruiting machine? All five of Florida's 5-Star rated prospects announced
for the Gators after Head Coach Urban
Meyer went through his on-again / off-again retirement / leave of absence.
Losing defensive coordinator Charlie
Strong to Louisville
was a blow, but new coach George Edwards is getting a huge transfusion of talent
into the program with 15 defensive recruits including one of the best defensive
line hauls in memory. Defensive end Ronald
Powell (6-4/250) and defensive tackle Sharrif
Floyd (6-2/311) are the top players in the nation at each of his positions.
Florida is also reloading in the defensive backfield with commitments from seven
players slated to play either safety or corner. Athlete Matt
Elam (6-1/205) headlines this group as Scout's #2 safety nationally. Elam
could also be one of the nation's best running backs. One the offensive side of
the ball, it's more speed for the Gators as running backs Mack
Brown (5-11/195/4.38) and Travon
Van (5-11/190/4.4) are dangerous open field runners that operate best in
space, and wide receiver Chris
Dunkley (5-11/170/4.43) is a run after the catch receiver capable of taking
a short pass and turning it into a big play. Sound familiar?
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 4.10
Headliner: #6 RB Brennan Clay - San Diego, Calif.
|
|
|
Oklahoma and
Texas battled to the end for the top spot in the Big 12. A signing day switch
from 5-Star linebacker Corey
Nelson (6-1/200) pushed the Sooners past the Longhorns on Signing Day.
Oklahoma held the No. 1 spot on Scout's Team Rankings for much of the season with early
commitments from the likes of 5-Star quarterback Blake
Bell (6-6/215) and 5-Star running back Brennan
Clay (5-11/190/4.45). The top three teams on Scout's rankings have an
interesting contrast of players. Florida is heavy on defensive backs. Texas is
heavy on wide receivers, and both of them are light on the offensive line with
only three linemen between them. Oklahoma is bringing in the #1 offensive line
class in the country with five players ranked 4-Stars by Scout including
powerful interior line prospects Bronson
Irwin (6-5/315) and Adam
Shead (6-4/320). The Sooners typically make a living in the state of Texas,
but Oklahoma ventured out to the left coast to pluck three stars from the San
Diego area. 5-Star wide receiver Kenny
Stills (6-1/180/4.36) and hard hitting linebacker Tony
Jefferson (6-0/210) join Clay to give Oklahoma three of the West Coast's top
prospects and an influx of speed that could be put to use early at Oklahoma.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating of Top 20 Commits - 4.25
Headliner: #2 DE Jackson Jeffcoat - Plano, Texas
|
|
|
For the first time in years, the Texas
Longhorns added some drama to January with a pair of late commitments from
5-Star defenders Jackson
Jeffcoat (DE, 6-4/233) and Jordan
Hicks (LB, 6-2/200). Texas is no stranger to the top of the recruiting
rankings with four Top 10 finishes in the last five years, but the 2010 edition
of the Longhorn class saw a later assault on the top spot than usual. Of Texas'
six 5-Star commitments, only one (defensive end Reggie
Wilson (6-3/238)) committed to the Longhorns before October 29th. By
contrast, only two players of any rating committed to Texas that late in the
season in the last two years combined. Jeffcoat and Wilson give Texas the most
potent pair of ends in the nation, but it's the wide receiver position that is
making the headlines in this class. While the Gators went heavy on defensive
backs, Texas is bringing in six wide receivers including 5-Stars Mike
Davis (6-1/175/4.38) and Darius
White (6-4/195/4.60) as well as do-everything athlete Demarco
Cobbs (6-2/205/4.50) who could see time at running back, safety, or wide
receiver before his career is done at Texas. With over 400 players to choose
from in the state of Texas alone, the Longhorns didn't exactly bring in a class
from all over the country, but with three out of state players on the commitment
list, that equals the amount Texas brought in from out of state in the last
three years combined.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.95
Headliner: #1 CB Demarcus Milliner - Millbrook, Ala.
