The biggest story in the Big East this year would have to be the rise of the Cincinnati Bearcats. Last season, the Bearcats finished the season ranked No. 80 in the recruiting rankings. New front man Brian Kelly has the Bearcats sitting at No. 48 currently while they still await word on a few players such as Isaiah Pead.

21. Pittsburgh Panthers
Star of the Class: Jonathan Baldwin, Lucas Nix, Shayne Hale and Cameron Saddler
Sleeper of the Class: Manny Williams and Michael Shanahan

Despite their third consecutive losing season the Panthers continue to recruit well. The Panthers landed several of the states top prospects including the late season surprise of the talented tandem of Saddler and Hale from Gateway. Baldwin blew up with an outstanding performance at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was under utilized at Aliquippa, but he showed his skills on the big stage. Thomas Jefferson tackle Lucas Nix looks like a future star and could be a building block on what looks to be a solid offensive line for the future. The Panthers needed a quarterback, so they went out and found three of them including legacy recruit Tino Sunseri of Pittsburgh Central Catholic. The Panthers went to the junior college ranks to steal four-star dual threat prospect Greg Cross from Fort Scott (Kansas). They also landed record setting gunslinger Zack Stoudt from Dublin (Ohio) Coffman. Saddler and Wilmington (Pa.) running back Chris Burns give the Panthers two big time offensive weapons to go along with Baldwin and Shanahan. The Norwin (Pa.) standout Shanahan is a major match-up problem for anyone with his 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame and his 4.5 speed. The Panthers also needed a center in the worst way and they managed to land Butte junior college transfer Robb Houser. For the third consecutive year the Panthers managed to land a Johnstown (Pa.) Trojan as they bring two-way star Antwuan Reed into the mix. If Williams (Clairton, Pa.) can come back from an ACL injury he could be a big time player on defense for the Panthers.

Still waiting on: Isaiah Pead (RB/CB Eastmoor Academy/Columbus/Ohio) Robert Sands (WLB/S Carol City/Miami/Florida)
One that got away: Terrelle Pryor and Steve Gardiner

45. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Star of the Class: Art Forst and D.C. Jefferson
Sleeper of the Class: Marquis Hamm and Wayne Warren

The Scarlet Knights continue to recruit well under Greg Schiano. There were no Anthony Davis’ in this class, but they did lure guys like Forst (Manasquan, N.J.) and Jefferson (Winter Haven, Fla.) away from several big time programs. Jefferson could be a future star in the Big East. The Rutgers offensive line is one of the most consistent and often under rated units in the nation and having a guy like Forst can’t hurt. Marquis Hamm (New Brunswick, N.J.) has so much untapped potential it is scary. He just needs to find a position that suits his skills and he will flourish. Rutgers always gets guys like him and in a year or two he’ll be a monster. Wayne Warren (Wicomico, Md.) is another player we really liked. His growth was stunted by an injury, but this athletic quarterback will play somewhere. Tim Wright (Wall, N.J.) is another player fans should keep an eye on as he develops. Scott Vallone (St. Anthony’s, N.Y.) was a great pick-up for Rutgers. He is a solid defensive tackle who always gets a good upfield push and has a non-stop motor. Local sleeper Marvin Booker is another player that could be big time with some seasoning and some time in the weight room. Besides, Wright the Scarlet Knights managed to land a slew of playmakers at wide receiver including Keith Stroud (Fork Union, Va.), Malcolm Johnson (Bartow, Fla.), Morgan Carter (C.D. Hylton, Va.) and running back/wide receiver Rashad White (Teaneck, N.J.)

Still waiting on: Will Marcus Witherspoon or J.B. Fitzgerald make a late switch?
One that got Away: Will Hill and Brandon Smith.

46. Syracuse Orange
Star of the Class: Averin Collier and Marcus Sales
Sleeper of the Class: Dan Vaughan and Corey Boatman

We have knocked Greg Robinson for not keeping the top talent in New York at home and after this year we may no longer be able to do that as the Orange landed three of the states top players Collier (Churchville-Chili, N.Y.), Sales (Christian Brothers Academy, N.Y.) and DeAndre Preaster (Proctor, N.Y.). These three will give the Orange offense a much needed boost and it should come rather quickly. The states top ranked prospect, Collier could get carries right away. Robinson also did a great job of keeping post-graduate defensive end Romale Tucker (Milford, N.Y.) despite several teams trying to make a run at him. The Orange bolstered their secondary by landing three very capable cornerbacks in Grant Mayes (Seton Hall Prep, N.J.) and (Bishop McDevitt, Pa.) teammates Mike Jones and Tyrell Harris. Dan Vaughan (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Pa.) could eventually be the best player in this class. He burst onto the national radar after a dominating performance in the Herbstreit Challenge. Now it is just a matter of finding the right place to play him. Good Counsel, Md.) defensive tackle Corey Boatman also has a chance to be a future star.

