High school football season is now well under way and that means pro-recruiting battles are heating up. It also means, as Brian McLaughlin from Sporting News suggests, that we are about five months from national signing day.
"Recruiting never rests and while five months may seem like a long time, now is the time when recruits are setting up and taking official visits and coaches are making weekly phone calls to their top targets," says McLaughlin.
So, in anticipation of the big countdown to recruiting season, McLaughlin Sporting News has put together his list of what he calls the top 10 classes to date. Read player quotes from his school picks below and find out why he says these are the schools to watch.
1. Michigan (23 commitments)
The reintroduction of hard-nosed football has begun for the Wolverines--on the field and in recruiting. They have 23 players on board for 2012, and there is plenty of time to add another gem to the class. Keep this in mind, too--13 of those 23 recruits play on the offensive and defensive lines. "Our class can contribute greatly to Michigan as a whole," Sporting News Top 125 DE Tom Strobel told Sporting News. "With the type of players being recruited, what's not to like? We can make a big impact in turning this program around. And I love knowing that we have the potential to make history and put Michigan back on the top where it belongs."
Strobel's future Wolverines teammate on the defensive line--Matt Godin--agreed.
"We don't just have the top notch talent in the country in this class, but also the guys that are ready to work hard and have good work ethics," Godin said. "I can't completely talk on (assuming control of the Big Ten one day) until we actually get it done and beat them, but I think we will have what it takes to do it."
2. Texas A&M (22)
The Aggies got off to a hot start in the spring, much like their rivals at Texas. It's a tradition with the Texas schools to hoard talent as early as possible. Texas A&M's moving out of the Big 12 and likely into the SEC has created a buzz among recruits over the past few months.
SN125 players and Aggies' recruits QB Matt Davis, WR Bralon Addison and RB Trey Williams have no problem with the idea. "I'm loving our class," Davis told Sporting News. "We have everything we want, and everybody we need to go and compete in the SEC. The only thing left is to get maybe another inside linebacker and defensive tackle and we'll be great."
3. Texas (18)
What's new? In the early going, the Longhorns look great once again. While other top programs are just getting their 10th or 11th recruits and need several more key components, Texas already is in a good place and probably wouldn't cry too much if they had to stop tomorrow. This is a great group.
"Yeah, this class is great, with all the guys we got," SN 125 QB Connor Brewer told Sporting News. "(SN 125 WRs) Cayleb Jones and Thomas Johnson are going to be some great guys to throw to and I can wait to play with them. I hope we can get Andrus Peat, Nelson Agholor, Dorial Green-Beckham or Landon Collins, too."
4. Florida State (16)
The Florida schools all look pretty good. The Seminoles and Gators could be interchangeable for the No. 4 spot, and Miami--despite its recent troubles with the NCAA--has an impressive class, too. Florida State already has the No. 2 overall prospect in the SN 125 on board in DE Mario Edwards--a legacy recruit. The class grows from there. Much like the improved product on the field, the Seminoles are becoming an elite recruiting power once again.
5. Florida (17)
The talent in this class starts up front with offensive linemen D.J. Humphries and Jessamen Dunker, both SN 125 players. Also, don't forget about SN 125 running back Matt Jones out of the Tampa area--he could be an immediate contributor in the offense the Gators installed this year. He's a big, powerful, between-the-tackles back who could handle 20-25 carries a game in the SEC.
6. Alabama (18)
The Crimson Tide have plucked two of the best players out of Florida in WR Chris Black and ATH Eddie Williams, and two of the best players from Georgia in DB Geno Smith and RB Kenyan Drake. That's the kind of recruiting power Alabama has.
"We are really good," SN 125 LB Reggie Ragland told Sporting News. "I think we just got to add a few more to the mix and we will be great. Alabama has always been a machine but my class has just got to keep it going. With this great coaching, you won't have downs. Up is the only way to go."
7. Auburn (15)
Winning the national championship has paid dividends in recruiting for the Tigers. And mark this down--the Tigers have only just begun plucking the talent from this class. They have 10 more spots just waiting to be filled, and don't be surprised if big names fill those spots.
"We're getting better and we've got some big names close on the way," SN 125 QB Zeke Pike told Sporting News, without naming anyone. "I have a great feeling on how this is shaping up. I think we are going to have one sick class. Our coaches have done an A-plus job, but be ready for an A-plus, plus, plus when it's all said and done."
8. Notre Dame (14)
With the recent pickup of SN 125 DT Jarron Jones, the Fighting Irish once again proved they can go into anyone's backyard and pluck a recruit. Jones was at one time a Penn State recruit out of Rochester (N.Y.). The program has also gotten some good talent out of California, and is on the radar for some of the nation's top remaining prospects.
9. Penn State (17)
The Nittany Lions' 2011 signing class was tiny (16), and it was a quiet year all around. The hype surrounding this year's class has been anything but quiet. Penn State has one more recruit in its 2012 class than it had all of last year. The August pickups of SN 125 DT Tommy Schutt and DB Armani Reeves prove the Nittany Lions are moving in a good direction.
"I think this is coming along really well," Reeves told Sporting News. "We have the potential to do big things in the near future because we're so talented. It will be fun and exciting and fast and it will definitely be a family atmosphere. We are all real close with each other I would probably give up TV for a year if I could play in this week's game (against Alabama)."
10. USC (10)
OK, the Trojans only have 10 players on board--but every coach in the country would love to have the talent those 10 possess. Arik Armstead is as good as any lineman in the nation, while LB Jabari Ruffin would make any defensive coordinator drool. USC won't sign dozens of players this year because of the NCAA imposed scholarship reductions, but the kids they will sign are going to be good players.
"When I think of my class, one word comes to mind--nightmares," Ruffin told Sporting News. "We have a bunch of speed and strength on the field and can be another team's nightmare. From me and Scott (Starr) popping dudes in the mouth to Max Tuerk with all those pancakes (blocks) and (receivers) Jaydon (Mickens) and Darreus (Rogers) will burn you. And Arik is a monster."
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