|
|
|
No pun intended, but the Crimson Tide continue to roll. Alabama
is poised to finish with its third straight Top 5 Class on Scout, and with the
results on the field to validate the recruiting pitch off of it, Alabama shows
no sign of slowing down. Alabama looks to have locked up its quarterback of the
future with Scout's #2 ranked, 5-Star quarterback Phillip
Sims (6-2/215) of Chesapeake, Va.. Sims set the all-time passing record in
Virginia and will look forward to throwing to a bevy of young receivers joining
him in this class. Four receivers are a part of the Alabama class including
Texas import DeAndrew
White (6-0/170) who is ranked 13th in the country by Scout. Those accustomed
to seeing Alabama's smothering defense won't be disappointed. Demarcus
Milliner (6-1/185) has the size and hitting ability of a safety with the hip
turn of a corner; fittingly, Milliner is ranked #1 by Scout at cornerback.
Milliner is joined by Scout's #6 corner Johnavon
Fulton (6-0/175) and 4-Star junior college transfer Dequan
Menzie (6-0/180). Putting pressure on the quarterback up front is one of the
more intriguing prospects in the nation in Adrian
Hubbard (6-7/230) of Norcross, Ga.. Hubbard just joined the football team as
a senior after spending much of his prep career on the hard court. Hubbard's
natural athleticism was discovered quickly and he racked up scholarship offers
by the bushel as a senior.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Commits (18) - 4.06
Headliner: #1 WR Robert Woods - Gardena, Calif.
|
|
|
How has USC transitioned from the Pete Carroll era? How about the No. 1, No. 3, and
No. 4 prospects in the country regardless of position? USC pulled in Scout's No.
1 prospect in the country on Signing Day in Seantrel
Henderson (6-8/338) joining receivers Robert
Woods (6-2/185) and Kyle
Prater (6-5/205). Throw in Scout's Xavier
Grimble (6-5/245), Scout's #1 tight end, for good measure, and USC is
bringing in a lot of weapons to reload and grow with true freshman quarterback Matt
Barkley. February additions of Henderson, linebacker Hayes
Pullard (6-2/220) corner Nickell
Robey (5-7/165) wide receiver Markeith
Ambles (6-2/190) and a late night Signing Day switch of 4-Star junior college transfer Marquis
Jackson from UCLA to USC have vaulted the Trojans back into the Top 5.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.70
Headliner: #2 RB Michael Dyer - Little Rock, Ark.
|
|
|
Doing its part to make sure Alabama doesn't run off and hide in the SEC West,
Head Coach Gene
Chizik and staff took an adrenaline shot to Auburn's
recruiting efforts in their first full year. Auburn's infusion of talent spans
across its entire team. Auburn has 13 players rated 4-Stars or better by Scout,
and those 13 players are spread across 10 different positions. No player
personifies the versatility of this class better than 5-Star wide receiver Trovon
Reed (6-0/180) of Thibodaux, La.. Reed filled a need at the U.S. Army
All-American Bowl by volunteering to play corner during the week, a position he
had very limited experience. By all accounts, he was the best corner in
attendance. Scout's #2 running back Michael
Dyer (5-10/195/4.49) should step in and see playing time right away.
Auburn's front seven on defense also features several players that could be on
the field as freshmen including 4-Star defensive tackle Jeffrey
Whitaker (6-4/295) and any one of five linebacker commits including LaDarius
Owens (6-3/230) and Jake
Holland (6-1/228). Of all of Auburn's recruits though, none is being counted
on to have an impact as great as Scout's #1 Junior College quarterback Cameron
Newton (6-6/245/4.52). Newton offers a run/pass option that could be the
difference between a good season at Auburn and a great one in 2010.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.50
Headliner: #4 S Eric Reid - Geismar, La.
