Looking into the crystal ball
by Flynn Hill
Does it really matter what the team recruiting rankings are in July and August? If the midpoint in any season really made a difference, the Detroit Lions would have been in the playoffs last year. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. Look at the past few years. By Aug. 1, last year’s recruiting champions, Alabama, had just 13 of a national best 32 commitments. Two year’s ago, Florida picked up 11 commitments after January 1, 2007. However, nothing tops what Southern Cal did three years ago, landing 17 of 27 commitments after Jan. 1, 2006, including Stafon Johnson, C.J. Gable, David Ausberry and Allen Bradford.
Therefore the question will be answered today. Who will have the top class when it matters?
The top 25 classes on Feb. 4, 2009:
1. Southern Cal- Will the rich get richer? They certainly have so far, however they’re not even close to finishing off this loaded class. Matt Barkley is the headliner in a class of headliners. As of now, Vontaze Burfict is the headliner for the defense, but that will all change when Devon Kennard, the nation’s top defensive player and second overall, signs on the dotted line with Southern Cal. On top of that, Burfict won’t even be the team’s best linebacker commitment, as the Trojans will pick up Manti Te’o, the best linebacker in the country. Even if they do lose Randall Carroll, the Trojans will still end up with playmakers all over the place. So to answer the question, the Trojans won’t get rich. They’ll get filthy stinking rich and hit the recruiting jackpot, possibly pulling one of the best classes on paper in recruiting history.
Top 5 players (rating given at the end)
1. QB Matt Barkley, 6’3, 230, Mater Dei (CA)- 9.7
2. DE Devon Kennard, 6’3, 254, Desert Vista (AZ)- 9.7
3. LB Manti Te’o, 6’2, 220, Punuahou (HI)- 9.6
4. LB Vontaze Burfict, 6’2, 230, Centennial (CA)- 9.3
5. WR Randall Carroll, 5’11, 175, Cathedral (CA)- 8.8
2. Louisiana State- The Tigers already have a verbal from the nation’s most dynamic playmaker in quarterback Russell Sheppard. While Sheppard will have an impact on the field when he does show up in Baton Rouge, Sheppard may have a bigger impact on the recruiting circuit than Sheppard. He will be responsible for helping land the top defensive tackle in the nation, Jamarkus McFarland. On top of that, two of the state’s top players, Reuben Randle and Chris Davenport, will announce their intentions that they will be Tigers. Throw in a couple other big-time players including Montrell Conner and Barkevious Mingo, and this Tiger class will add to the recent success
Top 5 players
1. QB Russell Sheppard, 6’2, 185, Cypress Ridge (TX)- 9.7
2. DT Jamarkus McFarland, 6’3, 280, Lufkin (TX)- 9.6
3. CB Janzen Jackson, 6’0, 185, Barbe (LA)- 9.1
4. WR Reuben Randle, 6’3, 195, Bastrop (LA)- 9.0
5. DT Chris Davenport, 6’4, 320 Mansfield (LA)- 8.9
3. Texas - Despite losing the state’s top three players in Shepard, McFarland, and Craig Loston, the Longhorns still land enough talent to garner the number three ranking. While their class is not as top heavy as Southern Cal or Louisiana State’s, Texas has a very deep class. Center prospects as good as Mason Walter come around once in a blue moon. Walter, with a year of redshirting under his belt, can be a three- or four-year starter for Texas. He’ll have an efficient and accurate winner to snap the ball to in Garrett Gilbert. Gilbert led the Longhorns to the Texas 4A state title a year ago and will be in the thick of it to repeat. Gilbert will be able to hand off to top 100 back Chris Whaley. Walters, Thomas Ashcraft, Garrett Porter and Paden Kelly will form one of the best offensive line classes in the country.
1. C Mason Walters, 6’6, 290, Frenship (TX)- 9.1
2. QB Garrett Gilbert, 6’3, 205, Lake Travis (TX)- 9.1
3. OT Thomas Ashcraft, 6’5, 280, Cedar Hill (TX)- 8.8
4. RB Chris Whaley, 6’3, 220, Madisonville (TX)- 8.8
5. DB Marcus Davis, 6’0, 195, Clear Creek (TX)- 8.4
4. Notre Dame- The Irish may have finally found the playmaker they need at running back in Cierre Wood, the nation’s 12th best prospect. He’s the kind of difference maker the Irish offense lacked last year. Xavier Nixon and Chris Watt will give this line some stability. Jelani Jenkins and Anthony Lalota are both going to be staples of the Irish’s blitzing 3-4. They’ll miss out on Shaquelle Evans, but will look toward next year in order to pick up a playmaker on the perimeter. In what was supposed to be a down year for Notre Dame in recruiting, the Irish will still have one of the best classes in the country. 2010 is already lining up to be a banner year for the Irish in terms of recruiting, so a return to glory is not out of the question.