Still waiting on: Reuben Johnson
One that got away: Scott Vallone and Justin Feagin

48. Cincinnati Bearcats
Star of the Class: D.J. Woods and Brendon Kay
Sleeper of the Class: J.K. Schafer

Brian Kelly took the Cincinnati program to new heights in his first year at the helm. He also seems to have a pretty good knack for recruiting as well as the Bearcats have put together their best class in recent memory. The third time was the charm for (Strongsville, Ohio) wide receiver D.J. Woods as he had previously committed to Nebraska and West Virginia only to see Bill Callahan get fired and Rich Rodriguez leave for Michigan. Woods decided that the Bearcats wide open offense provided him with the best chance to showcase his talents. Brendon Kay (Marine City, Mich.) and Travis Kelce (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) will be the future at quarterback for the Bearcats along with Notre Dame transfer Demetrius Jones. While the Bearcats are hopeful of landing Pead, but if not they still have a capable running back in the mix with (Detroit, Mich.) native Darrin Williams. If the Bearcats can hold on to (Columbus/DeSales) offensive tackle they have a solid one-two punch formed with (Beaver Local) tackle Derek Wolfe. Nick Truesdell (Cincinnati/Anderson) who was the hero for Anderson in the state championship game and (Cherokee, N.J.) native Lynell Payne will provide even more depth for the Bearcats potent passing attack. Defensively, the Bearcats could have a future star in (Lincoln-Way East, Ill.) defensive end Dan Giordano. The linebacking corps will get a boost from LaSalle standout J.K. Schafer, who had an outstanding Scout.com camp in the Spring

Still waiting on: Isaiah Pead and will Patrick Omameh stay solid?
One that got away: Doug Rippy

56. South Florida Bulls
Star of the Class: David Bedford and Kion Wilson
Sleeper of the Class: Mark Popek

USF was on a roller coaster ride this season, starting out like gang busters before fading for a spell. Nonetheless, the Bulls have the college football world on notice that they are a program on the rise and ahead of schedule. USF rarely ventures outside the Sunshine State to pull players but they went to Georgia and got a solid running back prospect in Demetrius Murray (Buford, Ga.). He is a downhill back that is most effective between the tackles and he has a knack for finding the end zone. Daniel Bryant is certainly one of the top prospects at receiver in the state of Florida while the same can be said for tight end Jeff Hawkins. The Bulls did well up front, especially with tackle Mark Popek and guard Justin Green. On the other side of the ball, safety Quavon Taylor was one of many stars on the top high school team in the country (Miami Northwestern) and he is a steal at safety. USF will get immediate help from the Junior College route with defensive ends Craig Marshall and Bedford along with linebacker Kion Wilson. Wide receivers Anthony Jones and Theo Wilson also come to Tampa via JUCO. Bulls fans should keep their eyes on the 6-foot-7, 309-pound, Popek because there just aren’t many lineman that size who move that well. Overall, this is a good crop for USF and Head Coach Jim Leavitt.

Still waiting on: Tommy Streeter, B.J. Daniels, Martavious Odoms, George Baker and Leonard Johnson.
One that got away: Brandon Washington

57. Louisville Cardinals
Star of the Class: Darius Ashley and Tyler Jessen
Sleeper of the Class: Greg Scruggs

The Cardinals have gotten used to performing at a high level and competing for a conference championship and a BCS birth. This year new head coach Steve Kragthorp struggled and in an attempt to right the ship quickly and to get back to the success they enjoyed under Bobby Petrino the Cardinals have landed nine junior college transfers including (Butler, Kansas) defensive tackle Tyler Jessen. The Cardinals also locked up a pair of potential big time Ohio prospects in (Cincinnati/St. Xavier) running back Darius Ashley and his teammate defensive end Greg Scruggs. Scruggs and local prospect Dexter Heyman give the Cardinals tow fine young building blocks for their defense led by new defensive coordinator Ron English.

Still waiting on: LeVelle Larry and Ed Imeokparia
One that got away: Tino Sunseri

63. West Virginia Mountaineers

Star of the Class: Terence Kerns and Tevita Finau
Sleeper of the Class: Jorge Wright and Jermaine Robinson

The Mountaineers were well on their way to one of the best recruiting classes in recent memory until the loss to Pittsburgh in the “Backyard Brawl” occurred and then Rich Rodriguez departed for Michigan. Bill Stewart stuck by his team and led the Mountaineers to a stunning upset over the Oklahoma Sooners to rekindle some of that momentum that they had early on. (Hargrave, Va.) running back Terence Kerns leads the way and he should form a very solid one-two punch with Noel Devine. Stewart scored a coup when he managed to land four-star defensive end Tevita Finau from (Phoenix, Arizona) another junior college transfer. Mountaineers fans should keep their eyes on two potential sleepers in this class defensive tackle Jorge Wright (Dr. Krop/Miami) recorded 19 sacks as a senior.

Still waiting on: Josh Jenkins
One that got away: Terrelle Pryor, Shayne Hale and Cameron Saddler

69. Connecticut Huskies
Star of the Class: Trevardo Williams and Dwayne Gratz
Sleeper of the Class: Erik Kuraczea and Jordan Todman

Randy Edsall and his staff continue to mine out prospects who are under the radar and he somehow continues to win and build his program by developing them into solid collegiate players. The Huskies did a great job of nabbing local talent especially with defensive athlete Trevardo Williams (Bridgeport/Central) and center Erik Kuraczea (Ansonia). Edsall landed a number of potential stars on defense besides Williams, he landed (Dartmouth, Mass.) cornerback Jordan Todman, safety Jerome Junior (Baltimore/Archbishop Curley), (Piscataway, N.J.) cornerback Dwayne Gratz and Jerome Williams (Delran/NJ/Holy Cross). The Huskies continue to build depth at the quarterback position adding (Chesapeake/Great Bridge) native Casey Turner.