|
|
|
Speaking of being no stranger to the Top 10 in recruiting, since Scout's first
full year starting with the Class of 2003, LSU
has only finished outside of the Top 10 once, in 2005 when the Bayou Bengals
only signed 13 players. Safety Eric
Reid (6-1/202) has the size of a linebacker with the speed of a defensive
back. He looks to continue LSU's most recent tradition of fast, nasty defensive
back play. Spencer
Ware (5-11/215), Scout's #10 running back nationally, could see immediate
time next year with the departure of leading rushers Charles
Scott and Keiland
Williams to graduation.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.50
Headliner: #3 RB Malcolm Jones - Westlake Village, Calif.
|
|
|
A team that may become more and more familiar with the Top 15, UCLA
stood at #5 on signing day last year, and the Bruins vaulted back into the Top 10 in 2010. No longer content to go after the players that USC
isn't, all five of UCLA's top rated prospect hail from the Los Angeles area.
5-Star running back Malcolm
Jones is an inside bruiser that could also be a standout linebacker. UCLA
added several prizes on Signing Day including 5-Star defensive end Owamagbe
Odighizuwa (6-4/240), 4-Star linebacker Josh
Shirley (6-2/220), 4-Star safety Dietrich
Riley (6-1/205) and 4-Star cornerback Anthony
Jefferson (6-2/180).
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.80
Headliner: #1 LB Mike Hull - Canonsburg, Pa.
|
|
|
Anyone that doesn't follow recruiting religiously that has gotten a chance to
see Scout's #1 linebacker Mike
Hull (6-0/220) play, typically has the same comment, "Makes sense that
kid is going to Linebacker U". Hull has size, speed, instincts and the
drive to succeed that make him the top linebacker in the country this year.
Making life easier for Hull will be Scout's #5 defensive tackle DaQuan
Jones (6-4/300). Jones can occupy a double team or take the glory himself
with his quick step into the backfield. The Nittany Lions are also bringing in a
pair of highly ranked quarterbacks in 5-Star run/pass threat Paul
Jones (6-3/225) and conventional dropback passer Robert
Bolden (6-4/205 ranked #8 nationally).
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.45
Headliner: #2 MLB Jeff Luc - Port St. Lucie, Fla.
|
|
|
Shortly after Al Gore invented the internet, the business of tracking recruiting
sprang to life. Even in its infancy, there was one rule in recruiting, if Florida
State was on a kid, everyone else had an uphill battle. For the last several
years that was no longer the case as uncertainty surrounded the Seminole
program. But with Jimbo Fisher firmly in charge in Tallahassee, the rest of the
country should take notice, Florida State is back. Within days of Fisher's
announcement, Florida State added commitments from a pair of 5-Star defenders in
linebacker Jeff Luc (6-1/240) and cornerback Lamarcus
Joyner (5-9/170). FSU staged a Signing Day assault on the Top 10 that
reminded Seminole fans of past years including 5-Star wide receiver Christian
Green (6-2/185), 4-Star linebacker Christian
Jones (6-4/228) and 4-Star defensive end Björn
Werner (6-4/270).
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.40
Headliner: #4 DT Sione Potoae - Lakewood, Wash.
|
|
|
It would stand to make sense that Washington's
recruiting really took off after beating USC
on September 19th, but that would be a disservice to the recruiting job that
Steve Sarkisian and staff had already done to that point. Of the Huskies' eight
4-Star rated recruits, five of them were already on board the Washington
bandwagon before beating the Trojans. With three 4-Star offensive linemen led by
#5 guard Erik
Kohler (6-5/285) as well as #4 defensive tackle Sione Potae, the Husky class
may not be flashy, but more importantly, it's big and athletic in the trenches.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.45
Headliner: #5 QB Devin Gardner - Inkster, Mich.
|
|
|
With his third straight 20+ member class, Michigan
Head Coach Rich
Rodriguez should have the tools to run his system that served him so well at
West Virginia.
