The “offseason Super Bowl” of college football is today … National Signing Day Feb 2. All those national letters of intent are being faxed to athletic departments all over the country. In fact, by now most of them are in. Given that recruiting is the lifeblood of college football, this is a big day. As of 1:30 Central, this was one scouting service’s ranking of the recruiting classes … (from Scout.com):
Rank | School | Commits | Conf | Points | Top 100 |
Off | Def | SpT | HS | JC | Avg | |||
1. | Auburn | 25 | SEC | 4784 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 3.80 |
2. | Florida State | 27 | ACC | 4596 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 3.74 |
3. | Ohio State | 24 | Big Ten | 4403 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 1 | 24 | 0 | 3.71 |
4. | Texas | 22 | Big 12 | 4355 | 8 | 4 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 3.86 |
5. | Georgia | 25 | SEC | 4123 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 1 | 25 | 0 | 3.52 |
6. | USC | 28 | Pac-12 | 4120 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 3 | 24 | 4 | 3.39 |
7. | Alabama | 23 | SEC | 4054 | 7 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 3.74 |
8. | Notre Dame | 23 | Indep | 3906 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 3.61 |
9. | LSU | 22 | SEC | 3552 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 3.55 |
10. | Tennessee | 27 | SEC | 3498 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 24 | 3 | 3.33 |
11. | Clemson | 29 | ACC | 3481 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 1 | 29 | 0 | 3.24 |
12. | Oregon | 23 | Pac-12 | 3402 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 3.48 |
13. | South Carolina | 33 | SEC | 3331 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 16 | 17 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 3.06 |
14. | California | 22 | Pac-12 | 3257 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 3.45 |
15. | Arkansas | 32 | SEC | 3201 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 0 | 28 | 4 | 3.03 |
16. | North Carolina | 25 | ACC | 3057 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 1 | 23 | 2 | 3.12 |
17. | Oklahoma | 17 | Big 12 | 3040 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 3.71 |
18. | Texas Tech | 28 | Big 12 | 2971 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 0 | 24 | 4 | 3.07 |
19. | Washington | 24 | Pac-12 | 2956 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 3.21 |
20. | Oklahoma State | 26 | Big 12 | 2838 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 10 | 15 | 1 | 23 | 3 | 3.12 |
21. | Florida | 18 | SEC | 2836 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 3.50 |
22. | Mississippi | 28 | SEC | 2826 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 20 | 8 | 3.04 |
23. | Stanford | 19 | Pac-12 | 2791 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 3.37 |
24. | Nebraska | 20 | Big Ten | 2788 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 18 | 2 | 3.35 |
25. | Virginia | 26 | ACC | 2721 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 12 | 14 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 3.04 |
26. | Iowa | 25 | Big Ten | 2664 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 3.00 |
27. | TCU | 26 | MWC | 2527 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 25 | 1 | 2.85 |
28. | Michigan | 19 | Big Ten | 2511 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 3.26 |
29. | Michigan State | 20 | Big Ten | 2444 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 3.20 |
30. | Rutgers | 24 | Big East | 2285 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 23 | 1 | 2.96 |
31. | Kentucky | 19 | SEC | 2168 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 3.11 |
32. | Texas A&M | 21 | Big 12 | 2154 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 18 | 3 | 3.05 |
33. | Louisville | 20 | Big East | 2124 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 3.05 |
34. | Penn State | 15 | Big Ten | 2029 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 3.33 |
35. | Boston College | 23 | ACC | 2023 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 2.78 |
36. | Miami (Fl) | 16 | ACC | 1986 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 3.25 |
37. | Kansas | 26 | Big 12 | 1965 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 25 | 1 | 2.77 |
38. | Wisconsin | 20 | Big Ten | 1959 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 2.95 |
39. | Virginia Tech | 21 | ACC | 1954 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 2.86 |
40. | Illinois | 28 | Big Ten | 1849 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 17 | 10 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 2.64 |
41. | Georgia Tech | 22 | ACC | 1828 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 2.73 |
42. | Cincinnati | 23 | Big East | 1803 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 2.70 |
43. | Mississippi State | 22 | SEC | 1781 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 2.77 |
44. | Oregon State | 25 | Pac-12 | 1756 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 22 | 3 | 2.60 |
45. | Syracuse | 29 | Big East | 1728 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 16 | 11 | 2 | 26 | 3 | 2.55 |
46. | Missouri | 17 | Big 12 | 1707 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 3.06 |
47. | SMU | 28 | Conf USA | 1693 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 11 | 17 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 2.50 |
48. | Baylor | 20 | Big 12 | 1692 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 4 | 2.75 |
49. | Marshall | 35 | Conf USA | 1673 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 20 | 14 | 1 | 33 | 2 | 2.29 |
50. | Utah | 18 | Pac-12 | 1630 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 2.94 |
Looks like Auburn is getting a lot of mileage out of their stellar championship season. And Florida State is making a comeback under Jimbo Fisher. For having such a poor season, Mack Brown and Texas made a great haul. Despite their recent troubles, including having Lame Kiffin as coach, USC is still a huge player. (Hmmm … their “Pay The Players Package” must still be in place).