1. RB Cierre Wood, 6’0, 190, Santa Clara (CA)- 9.4
2. LB Jelani Jenkins, 6’0, 210 Our Lady Good Counsel (MD)- 9.2
3. OT Xavier Nixon, 6’6, 280, Jack Britt (NC)- 9.0
4. DE Anthony LaLota, 6’6, 260, The Hun School (NJ)- 8.6
5. OG Chris Watt, 6’3, 280, Glenbard West (IL)- 8.5
5. Alabama- Nick Saban follows up last year’s gem of a recruiting class with another gem of a class. Last year’s class needed a big-time linebacker and they got it in Jerrell Harris. This year, they pick up Nico Johnson, the top middle linebacker in the country and second best linebacker overall. There are questions at corner for the Crimson Tide, but Dre Kirkpatrick, the nation’s top corner, will help to give answers. D.J. Fluker is an ideal fit for their 3-4. The offense landed Julio Jones last year, but failed to pick up a big-time back. Trent Richardson is the workhorse the offense has been missing. Kendall Kelly will be a nice compliment to Jones.
1. LB Nico Johnson, 6’3, 230, Andalusia (AL)- 9.4
2. CB Dre Kirkpatrick, 6’2, 180, Gadsden (AL)- 9.2
3. DT D.J. Fluker, 6’7, 325, Foley (AL)- 9.0
4. LB Tana Patrick, 6’3, 215, North Jackson (AL)- 8.4
5. RB Trent Richardson, 5’11, 225, Pensacola (FL)- 8.4
6. Georgia- When Matthew Stafford leaves town, the Bulldogs will have not one, but two quarterbacks looking to replace the future NFL quarterback. If you combined Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger, you’d probably have the best player in a long time. Murray has great accuracy and above-average athleticism, while Mettenberger has great size and a cannon for an arm. At least one of these two will develop into a fine quarterback. Abry Jones has overwhelming quickness for interior linemen to handle. Johnnie Farms and Chris Burnette will solidify the interior line for the Bulldogs. Washaun Early has a nose for the endzone, as he scored 58 touchdowns as a junior. Jarvis Jones and Branden Smith will make this class a special one.
1. QB Aaron Murray, 6’0, 190, Plant (FL)- 9.0
2. DL Abry Jones, 6’3, 250, Northside (GA)- 8.8
3. CB Branden Smith, 5’11, 170, Washington (GA)- 8.7
4. LB Jarvis Jones, 6’3, 215, Carver (GA)- 8.4
5. QB Zach Mettenberger, 6’5, 230, Oconee County (GA)- 8.4
7. Ohio State- While they are the clear-cut leader in the recruiting rankings as of the half way point, it is based on having 24 commitments. Yes people, there is a school out there who has more commitments than Texas this early. Last year, they picked up a trio of talented offensive linemen and a big-time quarterback. This time around they added a trio of top linebackers and several talented defensive backs. This defense is going to be scary good in a few years behind the strength of linebacker Dorian Bell, defensive end Melvin Fellows and safety Jamie Wood. They add playmakers on the offensive side of the ball with receivers James Jackson, Chris Fields and Corey Brown. Don’t sleep on fullback Carlos Hyde. He’s the best in the land at his position. With 15 players rating 8.0 or higher, the Buckeyes have an extremely deep class.
1. LB Dorian Bell, 6’0, 225, Monroeville (PA)- 8.6
2. DE Melvin Fellows, 6’5, 245, Garfield Heights (OH)- 8.6
3. DT Johnny Simon, 6’3, 275, Cardinal Mooney (OH)- 8.5
4. DB Jamie Wood, 6’2, 190, Central (OH)- 8.5
5. OT Marcus Hall, 6’5, 290, Glenville Academic Academy (OH)- 8.4
8. Clemson- This class hinges around the soap opera that is the recruitment of the top safety in the nation, Craig Loston. He’s the type of player who can make or break a class, especially for Clemson, who can pair him alongside an outstanding compliment in Devonte Holloman. For now, he’s a Tiger, but that can change with a little bit of convincing from his cousin, Russell Shepard. This year’s defensive crop is outstanding, as they also pick up a pair of outstanding ends, Sam Montgomery and Malliciah Goodman. Both are NES 100 prospects and linebacker Eric Fields is an athletic playmaker who is a proven winner at the high school level. J.K. Jay is great offensive lineman who is physically strong enough to play college ball.