While Tate
Forcier and Denard
Robinson started at quarterback as a true freshmen, they'll be pushed hard
by a bigger, more physical Devin
Gardner (6-4/205). Gardner represents a middle ground between the Forcier in
a bigger package. Gardner doesn't throw like Forcier, but he's a more dangerous
runner. He doesn't run like Robinson, but he's a better thrower. Looking to
improve on the defensive front, Michigan is bringing in six linemen, the most
highly rated is Ohio import Jibreel
Black (6-2/260).
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.40
Headliner: #4 RB Lache Seastrunk - Temple, Texas
|
|
|
The term "recruiting to a system" gets thrown around a lot, but rarely
has there been a running back more ideally suited for a system than the nation's
best open field runner Lache
Seastrunk (5-10/183/4.4). Seastrunk is lethal in the open field, and gives
the Ducks another weapon in its spread offense. Fellow 5-Star, defensive end Curtis
White (6-4/240) is an edge rusher that is lethal in any system. Oregon
leaped in the rankings on Signing Day with commitments from 4-Star defensive
tackle Ricky
Heimuli and 4-Star safety Erick
Dargan.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.40
|
|
|
Ole Miss made a Signing Day run into the Top 25 that was as strong as any in the
country. While it might not be the mad dash that it was last year that saw the
Rebels sign a whopping 37 players, Ole Miss is back on the rise on Signing Day
with the headliner being 4-Star wide receiver Vincent
Sanders (6-3/180).
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.40
Headliner: #6 OT Juwan James - Suwanee, Ga.
|
|
|
It's been a crazy ride for Tennessee
fans for the Class of 2010. What could have been a disastrous season could turn
out to be the group of players that pushes the Vols back to the top of the SEC.
4-Star offensive tackle Juwan James (6-6/285) has the type of skills that were a
hallmark of the great Tennessee teams of the '90s. Big wide receivers Justin
Hunter (6-4/185) and Matt
Milton (6-6/208) are matchup nightmares for defensive backs. As if those two
weren't enough to send shivers down the spins of defensive coordinators,
Tennessee plucked Georgia's top commitment on Signing Day in 5-Star receiver Da'
Rick Rogers (6-3/190).
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.35
Headliner: #6 DE T.J. Clemmings - Paterson, N.J.
|
|
|
Pittsburgh
has been the most consistent recruiting force in the Big East since Head Coach
Dave Wandestadt arrived on the scene in 2004. With a nine win season in 2008
followed by a 10 win season in 2009 including a bowl win, Pittsburgh has
continued to recruit well while the team keeps improving. The Panthers have
quietly put together one of the best defensive line classes in the country with
commitments from 5-Star defensive end T.J.
Clemmings (6-6/260), 4-Star end Bryan
Murphy (6-3/235) and 4-Star tackle Aaron
Donald (6-1/280).
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.20
Headliner: #1 C Brandon Linder - Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
|
|
|
While the top two classes in the county have only three offensive linemen
between them, Miami
is bringing in seven linemen in this class including Scout's #1 center Brandon
Linder (6-6/290) from local powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. The Hurricanes
filled a need at corner with four players including 4-Stars Kacy
Rodgers (6-2/183) and Keion
Payne (6-0/175), and scatback Eduardo
Clements (5-11/185) could see time in the defensive backfield as well.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.25
Headliner: #7 OLB Shaun Lewis - Sugar Land, Texas
|
|
|
The Cowboys look to be another team getting serious about playing defense in the
wide open Big 12 as the top three players on their board are defenders. Outside
linebacker Shaun
Lewis (6-1/210) is joined by 4-Star defensive tackle Calvin
Barnett (6-3/305) and 4 Star linebacker Caleb Levy (6-3/211) as the future
of the Oklahoma
State defense. The Cowboys are definitely getting bigger on signing day with
10 offensive and defensive linemen.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.15
Headliner: #2 OG Christian Lombard - Palatine, Ill.