As for Notre Dame, a VERY GOOD class especially on the D-line and defensive front 7 overall … probably their best haul since the early ’90s. I think they snagged 7 or 8 of ESPN’s Top 150. Given you’re probably unlikely to compete for a national title without a great D-line (“SEC formula”), this bodes very well for ND’s program in a couple years. I’m encouraged. Now, only poor coaching could screw this up. In past years, I’d be worried about that happening … but now with Brian Kelly, I think we’re gonna see the Irish compete consistently in the Top 10. Hope I’m right!
Positive Note: Michigan Skunkbears out of the Top 25 … tee hee, tee hee 🙂
Comments or observations from the Pine?
Chas says
Pretty poor showing for Penn State…landing smack dab between Louisville and Boston College. If it was basketball, I’d be happy, but football…34th best recruiting class? Not looking good.
Crossword Pete says
ND in top 10 is a definite coup for Kelly and staff. That was supposed to be his biggest weakness; he wouldn’t be able to recruit to ND. Time will tell, but I think we are on the fast track to the top 10 in rankings as well.
TCU #27, Utah #50, and BSU nowhere in sight, as usual, but all will be in top 25 in rankings, as usual.
Crossword Pete says
Kane Kiffin appears to be the new UnWeis; he can recruit, but he can’t coach! I say USuC should sign him up for life!
Crossword Pete says
The Kane Kiffin instead of Lane was a true typo. No clever thought behind the name change on that one!
Wally says
Chas —
Don’t be too disappointed by this for Penn State. The reason I say this is because they have always had a bit of a different dynamic working for them through the years. Continuity of coaching staff is one of those things. But they are pretty similar to Nebraska in a lot of ways. Nebraska has never been one of those top 10 recruiting schools. Sure they get a handful of nice skill position players here and there, but they get a lot of “character kids” who really make a difference. Kids who are real blue-collar overachievers that really develop themselves and are also great team players. Kids who’ll give the shirts off their backs to make Nebraska (or Penn State) a winner. I always thought the kids at both schools played real hard the whole game and they played a team game. Most of them grow up dreaming to be Cornhuskers or Lions and they come from in-state or the neighboring states.
So I wouldn’t be too depressed about the ranking if I’m a PSU fan … sure you’d like to be getting super talent every year, but PSU and Nebraska are two programs that have been quite successful on the field w/o stellar recruiting hauls over the years. Just proves that the kids have to develop once they land on campus … at some schools they don’t have a high batting average for that. ND was awful at that ever since Lou Holtz left … but I think they’ll get much better at it under BK.
Wally says
Pete —
I prefer Lame Kiffin … that was not a typo in my original post … and I think it says it all.
Wally says
Boise State is like Air Force … they get a bunch of 3 star guys that nobody else wants, guys with chips on their shoulders … and then they coach ’em up. Not the “most talented”, but they play hard and play as a team … hence the success. Keeping coach Peterson there despite all the offers dangling in front of him will keep the Blue Bus chugging along just as they have been. Besides … Kellen Moore is back for another year at QB.
Chas says
Interesting you made the Penn St-Nebraska comparison, Wally, since they’re been assigned as “natural rivals” or whatever they call it in the new Big Ten two-division format. There’s potential for that to develop into a nice annual matchup.
Wally says
Wow, Pete, I stumbled across this ranking from MaxPreps on CBSsports:
College Commits Top 100 Highest Rated Recruit
1 Notre Dame 23 8 – Aaron Lynch (#22)
2 Florida State 24 7 James Wilder (#2)
3 Southern California 27 6 De’Anthony Thomas (#15)
4 Alabama 19 8 Hasean Clinton-Dix (#24)
5 Auburn 25 5 Cyrus Kouandjio (#3)
6 LSU 22 7 La’El Collins (#7)
7 Clemson 26 6 Stephone Anthony (#4)
8 Georgia 25 5 Ray Drew (#18)
9 Ohio State 24 4 Braxton Miller (#8)
10 Texas 22 4 Malcolm Brown (#10)
11 Tennessee 23 4 Antonio Richardson (#40)
12 South Carolina 30 1 Brandon Shell (#17)
13 Illinois 32 1 Reilly O’Toole (#99)
14 Florida 18 4 Jeff Driskel (#14)
15 Washington 25 2 Austin Seferian-Jenkins (#27)
16 Virginia 25 1 Darius Jennings (#71)
17 Iowa 24 1 Rodney Coe (#73)
18 Oregon 21 2 Colt Lyerla (#35)
19 North Carolina 22 2 Marquise Williams (#80)
20 California 18 2 Viliami Moala (#34)
21 Arkansas 25 1 Brey Cook (#29)
22 Mississippi 19 1 C.J. Johnson (#37)
23 Michigan State 21 1 Lawrence Thomas (#21)
24 Wisconsin 21 1 Melvin Gordon (#89)
25 Stanford 19 1 Wayne Lyons (#45)
Looks highly suspicious though with Illinois at #13. I think that’s waaaaaaaay off base for them. Harbaugh’s departure has definitely hurt Stanford. They likely woulda been Top 10 had he stayed.
Anyway, more positive vibes for the Irish. Kelly & Co have not only recovered a from aTitanic type situation in late October, they’ve turned it into a rocket that’s just now taking off. What a turnaround!
Smitty says
So Cyrus Kouandjio is reconsidering his decision to go to Auburn. While this doesn’t surprise me, the 3 teams that is down to is Alabama, Auburn and New Mexico..
New Mexico??
Wally says
Yes, that’s a real head scratcher, Smitty!