1. S Craig Loston, 6’2, 195, Eisenhower (TX)- 9.3
2. DE Sam Montgomery, 6’4, 230, Greenwood (SC)- 9.1
3. DE Malliciah Goodman, 6’3, 255, West Florence (SC)- 8.5
4. LB Eric Fields, 6’1, 205, Northside School (GA)- 8.3
5. OT J.K. Jay, 6’6, 275, Christ Church (SC)- 8.2
9. Michigan- If Rich Rodriguez doesn’t have the pieces to run his spread offense yet, he will after the class of 2009 is signed. While the top two players in the class are defensive prospects in William Campbell and Darius Winston, the offense will get its share of top talent. Quarterback Shavodrick Beaver can run the spread, just as his clone, Dennis Dixon, did during his senior year at Oregon. If Beaver doesn’t work out, Kevin Newsome has outstanding physical tools, but he may be better off switching positions. Offensive tackle Michael Schofield has the athleticism that Rodriguez needs to run the spread option. If Rodriguez had the receivers at West Virginia he would have passed more, according to Shaquelle Evans. While he won’t land Evans, Bryce McNeal will definitely allow him to stretch the field
1. DT William Campbell, 6’4, 330, Cass Tech (MI)- 8.8
2. CB Darius Winston, 6’0, 190, Central (AR)- 8.7
3. QB Shavodrick Beaver, 6’3, 180, Rider (TX)- 8.5
4. OT Michael Schofield, 6’6, 270, Sandburg (IL)- 8.4
5. S Justin Turner, 6’2, 180, Washington (OH)- 8.4
10. Florida- Urban Meyer takes a step back this year because of the numbers they are allowed to take, but still ends up with a top 10 class. Meyer is not afraid to play freshman. Nick Alajajian is the top offensive lineman in the nation and is going to help out immediately on a rather thin line. Gary Brown is going to be tremendous with last year’s stud defensive tackle, Omar Hunter. The Gators will end up with a late season victory when two members of the Seminole High School trio, wide receiver Andre Debose and defensive end Dyron Dye, both sign with Florida (Ray Ray Armstrong, the third member, will go to Louisiana State). Overall, it’ll be a very strong class from top to bottom
1. OG Nick Alajajian, 6’4, 280, Naples (FL)- 9.3
2. WR Andre Debose, 6’0, 170, Seminole (FL)- 9.1
3. DE Nick Kasa, 6’7, 245, Legacy (CO)- 8.6
3. DT Gary Brown, 6’3, 285, West Gadsden (FL)- 8.4
4. WR Nu’Keese Richardson, 5’9, 155, 8.4
11. Tennessee- Unbelievable haul on offense is led by receivers Marlon Brown and Je’Ron Stokes and running back Jarvis Giles.
12. Florida State- Jaccobi McDaniel and Demonte McAllister lead a class that lacks the necessary offensive line recruits to break the top 10.
13. Michigan State- Hats are off for the job Mark Dantonio has done on the recruiting trail. Running nacks Edwin Baker and Larry Caper were huge wins over Michigan.
14. Miami (FL)- Bryce Brown will follow big brother Arthur to Coral Gables. Michael Carter will help a secondary that missed out on Patrick Johnson last year.
15. Mississippi State- Kendrick Hardy is a huge get for Sylvester Croom. Fletcher Cox is a terror off the edge.
16. Illinois- Offensive haul is outstanding with Kraig Appelton, Ronnie Wingo and Nate Scheelhaase.
16. Rutgers- Decommitments hurt, but Tom Savage will make Scarlet Knights fans forget.
17. North Carolina- Great pickups on defense with Donte Moss and Terry Shankle amongst others.
18. Oklahoma- Gabe Lynn and Tom Wort help a lackluster class; there’s just not enough on offense to get a higher ranking.
19. Stanford- A bigger surprise than Rutgers in the recruiting world, Jim Harbaugh went to New York and got Shayne Skov, a great linebacker for the Cardinal.
20. Virginia Tech- Logan Thomas is one of the best gets for Frank Beamer’s staff in the past few years.
21. West Virginia- Logan Heastie and Tahj Boyd are going to break all sorts of passing records in Blacksburg.
22. Minnesota- While the success on the field hasn’t come, Tim Brewster can recruit. Hasan Lipscomb is an unbelievable commitment from Texas.
23. South Carolina- Damario Jeffery and Chris Bonds lead a defensive heavy haul for the Gamecocks.
24. Auburn- Plenty of JUCO players and Rodney Scott lead Tommy Tubberville’s class.
25. Texas A&M- Huge volume of commitments brings Texas A&M a top 25 class. Ivory Wade will help the offensive line.