|
|
|
A transition year for Notre Dame sees
the Irish with its lowest ranking since 2005. While former Head Coach may have
had his drawbacks in other aspects of the position, the man could recruit. Enter
new Head Coach Brian Kelly who has spent the last several years making a mockery
of recruiting classes at Cincinnati rolling up a 34-6 record with a high water
mark of a 51st ranked recruiting class in 2008. The Irish are still bringing in
several big time prospects include Scout's No. 2 guard Christian
Lombard (6-5/280) and No. 4 tight end Alex
Welch (6-5/225). But the biggest recruit of the year was Kelly himself, and
after years of solid recruiting under Weis, Kelly is going to find more talent
to work with than he ever had at Cincinnati.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Commits (18) - 3.61
Headliner: #2 OT Andrew Norwell - Cincinnati, Ohio
|
|
|
While 5-Star offensive tackle Andrew
Norwell (6-6/255) is the highest rated player in the Ohio
State Class of 2010, it's the skill position players that should leave the
biggest mark on this class. Running back Roderick
Smith (6-2/215) is ranked #8 in the country at his position, and three wide
receivers are coming to Columbus rated 4-Stars including Corey
Brown (5-11/170/4.45), James
Louis (5-11/180/4.45), and Tyrone
Williams (6-5/185/4.65).
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Commits (17) - 3.53
Headliner: #3 OLB Alec Ogletree - Newnan, Ga.
|
|
|
Georgia has taken a hit late in the process with defections of 4-Star cornerback
Nickell
Robey (5-7/165) to USC and 5-Star wide receiver Da'
Rick Rogers (6-3/190) to Tennessee, but there is still talent in this class
including athlete Alec
Ogletree (6-3/220, #3 OLB). A Signing Day decision from 4-Star defensive
tackle Michael
Thornton to Georgia helped ease the pain from the Rogers announcement.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.30
Headliner: #1 QB Jake Heaps - Issaquah, Wash.
|
|
|
The highest rated of the Non-BCS Schools, BYU
got off to a solid start with Scout's #1 ranked quarterback Jake
Heaps (6-2/205). Big 4-Star wide receiver Ross
Apo (6-4/190) should be one of Heaps' favorite targets for years to come. On
the defensive side of the ball 4-Star linebacker Zac
Stout (6-2/220) and 4-Star defensive end Bronson
Kaufusi (6-6/220) will add balance to a potent Heaps led Cougar attack for
years to come.
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.15
Headliner: #18 DE Corey Crawford - Columbus, Ga.
|
|
|
Dabo Swinney's first full class as head coach is heavy on the defensive side of
the ball with 13 of 21 commitments residing on that side of the ball. It's not
just raw numbers on defense though, four of Clemson's five 4-Star prospects are
cornerback Deandre Hopkins (6-2/174), safety Breshaud Breeland (6-2/190),
defensive end Corey
Crawford (6-6/250), and defensive tackle Josh
Watson (6-4/253).
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.35
Headliner: #10 DE Blake Leuders - Zionsville, Ind.
|
|
|
Last year's #15 finish by the Stanford
Cardinal surprised many around the country. With a second consecutive Top 20
class, fans of recruiting should no longer be surprised. Head Coach Jim
Harbaugh cemented the Cardinal's spot as a recruiting power by remaining at
Stanford during a year that several "higher profile" jobs opened up.
Stanford shored up some questions on defense with its three highest rated
players coming on that side of the ball in 4-Star defensive end Blake
Lueders (6-5/250), 4-Star cornerback Louis
Young (6-0/180), and 4-Star linebacker Jordan Zumalt (6-4/220).
|
|
|
 |
Avg. Star Rating for Top 20 Commits - 3.35
Headliner: #1 OG Jake Matthews - Missouri City, Texas
|
|
|
The Aggies had offense figured out in 2009, finishing fifth nationally in total
offense, and they're adding a dose of blue collar to that side of the ball with
this class. Of Texas A&M's five players rated 4-Star or higher, four of them
are offensive linemen or tight ends. A&M lost its highest rated defensive
player, 5-Star
linebacker Corey
Nelson (6-1/200) of Dallas, to Oklahoma on Signing Day.
|